News

8 September 2025

Modimolle-Mookgophong’s municipal manager crisis

Location: News

The Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality (Nylstroom, Alma, Vaalwater, Naboomspruit, Roedtan) faces a period of administrative uncertainty following the Council’s decision to appoint yet another acting municipal manager. During a special council meeting on Friday (5 September), the Council noted the recommendation by Limpopo’s Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) that the Municipality should not […]

The post Modimolle-Mookgophong faces uncertain future amid municipal manager crisis appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.

8 September 2025

Pagad Marches Against Gang Violence on the Cape Flats

Location: News

The organisation marched under close police supervision in Mitchells Plain on Sunday

8 September 2025

Cross River State and Afreximbank sign Hosting Agreement for AfSNET 2026 Investment Conference

Location: News

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) and the Government of Cross River State have officially signed a Hosting Agreement for the 6th African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network Investment Conference 2026, marking a significant milestone in regional cooperation and investment promotion across Africa.

The agreement was signed during the Sub-Sovereign Business Engagement session held on the margins of the ongoing Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) in Algiers, Algeria. It was signed by the President & Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Prof Benedict Oramah and the Executive Governor of Cross River State, H.E Prince Bassey Edet Otu.

The agreement formalises Cross River State's role as the official host of the 2026 AfSNET Investment Conference, scheduled to take place in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. The event will convene sub-sovereign leaders, investors, development partners, and key stakeholders to explore trade and investment opportunities across Africa's regions.

AfSNET, launched by Afreximbank in 2021 in collaboration with the AfCFTA Secretariat, serves as a platform to strengthen the role of Sub-Sovereign entities in driving intra-African trade and development. The annual conference aims to put city and state governments at the centre of intra-African trade. The 2026 edition will spotlight investment-ready projects, facilitate matchmaking between investors and local governments, and promote regional integration.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, President Oramah said: “When Afreximbank launched AfSNET in 2021, our vision was clear: to amplify the voices of Sub-Sovereign governments in shaping economic policy, unlocking investment opportunities, and accelerating trade across Africa. We firmly believe that development must be decentralised, originating where the needs are most pronounced in our cities, provinces, counties, and regions and cascading outward to influence national and continental progress.”

Speaking at the same event, Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, H.E. Wamkele Mene said: “Africa's integration and transformation will not be achieved from the top down alone. It will be built from the ground up; in municipalities, states, and provinces where policy becomes reality in people's lives. AfCFTA provides the framework, IATF provides the marketplace, and AfSNET is the bridge between local power and continental impact. Let us seize this moment to empower our sub-sovereigns, accelerate the AfCFTA, and build an Africa that is more connected, inclusive, and globally competitive”.

Executive Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Edet Otu, expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity: “We are honoured to host AfSNET 2026 and showcase Cross River as a gateway to investment in Nigeria and West Africa. This event will catalyse economic growth, foster partnerships, and elevate our state's profile on the continental stage.”

Preparations for AfSNET 2026 are already underway, with both parties committed to delivering a world-class event. The conference will feature plenary sessions, exhibitions, B2B meetings, and cultural showcases, offering a dynamic environment for dialogue and deal-making.

This year's Sub-Sovereign Business Engagement in Algiers marks its fifth edition since 2021, when it was founded. It was attended by governors, mayors, and leaders of sub-sovereign governments from across Africa and the Caribbean. Past editions of the conference were held in Durban, South Africa (2021), Abuja, Nigeria (2022), Cairo, Egypt (2023), and Kisumu, Kenya (2024). The annual event brings together sub-national leaders from across the continent to exchange ideas on how to promote development in African regions.

Some of the projects that have materialised from the AfSNET initiative include funding for industrial parks and Special Economic Zones in Ogun State, Nigeria, supporting deep seaport development in Cross River State, Nigeria, and helping prepare major projects like the Nyanza Light Metals initiative in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa for bankability, and supporting feasibility and bankability studies for Africa's first blockchain-enabled, continuous manufacturing facility for essential medicines in Kisumu, Kenya.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media contact:
media@intrafricatradefair.com
press@afreximbank.com

About the Intra-African Trade Fair:
Organised by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), African Union Commission (AUC) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) is intended to provide a unique platform for facilitating trade and investment information exchange in support of increased intra-African trade and investment, especially in the context of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). IATF brings together continental and global players to showcase and exhibit their goods and services and to explore business and investment opportunities in the continent. It also provides a platform to share trade, investment and market information with stakeholders and allows participants to discuss and identify solutions to the challenges confronting intra-African trade and investment. In addition to African participants, the Trade Fair is also open to businesses and investors from non-African countries interested in doing business in Africa and in supporting the continent's transformation through industrialisation and export development.

For more information, please visit www.IntrAfricanTradeFair.com.

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8 September 2025

Ekurhuleni’s Power Crisis Warnings Fall on Deaf Ears

Location: News

For months, the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) has been warning against the Ekurhuleni Metro’s flawed power tariff system, which is characterised by inconsistencies, poor planning and inadequate public consultation. Many of the questions repeatedly put to the Mayor, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, and the Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Jongizizwe Dlabathi, remain unanswered. The most pressing […]

The post Freedom Front Plus warnings regarding Ekurhuleni’s power crisis appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.

8 September 2025

Germiston Residents Left in the Dark

Location: News

The Ekurhuleni Metro’s failure to do proper long-term planning is the root cause of the recent power outage that paralysed households and businesses in Germiston North. The outage, triggered by the theft of the Croydon 132 kV cable supplying power to the primary substation in Germiston North, left more than 20 suburbs without electricity last […]

The post Ekurhuleni’s failure to do long-term planning leaves Germiston residents in the dark appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.

8 September 2025

Africa’s Power Ambitions & Success Depend on a Skilled Workforce

Location: Business

By Cobus Van Schalkwyk, Managing Director, Rolls-Royce Solutions Africa (www.mtu-Solutions.com).

Across Africa, the lights are coming on—literally and figuratively. Industrial zones are expanding. Urban populations are booming. Power projects are rising from Kenya to the Cape. But behind this momentum lies a challenge few are discussing: who will build and maintain this future?

Power plants don't run themselves. Microgrids don't install themselves. Even the most advanced systems require skilled engineers to operate safely and efficiently. As Africa races to industrialise, decarbonise, and digitise, its biggest constraint isn't technology—it's talent.

According to the Engineers for Africa 2025 report, sub-Saharan Africa has fewer than seven engineers per 10,000 people, compared with a global average of over 50. In Burundi, there is one registered engineer per 825,000 people; in Uganda, one per 30,000; in Tanzania, one per 8,000. Even South Africa, the region's industrial hub, is falling short. In 2023, it produced 32,141 engineering and science graduates—5,000 below target—and many lack the practical experience employers require.

Meeting Africa's projected doubling of energy demand by 2030 will require over 610 GW of installed capacity, up from under 250 GW today. This growth hinges on an expanded workforce across electrical, mechanical, civil, and advanced technology disciplines. Renewable and hybrid projects could generate 3.3 million new jobs by the end of the decade, with nearly 40% requiring tertiary or technical training (FSD Africa, 2024). Yet fewer than 25% of university students pursue STEM fields (UNESCO, 2024).

South Africa is currently the only African country with full signatory status in the Washington Accord, a global framework recognising the equivalence of university engineering degrees across 25 countries, including the UK and USA. This allows South African-educated and trained engineers to be recognised by global corporations without requalification—and sets a benchmark for the continent. Expanding this recognition would complement the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), by enabling the freer movement of qualified talent across borders and boosting employer confidence in local skills.

At Rolls-Royce, we are committed to being part of the solution. Our new Power Systems regional facility in Johannesburg is more than an operations hub. It supports customers of our mtu products and solutions across Africa with everything from standalone and critical backup power generators to the high-performance engines that drive locomotives and the world's largest mining trucks. It is also a centre for capacity building. Alongside assembling and servicing mtu power and propulsion systems, we deliver accredited training in borescope inspections, engine fault isolation, e-learning, and both line and base maintenance. We aim to cultivate engineering excellence that matches the performance of the technology we deliver.

Across Southern Africa, promising training initiatives are emerging to address critical skills gaps in transport, energy, and industrial sectors. Long-term apprenticeship programmes are preparing artisans such as welders, electricians, and fitters for national infrastructure projects, while bursaries in mechanical and transport engineering are helping to build a pipeline of future specialists. In the oil and gas sector, technical academies are delivering training across the full value chain, from exploration to downstream operations. These programmes—often developed in collaboration with vocational institutes and national skills authorities—demonstrate how industry can shape a workforce capable of supporting complex systems.

At the same time, industries are increasingly investing in digital readiness. Newly formed in-house academies and partnerships with universities are not only producing core industrial technicians but also launching AI and cybersecurity initiatives to prepare young people for the future of engineering. These efforts demonstrate that when the private sector leads with purpose, meaningful progress can be achieved.

Africa needs more graduate placements, stronger university–industry partnerships, and wider access to alternative learning pathways—from bootcamps and workshops to maker labs and apprenticeships. These models can rapidly equip people with market-ready skills, align training with evolving technologies, and accelerate delivery of the continent's infrastructure, industrial, and energy ambitions.

The solutions are known. The models are tested. What's missing is scale—and urgency.

We believe in training through hands-on experience. The future of power isn't just in megawatts, it's in the hands of the people who make it possible.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Rolls-Royce Solutions.

Additional Information:
https://apo-opa.co/3V5ZS48

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8 September 2025

Africa’s Leading Gold Producers to Attend AMW 2025

Location: News

Energy Capital & Power
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The upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) 2025 – Africa's premier gathering for mining stakeholders, scheduled for October 1–3, 2025 in Cape Town – will feature representatives from the continent's top gold-producing countries and companies. Collectively, these stakeholders account for the majority of Africa's gold output and are expected to showcase strategies, policies and projects strengthening the continent's economic growth, industrialization agenda and position in the global market.

Ghana

Ghana - Africa's largest gold producer and the world's sixth largest – will be represented by Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, in the Ministerial Forum. Minister Buah is anticipated to highlight policies transforming gold extraction, beneficiation and investment attraction, anchored by the ministry's six-pillar strategy. Ghana's gold output reached 130 tons in 2024, with exports rising 53.2% to $11.64 billion.

The country's artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector will also feature at AMW. Kwaku Nsiah-Asare, CEO of Typhoon Greenfield Development – Ghana's first ASM company compliant with London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) standards – will speak in the ASM Regulation: Balancing Formalization and Livelihood Protection panel, where he is expected to showcase ASM sector's contribution to industry growth.

Mali

Africa's second-largest gold producer, Mali - which recorded output of 67.7 tons in 2024 - will be represented by the Chamber of Mines of Mali. CEO Fousseni Togola will participate in the Gold Economy: Value, Processing and Global Market Positioning panel, where he is expected to showcase investment opportunities as the country strengthens cooperation with global partners and modernizes its sector under the new Mining Code.

South Africa

As one of the continent's most established gold producers, South Africa will be represented by Thabiso Sekano, Head of Mining and Metals at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). Sekano will join the Investor Perspective: Financing Africa's Minerals Industrialization panel, where he is expected to discuss IDC's strategy to revitalize South Africa's mining sector and unlock new opportunities in gold production.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe - Africa's eighth-largest gold producer with 49 tons of output in 2024 - will be representated by Winston Chitando, Minister of Mines and Mining Development, alongside representatives from the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe. Minister Chitando will participate in the Ministerial Forum, where he is expected to emphasize investment prospects within Zimbabwe's gold value chain.

Namibia

Representing Namibia, B2Gold Namibia will participate in discussions on the future of gold mining in Africa. John Ross, the company's Country Manager, will feature in the Africa's Gold Economy panel, where he is expected to present expansion strategies for the company's operations, including the Otjikoto Mine - Namibia's second-largest gold mine.

Emerging Producers

AMW will also spotlight measures adopted by emerging gold producers – including Nigeria, Egypt and Uganda - to unlock large-scale gold production. Egypt will be represented by Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum Resources and Mineral Resources while Nigeria will be represented by Oladele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development and Uganda by Humphrey Asiimwe, CEO of the Uganda Chamber of Energy and Mines.

Location: Business

Liquid C2, a business of Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader of African heritage, has announced a partnership between its Cloudmania business and global independent software vendor AvePoint (https://www.AvePoint.com/) (Nasdaq: AVPT). Under the agreement, Cloudmania will distribute AvePoint across Africa, opening new markets and opportunities for secure cloud adoption across the continent.

“Partnering with AvePoint is another significant milestone in our journey to becoming the leading provider of cloud solutions in Africa. Incorporating AvePoint's globally proven solutions into our services enables us to strengthen our existing offerings, equipping our partners and customers with the tools they need to close cyber security gaps, ensure compliance, and unlock new opportunities for innovation and growth,” said Oswald Jumira, Chief Executive Officer of Liquid C2.

The partnership will see AvePoint's specialised data protection, governance, migration, and SaaS management tools integrated into Cloudmania's comprehensive portfolio of Microsoft-based solutions. These additional solutions will complement Cloudmania's current services and help partners and resellers across all industries deliver more secure, scalable, and efficient digital services.

“Africa is one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing markets for cloud. Our exclusive partnership with Cloudmania means we can bring our innovations to a wider audience, empowering organisations of every size and sector to protect their data, streamline their operations, and realise the full value of their digital transformation strategies,” said Mohammed Helaly, Sr. Sales Director, Middle East, Turkey and Africa

Hosted on Microsoft Azure and leveraging regional data centres, AvePoint's solutions meet local compliance requirements while maintaining the highest security standards. This, along with simplicity and ease of deployment, provides a cost-effective and reliable alternative to traditional storage-based backup models.

The partnership between Liquid C2's award-winning distribution business unit, Cloudmania, and AvePoint is another example of how collaborative partnerships are empowering African businesses through holistic technology solutions that enhance operational resilience and enable digital transformation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Liquid Intelligent Technologies.

About Liquid C2:
Liquid C2, a subsidiary of Liquid Intelligent Technologies, delivers cutting-edge cloud and cybersecurity services and solutions. Committed to facilitating digital transformation, Liquid C2 is positioned to provide comprehensive solutions tailored to meet the evolving demands of the digital era by empowering businesses to navigate the complexities of the modern digital landscape securely. The company's offerings span cloud solutions that enhance accessibility and scalability, and robust cybersecurity services to safeguard sensitive data and elevate security and compliance posture to ensure businesses remain seamlessly connected and protected. https://LiquidC2.com/

About Cloudmania:
Launched by Liquid C2 in 2021, Cloudmania is the distribution business unit of Liquid C2. Cloudmania offers cutting-edge solutions to provide a full suite of partner-focused products and services. The organisation was awarded a Microsoft Partner of the Year in Ethiopia 2022 and Côte d'Ivoire in 2023 The company has opened its doors to numerous countries across the African continent, including South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Mauritius, Ethiopia, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Cameroon, Botswana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo serving the mission to bring about digital disruption using the power of the cloud. For more information https://Cloudmania.africa/

About AvePoint:
Beyond Secure. AvePoint is the global leader in data security, governance, and resilience, going beyond traditional solutions to ensure a robust data foundation and enable organizations everywhere to collaborate with confidence. Over 25,000 customers worldwide rely on the AvePoint Confidence Platform to prepare, secure, and optimize their critical data across Microsoft, Google, Salesforce, and other collaboration environments. AvePoint's global channel partner program includes approximately 5,000 managed service providers, value-added resellers, and systems integrators, with our solutions available in more than 100 cloud marketplaces. To learn more, visit https://www.AvePoint.com/

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Liquid Intelligent Technologies

Location: News

On Wednesday evening, Chris Yelland reported on X that there have been a total of 5 resignations from the Board of the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (NECSA) – three non-executive board members, plus the board member representative of the Department of Energy & Electricity (Dr Philemon Magampa), plus his alternate (Ms Bessie Makgopa). …

8 September 2025

Counder to Bring African and Global Private Sector Leaders to Cape Town

Location: News

As South Africa's current G20 presidency reinforces the country's & continent's geo-political importance, Counder (www.Counder.com), the global network connecting visionary leaders, is announcing key themes focused on Africa for its flagship Counder Conference 2026, chosen to take place in Cape Town, South Africa, from January 27-29 2026.

With global macro-trends like AI-driven innovation, renewable energies, biotech and digital assets to play a big role at the future-forward Conference, African themes will play an important role too - as of the chosen event location and rising importance of the continent globally.

The time and place of the event reflects a key moment for South Africa's and the continent's international positioning. While the G20 presidency reinforces the country's growing global significance, Counder Conference 2026 will look to sustain this momentum through private sector engagement, bringing together 500 carefully selected global leaders to continue high-level international dialogue based in the country.

Africa-Focused Trends & Topics

Counder Conference 2026 is designed around exchange, connection and collaboration. The format emphasises expert-guided roundtables, strategic breakouts, and a proprietary matchmaking system designed to facilitate meaningful connections between participants, including family office principals, institutional investors, venture capital partners, and industry leaders from across the globe.

The Conference will focus on tomorrow's most important opportunities — with selected ones being focused on the continent. Rather than those being explored with theory experts, industry veterans from the regions are there to exchange with fellow attendees. The themes and confirmed leaders include:

South Africa: At a Crossroads — Examining the country's position as a gateway to continental markets and its evolving business environment.

Attending from South Africa are Counder Members like Louis Norval, property developer and benefactor of the arts; Michael Jordaan, technology pioneer and investor; Joshin Raghubar, philanthropist and venture developer and Basetsana Kumalo, family office investor and media personality.

Nigeria: Bold and Untapped — Exploring Africa's largest economy and its fintech, energy, and manufacturing potential.

Attending from Nigeria are Counder Members like Kola Aina, venture capital investor and art collector.

Egypt: Past Meets Future — Investigating opportunities in North Africa's economic hub and its strategic positioning.

Attending from Egypt are Counder Members like Sherine Kabesh, payments entrepreneur.

The Continent's Century — Broad discussions on Africa's demographic dividend and emerging market dynamics.

Leaders from the continent attending represent important growth markets, like Kenya, for example represented by James Mwangi, climate investor. Additionally, pan-African investors in hospitality, like James Bailes; energy, like Reyburn Hendricks; fintech, like Johan Bosini and many others will give the international attendees a perfect sense for what it takes to succeed on the continent into the future.

Previous Counder gatherings have facilitated tangible business outcomes including strategic partnerships, co-investment opportunities, and cross-border deals.

Global Leaders Confirmed to Attend

Individuals attending include a wide variety of top decision-makers and thought leaders based across international regions — from Anuradha Das Mathur, economist from India to Oliver Merkel, serial entrepreneur from Germany, to Sudeep Ramnani, sports & technology investor based in the UAE, to Andrew Stewart, venture capitalist from the USA.

They will all be welcomed by amazing local stakeholders and in amazing locations, given that Counder has partnered with some of Cape Town's most amazing venues and organisations, including Norval Foundation in Tokai and The German Residence by the German Government in Bishopscourt. In addition, excursions will be used to experience more of the city's scenery - recently voted best in the world.

Representing 25 backers of the global Counder-network, CEO Michel Weiss and Chairman Leonard Stiegeler are looking forward to bringing the world to Cape Town in January 2026.

"South Africa's G20 presidency showcases the country's excellence in convening world-class global conversations," said Michel Weiss. "While government leaders are to shape policy frameworks here, we are convinced Cape Town should host the world's most influential private sector leaders as well.”

Leonard Stiegeler added: "Africa, with its fast-growing population, technology-forward societies and resource-rich environment, is a key stakeholder of the future. It is only natural to host a future-forward conference on this continent. South Africa, as one gateway to the continent for international investors, is a great place to do so."

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Counder Network GmbH.

About Counder:
Counder is a global network that connects visionary leaders to collaborate on tomorrow's most important opportunities. Through its four pillars — Conference, Calendar, Connect, and Context — Counder creates a trusted environment for high-calibre leaders to explore, connect and drive meaningful collaboration across industries and continents. Counder represents 30+ nationalities and facilitates over 5,000 trusted connections annually through its invite-only network.

For partnership opportunities and flagship conference information, visit: https://apo-opa.co/45RbWwi

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Counder Network GmbH

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