APO

Download logo

The President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, H.E. Mr Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, today welcomed the President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, to the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale in Kinshasa for a high-level meeting focused on accelerating the Ebola response in the DRC and mobilising African support around the country.

The meeting, convened by Africa CDC in support of the DRC authorities, brought together the two Heads of State, Africa CDC Director General Dr Jean Kaseya, and senior representatives of the World Health Organization, the World Bank, the European Union, the United Kingdom and other partners engaged in the response.

“The Government is closely monitoring the situation on a daily basis and is taking the necessary measures to protect our population, prevent the spread of the disease and preserve the health security of neighbouring countries,” said President Félix Tshisekedi. “This outbreak reminds us that health security is closely linked to peace and human security in areas affected by armed conflict. Insecurity weakens prevention, epidemiological surveillance and the capacity of public health actors to respond rapidly.”

President Tshisekedi stressed that the simultaneous outbreaks in the DRC and Uganda demonstrate the need for a coordinated regional response based on shared responsibility. He also welcomed South Africa's continued support and thanked international partners, including South Africa, Africa CDC, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the United States and China, for supporting the national response.

In his capacity as African Union Champion for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, President Ramaphosa brought a message of African solidarity and collective action in the face of an outbreak that requires speed, coordination and financing.

President Ramaphosa's visit also emphasized the importance of avoiding blanket travel restrictions and maintaining responsible engagement with the DRC while targeted public health measures are strengthened.

“Throughout many periods in our collective history, the resilience, courage and selflessness of our peoples have enabled us to weather even the most difficult of storms. We have no doubt that this crisis too shall be overcome. The people of Africa are one. Our bonds transcend borders, ethnicity and language. When there is tragedy in one part of our beloved continent, we all share in the sorrow. When a sister country needs assistance, we answer that call. The continental response to this Ebola outbreak has been swift. On the 16th of June, President Ndayishimiye of Burundi convened a virtual summit of African leaders and partners to deliberate on a global response. That meeting mobilised approximately US$1.5 billion in financing, technical support, medical countermeasures and humanitarian response. It is significant that of this amount, over US$100 million was pledged by African countries themselves. This reflects the spirit of solidarity and cooperation we continue to see in pursuit of African health sovereignty,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The political message of the meeting was strong: the DRC is leading the response, and the DRC is not alone.

The Minister of Health of the DRC presented the epidemiological situation and the immediate priorities of the national response. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs outlined urgent needs in affected areas. Partners provided updates on support already deployed, commitments under way and remaining gaps.

Africa CDC presented the status of continental coordination, including actions taken with neighbouring countries to strengthen regional preparedness, support points of entry, improve surveillance and reduce the risk of cross-border spread.

“The DRC is leading this response. Africa CDC stands with the DRC to support national decisions, strengthen regional coordination and move expertise, teams and resources faster to where they are needed,” said Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC. “President Ramaphosa's presence in Kinshasa sends a strong message of confidence: the DRC can safely host high-level engagement, coordinated support and responsible public health action. This outbreak requires speed, discipline and solidarity, not isolation. Africa protecting Africa is measured here: in how fast we act, how well we coordinate, and how firmly we stand with affected communities.”

The meeting also confirmed that significant resources have been committed. The Government of the DRC has committed US$50 million to the response. South Africa has committed US$13.5 million. The World Bank announced an additional US$10 million, building on its existing US$63 million commitment. The European Union, the United Kingdom and other partners also reaffirmed their support to the response.

The joint Africa CDC–WHO continental preparedness and response plan estimates Ebola and health response needs at US$518 million. Commitments announced exceed this amount, but only 21% of funds had been released according to data presented. The priority now is to turn commitments into rapid operational support for teams on the ground, affected communities, clinical trials, surveillance, laboratories, points of entry and regional preparedness.

“Ebola moves fast. Africa must move faster,” said Dr Kaseya. “The financing exists. The commitments exist. They must now reach the places where they save lives.”

At the close of the meeting, the two Heads of State called on partners to align their support with the priorities of the DRC, accelerate resource mobilisation and disbursement, and strengthen preparedness in neighbouring countries.

Africa CDC will continue working with the Government of the DRC, South Africa, WHO, the World Bank, the European Union, the United Kingdom and other partners to strengthen the response, support affected communities and protect the region.​

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Media contact: 
Africa CDC
Saran Koly
Director of Communications and Public Information
kolys@africacdc.org
+251 98 434 6488

Presidency of the DRC
​Presidency of South Africa

Follow Africa CDC on: 
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4eS4y8x
X: https://apo-opa.co/3SGFit6
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/44IzDp3
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4wjbvVO

About Africa CDC: 
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is the public health agency of the African Union. As an autonomous institution, Africa CDC supports AU Member States to strengthen health systems, improve disease surveillance, and enhance emergency preparedness and response. For more information, visit: http://www.AfricaCDC.org

Download logo

Seychelles this morning stepped onto the continental stage, as President Dr Patrick Herminie officially opened the 69th Meeting of the UN Tourism Commission for Africa (CAF) and its accompanying Thematic Conference on Strengthening Human Capital to Boost Africa's Tourism Growth, held at the Kempinski Resort Seychelles. Before an audience of African tourism leaders, the President set the tone for the two-day gathering with a clear message: the future of tourism on the continent rests not on infrastructure, but on its people.

In his keynote address, President Herminie described tourism as "above all, a people business" and reaffirmed that his government had placed people at the centre of its development agenda. He cited Seychelles' sustained investment in developing tourism talent, including the strengthening of the Seychelles Tourism Academy, the expansion of hospitality and tourism education, the introduction of tourism clubs in schools, and the creation of clear pathways for young people into the industry.

Building on this, the President turned to the continental picture, urging African nations to invest more deliberately in their people as the foundation of the sector's growth. He said the future of African tourism "will not be defined solely by the number of hotels we build or visitors we welcome" but by the people the sector empowers and called on the continent to position itself as one defined by excellence in tourism education, training and service.

UN Tourism Secretary-General, Ms Shaikha Al Nuwais, addressing the opening ceremony, said that connectivity brings opportunity, but that it is people who turn opportunity into growth, adding that this growth is strongest when it includes everyone. Her remarks echoed President Herminie's call to strengthen Seychelles air connectivity and source markets at a time of uncertainty in the Middle East.

Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mrs Amanda Bernstein, addressing the conference, said tourism was Seychelles' largest economic sector and among its biggest employers, with the industry currently employing roughly 10,800 people, of whom approximately 57 per cent are Seychellois and 43 per cent are foreign workers. She said this had informed the development of Seychelles' first-ever Tourism Human Resource Development Strategy for 2026 to 2029, built around five priority areas including workforce planning, education and training, localisation and career progression, leadership development, and strategic partnerships.

The Minister said localisation was not about replacing foreign workers, but about creating the conditions for more Seychellois to enter, remain and progress within the tourism industry, particularly into supervisory and leadership roles.

She encouraged fellow African ministers to place human capital development firmly on the continental agenda, stressing that investment in hotels, airports and tourism products would not achieve their full potential without a skilled workforce to deliver them.

The opening ceremony of the two-day conference was attended by Vice-President, Mr Sebastien Pillay, Speaker of the National Assembly Mrs Azarel Ernesta, Ministers and Deputy Ministers from across the Africa region. It has brought together delegates from 27 countries across the African region, including Angola, Botswana, Côte d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, among others, to discuss strategies for boosting human capital development in the tourism sector, a key pillar of the continent's economic growth.

The ceremony was a vibrant showcase of Seychellois Creole culture, brought to life through traditional song, dance and arts. Following the opening ceremony, President Herminie visited an exhibition of handicrafts by local Seychellois vendors.

Seychelles has been a member of UN Tourism since 1991, and having first hosted the CAF Meeting 20 years ago, this week's gathering marks the country's second time as host.

This year's CAF carries added significance as the first meeting convened under the leadership Ms Al Nuwais since she assumed office as Secretary-General of UN Tourism in January 2026, and her presence in Seychelles marks one of her first official engagements with the African region since taking up the post.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), the continent's leading infrastructure solutions provider, has successfully raised US$500 million through a 5-year Reg S Only senior unsecured Eurobond, achieving the tightest pricing ever secured by the Corporation on a 5-year US dollar benchmark transaction. The issuance reached a new segment of institutional investors, with central banks, including an African one, participating in an AFC bond for the first time. This milestone speaks to AFC's growing appeal among global reserve managers seeking high-quality investment-grade assets with strong developmental impact.

The notes were issued at a coupon of 5.375%, representing AFC's narrowest spread over US Treasuries for a benchmark 5-year issuance and a significant improvement over the Corporation's previous Eurobond transaction completed in 2024. The landmark outcome reflects AFC's strong credit fundamentals, disciplined financial management, and growing recognition among global investors as a premier investment-grade issuer focused on Africa's infrastructure and industrial development.

The issuance attracted strong demand from high-quality institutional investors across the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, the United States and the Middle East. The order book closed approximately two times oversubscribed, underscoring sustained investor confidence in AFC's investment-grade credit profile. The notes are rated A by S&P Global Ratings and A3 by Moody's Ratings, in line with AFC's long-term issuer ratings.

Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of AFC said, “This transaction reflects the strong confidence global investors continue to place in AFC, our strategy, and our role in advancing Africa's economic transformation. Achieving our tightest-ever pricing on a US dollar benchmark issuance demonstrates the strength of our credit profile, the consistency of our financial performance, and the trust we have built with investors over time. As we continue to scale our impact across the continent, access to efficient and diversified sources of capital remains critical to delivering the infrastructure and industrial assets that drive long-term growth and competitiveness.”

Banji Fehintola, Executive Board Member and Head of Financial Services at AFC, said, “The success of this transaction underscores AFC's ability to consistently access international capital markets on increasingly competitive terms, even amid a dynamic global environment. The participation of an African central bank for the first time further diversifies our funding base and advances AFC's strategy of mobilizing African institutional capital to finance the continent's development. The exceptional quality and geographic diversity of investor participation, together with record-tight pricing, reflect strong market confidence in AFC's disciplined funding strategy, prudent balance sheet management and proven track record of delivering transformative infrastructure across Africa.”

Issued under AFC's US$5 billion Global Medium-Term Note Programme, the proceeds will support the Corporation's general funding requirements and continue to strengthen its capacity to finance critical infrastructure and industrial projects across Africa. The transaction was led by Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC, First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC, Goldman Sachs International, J.P. Morgan Securities plc, Mizuho International plc, MUFG Securities EMEA plc, Standard Chartered Bank and The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited as Joint Lead Managers.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

Media Enquires:
Yewande Thorpe
Communications
Africa Finance Corporation
Mobile: +234 1 279 9654
Email: yewande.thorpe@africafc.org

About AFC: 
AFC was established in 2007 to be the catalyst for pragmatic infrastructure and industrial investments across Africa across Africa. AFC's approach combines specialist industry expertise with a focus on financial and technical advisory, project structuring, project development, and risk capital to address Africa's infrastructure development needs and drive sustainable economic growth.

Nineteen years on, AFC has developed a track record as the partner of choice in Africa for investing and delivering on instrumental, high-quality infrastructure assets that provide essential services in the core infrastructure sectors of power, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications. AFC has 48 member countries and has invested US$19 billion across Africa since inception.

www.AfricaFC.org

Accurate MRO data is becoming essential for operational resilience, cost control and supply chain visibility, especially as industrial operations across Africa modernise and expand. Erick Wessels, Sales Director at RS South Africa (www.Africa.RSDelivers.com/), explores how organisations can improve performance through better MRO data management and governance.

Maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) procurement has historically been treated as an indirect function, often receiving less strategic attention than direct materials procurement. Yet inaccurate or fragmented MRO data can have significant operational consequences, leading to unnecessary expenditure, stock duplication, unplanned downtime and procurement inefficiencies.

For many organisations, particularly those operating across multiple facilities or remote sites, poor visibility into spare parts and inventory creates an environment where the same product may be purchased repeatedly from different suppliers at different prices. At the same time, critical items may be unavailable when needed most. In sectors such as food processing, manufacturing, energy and mining, these inefficiencies can quickly translate into production losses and operational risk.

This challenge is increasingly evident in complex and evolving industrial environments, where supply chain volatility, long lead times and infrastructure constraints often place additional pressure on maintenance operations. In many cases, replacement parts are sourced externally, meaning procurement delays can have serious implications for plant reliability and continuity. As a result, clean, centralised and actionable MRO data is no longer simply an administrative requirement; it has become a strategic operational asset.

Building a foundation through data governance

The starting point for effective MRO management is robust data governance. Organisations need systems and processes that ensure information is accurate, standardised and consistently maintained across the business.

This begins with something as fundamental as correct manufacturer names and part numbers. Without standardisation, duplicate records and inconsistent descriptions quickly emerge. A single supplier name entered in multiple ways can distort procurement reporting, complicate sourcing decisions and obscure inventory visibility.

Strong governance policies ensure that data follows a common structure across all facilities and departments. Standardised naming conventions, controlled fields and part classification protocols create consistency throughout the organisation and establish a trusted single source of truth.

For African businesses operating across geographically dispersed operations, standardisation becomes even more important. Mining houses, manufacturing groups and utilities often manage inventory across multiple provinces or countries. Without aligned systems and governance structures, data siloes emerge, preventing organisations from leveraging enterprise-wide visibility and economies of scale.

The hidden cost of poor data quality

Poor data governance frequently results in duplication, uncontrolled spending and operational inefficiencies. In many industrial environments, maintenance teams unknowingly purchase items already sitting elsewhere within the organisation simply because inventory data is incomplete or inaccessible.

Free-text fields and manual data entry further compound the problem. When systems are not purpose-built for MRO management, employees often improvise by storing critical information in inconsistent formats or locations. Over time, this creates fragmented datasets that undermine reporting accuracy and decision-making capability.

The financial impact can be substantial. Overstocking ties up working capital in slow-moving inventory, while understocking increases the risk of production interruptions and emergency procurement costs. In an African context, where import lead times may extend for weeks or months, poor inventory visibility can become particularly costly.

There is also a broader operational implication. Inaccurate MRO data limits the ability of procurement, maintenance and finance teams to collaborate effectively. Without reliable information, forecasting becomes reactive rather than strategic.

Digital procurement and inventory management are key enablers

Modern MRO environments require digital tools that enable more effective management of procurement and inventory. While strong governance provides the foundation, technology ensures these principles are applied consistently across operations.

RS South Africa's procurement and inventory solutions demonstrate how digital platforms can bring greater structure and control to indirect spend. By integrating supplier catalogues into ERP and business spend management systems, organisations can improve visibility, reduce manual effort and make more informed purchasing decisions.

For organisations seeking a simpler approach, web-based tools can streamline sourcing and approval workflows without the need for complex systems integration, enabling faster adoption and improved efficiency.

Inventory management is equally critical. Solutions such as vendor-managed inventory (VMI) help improve visibility into stock levels and usage, reducing waste while ensuring critical components are available when needed.

Together, these capabilities enable a more controlled, resilient and data-driven approach to MRO supply chain management.

Real-time visibility creates operational agility

One of the greatest advantages of centralised MRO data management is the ability to achieve real-time visibility across operations. When organisations can see exactly what inventory exists, where it is located and how it is being used, they are able to make faster and more informed decisions.

Procurement teams can identify opportunities for supplier consolidation and spend optimisation, while inventory management systems provide insight into stock usage, replenishment requirements and demand trends. Maintenance teams, meanwhile, gain better visibility into critical spares availability, helping to reduce the risk of downtime.

Analytics dashboards also enable organisations to monitor inventory trends, maintenance frequency and spending patterns in real time. This visibility allows businesses to identify inefficiencies, reduce duplication and improve forecasting accuracy.

In complex operating environments, where disruptions can emerge unexpectedly due to logistics challenges, currency volatility or geopolitical developments, real-time visibility enhances resilience. Organisations with accurate, centralised data are better positioned to anticipate shortages, optimise stock levels and respond proactively to operational risks.

Unlocking long-term strategic value

The benefits of clean MRO data extend far beyond inventory management alone. Accurate and structured data creates a ripple effect of operational and financial improvements throughout the organisation.

With reliable information, businesses can improve budgeting accuracy, reduce emergency procurement, strengthen supplier negotiations and optimise inventory investment. Better forecasting reduces waste while ensuring critical components remain available when required.

Centralised data also enables more effective standardisation across facilities, helping organisations align around preferred suppliers, approved components and best practices. Over time, this drives stronger operational consistency and improved plant reliability.

Perhaps most importantly, clean data lays the groundwork for predictive maintenance and data-driven decision-making. As African industries continue investing in automation, digitalisation and smart manufacturing, organisations with mature MRO data practices will be significantly better positioned to compete.

Data quality as a competitive advantage

As industrial organisations navigate increasingly complex operating environments, MRO data management is evolving from a back-office administrative function into a strategic business capability.

In Africa, where operational resilience is often tested by supply chain uncertainty and infrastructure challenges, accurate and accessible data can provide a meaningful competitive advantage. Businesses that invest in strong governance, purpose-built systems and real-time visibility will be better equipped to control costs, minimise downtime and improve long-term operational performance.

Ultimately, effective MRO data management is about more than inventory accuracy. It is about enabling smarter decisions, stronger reliability and greater business agility across the entire supply chain.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of RS South Africa.

PR Contact Person - RS South Africa:
Princess Tlou
Communications & Content Specialist
RS South Africa
Princess.Tlou@rsgroup.com
+27 11 691 9366

Media Contact Person – NGAGE:
Thobile Ndlovu
PR Account Executive
thobile@ngage.co.za
+27 11 867 7763 

Further information is available via these links:
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4vd4Vzf
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4wkFIUu

About RS:
RS is a global product and service solutions provider for industrial customers, enabling them to operate efficiently and sustainably.

We operate in 36 markets, stock over 800,000 industrial and specialist products and list an additional five million relevant for our industrial customers, sourced from over 2,500 suppliers. This extensive range supports our customers across the industrial lifecycle of designing, building, and maintaining equipment and operations.

We enhance their experience through a tailored service model, leveraging our efficient physical, digital and process infrastructure sustainably. We combine a technically led and digitally enabled approach with an exceptional team of experts; ultimately, it's our people that make the difference.

Our purpose, making amazing happen for a better world, reflects our focus on delivering results for people planet and profit.

RS Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange with stock ticker RS1 and in the year ended 31 March 2024 reported revenue of £2,942 million.

RS Africa Exports : https://apo-opa.co/3TdaIaw
DesignSpark : https://apo-opa.co/4oU2GiE
RS Group plc : https://apo-opa.co/3Rd0G8Q

Maia Capital Partners (“www.MaiaCapital.co.za”) announced that they have provided R150 million mezzanine debt funding to the Nesa Power group (“Nesa”) a South African commercial and industrial ("C&I") renewable energy group delivering integrated solar, storage and energy solutions under long-term Power Purchase Agreements ("PPAs").

The mezzanine debt funding will be used by Nesa as growth capital to fund the acquisition of solar photovoltaic (“Solar PV”) sites and expand its PPA portfolio. Nesa is committed to providing renewable energy solutions that drive savings, ensure uninterrupted operations, and reduce businesses' carbon footprints by offering tailored renewable solutions, including on-site and off-site generation and storage.

Since its inception, Nesa and its founders have built over 46 megawatt-peak (“MWp”) of Solar PV generation capacity and 6.5 megawatt-hours (“MWh”) of battery storage and has raised over R400 million in capital in managed funds that have invested in and currently operate over 70 Solar PV C&I assets on a PPA basis.

The Nesa Power Group has built and operated C&I renewable energy assets through strategic investment partnerships and managed funds for more than a decade and has now evolved into an integrated renewable services group providing the C&I market with turnkey renewable energy services. Through its group companies, Nesa offers the market greenfield development, in-house design, engineering, procurement and construction management (“EPCM”), PPA funding, ownership and maintenance (“O&M”) services as well as carbon credit development services where the group has one of the 1st solar based VERRA carbon grouped projects in South Africa.

Tshandu Ramusetheli, CEO of Maia Capital, said: “We are excited to partner with Nesa on this transaction and to support their growth as they continue to build out their renewable energy platform. This investment sits at the heart of what we set out to achieve when we established our impact fund — deploying private capital to address real societal challenges. Providing clean, affordable energy to South African businesses is one of our key impact and investment objectives, and it directly supports the government's ambition to strengthen the country's energy security through expanded private sector generation. This partnership exemplifies our belief that impactful investments can drive both economic growth and social progress”.

Percy Ying, Co-Founder of Nesa Power and Group Chief Investment Officer, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Maia Capital as a long term partner and are grateful for their confidence in Nesa's vision and capabilities. This investment materially strengthens our ability to execute on the Group's growth strategy — accelerating the growth of our PPA portfolio which will underpin our business going forward. The investment will also facilitate meaningful job creation and contribute positively to the broader South African economy — an outcome we are deeply committed to. We extend our gratitude to Maia Capital, our clients and stakeholders, as well as our valued management team for their unwavering belief in Nesa's potential." 

Mike Bleyenheuft, Co-Founder and CEO of Nesa Power, added: “Securing this mezzanine facility from Maia Capital is a significant milestone for the Group and reflects the strength of the business we have built. The partnership with Maia Capital will ensure that Nesa continues to deliver innovative, high-quality renewable energy solutions to the C&I market. The energy transition in South Africa is accelerating, and with the private renewable market on a trajectory to surpass R200 billion by 2030, the opportunity ahead of us is substantial. We look forward to leveraging this partnership with Maia Capital to drive our next chapter of growth.”

Covington & Burling acted as legal counsel to Maia Capital

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Maia Capital Partners.

For more information contact:
Tshandu Ramusetheli  
Chief Executive Officer
Maia Capital Partners
tshandu@maiacapital.co.za  
invest@maiacapital.co.za
Tel: +27-72-197-8752

About Maia Capita Partners and the Maia Debt Impact Fund I:
Maia Capital Partners was established in June 2020 with a mission to generate competitive financial returns while driving positive social and environmental impact through private debt investments. The firm reached its final close in June 2024, raising over R1 billion from South African pension funds.

The Maia Debt Impact Fund I is dedicated to driving economic transformation by providing mezzanine financing to mid-market companies across a variety of sectors, including renewable energy, affordable housing, healthcare, education, financial inclusion and more. Maia Capital's focus on economic transformation ensures we support industries that promote infrastructure development, job creation, and sustainable industrialization, while remaining open to a wide range of impactful transactions.

Maia Capital Partners was founded by a team of seasoned investment professionals with over 80 years of combined experience in private markets, infrastructure, and impact investing. The firm is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa

Website: www.MaiaCapital.co.za

By Laila Bastati, Chief Commercial Officer, APO Group (https://APO-opa.com/).

I have yet to meet a CEO who missed a revenue target and blamed a 3% decrease in share of voice.

And yet communication is almost always somewhere in the room when revenue disappoints. Just never on the list.

Because the most expensive communication failures don't appear in communications dashboards.

They appear later. In a regulatory process that takes twice as long as expected. In a partner who goes quiet after an announcement. In a market that understood the decision perfectly and still didn't move. In a deal that stalled for reasons nobody could articulate cleanly.

You know the room I mean. Sales blames the market. Finance blames the timing. Operations blames the execution. Everyone has a theory. Nobody calls the communications director.

I've watched this happen across more markets than I can count. And the pattern is consistent enough that I'm going to say something that will make some of my peers uncomfortable.

Most of the time, communication shaped the outcome. Not the press releases. Not the coverage. The stuff that never got commissioned because nobody knew how to measure it. The regulatory relationship that wasn't built before it was needed. The stakeholder ground that was never prepared before the announcement landed. The trust that was never established before the market was asked to move.

Kenya's Finance Bill didn't fail because people didn't know about it. Everyone knew. It failed because explanation never travelled as far as interpretation. Nigeria's fuel subsidy removal wasn't a visibility problem. It was a confidence problem. People understood what was happening. They didn't trust that the consequences had been thought through on their behalf. And large infrastructure stories, including the Dangote Refinery, do not stall because of lack of attention. They stall when competing interpretations fill the space that should have been occupied by trust.

Awareness is rarely the scarce resource. Confidence is.

Walmart learned this in South Africa. Clean acquisition. No competition concerns. Years in court anyway, fighting unions and government ministries and community groups who felt the company had arrived without earning its place. The friction wasn't about the deal. It was about everything that hadn't been done before the deal was announced. The communications metrics, had anyone been tracking them, would have looked fine. The business felt the cost for years.

This is what we see at APO Group, working across all 54 African markets simultaneously. The companies that move fastest are never the ones generating the most coverage. They're the ones where communication was already doing its real work before anyone in the commercial team needed it to. Trust already built. Regulators already informed. Executives already visible in the right places. Narrative already set. The groundwork already there.

That work is rarely reactive. It's a different brief. Earlier. Broader. Closer to where decisions actually get made: preparing spokespeople to be credible under scrutiny, ensuring leadership voices are present in the media environments that will shape opinion, and building regulator and stakeholder relationships long before they are required in moments of pressure.

Because here's what nobody says out loud when the post-mortem starts. Revenue misses get examined in forensic detail. Pricing. Product. Timing. Execution.

Communication is not missing from the analysis.

It is miscategorised as everything else.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group Insights.

Media Contact:
marie@apo-opa.com  

About APO Group:
Founded in 2007 by Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, APO Group is the communications consultancy built for performance – combining strategic advisory, on-the-ground execution, and guaranteed visibility across all 54 African markets. Its owned newswire, Africa Newsroom, secures placement on 250+ Africa-focused news sites, connecting organisations directly with 450,000+ journalists, analysts, investors, and policymakers worldwide.

Recognised internationally for communications excellence including SABRE, Davos Communications, and World Business Outlook distinctions, APO Group partners with global and African organisations for whom the continent is a strategic priority. Clients include the African Development Bank Group, Africa CDC, Afreximbank, NFL, Nestlé, Emirates, Canon, Western Union, GITEX Global, and Cassava Technologies.

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marks World Art Day 2026 through their Pan-African “Art and Fashion with Purpose” community, established by Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation. On this occasion, the Merck Foundation also proudly celebrates the 6-year anniversary of this impactful community, which continues to harness the power of art and fashion to address critical health and social issues in Africa and beyond.

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation and One of 100 Most Influential Africans 2019 – 2025 shared “I am happy to mark World Art Day 2026, and I firmly believe that art, fashion, and media are powerful tools for raising awareness and addressing critical social and health issues. We also proudly celebrate the 6-year anniversary of our ‘Fashion and Art with Purpose' Community, established in 2020. Through this dynamic community, we continue to raise awareness on important health and social issues like breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, ending FGM & child marriage, stopping gender based violence, women empowerment and diabetes, hypertension & cancer awareness, while empowering artists across Africa and beyond to use their day-to-day creative work as a powerful tool for awareness, education, and driving a meaningful cultural shift within their communities.

Our community today brings together talented members from more than 25 countries. I am proud of what we've built together and the positive social impact it continues to create.”

Merck Foundation has launched many initiatives including their first-ever pan-African TV program, ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation', which uniquely highlights pressing issues across the continent through the voices of their 'Fashion and Art with Purpose' community.

‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation' is a pan African TV program that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation to feature African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa. The program has captured the attention and hearts of millions of viewers across Africa.

“Our Africa” has been broadcast on prime TV stations of many countries, and is currently on social media handles of Social Media handles of Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej [Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4p0wIl8), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/44IndNP), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/44yY2xg) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4oWfIfK)] and Merck Foundation [Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3RawEm8), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4gNVL8E), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/44yY8oC) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4457g49)].

Watch the Promo of the Program here: https://apo-opa.co/4v96dLr

Beyond Our Africa TV Program, Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa announces annually 8 important Awards, under two themes, for Media, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers and Musicians/ Singers, and potential young African talents in these fields. The themes of the two categories of awards are: 1) Breaking Infertility Stigma, Support Girls' Education, End Child Marriage, End FGM, Stopping GBV and/ or Women Empowerment at all levels and 2) promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Entries for the 2026 Awards can be sent to: submit@merck-foundation.com

A significant part of Merck Foundation's “Art and Fashion with Purpose” Community is made up of the talented winners of Merck Foundation annual Fashion, Film, and Song Awards.

“I am proud and delighted to share that in partnership with my dear sisters, The First Ladies of Africa, we have so far recognized and celebrated 175 exceptional talents as our winners from 25 countries through our Fashion, Film, and Song Awards. Each winner has become a valued member of our ‘Fashion and Art with Purpose' Community. Together, they continue to use their voice, art, and influence to spark meaningful conversation, challenge deeply rooted perceptions, and raise awareness about sensitive social and health issues across their communities,” added Dr. Rasha Kelej.

The 175 winners include 102 Fashion Award winners, 53 Song Award winners, and 20 Film Award winners, selected for their outstanding creativity and impact from 25 countries including Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, CAR, Congo-Brazzaville, DRC, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Also, as a part of the Community Awareness Programs, Merck Foundation has created over 30 songs with many African Artists, in English, French, Portuguese and also local African languages to address critical issues like breaking infertility stigma, empowering women, supporting girl education, ending child marriage, diabetes awareness, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and more.

Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa has also launched 9 Children's Storybooks in five languages - English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili. Additionally, Merck Foundation has adapted their storybooks to create 6 Awareness Animation films in five languages - English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili, with the purpose of reaching out to the communities to raise awareness on the important issues with an aim of instilling change at grassroot levels.

To listen to the Merck Foundation songs, read Merck Foundation storybooks and watch Merck Foundation animation films, click on the below links:  

https://apo-opa.co/4voEiHT

https://apo-opa.co/3RcSe9A 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

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

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard!
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3RawEm8
X: https://apo-opa.co/44yY8oC
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4457g49
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4gNVL8E
Threads: https://apo-opa.co/44o1pat
Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/4wnQdqd
Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/4v4PRUi

About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3RawEm8), X (https://apo-opa.co/44yY8oC), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4gNVL8E), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4457g49), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/44o1pat) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/4wnQdqd).

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

Download logo

President Cyril Ramaphosa will undertake a Working Visit to France from 10-12 July 2026. 

The visit comes at the invitation of the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Khaled El-Enany, to co-chair the UNESCO High-Level Steering Committee on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG4) on education, which will be held at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 10 July 2026.

This will be followed by the Transforming Education Summit (TES) Stocktake.

On 12 July, President Ramaphosa is expected to attend the 110th Commemoration of the Battle of Delville Wood which will be held at the South African Memorial in Longueval, approximately two hours from Paris.

The historic commemoration will honour South African soldiers who lost their lives during World War I.

The commemoration will include a wreath-laying ceremony and the unveiling of the UNESCO plaque. 

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by various Ministers and senior government officials.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) and the Government of the Republic of South Africa, through the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (“the dtic”) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that seeks to advance South Africa's industrial development, trade expansion and regional integration.

Signed in Alamein, Egypt, on 20 June 2026, the MoU establishes a US$14 billion country programme under which Afreximbank will deploy a combination of financing and non-financial interventions in support of the development priorities of South Africa, one of the continent's largest economies.

The MoU was signed by Dr. George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank and Hon. Mpho Parks Tau, South Africa's Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.  

The inking of this partnership marks a significant step toward deepening cooperation between South Africa and the Pan-African Multilateral Financial Institution, following South Africa's accession to the Establishment Agreement of Afreximbank in February 2026. The MoU seeks to support investments in industrial infrastructure, energy generation and transmission, as well as other infrastructure that advances South Africa's industrial competitiveness and its trade and investment connections with the rest of the continent. 

The Country Programme includes the Afreximbank Inclusive Development Support Programme for South Africa, designed to address structural gaps in the economy and to expand access to finance for previously disadvantaged groups, enabling them to build assets, participate meaningfully in strategic sectors, and contribute to a more inclusive redistribution of economic opportunity across South Africa. The Bank has earmarked a total of US$3 billion to support this initiative.

Dr George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, said: "With this memorandum of understanding, Afreximbank and the Republic of South Africa have taken a significant step to strengthen our partnership to support South Africa's development priorities and advance Africa's economic integration. The country programme will unlock investment flows into strategic sectors of the South African economy, including enabling processing mineral and agricultural commodities in South Africa, expanding trade between South Africa and the rest of the continent under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), promoting South African investment across Africa, and advancing financial and economic inclusion. The country programme also allows Afreximbank to extend its development footprint across the entire continent."

Hon. Mpho Parks Tau, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa, indicated that: “The MoU also seeks to advance the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by promoting stronger regional value chains (RVCs) and addressing cross-border constraints that continue to inhibit the free flow of goods, services, and capital across the continent.”

Other key areas of collaboration include re-launching and funding of the South Africa-Africa Trade and Investment Promotion Programme (SATIPP) 2.0, establishing a South Africa Exim Bank by providing technical, management, financial and operational support and/or seed funding, joint project origination and preparation activities, financing for establishment and expansion of industrial parks and Special Economic Zones (SEZs), co-financing energy projects including renewable energy, mineral beneficiation as well as  institutional capacity, technical assistance, and advisory services.”

The Country Programme is aligned with South Africa's National Development Plan (NDP) 2030, the Medium Term Development Plan (2024-2029), the Implementation Plan to drive Growth and Inclusion (GAIN), and industrial and trade strategies.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media Contact:
Vincent Musumba
Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com

Follow us on: 
X: https://apo-opa.co/4xQoSOM
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3Sq25t7
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4eF7CDn
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4eLbhzw

About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa's trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A strong supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2025, Afreximbank's total assets and contingencies stood at over US$48.5 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$8.4 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), GCR (A), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-), Moody's (Baa2) and S&P Global Ratings (BBB+). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

Download logo

Eritrean nationals residing in South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Sudan, Angola, Ghana, Guinea, and Ivory Coast have commemorated Martyrs Day, 20 June, featuring various programs.

Nationals in the South African cities of Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban commemorated Martyrs Day with candlelight vigils, experience-sharing programs, as well as cultural and artistic presentations depicting the significance of the day.

Mr. Saleh Omar, Eritrea's Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa and Southern African countries, said that, owing to the sacrifices of its martyrs, the Eritrean people have ensured their independence and peace, as well as their identity and national sovereignty.

At the commemorative event in Johannesburg, nationals contributed 42 thousand Rand towards augmenting the National Martyrs Trust Fund, while four nationals pledged to assume responsibility for supporting 10 families of martyrs.

At the commemorative events organized by nationals in the Zambian cities of Lusaka and Chingola, Mr. Gebrehiwet Petros, chairman of the Eritrean community, said that martyrs are symbols of the identity and values of the Eritrean people, and called on nationals to live up to the expectations of martyrs and demonstrate commitment by giving priority to the interests of the Eritrean people and country.

Likewise, at the commemorative event organized in Zimbabwe, Mr. Aklilu Gide, chairman of the Eritrean community, called on nationals to strengthen participation in supporting families of martyrs. At the event, 13 nationals pledged to assume responsibility for supporting 15 families of martyrs.

The commemorative event in South Sudan, held on 19 June, featured a candlelight vigil as well as cultural and artistic programs.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Tsegay Mehari, Eritrea's Consul, called on nationals to fulfil the martyrs' trust through strengthening participation in national affairs.

Nationals in the Angolan cities of Luanda, Lubango, Benguela, Huambo, and Cabinda; Conakry, Guinea; Accra, Ghana; as well as Abidjan, Ivory Coast, commemorated Martyrs Day under the theme “Reward for Our Martyrs is Transferring a Strong Country to Future Generations.”

At the event in Angola, Mr. Desale Tekleab, Eritrea's Consul General, called on nationals to equip themselves with the necessary knowledge and skills and strengthen participation in national development programs.

Nationals in various cities of Belgium and Luxembourg also commemorated Martyrs Day with various programs reflecting the significance of the day. They also contributed 3 thousand 790 Euros towards augmenting the National Martyrs Trust Fund.

At the commemorative event in Brussels, Mr. Negasi Kasa, Eritrea's Ambassador to the European Union and Benelux countries, delivered a speech focusing on the deep meaning of the day and the heavy sacrifices the Eritrean people paid for independence and safeguarding national sovereignty.

In the same vein, at the commemorative event organized by nationals in Vienna, Austria, participants contributed 2 thousand Euros and pledged to assume responsibility for supporting two families of martyrs.

Nationals in the US city of Atlanta also commemorated Martyrs Day with patriotic zeal and contributed 28 thousand 955 Dollars in support of families of martyrs.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Download logo

Nigeria has launched the Early-Stage Mineral Exploration and Research Grant Endowment Program (EMERGE), a new initiative aimed at accelerating early-stage mineral exploration, strengthening geological research and advancing local value addition. The program arrives at a critical time for the country, providing the advanced geoscientific research and structured funding necessary to de-risk the sector and unlock Nigeria's $750 billion worth of untapped mineral deposits.

Under broader efforts to diversify its economy beyond oil, Nigeria has outlined plans to expand mineral exploration and production. The country has identified 44 strategic mineral deposits and is seeking developers with the requisite capital and technological expertise to invest. The government has also sought to increase mining's contribution to GDP to 10% in 2026. However, unlocking these opportunities will require stronger geological data, greater technical capacity and increased investment in early-stage exploration. 

The introduction of the EMERGE initiative aims to address these gaps. The program is centered around three areas of focus: science-backed exploration, critical minerals development and research and development.

The exploration stream targets early-stage geological insights to generate reliable mineral data, the critical minerals stream targets minerals required for the energy transition while the research and development stream integrates science and innovation across the value chain. Driven by the Solid Minerals Development Fund, the program is designed to position Nigeria as a major player in the global minerals value chain.

The program also builds on a rising wave of international partnerships aimed at modernizing Nigeria's exploration infrastructure through digitization and enhanced capacity building. Nigeria and Turkey formalized a partnership agreement in May 2026, aimed at strengthening cooperation in mining technology, exploration and investment.

Nigeria has also entered geological mapping and exploration cooperation agreements with South Sudan and South Africa, aimed at advancing geological and technical expertise while facilitating greater investment flows across the exploration sector.

Recent mineral ambitions are being backed by global finance. In March 2026, Nigeria secured $1.3 billion from the Africa Finance Corporation to fund its mineral exploration programs as well as the construction of an alumina refinery, advancing its national mineral production and domestic beneficiation strategy.

A late 2025 allocation of over $600 million for geoscientific exploration and nationwide mapping highlights Nigeria's commitment to de-risk the sector through access to modern geological data and accelerated exploration activities.

As technical innovation becomes increasingly critical to streamlining operations across Nigeria's mining value chain, this year's African Mining Week (AMW) 2026, scheduled for October 14–16 - will bring together global upstream players, financiers and Nigerian authorities to explore the future of exploration and investment opportunities across the sector. The event will host panel discussions and exclusive networking sessions, highlighting lucrative investment and partnership opportunities within Nigeria's mineral exploration and value-addition space.

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

Download logo

HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad met on Wednesday with HE Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa in Doha Ghulam Hoosein Asmal. 

The meeting discussed bilateral cooperation relations and ways to support and strengthen them, in addition to discussing a number of issues of mutual concern.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.