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The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) (www.TonyElumeluFoundation.org), Africa’s leading philanthropy dedicated to empowering African entrepreneurs, will close applications for the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme on its TEFConnect digital platform (www.TEFConnect.com) on March 31. This year’s intervention prioritises the economic recovery of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) and young African entrepreneurs, following the Covid-19 disruption to economic activities.

To address the unique challenges arising from the pandemic, lift millions out of poverty and create sustainable employment across the continent, the Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Programme will empower over 3,500 young African entrepreneurs in collaboration with global partners.
The Tony Elumelu Foundation, which celebrated ten years of impact in 2020, is empowering a new generation of African entrepreneurs, through the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme. Successful applicants receive a world-class business training, mentorship, non-refundable seed capital up to $5,000, and global networking opportunities.  The Programme is open to entrepreneurs across Africa, both new start-ups and existing young businesses, operating in any sector.
According to the Director of Partnerships &#038; Communications at the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Somachi Chris-Asoluka, “Africa’s growing, and active youth population must take advantage of this opportunity and apply for the programme before the 31st of March, as their full participation will create a pathway to economic prosperity. This year, we have the capacity to empower more African entrepreneurs than ever, further ensuring that they have adequate training, funding and mentorship to boost their performance. It is time for young African entrepreneurs to embrace this much-needed support system to enable thriving and sustainable economic activity. We believe we will continue to see exponential change in sectors across the continent”.
The Tony Elumelu Foundation’s $100million Entrepreneurship Programme, launched in 2015 to empower 10,000 entrepreneurs over 10 years, is now entering its 7th year and has empowered to date, over 9,000 young African entrepreneurs from 54 African countries.
Prospective applicants should apply on the digital networking hub for African entrepreneurs, www.TEFConnect.com.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Application deadline for the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme is March 31

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United Nations Resident Coordinator (RC) in Sierra Leone, Mr Babatunde Ahonsi and the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby have underscored that the breadth and depth of the partnership between the UN system in Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS) is a reflection of the centrality of health advancement to human capital development and sustainable development more broadly.

The RC mentioned that UN agencies such as WHO, UNICEF, UNAIDS and UNFPA in the country have a significant programming footprint with the Ministry. “This is because resources committed to health issues are not consumption expenditures but [rather] an investment with huge social and economic returns. This clarification matters for development,” he said.
Using the COVID pandemic as an example, Mr. Ahonsi said that the disease has revealed the importance of the health sector. He also indicated that the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2020-2023 fully aligns with the country’s Medium-Term National Development Plan 2019-2023. “Health runs through our strategic framework and I hope that during my tenure, the UN will work more coherently with key partners like MoHS to support the health needs of the people,” the RC added.
The RC who was accompanied to the meeting by the Representatives of UNAIDS and WHO commended MoHS for facilitating the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX facility. Moreover, on behalf of UNICEF and UNFPA, the RC also informed the Minister that both agencies have expressed their willingness and availability to support efforts to strengthen the health system in the country.
For his part, Dr Demby recognized the support that MoHS has received over the years from the UN System in Sierra Leone. This, according to him, was encouraging. The Minister also expressed his interest in seeing this partnership evolve in a more dynamic space. He also looks forward to working with the RC as an advocate on health matters and values the relationship between the UN and the MoHs. Present at the meeting also were the two deputy ministers in the MoHS, the Permanent Secretary, and the Chief Medical Officer.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations (UN). Media files

UN Sierra Leone and Ministry of Health recommit towards a more dynamic partnership

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Sankalp Forum (www.SankalpForum.com), an initiative of Intellecap hosted its 8th Edition of the Sankalp Africa Summit, in a virtual format, from the 2nd to 4th March 2021, one of Africa&#39;s largest inclusive networking platform focusing on entrepreneurship and the impact investing ecosystem.

Some of the key highlights of the summit include the awarding of the top three most innovative young entrepreneurs in Africa and sharing of sector insights on, rebuilding a resilient universally accessible health system capable of rapidly detecting, assessing, reporting; rebuilding robust local institutions in Africa to attain globally competitive levels post Covid-19, and eliminating social and economic injustices to improve equity across humans.
Each year, the Summit recognizes and rewards high-impact enterprises in the Africa region that are keen to tackle key development challenges. The finalists get the opportunity to pitch their enterprises to a jury panel comprising eminent business leaders and investors. This year&#39;s finalists were Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Center, MamaPrime, and KIRI EV from Kenya; EcoV and Iyeza Health from South Africa; OBRI from Tanzania; Masaka Creamery from Rwanda; and MaTontine from Senegal. 
The 2021 Sankalp Africa Awards winner was Iyeza Health, a healthcare start-up from South Africa that collects and delivers high-cost and critical chronic medication for Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV), diabetes and cancer treatment drugs from public health facilities to patient&#39;s doorsteps through a bicycle delivery service. The service is called Iyeza Express.
In Cape Town, poor national infrastructure has often left the burden of obtaining medication from health facilities to individual patients. As a result, those in rural areas go without medication for weeks at a time. However, with Iyeza Express, a single courier can transport several boxes at a time thus increasing the capacity to deliver the drugs to more patients at a faster rate and save lives. Currently, Iyeza delivers medication to over 1000 people in Khayelitsha, Cape Town and employs local residents as specialised chronic medicine delivery service. The company aims to become a fully-fledged health logistics company that offers access to self-testing diagnostics devices that encourage screening, and early detection of disease in communities, and offer alternative distribution and supply chain channels for health products thus change the face of public health in South Africa.
The First Runner Up emerged as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Centre (WEEE Center), a Kenya electronic waste management start-up. WEEE offers the safe disposal of electrical and electronic waste (e-Waste) service in accordance with NEMA waste regulations, training on the safe e-waste handling, storage, disposal methods, and their adverse effects on the public health and environment if not properly disposed of. WEE&#39;S goal is to run an enterprise that protects both the environment and public health.
The Second Runner Up was OBRI Tanzania, an Agri-Food start-up from Tanzania that focuses on processing and supplying healthier edible oils. The company produces a 100% natural low price sunflower cooking oil called OBRI that is supplied to millions of families across the country. They also work with local farmers directly to source the seeds and promote fair price trade, offer seed crushing services to manufacturing companies for oil and oil cake extraction, and train farmers on organic manure use and sustainable land management to achieve the production of high-quality seeds.
&#8220;Sankalp Forum is one of our largest initiatives that aims to bring the community together to help solve the problems that face us through cutting-edge innovation and high potential entrepreneurship. Sankalp today, in its 8th year in Africa, brought to the world a post Covid view of economic resurgence and resilience, thereby demonstrating our ability to drive action and influence outcomes,&#8221; said Arielle Molino, Sankalp Lead and AVP Intellecap Africa 
The Summit, which was held virtually engaged over 1,200 stakeholders, from 40+ countries around the world, including participants from 30 African countries. 
Some of the key renowned speakers that the summit attracted include Admassu Tadesse, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Trade and Development Bank, Dr. Arkebe Oqubay, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Author, Dorothy Tembo, Deputy Executive Director, International Trade Centre, Dr Mabouba Diagne, VP Finance and Corporate Services from ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), Somachi Chris-Asoluka, Director of Partnerships and Communications, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Sara Mbago-Bhunu, Regional Director East and Southern Africa, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Wanjira Mathai , Vice President and Regional Director for Africa, of World Resources Institute and Margaret Busby, Writer, editor, broadcaster and literary critic among others.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Sankalp Africa Summit Awards.
Media Contacts: For any queries please reach out to: George Murage SANKALP Africa Media Team +254 725 734 484 george.murage@intellecap.com
About Sankalp Forum: Sankalp Forum (www.SankalpForum.com) was initiated in India in 2009 by Intellecap, part of the Aavishkaar Group, to create a thriving ecosystem for business-led inclusive development. Over the past 10 years, Sankalp has built one of the world&#39;s largest impact enterprise focused platforms that have showcased and discovered 1800+ entrepreneurs, through 23+ editions and has connected them to 600+ investors. Sankalp has enabled enterprises and entrepreneurs and has helped raise over USD 270 million in funding and disbursed over USD 870,000 in cash grants. Sankalp Forum engages with Governments, Corporations, influential platforms like the G8 and G20, media and civil society to drive a paradigm shift in inclusive development approaches. For more details please visit, www.SankalpForum.com

Announcing Winners of the 8th Edition of the Sankalp Africa Summit Awards

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Seventeen patients have been diagnosed positive for COVID-19 in tests carried out today at Quarantine Centers in the Southern and Central Regions.

Out of these, fifteen patients are from Quarantine Centers in Senafe (9), Dibarawa (3), Enda Ghiorghis (2), and Decamere (1), in the Southern Region. The remaining two patients are from Quarantine Centers in Asmara, Central Region.
On the other hand, seventy patients who have been receiving medical treatment in the Southern (52), and Central (18), Regions have recovered fully and have been discharged from these facilities.
The total number of recovered patients to-date has accordingly risen to 2,701 while the number of deaths stands at seven.
The total number of confirmed cases in the country to-date has increased to 3,055.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea. Media files

Coronavirus – Eritrea: Announcement from the Ministry of Health (15 March 2021)

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New cases: 33 Total active cases: 5,039 Total currently admitted: 49 (5 new) Total number of tests conducted: 208,678 (513 new) Total confirmed cases: 32,864* Total recovered: 26,607 (348 new) New discharges from treatment units: 8 Total deaths: 1,084 (1 new)
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health and Population, Republic of Malawi. Media files

Coronavirus – Malawi: COVID-19 update (15 March 2021)

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Daily: Laboratory test: 5,760 Severe cases: 531 New recovered: 118 New deaths: 5 New cases: 1,151

Total: Laboratory test: 2,233,489 Active cases: 30,233 Total recovered: 143,828 Total deaths: 2,555 Total cases: 176,618
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Ethiopia. Media files

Coronavirus – Ethiopia: COVID-19 update (15 March 2021)

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Tests conducted: 9,465,515 Positive cases identified: 1,530,033 Total recoveries: 1,455,325 Total deaths: 51,421 New cases: 613
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa, Department of Health. Media files

Coronavirus – South Africa: COVID-19 update (15 March 2021)

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Global health technology experts, the BroadReach Group (www.BroadReachcorporation.com), and nonprofit research institute, RTI International (RTI) (www.RTI.org), are pleased to announce a partnership between the organizations. Together, they now will offer joint informatics solutions, powered by AI, synthesizing managerial, operational and other types of social and economic data. These state-of-the-art tools will help US healthcare payers and providers optimize health outcomes and organizational effectiveness at scale, while allowing for customization. 

The organizations will use their complementary capabilities to deliver value in the USA. RTI brings health research and data science capabilities to the partnership while BroadReach delivers best-in-class direct implementation experience and technology solutions through its Vantage Health Technologies unit. 
“Our mission of improving the human condition has been the driver of RTI’s work for more than 60 years,” said Dr. E. Wayne Holden, President and CEO of RTI. “This partnership will allow us to utilize data and technology to provide quality, impactful recommendations for improving health care across the country.”
BroadReach has access to nearly 20 years of deep health system expertise and applies its technologies in the world’s most complex environments. 
“Our organizations share a common vision of a world where access to good health enables people to flourish,” says Chris LeGrand, CEO of the BroadReach Group. “Through this collaboration of complementary expertise, we will combine our transformational, technology-driven solutions to drive meaningful change and add value.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of BroadReach.
About BroadReach Group: BroadReach Group (www.BroadReachcorporation.com) is a group of social impact businesses focussed on harnessing innovation and technology to empower human action. Through its business Vantage Health Technologies they provided training and support to thousands of healthcare workers who have performed more than six-million community screenings on its Vantage cloud platform, in partnership with local health authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit www.broadreachcorporation.com 
About RTI International: RTI International (www.RTI.org) is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach — one that integrates expertise across the social and laboratory sciences, engineering, and international development. We believe in the promise of science, and we are inspired every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities and businesses around the world. For more information, visit www.RTI.org.
Media files

RTI International and BroadReach Group Partner for Impact

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Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi announces two new COVID-19 deaths, taking the total number of COVID-19 deaths in the country to 663.

New cases: 2 Total cases: 17,239 Active cases: 783 New recoveries: 43 Total recoveries: 15,791 New deaths: 2 Total deaths: 663
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Coronavirus – Eswatini: COVID-19 update (15 March 2021)

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731 people have tested positive to the disease, out of a sample size of 4,513. Total confirmed positive cases are now 113,967. Cumulative tests so far conducted are 1,373,839.

Nairobi is leading with 541 cases, Tharaka Nithi 42, Machakos 39, Kiambu 26, Kajiado 18, Mombasa 18, Meru 9, Nyeri 5, Makueni 5, Nakuru 4, Garissa 3, Kilifi 2, Kisii 2, Murang’a 2, Narok 2, Nyamira 2, Trans Nzoia 2, Uasin Gishu 2, Kisumu 1, Mandera 1, Migori 1, Nyandarua 1, Kirinyaga 1, Bomet 1 and Wajir 1.
191 patients have recovered from the disease, 166 from the Home Based and Isolation Care while 25 are from various health facilities. 
Total recoveries now stand at 88,596.
5 patients have succumbed to the disease pushing the cumulative fatality to 1,918. Our sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their loved ones.
678 patients are currently admitted in various health facilities countrywide, while 2,129 patients are on Home Based Isolation and Care.
109 patients are in the ICU, 23 of whom are on ventilatory support and 72 on supplemental oxygen. 
14 patients are on observation.
24 patients are separately on supplementary oxygen with all of them in general wards.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya. Media files

Coronavirus – Kenya: COVID-19 update (15 March 2021)

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Online trading is becoming increasingly popular, with Modern Trader reporting that the number of global online traders has grown from 9.5 million four years ago, to more than 15 million today.

Dany Mawas, Regional Director at INFINOX, a leading CFD and FX broker with an international presence including in Africa, attributes this growth to technological advances, which makes trading convenient and fast. Traders can now trade from anywhere and at any time, and will get quick, easy access to the markets.
“Apart from the potential of achieving lucrative financial returns, additional benefits of online trading includes greater financial knowledge and developing associated skills with trading like discipline and emotional control,” he adds. 
How to start trading 
There are those that are apprehensive about starting online trading, due to the associated financial risk. To put them at ease, Mawas notes that while fine-tuning trading skills comes with experience, the best way to start is to open a demo account with one of the many online trading partners available today.
“A demo account is a simulation account that provides users with the opportunity to place trades and to become accustomed to how markets move,” he says.
Additionally, some online trading brokerages provide bonus incentives to boost traders initial deposit and give them a better platform to start on. With INFINOX, traders are only required to deposit as little as US $50 and will, in turn, receive an additional US $25 bonus. Meaning that 33% of their at risk capital is the bonus.
However, he points out that traders should also do their due diligence when selecting the brokerage to partner with and not only base their decision on the starting bonus. “This includes investigating where the brokerage is regulated, and ensuring it has a physical presence instead of merely being an online entity,” says Mawas. 
Determining your plan of action 
Mawas notes that although there are several game plans that beginner traders can adopt to gain profits on their investments, the old adage of ‘over-analysis leads to paralysis’ couldn’t be more true. “When developing a strategy it is vital to spend time researching and learning what works best. The more you perfect managing your risk, the better you become. If I could give one piece of advice, it would be to start simple and keep it simple.”
Mawas emphasises that trading is a humbling experience due to its binary outcome of either making the right or wrong decision. “As such, it is important for traders to have emotional control and the willingness to learn from their trading mistakes.” 
Being emotionally invested can be detrimental to success, he adds. “Often, when the market dips, traders will make the emotional decision to continue trading in the hopes that they recover quickly, which often doesn’t happen. It’s imperative to assess each situation for what it is and to make the most informed decision.”
Why trading is more accessible 
Current affairs such as COVID-19, the U.S election, and Brexit have prompted people to stay more up-to-date with current news, says Mawas. “This is important as the outcomes of these events have an affect on the markets. Nowadays people are more clued up than they think they are when it comes to knowing what is happening and what could impact their trading. This knowledge makes trading more accessible for those that wish to start.”
He also states that the internet is full of useful information for new traders to digest, and that websites such as IX Intel (https://bit.ly/3bNvghP) offers manuals and how-to guides to help traders learn the basics of a successful trading career.
Mawas points out that the rise of social trading has also increased accessibility for beginner traders. “Social trading apps such as IX Social (https://bit.ly/311j47b), allows users to access all the financial markets at their fingertips with the added bonus of tapping into other traders’ knowledge. Users can auto-copy top traders and receive the same results that they do.”
“Today, online trading is an easily accessible journey, and anyone can be successful if they use the right tools and spend time developing the necessary skills and acumen,” concludes Mawas.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of INFINOX Capital.
Media Contact: Nosipho Mlotsana nosipho@eclipsepr.co.za Tel: +2721 023 0440 Cell: +2778 792 3281
About INFINOX: INFINOX (www.Infinox.com) is an award-winning and market leading online trading platform.
Founded in 2009, with the vision of delivering a customer-focused trading experience, INFINOX has been offering its clients premium service in a range of asset classes. We empower traders and help them gain access to markets so they can trade forex, stocks,indices, commodities, and futures; using our fast, efficient and reliable trading technology.
We are committed to providing our clients with outstanding service, and offer a dedicated multi-lingual support team that’s available 24 hours a day 5 days a week. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced trader, INFINOX provides the relevant tools to help you get started and improve your trading strategies. We offer instant funding options and the ability to withdraw your money swiftly.
Founded in London, our operations in Africa are authorised and regulated by the Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB), Registration No. SIA-F188.
Media files

Beginning the journey to online trading

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As of 15th March 2021, we report 153 new cases out of 4,353 tests (4% positivity), 619 recoveries and 6 deaths [MTSRIP].
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI). Media files

Coronavirus – Zambia: COVID-19 update (15 March 2021)

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238 new cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria;

Lagos-72 Kwara-28 Bauchi-19 Kaduna-19 Edo-17 Ogun-15 Nasarawa-13 Rivers-10 FCT-9 Ondo-8 Akwa Ibom-5 Gombe-5 Niger-5 Osun-5 Plateau-4 Oyo-3 Kano-1

160,895 confirmed 145,752 discharged 2,016 deaths
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Media files

Coronavirus – Nigeria: COVID-19 update (15 March 2021)

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Total cases: 20,302 (+116) Recovered: 18,635 (+69) | 91.7% Active cases: 1,385 In critical condition: 13 Tests: 1,065,729 (+2,822) Test positivity rate: 4.1% Vaccinated: 314,015 (+56,566) Deaths: 282 (+2) | 1.4%
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Republic of Rwanda. Media files

Coronavirus – Rwanda: COVID-19 update (15 March 2021)

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Germany’s Max Walscheid will look to take advantage of his own opportunity to lead Team Qhubeka ASSOS’ (www.TeamQhubeka.com) challenge at Danilith Nokere Koerse (195km) in Belgium on Wednesday.

Walscheid (27) has been in strong form already this season as part of the team’s group of fast men, and will be licking his lips at getting the chance to fight for a result.
He will have plenty of horsepower in support too, through the likes of South Africa’s Reinardt Janse van Rensburg, Denmark’s Lasse Norman Hansen and the piloting skills of Matteo Pelucchi.
Three of the team’s younger men will be tasked with assisting throughout in the positioning the team at crucial points. Australia’s Dylan Sunderland and Denmark’s Andreas Stokbro continue to grow in these roles while it will be an exciting day for our Team Qhubeka Continental rider Antonio Puppio.
The Italian from our development team gets his first stage of riding in our WorldTour outfit, slotting in for Harry Tanfield who recently took a knock to his ankle and continues to make a swift recovery from that.
A big thank you to fan of the team David Buchan for announcing our roster through a special video release (https://bit.ly/3bSnJOR).
Danilith Nokere Koerse line-up [squad numbers]:
 	Max Walscheid [13] 	Reinardt Janse van Rensburg [77] 	Lasse Norman Hansen [44] 	Andreas Stokbro [08] 	Dylan Sunderland [26] 	Matteo Pelucchi [27] 	Antonio Puppio [n/a] 
Max Walscheid
I’m really focused on this race as it will be the first race in the year that I get the support from the team in aiming to score a result.
I’m quite optimistic about my shape, I’ve prepared well in the races so far and I think that I’m coming with good legs to Belgium.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Team Qhubeka ASSOS.
Media Contact: Jean Smyth (Head of Communications) Email: jean@ryder.co.za Mobile: +27 63 4701 1710 or +31 625 739 033
About Team Qhubeka ASSOS: Team Qhubeka ASSOS (TeamQhubeka.com) is a purpose-led, high-performance team, fighting to win on the world&#39;s biggest stage, to inspire hope and create opportunity. Founded in 2007, Team Qhubeka ASSOS (formerly NTT Pro Cycling) became the first-ever African cycling team to gain a UCI WorldTour license, in 2016.
We achieved our first major win in 2013 when Gerald Ciolek won Milan-San Remo, one of the five Monuments of cycling. We have competed in six Tour de France’s and notched up 7 stage wins, with Mark Cavendish wearing the coveted Yellow Jersey at the 2016 Tour de France.
We are a multicultural, diverse team with bases in South Africa, the Netherlands and Italy. There are 19 nationalities represented across our World Tour and continental feeder team rosters. Our focus on developing African cycling has resulted in more than 55 riders from the African continent be given the opportunity to race on the world stage, since the team&#39;s inception.
We race to help people to move forward with bicycles through our relationship with Qhubeka Charity. Through our work with Qhubeka, we have contributed to the distribution of over 30 000 bicycles in communities in South Africa.
About Qhubeka: Qhubeka (Qhubeka.org) is a charity that moves people forward with bicycles. People earn bicycles through our programmes, improving their access to schools, clinics and jobs.
A bicycle is a tool that helps people to travel faster and further, and to carry more. In the face of extreme and persistent poverty, bicycles can change lives by helping to address socioeconomic challenges at the most basic level – helping people to get where they need to go. 
All images attached to the press release can be used with the respective image credit in combination to this release.
Media files

Walscheid looks to strike at Danilith Nokere Koerse

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The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) has committed $530 million to finance the construction of a 343 km, 400 kV central-south transmission line that will connect the north and south transmission grids in Angola and allow for the distribution of clean energy between the two regions.

The north of Angola has a surplus of more than 1,000 MW of mostly renewable power, whereas the south relies on expensive diesel generators, supported by government subsidies.
Transmission capacity will increase by 2,250 MW and eliminate the need for polluting, diesel-powered generators in southern provinces. The project, once operational in 2023, will avert the consumption of 46.8 billion litres of diesel per year in the south, cutting 80 megatons of CO2 emissions. The government of Angola will save more than $130 million per year in diesel subsidies.
The finance package, approved in December 2019 by the Board of Directors of the African Development Bank, consists of $480 million in financing from the Bank, along with $50 million from the Africa Growing Together Fund, a $2 billion facility sponsored by the People’s Bank of China and administered by the African Development Bank.
The funding covers the first phase of the Energy Sector Efficiency and Expansion Program (ESEEP) in Angola, which will assist the government to connect the country’s transmission grids and tackle limited operational capacity within the Angolan power distribution utility ENDE. Around 80% of residential customers in Angola are not metered, resulting in financial losses and reliance on government subsidies. As part of the ESEEP, 860,000 pre-paid meters will be installed and 400,000 new customers will be connected to the grid and effectively metered.
At the regional level, the ESEEP will be the first step to enabling a connection to the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP). The new transmission line will become the backbone for the distribution of power to the southern provinces of Angola and Namibia and will enable further power trading between countries in the region.
The funding follows two other recent Bank contributions to Angola’s energy sector strategy. In 2015, the Bank approved a $1 billion power sector reform loan for Angola, which resulted in the creation of an independent regulator and the unbundling of the sector into distribution, transmission and distribution companies.

Angola (https://bit.ly/30Qnf5o) has significantly improved capacity, operational efficiency, and sustainability of the electricity sector. In the period 2015-2019, Angola’s total installed capacity in renewable energy (http://bit.ly/30R7Lhq) rose from 1,017 MW to 2,763 MW, mainly through the improved exploitation of the country’s abundant hydropower.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Media Contact: Gershwin Wanneburg Communication and External Relations Department African Development Bank Email: g.wanneburg@afdb.org
Technical Contact: Stella Mandago Power System Development Department African Development Bank

Angola: African Development Bank funds $530 million electricity project to expand renewable energy and regional connectivity

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Sixteen-team, three-tier WXV global competition set to begin in 2023; World Rugby to invest £6.4 million in its first two years; unified international 15s calendar to comprise of two playing windows on an annual basis, optimising player welfare and performance; ground-breaking global international 15s calendar set to accelerate development of women’s game ahead of expanded RWC 2025; calendar reflects World Rugby’s (www.World.Rugby) long-term commitment to establishing a highly competitive and global test calendar to elevate standards; WXV will be supported by new Women in Rugby commercial programme; WXV offers hosts diversified revenue-generating opportunities.

World Rugby has announced details of a new annual global women’s 15s competition model and international playing windows that will supercharge the women’s game.
Underscoring its commitment to increase competition, commercial and fan engagement opportunities while raising competitiveness of the women’s game on the road to an expanded 16-team Rugby World Cup 2025, World Rugby has launched WXV, a three-tiered annual competition model that will start in 2023.
Supported by an initial £6.4 million World Rugby investment, the three WXV competitions will feature 16 teams and will be hosted within a new September-October global competition window, except in a Rugby World Cup year.
Teams will qualify annually into the WXV competitions courtesy of their finishing positions within the respective existing annual regional competitions, such as the Women’s Six Nations. These regional competitions, played within a new regional window, must be completed by June each year.
To support the implementation of the WXV competitions, a new annual cross-region competition will be established which will act as one of the principle qualification routes for the top tier of WXV. This will feature Australia, Canada, New Zealand and USA. This represents a huge step forward, providing a regular annual international competition for these teams, where previously there was none.
How it will work
WXV 1
WXV 1 will consist of six teams and be played in a cross-pool format, at a standalone tournament in one location, which will be determined on a year-by-year basis.
Participating teams will include the top three teams from the Women’s Six Nations (Europe) and the top three teams of the cross-regional tournament featuring Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and USA (Oceania/Rugby Americas North (RAN)). Each team will play three matches.
There will be no promotion or relegation in the first cycle of WXV 1.
WXV 2
The WXV 2 competition will consist of six teams, playing in a cross-pool format, as a standalone tournament in one location, which will be determined on a year-by-year basis.
Participating teams for 2023 will include two teams from Europe, the fourth-placed team from the cross-regional tournament featuring Australia, Canada, New Zealand and USA (Oceania/RAN) alongside one team from Oceania, Asia and Africa.
The sixth-placed regional position in the WXV 2 competition at the end of each season will be relegated to WXV 3.
WXV 3
WXV 3 will be hosted in one venue as a round-robin format and will consist of four teams with the winner and rankings determined by a points table. Participating teams will include two teams from Europe, one team from Asia and the winner of an Africa v South America play-off.
The top ranked regional position in the WXV 3 competition will be promoted to the WXV 2 competition at the end of each season.
A play-off between the fourth-ranked team and next best ranked team from the World Rugby Women’s Rankings will determine regional position for the next year.
Supporting all unions
Recognising that globally women’s high-performance programmes are currently at differing levels and stages, World Rugby is committed to work in partnership with unions to support collective ambitions to progress women’s high-performance programmes forward in a realistic and appropriate pace of development to ensure optimal performance within the WXV.
Collaborative commercial model to grow the sport
World Rugby has also announced that the competition programme will be supported by a dedicated Women in Rugby commercial programme that sets out to actively further profile, engagement, and sustainable growth, driving revenue back into the development of the game, supporting another key objective of the Women in Rugby Plan 2017-25.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “This is a landmark moment for the sport. Today’s announcement of a new, global international 15s calendar will underpin the future success and accelerate the development of the women’s game.
“By establishing a unified international 15s calendar and introducing WXV we are creating a platform for the women’s international teams to compete in more consistent, competitive and sustainable competitions at regional and global level. At the same time, we are also growing the profile, fanbase and commercial revenue, generating opportunities for women’s rugby through the new Women in Rugby commercial programme.
“This is an ambitious, long-term commitment to make the global game more competitive, to grow the women’s game and support the expansion of Rugby World Cup to 16 teams from 2025 and beyond.”
World Rugby Vice-Chairman Bernard Laporte said: “The new international 15s calendar will provide a consistent, long-term competition pathway and increased international playing opportunities. For the first time ever, women’s high-performance programmes will, in essence, be able to plan from Rugby World Cup to Rugby World Cup with certainty as a result of the new unified global international 15s calendar.”
World Rugby Competitions Operations Manager, Alison Hughes added: “We have been working in collaboration with our member unions, regions and other key stakeholders over the past two years, developing the unified global international 15s calendar and competition offering.
“To grow the game at elite level we need to ensure our member unions have quality, competitive and consistent playing opportunities so they can continue to develop and invest in their women’s high-performance programmes.
“As part of the international 15s calendar development we have focused on strengthening existing regional competitions and also established an exciting new cross-regional competition to increase annual playing opportunities for some of the top teams in the world where it simply did not exist before.”
Driving the participation of women in rugby
World Rugby’s support of the women’s game is driven by its truly global ambitions for the sport as set out in its 2017-25 women’s strategic plan.
Women’s Advisory Committee Chairman, Serge Simon said: “This is momentous for the women’s 15s game. As part of the women’s strategic plan, we are committed to delivering world-class high-performance programmes that will produce inspirational results for the women’s game. The new global 15s calendar will enable unions to plan long-term while also increasing quality competition opportunities.”
World Rugby will work with all remaining high-performance teams, outside of the global competitions, to coordinate matches, should they wish to do so, within the global competition window, either in their own region or cross-regional.  
World Rugby General Manager of Women’s Rugby, Katie Sadleir said: “The new global 15s calendar and establishment of WXV is another major step forward for women’s rugby and women in rugby. The unified calendar will support the high-performance goals of World Rugby’s transformational 2017-25 women’s strategic plan to deliver a more competitive regional and global game.

“Through consultation and partnership, we will work with unions to support the development of high-performance pathways as they develop their women’s programmes, while supporting the overarching ambition of global growth. In addition, with WXV as a key component of the Women in Rugby commercial programme, it is opening up diversified investment opportunities to grow investment into the women’s game.”
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Rugby.
Media Contact:  Rugby@APO-opa.com

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