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In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, it’s easy to assume that print and paper are a thing of the past; but according to Mohammed Vachiat, Head of Sales and Innovation at Konica Minolta South Africa, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, he’s adamant that print is not only alive, but it is thriving …
The Committee on HIV/AIDS and Related Matters has prayed for government intervention to curb the spread of the virus in the border districts of Tororo and Busia.
During the committee's oversight visit to assess the impact of HIV/AIDS amongst the populations with emphasis to commercial sex workers, drug addicts and people involved in acts of homosexuality, the committee also visited Tororo Municipal Council, Bison Health Centre III, Malaba Health Centre and Busia Municipal Council.
The committee led by its chairperson, Hon. Sarah Kayagi, held meetings between 10 and 12 May 2023 with key district leaders who decried the continued increase in HIV/AIDS infections.
Available information at the Ministry of Health indicates that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Tororo district was at six per cent in 2020 and that there were 893 new infections.
Persons living with HIV/AIDS in Tororo informed the committee that there is a need to extend support to their people instead of limiting resources to people in Kampala, the capital city.
The Tororo Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Albert Amula, urged the committee to ensure that the AIDS Trust Fund is operationalised and also that the committee uses its mandate to appropriate more money to help in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
“Since some of the donors who have been funding the sector are set to pull out because of the anti-homosexuality bill, the time is now for you to operationalise the fund,” he said.
Kayagi informed stakeholders that the anti-homosexuality bill that was passed by Parliament was not only intended to criminalise the acts of homosexuality but also incorporated rehabilitation and treatment of victims.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
With new technologies and production processes emerging globally in tyre production, the South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC), and its member companies, are investing heavily in skills development to ensure a pipeline of expertise is in place for future growth. Bridgestone South Africa, Continental Tyre South Africa, Goodyear South Africa, and Sumitomo Rubber South Africa …
For the second time in three weeks, West Darfur's Geneina was at the centre of senseless fighting over the weekend, just hours after the announcement of the Jeddah agreement. At least 280 people were killed, according to the Sudan doctors' syndicate, and many more injured.
“The appalling levels of violence unfolding in West Darfur are nothing short of inhumane,” said William Carter, NRC's country director for Sudan. “Scarcely had the two warring parties signed the Jeddah Agreement on Thursday night when chaos erupted in Geneina. One of our staff members was injured, and each day brings news of people burying their loved ones who fell victim to the senseless fighting.”
Today marks one month since the eruption of fighting in Sudan. The destruction and civilian death toll continues to rise despite repeated announcements of ceasefires and the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan signed last Thursday.
Within Geneina, an estimated 100,000 internally displaced people remain at the mercy of the relentless violence, with settlements once again being reduced to ashes. Trapped civilians have endured three days of incessant shelling, devastating their homes. This recent escalation of violence follows a major bout of fighting in April, during which nearly 200 lives were lost. For weeks, the residents of Geneina have been stranded within the city, unable to escape, cut off from vital healthcare and basic necessities. Additionally, electricity and network blackouts have severely hampered communication, exacerbating the dire circumstances.
Across Sudan, the conflict has displaced nearly 1 million people since 15 April, with approximately 200,000 seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.
“We are still unable to deliver emergency aid in Khartoum and Geneina, where the fighting has displaced most of our colleagues, said Carter. “The shutdown of the banking system and the lack of visa issuance into the country further hinder large-scale humanitarian relief efforts. Make no mistake: the conflict in Sudan shows no signs of abating – it is imperative that the international community redouble their efforts to hold the warring parties responsible for the protection of civilians."
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Norwegian Refugee Council.
Woodlands Dairy – owner of the FIRST CHOICE® range of cheeses, butter, cream, amasi, custard, flavoured milk, extended shelf life (ESL) fresh milk, UHT milk, milk powder, dairy desserts, dessert toppings, yoghurt, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, dips and ice cream – tasked Boomtown to create a national activation campaign for its innovative new product, …
Load shedding is a major issue in South Africa, with power outages occurring frequently due to an insufficient supply of electricity. This has led many homeowners and businesses to explore alternative solutions, such as solar panels and lithium-ion batteries. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of using solar panels and lithium-ion batteries as load …
In the Central African region, Gabon stands out for its political stability, investor-friendly policies and enduring status as one of Africa's most prolific oil producers. The country's 2023-2027 economic plans are on track to usher in a new era of growth on the back of the diversification and industrialization of the Gabonese energy sector.
As Gabon gears up for its 2023 election, the ruling Parti Démocratique Gabonais (PDG) is expected to retain power and the government's 2023-2027 economic plans look set to proceed.
These plans center on strengthening and diversifying the national economy by breathing new life into Gabon's oil and gas industry, increasing domestic processing of raw materials, rendering industrial services more competitive, and promoting the sustainable development of natural resources.
Buoyed by political stability, an influx of foreign direct investment and growing support from international partners, Gabon is expected to become an emerging economy by 2025, with projected GDP growth of roughly 3% by the close of 2023.
Reinventing the Upstream Industry
Although production has been in decline since 1996, Gabon remains Africa's fifth-largest oil producer, and the country's large but maturing fields still have plenty of fuel in the tank. Tech-savvy international oil companies like Perenco, BW Offshore and VAALCO Energy are applying the latest secondary recovery techniques to extend a field's lifespan and stabilize production. Marginal fields (https://apo-opa.info/3IdKSLv) that do not fit into their portfolios present home-grown production companies, like Stream Oil Olawi, with the opportunity to move up the value chain, while maximizing production from existing assets. Emphasis is also being placed on frontier exploration in Gabon's deep offshore. Recent game-changing discoveries in Mauritania and Angola have been made in deep-water blocks with geological formations that are remarkably similar to Gabon's, whose North Basin area is thought to contain undiscovered pre-salt deposits that could open a new chapter in the country's hydrocarbon history.
Creating Gas-Based Industries
While oil production has long been the lifeblood of Gabon's economy, natural gas (https://apo-opa.info/42mEf1u) is emerging as a key pillar of diversification, encapsulated in the country's Gas Master Plan that aims to reduce gas flaring, increase energy security and expand access to affordable energy. This foresees the elimination of flaring and the harnessing of Gabon's estimated 1.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves – which primarily come in the form of associated gas – to produce a range of downstream industries and a gas-based network. Perenco is leading the construction of a 700,000-ton-per-year LNG plant, which promises to enable gas exports for the first time. Meanwhile, the refining capacity of SOGARA, Gabon's sole refiner, is in the process of being expanded from 1.2 million tons of oil per year to 1.5 million tons, which could make Gabon self-sufficient in refined petroleum products by 2030.
Meeting Current and Future Energy Demand
While Gabon has one of the highest urbanization rates in Africa, 70% of the country's south and interior remains unelectrified, inhibiting industrialization and private sector growth. The government has stated its objective of universal electricity access by 2030, with a view to eliminating electricity imports and developing energy-intensive industries like mining, agriculture and manufacturing. Currently, around half of the electricity consumed in Gabon comes from hydroelectric generation, largely from the Grand Poubara Hydroelectric Dam (160 MW) and Kinguele Aval Hydroelectric Dam (70 MW). The construction of several solar photovoltaic power plants has also been launched in a bid to electrify rural provinces, including a 120 MWp solar plant by Solen and eight hybrid solar plants totaling 2.2 MW by Engie.
In terms of fossil fuels, gas-fired power plants operated by Perenco provide 70% of Libreville's electricity and 100% of Port-Gentil. Projects like that resulting from Perenco's recent MOU with Gabon Power Company – which promises to electrify 80,000 households in remote southern provinces with an eventual 50 MW of generation capacity through a new gas-fired power plant in Mayumba – demonstrate the scale of what can be achieved through investments in gas monetization and related infrastructure. According to the African Development Bank, Gabon flares about 35 billion cubic feet of gas per year, which represents around 200 MW of electricity. Accordingly, the Gabonese power market, expected to grow by 3.4% between now and 2028, represents a promisingopportunity for investors.
Leading the African Energy Transition
These developments and more have made Gabon a regional leader in the African energy transition. Gas monetization is a key tenet of Gabon's environmental policy, as it serves to eliminate flaring and capitalize on a relatively clean burning fossil fuel. Gabon is also considered to be one of the most carbon-positive countries globally, as tropical forests cover 88% of its territory and are estimated to absorb four times more carbon dioxide than it produces. In December 2022, Gabon became the first African country to make carbon credits available under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, claiming 90.6 million tons of carbon offsets between 2010 and 2018. Coupled with the expansion of installed renewable energy generation capacity, investors are advised to take advantage of Gabon's move towards green energy and stated plans to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2025.
All this and more will be further unpacked in Energy Capital & Power's upcoming market report, Energy Invest Gabon. Keep following for more information about this exciting report!
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
The Department of Small Business Development through its agency, the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda), continues to play a major role in establishing and helping grow small businesses such as Tembo Engineering.
Egyptian cotton linen is considered to be the finest quality of cotton linen available. Known for its softness, durability, and ability to absorb moisture, Egyptian cotton is a popular choice for luxury bedding. In this article, we’ll explore some of the essential Egyptian cotton linen items that every bedding lover should consider. Duvet Covers: …
Hospitality linen plays a significant role in the hospitality industry, where the comfort and satisfaction of guests are the top priority. High-quality linens not only provide comfort but also contribute to a luxurious and elegant atmosphere in hotels, resorts, and other hospitality businesses. In this article, we’ll explore some of the essential hospitality linen items …
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality residents can expect stability and an improved service in the Parks and Cemeteries division, following the recruitment of the Head of Parks and Cemeteries in the Metro this month. The recruitment of Malusi Mdoda comes as the Metro is faced with a challenge of vandalism despite putting up security measures in […]
Oil and lubricants company, Castrol, has announced the opening of its new Auto Service centre in partnership with an established independent, female-owned Car Service workshop in Ballito, KZN. This is part of Castrol’s distributor-network development plan to have a substantial number of centres opened across the country, 2 of which are currently operating in Soweto …
The Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) has released two reports on South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET IP) following extensive stakeholder engagements within the first three months of this year with communities, labour, civil society, faith-based groups, business and other groups.
In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for the success of any business. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is an effective strategy for improving your website’s visibility and driving traffic to your site. However, SEO can be a complex and ever-changing field, and it can be challenging for businesses to stay up-to-date …
Human Settlements Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has announced plans to give the Housing Development Agency (HDA) the sole responsibility to provide basic services to the communities of informal settlements in Cape Town.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), launched today an emergency cash assistance programme to support vulnerable people fleeing the conflict in Sudan. WFP's pre-established cash delivery platform will also be made available to sister UN agencies to enable them to quickly extend their assistance to vulnerable people arriving in Egypt from Sudan.
WFP and partner agencies have conducted a rapid assessment to identify the most vulnerable arrivals needing assistance. Assistance provided to identified people will allow them to access basic food and other essential needs. The food agency is already supporting over 100,000 refugees in Egypt through its existing cash delivery platform.
WFP will support the most vulnerable families arriving in Egypt who have crossed into the country with nothing or have run out of money after a long and perilous journey.
“They are drained by the journey that they and their families had to take to reach safety and are extremely food insecure. At this time of great uncertainty, cash assistance helps secure their most basic needs,” said WFP Representative and Country Director in Egypt Praveen Agrawal. “WFP will avail its cash delivery platform to sister UN Agencies like the UN's children fund (UNICEF) and other development partners enabling them to quickly reach vulnerable families in need of support.”
This assistance comes in addition to the emergency ready-to-eat food packages new arrivals received upon arrival. At the onset of the crisis, WFP dispatched more than 20 metric tons of fortified emergency food assistance. WFP further expanded its assistance with additional packages of food, including enhanced nutritional food items that are distributed by the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) at the two entry points of Arqeen and Qustol on the Egyptian-Sudanese borders.
WFP is coordinating with the Government of Egypt and the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) the provision of assistance and has so far dispatched food assistance enough for nearly 90,000 people.
According to Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, about 88,000 people (83,000 Sudanese, and 5,000 Egyptians and third-country nationals) have crossed through the Sudan-Egypt border as of 11 May.
Egypt had already been hosting over 60,000 Sudanese refugees, and WFP has been a long-term supporter of the most vulnerable, providing monthly cash assistance to more than 10,000 of them to help them secure their basic food needs. Refugees receive monthly cash assistance through e-cards redeemable at over 140,000 points of sale nationwide.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).
With a bold ambition to achieve 80% broadband penetration by 2025, the government with support from the World Bank has embarked on a project dubbed Digital Tanzania in partnership with mobile network operators that will see the extension of broadband services to 713 wards which translates to 1,407 villages and benefit over 8.5 million Tanzanians across the country upon its completion.
Officiating the signing ceremony at the country's capital of Dodoma, H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania commended the various ongoing partnerships between public institutions and private organizations (PPPs) in successfully implementing strategic development projects that benefit Tanzanians.
“Today we have witnessed a historic event that will see all 26 regions across Tanzania's mainland reached with quality and reliable telecommunication services compared to Zanzibar which was wholly covered in November 2022. The presence of services is of great significance not only in rural areas but also in town areas as it accelerates development and inclusion politically, socially, and economically as well as for the safety and security of the nation. The implementation of this project is in line with the government's commitment to improve telecommunication services and facilitate youth with opportunities in the ICT sector,” explained H.E. President Suluhu.
President Suluhu acknowledged the initiative as it is going to further grow businesses in rural areas as the farmers now will have information at their fingertips and expand markets for their products. She also noted the government is going to change and expand the usage of feature phones to smartphones given the availability and assurance of quality communication services. Another area that is going to be significantly impacted is the health sector specifically telemedicine. In particular, she pointed out and commended the excellent implementation of the m-mama program in partnership with the Vodacom Tanzania Foundation which has remarkably decreased the maternal mortality rate across Tanzania.
On his part, Vodacom Tanzania Plc's Managing Director, Mr. Philip Besiimire when asked about the essence of the partnership linked it with the company's vision to lead Tanzania to the digital age and change lives through technology, stressing that through innovation and community-driven insights, they have been able to come up with products and services that touch on key socio-economic sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and mobile financial services.
Echoing the President's remarks Mr. Besiimire explained that in a country where three-quarters of the country's workforce works in the agriculture sector and most of them reside in rural Tanzania, their innovative solutions have accelerated farmers' registration on their M-Kulima platform reaching over 3.1 million farmers. They've gone further to distribute proceeds worth north of TZS4 billion to the enrolled farmers via M-Pesa in the last year, which provided ease, security, and speedy distribution. M-Kulima is designed to provide farmers with digital agricultural services including cashless electronic payments, market information, and weather forecasts, all delivered through mobile devices, and through their latest partnership with UCSAF, more farmers will benefit from such services.
Speaking of their network investment he said "Over the years we have built thousands of sites across the country out of which 3,429 are 2G sites; 3,066 are 3G; 2,315 are 4G and last year we introduced the country's first 5G network whereas to date we have built 231 sites in Tanzania's mainland and Zanzibar, connecting Tanzanians, and reaching a broadband coverage of 93% of the population. We continue to strengthen our network by widening our broadband coverage and modernizing our 2G sites to meet modern world demands,” explained Mr. Besiimire.
Through our partnership with the government through UCSAF, Vodacom has reached Tanzanians who would otherwise remain unconnected. We have built 296 sites, reaching close to 300 wards, and connected over 3.6 million Tanzanians to mobile services such as voice, data, and M-Pesa.
Mr. Besiimire emphasized the impact of network availability in driving digital transformation, noting the company's network leadership has enabled them to transform communities, create jobs through direct and indirect employment, and advance solutions in health and education working closely with the government in various regions of the country.
“To pick one example, we transformed the lives of the villagers in Mundarara, a mining town in Longido district, Arusha region, where communication infrastructure was absent. It was achieved through facilitating access to GSM services, broadband, and M-Pesa services thus driving financial inclusion through access to not only peer-to-peer (P2P) services but also savings, loans, and other life-changing opportunities,” concluded Mr. Besiimire.
With Vodacom Tanzania allocated 190 wards through the Digital Tanzania partnership, the company will extend its reach to approximately 4.1 million people which is equivalent to 3.7% of Vodacom's network coverage. By the completion of this project, Vodacom will have reached 525 wards, getting 8,179,367 Tanzanians connected and exposed to the wide array of their products and services, allowing them to participate in the digital economy.
Vodacom Tanzania PLC has been a key stakeholder in the usage of National ICT broadband backbone (NICTBB infrastructure since 2012, with capacity leasing contracts worth over USD 60 million in the past years. This has helped the extension of internet accessibility, where more people can access digital facilities, such as health services, education delivery, and agricultural information as well as furthering the growth of financial inclusion nationally.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vodacom Tanzania Plc.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, through his weekly newsletter to the nation, has reiterated South Africa’s stance that the conflict between Russia and the Ukraine must be resolved through negotiation and peaceful means.
Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, GITEX AFRICA 2023 (https://GITEXAfrica.com/), from May 31 to June 2, 2023 in Marrakech, the largest Tech & Startup event on the African continent, amplifies Africa's digital aspirations and achievements. Capital Quant Agency, as an innovative Fintech startup, is thrilled to be part of this collaborative global event that showcases an untapped market of limitless opportunities, provides global reach for local African technology and enhances skills to inspire the world to create and to innovate.
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, capital and financial markets have become more complex and volatile than ever before, the case of the city of London. The rise of digital technologies and globalization has brought unprecedented opportunities and challenges for investors and financial institutions alike. Technology has enormous potential in Finance, and more specifically in capital and financial markets. When it comes to market finance and financial asset management, there has been a huge rise in the use of technology over recent years. This is due to some major challenges faced by financial institutions, trading rooms – asset managers and institutional investors on a daily basis. The expression “Fintech” combines the terms “Finance” and “Technology”: it refers to an innovative start-up that use technology to rethink and solve some specific financial services challenges.
The rise of Financial Technology (Fintech) has transformed the landscape of market finance, and it's essential for trading rooms and institutional investors to stay informed on this trend. Fintech has revolutionized the way financial institutions manage financial assets, helping them tackle major challenges that arise on a daily basis. Through the use of advanced data analysis, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms. Some fintech startups like Capital Quant Agency are developing an innovative decision-making software as a service (SaaS) that can help financial institutions optimize their portfolios, assess investment opportunities, and migrate financial risks.
This is where Capital Quant Agency comes in. As a leading fintech startup, based at Casablanca (Morocco), it can help its clients make more informed decisions, increase efficiency as well as revenue through maximizing transparency, automation, and connectivity. Quantitative analytics require robust, interactive and easy-to-use interface. By leveraging advanced analytics and quantitative resources capable of producing better results for both institutional investors, investment – asset managers, financial institutions and hedge funds. The software will help them assess the best investment opportunities, optimize their portfolios and migrate financial risk. Moreover, it is committed to using ethical and responsible practices in all its operations. By adhering to high standards of data privacy, cybersecurity, and ethical conduct, Capital Quant Agency helps its clients build trust and confidence in their decision-making process. This is particularly important in an age where unethical practices are becoming increasingly common in the financial industry.
Fintech is revolutionizing market finance, and it's crucial for trading rooms and institutional investors to stay informed. Understanding the power of fintech can help financial institutions optimize their operations, streamline their processes, and maximize profitability. However, navigating this new digital landscape requires careful attention to the latest trends and developments in fintech. By staying informed, financial institutions can unlock the full potential of fintech and stay ahead of the game in the ever-changing world of market finance.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX Africa.
In a major boost for the game in the province, Cricket Eastern Cape (Pty) Limited has signed a sponsor in a multi-year deal that will include the Warriors and the iconic St George’s Park Cricket Stadium. “We are very happy to announce that going forward the team will be known as the Dafabet Warriors and …
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has strongly condemned incidents of violent disruptions, arson, vandalism and intimidation at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and the University of the Western Cape.
Amadiba Crisis Committee secures interim interdict against development
Burundi has officially inaugurated the country's first utility-scale solar field, as part of push to leverage renewable energy for improved access to electricity for homes and businesses.
The grid-connected 7.5MW solar power plant, located in Mubuga, became operational in 2021. It has since then provided more than 10% of Burundi's electricity.
During the official inauguration, President Évariste Ndayishimiye pledged, with support of development partners, to double the generating capacity at the plant.
“We celebrate economic and climate progress in Burundi, which is open to direct foreign investment to catalyse economic growth for our people,” President Ndayishimiye said in a statement released by Gigawatt Global, the renewable energy company that developed the field. “Thanks to this solar field, and my agreement to double the size of it, we have increased energy security that can reliably run agro-businesses."
Burundi ranks poorly as one of the least electrified countries (https://apo-opa.info/3o4j0Te) in the world, with only about 11% of the country's 11 million people (or roughly 1.2 million people) having access to electricity.
The country's electricity supply comes largely from hydropower, but the energy gap has forced many to rely on costly and polluting diesel fuel. Thanks to the project in Mubuga, the electricity generated by the solar field has been able to replace significant power coming from diesel, expanding output to new users.
Partnering for clean energy development
Developing and building Burundi's first solar plant took a six-year process led by Gigawatt Global, a multinational green energy developer and independent power producer for Africa.
Gigawatt broke ground on the Solar field in 2017, but full construction began in January 2020. Commercial operations took off (https://apo-opa.info/3ObXExM) in October 2021.
But before the project came online, it received financial support through a grant from the Energy and Environment Partnership (a joint Finland, UK and Austria fund) and the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries, to cover the studies relevant to constructing the field. The field also got support of the African-EU Renewable Energy Cooperation Program, engaging in the project with due diligence.
Financing for the construction of the project was provided via a consortium including pan-African private equity investor Inspired Evolution via its Evolution II Fund, the UK government-funded Renewable Energy Performance Platform, and Gigawatt Global. The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has been leading in the area of Political Risk Insurance and refinancing of construction debt.
The project, Burundi's first grid-connected solar development by an independent power producer, is expected to pave the way for further foreign investment into the country's renewable energy sector.
"This project demonstrates how the world community can realize shared development goals by utilizing international financing facilities best suited for frontier and emerging markets," Gigawatt Global Burundi SA Managing Director Michael Fichtenberg said.
Moving forward with 'Energy Hub'
Gigawatt Global says a small business and community center powered by solar energy, providing access to productive use of electricity locally, is also moving forward.
This 'Energy Hub' for which land and funding are being secured, will promote community development through women and youth empowerment programmes, along with various educational components developed in conjunction with local and international NGOs.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Green Energy Africa Summit.
Green Energy Africa Summit:
Under the theme " Unlocking Africa's Just Energy Potential " Green Energy Africa Summit 2023 will welcome over 50 ministers and government officials alongside the industry's global leaders and be the hub for building a sustainable future for the African energy sector this October.
Don't miss out on joining 1000+ senior industry decision makers as they come together to map out Africa's energy journey.
Register Your Interest (https://apo-opa.info/41qagoL)
