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Daily: Laboratory test: 5,740 Severe cases: 239 New recovered: 825 New deaths: 4 New cases: 613 Total: Laboratory test: 2,026,734 Active cases: 15,067 Total recovered: 127,622 Total deaths: 2,171 Total cases: 144,862Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Ethiopia.Media filesDownload logo

Coronavirus – Ethiopia: COVID-19 update (11 February 2021)

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Tests conducted: 8,605,729 Positive cases identified: 1,484,900 Total recoveries: 1,377,980 Total deaths: 47,382 New cases: 2,488Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa, Department of Health.Media filesDownload logo

Coronavirus – South Africa: COVID-19 update (11 February 2021)

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New cases: 227 Total active cases: 14,267 Total currently admitted: 199 (31 new) Total number of tests conducted: 166,746 (1,713 new) Total confirmed cases: 28,270* Total recovered: 12,879 (296 new) New discharges from treatment units: 20 Total deaths: 914 (14 new) *Out of these, 134 lost to follow-up and 76 outcome under investigation.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health and Population, Republic of Malawi.Media filesDownload logo

Coronavirus – Malawi: COVID-19 update (11 February 2021)

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Download logoFuture Energy Series: Africa (FESA), is pleased to announce the agreement of a strategic partnership with the African Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR). FESA is the deal-making and project origination platform of choice for the continent’s most influential low-carbon energy stakeholders. As part of the agreement, AFUR will contribute to the development of the inaugural FESA conference programme, ensuring it reflects the objectives and challenges faced by their extensive network of pan-African Ministers, utility CEOs and regulators. Bringing together the most significant energy players, AFUR will use FESA as a platform for active dialogue on developing robust, dynamic energy policies and advancing green economies. Director of Strategic Partnerships at FESA, Paul Sinclair said: “We are excited to work closely with AFUR, they will undoubtedly prove to be a great asset to FESA. We recognise that over the coming 50 years Africa will face a myriad of fresh challenges related to energy access. Across all regions a young, upwardly mobile population of new middle-income citizens lack a basic supply of easy-to-access, affordable power. Key issues such as large base power deficits and insufficient power generation mean that industry lacks the capacity to grow and prosper. Challenges in inadequate energy infrastructure deter required investment in the power sector, and the need for policy reform makes some economies prohibitive for highly regulated and cautious investors. The partnership between AFUR and FESA will provide a platform for B2G dialogue and lobbying that will eradicate prohibitive red tape, unblock bottlenecks to make economies more conducive to investors and accelerate capital flow into the continent.” Debbie Roets, Executive Secretary of AFUR commented: “AFUR is very excited to work closely with FESA on this very important event. It is always important to bring all the policy makers together to discuss the challenges in energy access in Africa, the greatest being delivering sustainable, affordable sources of electricity across the continent. Although governments have made great strides over the past two decades in developing both robust regulatory frameworks and energy access, the progress made has been uneven; just under 600 million Africans still have no access to electricity. This event definitely provides the opportunities for discussions on best practices and information sharing.” Further updates about Future Energy Series: Africa are coming soon. Visit www.FutureEnergySeriesAfrica.com and follow FESA on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/3aeM3JP), Facebook (https://bit.ly/2Ze8c4A), Twitter (https://bit.ly/3qeUv1v) and Instagram (https://bit.ly/2OxU9oE ) to be the first to know. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Oil Week.Media contact: On behalf of Future Energy Series: Africa Kasia Gill Email: kasia.gill@hyve.group About Future Energy Series: Africa The vision of FESA (www.FutureEnergySeriesAfrica.com) is to drive green economies to ensure universal power access for the African continent. The event is the deal-making and project origination platform of choice for the continent’s most influential low-carbon energy stakeholders. FESA takes an Africa-centric approach to the energy transition, which prioritises sustainable development and solving the continental power deficit. It will run alongside its sister event, Africa Oil Week, 1-5 November 2021 in Cape Town, South Africa. About the African Forum for Utility Regulators   The African Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR) (www.AFURnet.org) focuses on issues related to the regulation of energy, telecommunications, transport, and water &#038; sanitation industries, with a particular emphasis on issues that are common across sectors (but not necessarily limited to the primary focus sectors) AFUR is regarded as a key building block in the efforts of the African Union and its socio-economic programme, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) in the integration and rebirth of Africa. AFUR’s vision and objectives are derived from Clause 110 of the NEPAD Framework Document, which recognises the establishment of the African Forum for Utility Regulation and regional regulatory associations.

Future Energy Series: Africa Secures Partnership with the African Forum for Utility Regulators as Both Parties Work Towards the Advancement of the Energy Transition and Green Economies

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A Regional Partners’ Consultative Forum established by WHO in Gulu district, Northern Uganda has strengthened partner coordination, increased resource mobilization, and created synergies for an effective COVID-19 response. The coordination has helped to harmonize response activities, foster accountability, and transparency. With WHO technical coordination and guidance, there is now less fragmentation and duplication of response activities. The COVID-19 Partners’ Consultative Forum for the sub-region is composed of more than 50 members, each representing a different organization, government department, private sector, civil society, organization, and other stakeholders. “Building effective partnerships has led to improved resource mapping and mobilization from the respective partners, which has helped to meet the demands of the affected persons, communities, and institutions for an impactful response,&#8221; says Margaret Nanyonga, a WHO staff based in Gulu City. She cites the case of Soleterre Foundation, that realized through the forum, the urgent need for COVID-19 supplies at Gulu Hospital and other lower-level health facilities. Consequently, the foundation provided medical supplies including pulse-oximeters, Personal Protective Equipment, hand washing facilities, thermometers, face shields and gloves. Similarly, interventions by other forum member organizations have contributed to the enhancement of health workers’ capacity in home-based care, mental health, psycho-social support, and risk communication. With these interventions, the sub-region has been enabled to identify and address potential opportunities and challenges for an impactful response.  Mr Adrian Saali, the Soleterre Foundation Representative in Uganda, delightfully notes that “WHO coordination has been very instrumental and responsive towards our framework. We have been able to achieve much using the available little resources.”  To enhance community engagement and sensitization, WHO and the Ministry of Health worked with the Terra Renaissance to mount a mass sensitization campaign in markets, banks, private hospitals through direct interaction, mobilization of people for action and distribution of printed materials to increase knowledge and preventive skills about COVID-19 were undertaken. Other risk communication interventions have been boosted with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund, a member organization in the coordination forum. In addition, Terra Renaissance supplied 30,000 masks and other medical supplies to those most in need and to under-resourced health facilities.   “Working closely with WHO and other partners, we were able to offer concerted efforts in drawing up integrated plans and implementing activities to support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Mr Jimmy Otema, the Head of the Regional Sub Office, Terra Renaissance. In the COVID-19 response in Uganda, alert management desks have been very instrumental in conveying alerts of suspected cases to the teams. As such, support from WHO through AMREF enabled the establishment of alert management desks in eight districts in the Acholi sub-region. “Coordination of surveillance activities for the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to notifiable diseases in the 8 districts remains a big challenge. But with the guidance of the WHO field team, partners have been mobilized to support this important area of work,” says Dr Janan Bishop Loum, the Sub-region Surveillance Focal Person who also chairs the Gulu Regional Referral Hospital COVID-19 task force.   Due to the nation-wide lockdown, increased incidents of domestic violence were registered. In that regard, partners such as CARE-International stepped in to support awareness creation through the integration of COVID-19 messages with Gender-Based Violence community dialogues. In addition, Information, Education and Communication materials have also been distributed to enhance the message. “Partner coordination and engagement under COVID-19 control has contributed enormously to the health system strengthening and I commend the WHO team for spearheading the coordination and resource mobilization for the effective management of the response,” says Mr Idiba Yoweri, District Health Officer of Gulu District.     With a well-coordinated partners’ forum in the sub-region, the mobilized resources have bridged the gaps identified during the planning and coordination meetings from the beginning of the response. All partners have embraced the integrated model of the COVID-19 response in their programs, a key determinant of collaborative success. Since cooperation, effective coordination and good partner relationships lead to tangible results, organizations in the forum are more willing to invest more in public health. Indeed, coordination and cooperation are contributing to increased field effectiveness and satisfaction for the beneficiary communities.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.Media filesDownload logo

Coronavirus – Uganda: WHO leads Partner coordination and Collaboration in the fight against COVID-19 in the Acholi sub region, Northern Uganda

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Download logoNiger has witnessed a decline in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks following a surge. Public Health Minister Hon. Botto Ahmet explains what it took to cut back infections and the efforts being strengthened to curb the spread of the virus. Niger country is experiencing a decrease. What strategies have helped bring this about? The second wave of infections began in November 2020 in Niger. We recorded 3405 cases between November and 8 February, accounting for 74% of the total number of cases registered so far. Currently we’re witnessing a decrease in cases, with cumulative weekly cases falling from 1.8 cases per 100 000 people to 0.43 per 100 000 people. To curb the spread of infections, we strengthened tracing of contacts of travellers who tested positive. Initially in the second wave there was a huge number of travellers who were testing positive but were asymptomatic. We also provided a response package comprising treatment, investigation, contact-tracing, infection prevention and control as well as counselling for patients in one site. This helped with acceptance of treatment. Additionally, we launched systematic screening of at-risk population groups [migrants or people in displacement sites] and isolation which contributed to lowering community spread. Deploying multidisciplinary expert teams to affected regions due the influx of people through land borders proved crucial in the response. We also improved access to testing, monitoring of cases as well as setting up integrated hospital care services that includes triage, sample collection, testing and treatment. Measures taken by the government such as closure of businesses also helped cut back infections. What measures need to be bolstered to keep cases low? Niger, like many countries in the sub-region, faces the challenge of COVID-19 denial. This leads to low adherence to preventive measures. Thus, the first measure to ensure cases remain low is to raise awareness of the prevention measures. The measures already in place must be maintained and even reinforced. These include testing of outbound travellers which helps in detecting asymptomatic cases – who are provided with an integrated package of medical services – efficient contact-tracing, isolation of contacts, improving access to testing across the country as well as integrating COVID-19 care in all health facilities. All this must be supported by active surveillance and quick decision-making, especially reporting alerts, listing and follow-up of contacts. What lessons have been learnt in COVID-19 response and how can they be applied to ensure a successful vaccination campaign? The country conducted an intra-action review of the COVID-19 response in September 2020 to identify best practices, lessons learned, areas for improvement and to further strengthen the ongoing response.  At the end of this exercise, each [response area] identified three priority actions to be taken in the short term to improve the response and the response plan. One of the main lessons learned from the COVID-19 response is the strong commitment of the government and technical and financial partners to support the fight against the pandemic. Also, the involvement of different sectors, experts and layers of civil society has helped to improve decision-making and community engagement. Increased communication has made it possible to face several challenges related to the management of the pandemic. These lessons learned need to be capitalized and strengthened to ensure the success of the vaccination campaign.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Coronavirus – Niger: Minister of Health of Niger on keeping COVID-19 cases low

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Total cases: 17,068 (+127) Recovered: 13,678 (+289) Active cases: 3,159 In critical condition: 15 Tests: 934,672 (+3,522) Test positivity rate: 3.6% Recovery rate: 80.1% Deaths: 231 (+2) | 1.3% Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Republic of Rwanda.Media filesDownload logo

Coronavirus – Rwanda: COVID-19 update (11 February 2021)

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Download logoThis has been a devastating year for communities across Africa. Millions were exposed to the direct and the indirect social and economic impact of the pandemic, which revealed the acute weaknesses of health systems through the continent. Loved ones fell sick and died. Children lost time in class, and millions of people were further marginalized by economic downturns and lock downs. Long-term development challenges, poverty, wars and violence and the increasing impact of climate change have been exacerbated by the impacts of COVID-19. Today, second waves and virus variants underscore how precarious the situation is globally. A growing number of effective vaccines bring hope, but controlling this virus will only be possible if everyone is included in vaccination efforts. It is a moral imperative that Africa’s access to needed vaccines is drastically improved, but also that COVID vaccination campaigns do not come at the cost of other key health concerns. Vaccination programs for other diseases must continue. The fast spread of the 501Y.V2 variant underscores a now-common phrase: No one is safe until everyone is safe. Given the global character of the pandemic, equitable access to its vaccine today is a critical step towards more equitable access to vaccines more generally. There are three main reasons the world must ensure Africa is not forgotten: First is the humanitarian imperative: Every life is important. Second is the epidemiological argument: Pockets of unvaccinated people can lead to viral replication and the possible emergence of variants that vaccines don’t cover. And third is the economic argument: The impact of COVID-19 will continue to harm local, national and global economies. Vaccinating vulnerable groups across the globe makes economic sense. Once countries get more vaccines, it is crucial that authorities also prioritize displaced people, migrants and refugees; those in detention; and those who live in areas under non-government control. Some 70 percent of the territory of Central African Republic lies outside of government control, for instance. The ICRC stands ready to help with vaccine roll-outs with Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies and other partners. Rolling out the vaccine to all communities across Africa will undoubtedly be a major challenge when transportation issues, cold-chain issues, and a lack of trained health workers are considered. This is the moment to recognize that COVID-19 is an additional health threat to these communities. It is also an opportunity: Our efforts must be comprehensive and respond to the broad health challenges of populations. And they must be inclusive. If we don’t listen to communities and address their priorities and life-saving needs, we will encounter resistance and not achieve what we hope to.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Coronavirus – Africa: One year of COVID-19: Vaccines bring hope, but Africa must be included

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The African Energy Chamber’s (www.EnergyChamber.org) Energy Transition Committee held its first meeting of the year, to discuss the pressing issues surrounding the global trend towards energy transition, from the viewpoint of African countries. The energy transition phenomenon has gained significant traction as a direct result of the coronavirus shutting down economies and growing concerns for the devastating effects of climate change. Countries and companies around the world are increasingly investing into renewable and low carbon projects, while simultaneously divesting and putting a stop to traditional fossil fuel projects. Some companies are even changing their names to reflect this trend: Total just recently launched its new name, Total Energies; Statoil has become Equinor; Savannah Petroleum has become Savannah Energy. What does this mean for the African continent, which emits just under 3% of the world’s carbon emissions and still has close to 700 million people without access to power? The Committee’s discussion unpacked the complex intertwined issues around energy production, access to energy, energy poverty and global equity. As the African Energy Chamber, representing a wide range of stakeholders in the industry, it is imperative that we must continue to critique the rhetoric of energy transition and bring out a nuanced viewpoint on how this applies to the incredibly diverse African continent. For instance, should we agree to Africa’s transition mirroring that of more developed regions like North America and Western Europe? The premise implies that there is an existing embedded and established energy infrastructure in Africa, similar to Western Europe, from which the continent will transition from. The reality on the ground is that the average citizen across Africa lacks reliable, affordable, easily accessible energy to be able to pursue opportunities and live a dignified life. Therefore, we at the African Energy Chamber cannot embrace a one size fits all narrative, pushing the energy transition agenda where it is not in fact fit for purpose. Akinwole Omoboriowo II, Chairman and CEO of Genesis Energy Holding, Board Member with the Chamber emphasised: “The African continent will continue to require a balanced energy mix to meet its needs. In the short-term, that’s to say the next 30 to 50 years – we must continue to industrialise on the continent. Gas will play a critical role in making that happen and renewable energy, where appropriate also has a role to play.” Moreover, fellow Committee Member Rémi Mouchel, Director of Operations and Chairman of the Executive Board at IFP Training and Chamber Board Member went on to add: “Part of the energy transition for African countries will include looking at ways to apply technology to produce cleaner fossil fuel energy. We must extend the perimeter of this energy transition discourse.” Indeed, while projects on the African continent represent a mere 6% of International Oil Companies’ global footprint, since the start of the pandemic, project after project has been delayed or cancelled, heralding a change in investment priorities. This has had devastating effects on hundreds of millions of Africans. From loss of jobs, to lost revenue for governments and the increase of dependency on imported energy. Millions of people living across Africa need reliable, affordable and easily accessible energy to be able build businesses. That much is not up for debate. Climate change is real and must be addressed. The African Energy Chamber, with the support of its members and Advisory Board will continue to champion a sensible path towards energy transition in Africa. We believe, that the realities of the millions of Africans who rightfully aspire for affordable and reliable energy must be an integral part of the global energy transition discourse. We shall continue to strongly advocate for that, even when it goes against the grain. We must showcase the bold, innovative and enterprising projects that require funding, we must push for using Africa’s energy resources to bring about socio-economic development and prosperity for all. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.Media filesDownload logo

African Energy Chamber’s Energy Transition Committee Advocates for a Unique Energy Mix for African Countries

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The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (www.ITFC-IDB.org), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, has signed a framework agreement with the Government of Tunisia, represented by the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Investment Support, to increase trade flows and build trade capacity within the Republic. The US $ 1.5 billion agreement is aimed at supporting Tunisian State-owned companies to finance the importation of essential commodities such as energy and industrial products amongst others, as well as to access trade development programs to drive exports and promote inter-regional trade with other Arab and African countries. Under the agreement, signed by Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO ITFC and H.E. Ali Kooli, Minister of Economy, Finance, and Investment Support, ITFC will contribute to mobilizing financial resources from international and regional banks and financial institutions. In addition, the agreement will make way for further cooperation between the two parties in the areas of trade development. Tunisian state-owned companies will have access to ITFC’s integrated trade solutions, and benefit from regional trade platforms such as the Aid for Trade Initiative for Arab States (AfTIAS) and the Arab-Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) programs, which promotes trade and investment ﬂows between Arab and African countries through enhancing enterprise competitiveness, reducing trade costs, and improving technological capacities. These companies will also benefit from ITFC’s LC confirmation/ ICR issuance products to secure export-related transactions. In addition a grant agreement was signed totalling to US$15,000, for covering the cost of subscriptions to virtual educational and training platforms that provide certification education and training for the benefit of the National Center for Technologies in Education as part of its Distance Education Program in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Referring to the agreement, the Minister of Economy, Finance and Investment Support of Tunisia, H.E. Ali Kooli praised the successful partnership and cooperation between Tunisia and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation, considering the support it provides to the benefit of many national institutions and key playes in strategic sectors, to help them secure their needs of raw materials. He also stressed that the Tunisian government is keen to further enhance this cooperation and benefit from the various programs and mechanisms of the financial institution. Reiterating ITFC’s commitment to support its member countries, Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, ITFC CEO, said: “ITFC’s ongoing financial and trade development support in Tunisia is part of our efforts to diversify the local economy and boost recovery from the impact of COVID-19. It is essential that Tunisian import-export companies continue to trade with its Arab and African counterparts. The agreement will facilitate access to ITFC’s integrated trade solutions and key trade-related platforms such as the AfTIAS and AATB which are target value-added sectors, promote a skilled workforce, and drive knowledge and technology transfer amongst local trading companies.” It is worthmentioning that ITFC had provided about US$ 1.5 billion during the last three years under the last framework agreement signed in 2018 to boost and diversify the Tunisia economy across the agricultural, energy, industrial, and pharmaceutical sectors. Beneficiaries of ITFC financing to date include Société Tunisienne de l’Electricité et du Gaz (STEG) Groupe Chimique Tunisien, the Tunisian Company of Refining Industries (STIR), and El Fouladh, the Tunisian steel company.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).Media Contact: Tel: +966 12 646 8337 Fax: +966 12 637 1064 E-mail: ITFC@itfc-idb.org Twitter: @ITFCCORP Facebook: @ITFCCORP LinkedIn: International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) About the International Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC): The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (www.ITFC-IDB.org) is a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group. It was established with the primary objective of advancing trade among OIC member countries, which would ultimately contribute to the overarching goal of improving socioeconomic conditions of the people across the world. Commencing operations in January 2008, ITFC has provided US$55 billion of financing to OIC member countries, making it the leading provider of trade solutions for these member countries’ needs. With a mission to become a catalyst for trade development for OIC member countries and beyond, the Corporation helps entities in member countries gain better access to trade finance and provides them with the necessary trade-related capacity building tools, which would enable them to successfully compete in the global market.Media filesDownload logo

International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation Signs Agreement with The Government of Tunisia to Mobilize US$ 1.5 Billion as part of it Integrated Trade Solutions

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By Grace Goodrich In addition to sizable gas reserves found offshore, Mozambique is home to commercially significant deposits of coal, gold, graphite, ilmenite, iron ore, titanium, copper, tantalum and bauxite, to name a few. While COVID-19 may have disrupted mining operations in terms of site closures and reduced export earnings, demand for precious minerals and metals has not faced the same fate as oil and gas. In fact, mining commodities have risen in the past nine months, due to demand for technology products (that rely on copper, nickel, graphite, manganese and lithium) and global green initiatives. To meet the surge in demand for clean energy technologies, the World Bank posits that mineral production could increase by almost 500 percent by 2050 and that three billion tons of mineral and metals will be required to support wind, solar and geothermal power expansion, along with energy storage. Mozambique is well-positioned to take advantage of this market boom, with mining operations already expanding across Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Manica, Maputo, Nampula, Niassa, Tete and Zambezia. In addition to raw mineral extraction, the sector is able to open up opportunities to suppliers across the value chain, in providing mining and refinery equipment, maintenance services and machinery and automation equipment. In the production of coal – of which the country holds some of the largest untapped deposits globally – service providers will find room to grow operations through enhanced provision of coal-mining equipment and railway logistics services. As a result, Mozambique holds extensive opportunities to add in-country value to mining operations – including through the establishment of cement plants, alumina refineries and gas-processing plants – to diversify national economies and give rise to downstream industries.   Foreign Investors Double Down The mining sector in Mozambique has seen several recent large-scale investments – predominantly from Australian mining firms – that speak to the sizable returns that the industry has to offer. In the mining and processing of heavy mineral sands, Kenmare Resources invested $106 million in Q3 2020 in moving its West Concentrator Plant at the Moma Titanium Minerals Mine in northern Mozambique. Enabling access to the high-grade Pilivili ore zone, the relocation will allow the firm to reach its targeted output of 1.2 million tons per annum of ilmenite and co-products by 2021. The Moma Mine currently represents the fourth-largest producer of titanium dioxide feedstocks globally. In addition to contributing roughly 5 percent to domestic exports, the mine employs over 1,300 Mozambican nationals. Other large-scale operations include Syrah Resources’ Balama project, which carries a graphite production capacity of 350,000 tons per annum and accounts for 40 percent of the global graphite market, exporting primarily to China and the U.S. Precious minerals remain largely untapped, with gold deposits in the provinces of Niassa, Tete and Manica drawing growing attention from local and foreign investors. London-listed sustainable mining firm Gemfields, for example, invested $130 million into its 75 percent-owned Montepuez ruby mine, which harnesses ruby deposits in northern Mozambique and produced 1.2-million carats in 2020. Moreover, the regulatory push from the Mozambican government for artisanal and smallholder miners to legitimize their businesses may unlock further commercialized, large-scale mining activities. Smart Mining as the Future A key determinant of mining opportunities in Mozambique and across the continent is the global energy transition, which has driven demand for certain minerals needed to fuel electric vehicles and vehicles that rely on hydrogen fuel cells. Mozambique – as well as Tanzania and Madagascar – holds substantial quantities of graphite, which is used in the production of lithium-ion batteries. While green investors have traditionally excluded mining from their portfolios due to its association with carbon-intensive coal mining, a more sustainable model is emerging through the extraction of environmentally friendly resources. The Caula Graphite and Vanadium Project in northern Mozambique, for example, is being positioned by its developers as a low-cost supplier to the vanadium-flow and lithium battery markets that back electric vehicles and energy storage systems. On a similar note, an initiative from the World Bank – Climate-Smart Mining – aims to ensure that mining is climate-friendly and sustainable for mineral-rich developing countries, and that benefits of extraction are extended beyond just crude revenues. Accordingly, the initiative takes a sustainable resource management approach, focused on utilizing renewables to power mining operations (instead of diesel or coal) as well as recycling extracted minerals in a way that yields long-term benefits for local communities. For rising mining players like Mozambique, the establishment of a circular economy that maximizes the full scope of its resources will be integral to building a mining value chain that serves all stakeholders. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Oil &#038; Power Conference.Africa Oil &#038; Power (www.AfricaOilandPower.com) is working with the Mozambican government to promote investment in energy and diverse sectors, including agriculture, industry, tourism, construction and logistics in 2021. On March 8-9, AOP will host a Presidential Award ceremony (invite only) and Workshops Day in Maputo, preceding the Mozambique Gas &#038; Power 2021 conference and exhibition. If your organization would like to host a workshop, please email sales@africaoilandpower.com. To attend, visit www.MozambiqueGasandPower.com. Media filesDownload logo

Clean Mining Gains Foothold in Mozambique (By Grace Goodrich)

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Download logoLocated at 2447 Avenue de la Chance in the new administrative district (GTA Lome II) in the North of Lome, the Regus (www.Regus.com) centre will open soon as a franchise in partnership with Confortis International Group. It will offer a wide range of ready-to-use workspaces ranging from private offices to coworking, meeting rooms and business lounges. REGUS, the flagship brand of the IWG Holding (International Workplace Group) created 30 years ago in Belgium, is the world’s largest provider of flexible workspaces with 3,500 locations in more than 120 countries and a community of more than 2.5 million customers and partners around the world. With around 30 locations in Africa, REGUS is especially present in Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Guinea, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and South Africa. The « Regus Avenue de la Chance » business centre is ideally located to meet the needs of companies of all sizes, from start-ups to global groups, with a focus on office flexibility, quality of space and equipment. &#8220;We are delighted to open in Togo and are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality of service,&#8221; says Paolo Dias, CEO of REGUS Africa. Flexible workspace currently represents a relatively small proportion of office space in general (less than 5%). JLL has predicted a rapid increase that is expected to reach 30% by 2030, but this figure is expected to increase further as a result of the pandemic. The Regus Centre is strategically located in the new business district of GTA Lome II, opposite the LONATO headquarter, close to embassies and to the headquarters of major companies and institutions, three minutes from the new Presidential Palace, ten minutes from Lome airport and fifteen minutes from Lome seaport. &#8220;In the context of the Togolese Government&#39;s National Development Plan (NDP), REGUS will offer a valuable service to Togolese companies and international investors wishing to set up in Togo. Lome is a triple hub in the sub-region: seaport hub, aerial hub and financial hub. This world-class tool that is REGUS is fundamental for the business ecosystem&#8221;, says Architect Dontou DEROU, CEO of the CONFORTIS INTERNATIONAL Group. The Centre will open in the second quarter of 2021. It will offer 160 workstations as well as six (06) meeting and conference rooms, spread over 1,000 sqm, in a ten (10) floors modern designed building of 3,000 sqm, including a gym and spa , restaurants, premium suites, a sky bar and a secure car park.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Regus.Media Contact: Sylvia DAGOH regus.lome@gmail.com (00228) 90 53 74 74 About Regus (IWG Group): Regus (www.Regus.com) is the world’s largest provider of flexible workspaces. We have built an unrivalled network of office, coworking and meeting space that companies can use around the world. It is an infrastructure that supports all business opportunities &#8211; a global infrastructure built for businesses. Our network of workspaces allows companies to operate anywhere, with no set-up costs or capital investment. It offers our customers immediate cost benefits and the ability to fully outsource their real estate portfolio. To find out more about REGUS Avenue de la Chance, visit www.Regus.com. About the CONFORTIS International Group: CONFORTIS International (www.Confortis.org) is an African HHhJhhHholding, global player of the architecture and development sectors. Taking advantage of its expertise as a global operator, the Holding develops, finances, builds and manages mixed-use residential, office and integrated services complexes. Since fifteen (15) years, with over one million (1,000,000) square meters built and under development across Africa, CONFORTIS Group has been committed to the environmental, social and societal performance of its projects, with the ambition to create long-term value for its customers, employees and partners. To find out more about CONFORTIS Group, visit www.Confortis.org.

Regus Togo, Opening Soon

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Download logoThe African Development Bank’s (www.AfDB.org) Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) program has agreed a partnership with the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) to unlock $1.3 to 2 billion in loans to women-owned Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Africa, by working with financial institutions to enhance their ability to lend to women. The move signals the launch of AFAWA’s Guarantee for Growth (G4G) program, which aims to make available up to $3 billion in financing for women entrepreneurs through de-risking and technical assistance measures. Already, financial institutions in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda are signing on to the program. “As the implementing partner of AFAWA’s Guarantee for Growth program, we are already observing an increased appetite from banks for this innovative product that seeks to support women entrepreneurs. We have recently signed agreements with leading banks on the continent who are keen to increase their women SMEs portfolio,” said Jules Ngankam, African Guarantee Fund’s Group CEO. “AGF has always been cognizant of the importance of supporting women SMEs to enable them fully play their role as drivers of economic growth. We are glad the momentum is increasing and that banks are now willing to take on this particular business segment,” Ngankam added. Guarantee for Growth, which receives support from the Group of Seven (G7) countries as well as the Netherlands and Sweden, has three pillars: boosting access to finance, providing technical assistance to financial institutions and women business owners; and improving the enabling environment for women’s SMEs. &#8220;The signing of the AFAWA Guarantee for Growth program with the African Guarantee Fund is a critical milestone for the Bank to successfully deploy on-the-ground financing instruments better suited to addressing the financing and training needs of women-owned small and medium enterprises in Africa for the growth of their businesses,&#8221; said Stefan Nalletamby, the Bank’s Director of Financial Sector Development. &#8220;There is an urgent need to improve the enabling environment with the right regulations in place, to sustainably de-risk the segment,” said Esther Dassanou, AFAWA’s Coordinator. “The Bank will work with regulators to reform the legal and regulatory frameworks affecting women businesses&#39; access to finance,&#8221; she added. The Guarantee for Growth is also expected to reach an average of 18,000 women small and medium enterprises and create 80,000 direct jobs, Dassanou said.  African women face a $42 billion financing gap, which AFAWA aims to bridge. This is tied to a lack of access to collateral in the form of land and property as well as to knowledge, mentorship, and networks to grow their businesses, which are typically in the informal sector. &#8220;Donor and private sector-support for the overall AFAWA initiative is helping the Bank set ambitious targets for AFAWA Guarantee for Growth program,&#8221; said Vanessa Moungar, the Bank’s Director for Gender, Women and Civil Society. &#8220;The entire Bank ecosystem will be at play &#8211; inviting more financial institutions to sign into the program &#8211; ensuring engagement, implementation, and ownership at the market and policy levels,&#8221; she added.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).Media Contact: African Development Bank Amba Mpoke-Bigg Communication and External Relations Department Email: a.mpoke-bigg@afdb.org   African Guarantee Fund Diana Aluga Group Communications &#038; Public Relations diana.aluga@agf.africa About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) (www.AfDB.org) is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 37 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. About African Guarantee Fund: African Guarantee Fund (www.AfricanGuaranteeFund.com) is a non-bank financial institution whose objective is to promote economic development, increase employment and reduce poverty in Africa by providing financial institutions with guarantee products and capacity development assistance specifically intended to support SMEs in Africa. African Guarantee Fund was founded by the government of Denmark through the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), the government of Spain through the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development (AECID) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). Other shareholders include: French Development Agency (AFD), Nordic Development Fund (NDF), Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU) and KfW Development Bank (KfW). AGF has a rating of AA- by Fitch Ratings Agency www.AfricanGuaranteeFund.com.

African Development Bank’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA), African Guarantee Fund, partner to unlock $1.3 – $2 billion in loans to women entrepreneurs

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By Verner Ayukegba, Senior Vice-President at the African Energy Chamber Last month, reports that Angola was drafting legislation to permit oil, gas and mining activities in 14 national conservation areas, including the Luengue-Luiana National Park, which represents part of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area stretching across Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe led to protests by environmentalist groups. Local environmentalists were outraged, likely weary of test drilling that had begun days earlier on the Namibian side of the Okavango Delta, an internationally recognized biodiversity hotspot. On January 21, Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, H.E Diamantino Pedro Azevedo responded, providing clarifications in which he noted that, Angola’s existing stringent environmental legislation would be complied with and the interests of local populations would be safeguarded, as the country holds an upcoming public tender for the assessment of several onshore interior basins. Further clarifications have also been provided by Angola’s industry regulator, the Agência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás e Biocombustíveis (ANPG). &#8220;It was necessary to review the legislation on protected areas, but this does not mean the end of biodiversity,&#8221; said Minister Azevedo. “There is a need to explore these resources – the solution is balance. We are sensitive to environmental issues, but we are also rational. There are those who, for political interests, defend extreme positions, but it is necessary in politics to be rational.” As sub-Saharan Africa’s second-largest oil producer, Angola has taken one of the most balanced approaches to global Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards in the region when it comes to oil and gas exploration, placing environmental protections and continued hydrocarbon production on equal footing within its constitution and national agenda. Angola’s 2010 constitution in Articles 12 and 24 explicitly outlines protection for the environment, providing a basis for the country’s Environmental Framework Act. According to Article 12,….. The State shall promote the protection and conservation of natural resources guiding the exploitation and use thereof for the benefit of the community as a whole. …and as per Article 24, All citizens shall have the right to live in a healthy and unpolluted environment. The State shall take the requisite measures to protect the environment and national species of flora and fauna throughout the national territory and maintain ecological balance. Acts that damage or directly or indirectly jeopardise conservation of the environment shall be punishable by law. Offshore exploration, especially during the boom years of 2002 to 2008 made Angola one of the most prized destinations for the oil and gas industry globally. Output rose to nearly 2 Million barrels per day, providing Angola with much needed resources for its post-conflict reconstruction and making the country Africa’s second largest oil producer. These boom years, were also only possible, because Angola provided and continues to provide an environmental framework that is second to none globally. It is industry standard, particularly in a country that is home to all major International Oil Companies, that the highest environmental standards are adhered to when companies engage into exploration projects in Angola. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) plans mandated by Angola’s regulator (Currently the ANPG), are of the highest industry standards, when compared to other basins like Brazil and Mexico. In Angola, these assessments have to comply with a plethora of decrees and regulations that include mandatory public consultations, environmental auditing, restrictions on biodiversity, water and waste management. It is worth mentioning, that no major environmental disasters were registered, and some of the new technologies and exploration techniques developed in Angola under these stringent regulations were exported to other basins for the betterment of the entire industry. Of the approximate 520,000 km² of sedimentary inner basins of Kassanje and Etosha/Okavango – the two regions in question – only 20% are in protected areas and as little as five percent of protected areas are being considered for responsible exploration and production activities, following the completion of environmental due diligence. Yes – the proposed law will have implications for protected areas. It is intended to further ensure their protection whilst advancing oil and gas activity in the country in a responsible manner and in accordance with Angola’s constitution., The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) – carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Environment – aims to ensure that Angola’s rich biodiversity is protected. By identifying and assessing the impact of potential projects on the given ecosystem, as well as presenting appropriate mitigation measures, the EIA serves as a tool for making environmentally informed decisions regarding the division, allocation and development of resource-rich basins. Furthermore, exploration activities will be prioritized in areas outside of environmental protection zones and drilling will only be undertaken if no or minimal impact to the ecosystem is found. It is worth noting that surface samples of crude oil and gas have been already collected in certain parts of the inner basins of Kassanje and Etosha/Okavango, in which there is a high probability that hydrocarbons are present. To deny the acquisition of further geological knowledge of the area not only erodes the basic tenet of resource sovereignty – that each State has the right to know of the existing resources in its territory – but also attempts to make a unilateral decision on behalf of the wider population. The foundation for the draft legislation has been laid in both the National Development Plan 2018-2022 and revised Hydrocarbon Exploration Strategy 2020-2025 – authorized by Presidential Decree 282/20 – which seeks to intensify, research and geologically evaluate concessions and free areas of sedimentary basins. In this respect, Angola’s regulator is ensuring stability and transparency, which lies in stark contrast to other major hydrocarbon producers where regulation is politically driven and does not always ensure environmental considerations. For example, former U.S. President Donald Trump authorized the lease to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge – 1,790 km² of protected ecosystem in Alaska – two weeks before leaving office, while newly elected President Joe Biden countered with an immediate moratorium on new oil and gas leases on federal land. Angola is seeking to establish a long-term, institutional framework that provides for environmental considerations and ensures that hydrocarbon exploration is executed in a socially responsible manner as it happens, when it happens.   Given the growing role of ESG criteria in reducing risk and attracting global investors – coupled with rising pressure on energy firms to “green” their portfolios – oil and gas multinationals and Angola’s National Oil, Gas and Biofuel&#39;s Agency are acutely aware of the implications of fossil fuel investments for both their firms and the country. As a result, the ANPG, under the leadership of industry veteran Paulino Jerónimo, and multinationals have strengthened their commitment to ensure environmental due diligence, conducting impact assessments, implementing stricter environmental preservation measures and preventing or eliminating oil spills, water pollution, carbon emissions and habitat disruption associated with oil and gas drilling. In other words, the decision to develop any acreage will not be taken lightly, nor will Angola pursue any development without taking into consideration local community interests and the environmental impact of such a development. This article is published by Africa Oil &#038; Power for Angola&#39;s oil and gas regulator, the Agência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás e Biocombustíveis. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Oil &#038; Power Conference.Media filesDownload logo

Angola’s oil and gas industry can thrive alongside its rich Biodiversity (By Verner Ayukegba)

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Two years to the day of signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations, African Union (AU) Chairperson Félix Tshisekedi and FIFA President Gianni Infantino (www.FIFA.com) have discussed an action plan that will accelerate several aspects of the agreement aimed at contributing for the benefit of African society, and, in particular, younger generations. “I was delighted to speak with AU Chairperson who is a passionate football fan, and as FIFA and the AU have been working together for some time now, I am sure that under Félix Tshisekedi’s leadership our organisations will find ways to reinforce our joint efforts in many areas such as our ‘Football for Schools’ education project, the fight against match manipulation and any form of corruption, as well as safety and security at football matches across the continent,” the FIFA President said.  “We are encouraged by FIFA’s willingness to engage with Africa, and to use football as a force for good across the continent, and by working as close partners with the AU to ensure that we are playing our part in the continued development of the sport across the African continent,” the AU Chairperson and President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo said. Speaking by videoconference prior to the FIFA Club World Cup final, the two leaders discussed a range of initiatives from the role that football through education can play in developing life skills for children, be that respecting rules and showing respect to match officials, or by encouraging teamwork and cooperation in order to succeed. It was agreed that both AU and FIFA shared a mutual vision for education through football, and further discussions to identify opportunities are now being planned for a face-to-face meeting between both leaders in Kinshasa in the near future.  The call provided the FIFA President with the opportunity to follow-up on previous discussions with H.E. Félix Tshisekedi’s predecessor, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, and to assure the new AU Chairperson that FIFA and football remain totally committed to maintaining the close cooperation and teamwork that has been built up between both organisations in the past two years.   The FIFA President also outlined the FIFA COVID-19 Relief Plan, while also stressing the important investment made to support the 54 African member associations through FIFA Forward, which has already delivered close to 300 projects across the continent since Gianni Infantino’s first election in 2016. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Fédération internationale de football association (FIFA).Media filesDownload logo

African Union and FIFA commit to build on positive results and to accelerate collaboration

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Download logoEcobank Nigeria (“ENG” or “the Bank”) (www.Ecobank.com/ng), a wholly owned subsidiary of leading pan-African banking giant, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (‘ETI’), the parent company of the Ecobank Group, announced that it has successfully priced its USD 300 million bond issuance maturing in February 2026, with settlement of the bond to take place on 16 February 2021. The fixed-rate, US dollar-denominated bond, with a tenor of 5 years, carries a coupon rate of 7.125% and will be listed on the London Stock Exchange. It is accompanied by an Issuer Rating of B- from Fitch Rating Agency and S &#038; P.  The coupon / yield represents the lowest ever coupon / yield achieved by a Nigerian financial institution for a benchmark bond transaction. At the peak of marketing the transaction, the issue was over 3 times oversubscribed, with significant interest from international investors. The transaction opened with Initial Price Thoughts (‘IPT’s’) of 7.75% and finally tightened to close at 7.125% on the back of robust demand. The strength and depth of the book demonstrated global investors’ strong appetite for the Ecobank franchise in Nigeria, a testament to the strength of the Ecobank Group. This transaction is the first non-sovereign bond from Africa in 2021 and is milestone capital raise for the banking sector in Nigeria, giving Ecobank access to global debt capital markets, and more favorable credit terms, commensurate with its strong financial position and robust capital structure. For international investors, it represented an attractive option to gain exposure to Nigeria. This transaction followed a series of virtual global investor calls, with a number of blue-chip local, regional and international financial institutions, led by Citi, Mashreq, Renaissance Capital and Standard Chartered Bank as Joint Lead Managers and Bookrunners. Commenting on the issuance, Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan, Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, said: &#8220;Despite the challenging global environment owing to the COVID-19  pandemic, and on the back of a successful NGN 50bn Tier 2 issuance in December 2020, ENG was able to successfully issue and price Nigeria’s first 2021 senior unsecured 5 year bond transaction. Ecobank Nigeria, through this issuance, is being  proactive in optimizing its capital structure as it continues to drive its medium term growth strategy of establishing itself as a leading facilitator of pan-Africa and international trade and payments.” Mr. Akinwuntan continued, “I would like to extend my appreciation to our regulators, the Central Bank of Nigeria, for their timely support and continuous guidance, in granting necessary regulatory approvals.” He further added: “We believe that our capital raising activities are key steps forward towards strengthening ENG beyond the regulatory ratios in addition to diversifying ENG’s medium-term financing sources. ENG is poised for continued growth in the Nigerian financial services industry.”Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ecobank Nigeria.Media Contact: Austen OSOKPOR aosokpor@ecobank.com 080-23877699 About Ecobank Nigeria (‘ENG’ or ‘The Bank’): Ecobank Nigeria Ltd. (www.Ecobank.com/ng) is a subsidiary of Africa&#39;s leading independent banking group, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI). Ecobank is a full-service bank providing wholesale, retail, investment and transaction banking services and products to governments, financial institutions, multinationals, international organizations, medium, small and micro businesses and individuals. Ecobank Nigeria is a major player in the distribution of financial services in Nigeria, leveraging digital platforms including Ecobankmobile App and *326#, Ecobankonline, Ecobankomniplus, Ecobankomnilite, Ecobankpay, Ecobank RapidTransfer, ATMs, POSs and an extensive distribution network of over 250 branches and about 20,000 agency locations.

Ecobank Nigeria announces the pricing of its Senior Unsecured $300 million bond

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“We are here because we want to see the situation on the ground for ourselves and understand what we can do to alleviate the suffering of innumerable families who have been affected by floods,” said Alain Noudehou, Deputy Special Representative-Humanitarian, UNMISS, as he spoke with community leaders, members and local authorities on a recent trip to Bor and Panyagor, Jonglei state. “We’re also here to meet with communities and listen to them so that we can come up with a sustainable plan to prevent such devastation in future.” Torrential rainfall in the past few months has caused the waters of the Nile river to overflow across South Sudan. In and around Bor, which is located on the east of the White Nile, floods have destroyed homes and farmlands, displacing thousands and paralyzing essential services such as hospitals, local markets and schools. “Thousands of people, including the community in Panyagor, were affected by floods. Panyagor itself was thigh-high in water when communities from nearby villages were displaced and sought shelter here,” said Matthew Hollingworth, Head, World Food Programme, who accompanied DSRSG Noudehou, along with other humanitarian partners, members of the donor community and government representatives. “The worst part is that it was nearly impossible for us to reach them during the rainy season. We couldn’t get here easily by boats or barges and the road was, of course, impassable. The road to Panyagor is still half under water.” His words were echoed by Christian Bader, the European Union Ambassador to South Sudan. &#8220;The people have quite clearly told us that they need a lot of things including food. They are surviving on fishing and dry food and that is not enough. They need seeds, they need to be able to plant. This is what I would call an emergency,” stated Ambassador Bader. In the past few months, UNMISS engineers from South Korea have worked continuously with local authorities to build and maintain dykes designed to stem some of the devastation and restore a semblance of normalcy for people living here. These primary and secondary dykes, according to DSRSG Noudehou, have a long-term benefit. “Right now, this country is facing tremendous challenges when it comes to food security and we are talking about assistance on the humanitarian side. However, if we want people to build resilience and start to really fend for themselves, we must ensure they are able to stop worrying about being affected by annual downpours and can start planting their lands. These dykes that UNMISS is helping build and maintain will not only ease people’s immediate burdens but will allow them to rebuild their lives going forward.” However, the DSRSG acknowledged that stronger partnerships between all stakeholders need to be formed to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of communities living here and also, arrive at permanent solutions to flood prevention. “This is not just about UNMISS and the UN agencies alone,” said Mr Noudehou. “It has to be a partnership that includes the UN agencies who are on the ground with the communities and the government. The government needs to do their part by uniting communities and building morale while donors can provide much-needed resources so that the problem can be tackled systematically and sustainably.” Maintaining existing dykes, building additional ones to create dry ground and improving road access to these remote locations are two areas that the mission and partners will be focusing on as a step forward to a long-term resolution of this problem.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).Media filesDownload logo

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Ecobank Nigeria announces the pricing of its Senior Unsecured $300 million bond

UNMISS and partners visit Bor, Panyagor to discuss sustainable solutions to floods

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