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Daily: Laboratory Test: 4,085 Severe Cases: 232 New Recovered: 961 New Deaths: 7 New Cases: 307

Total: Laboratory Test: 1,899,637 Active Cases: 12,635 Total Recovered: 117,353 Total Deaths: 2,044 Total Cases: 132,034
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Coronavirus – Ethiopia: COVID-19 update (20 January 2021)

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1386 new cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria;

Lagos-476 Rivers-163 FCT-116 Kaduna-114 Oyo-68 Plateau-62 Ogun-56 Imo-55 Osun-55 Edo-51 Anambra-50 Kwara-44 Kano-17 Ebonyi-14 Cross River-10 Delta-10 Jigawa-8 Bayelsa-6 Ekiti-6 Borno-2 Taraba-2 Zamfara-1
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Coronavirus – Nigeria: COVID-19 update (20 January 2021)

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Tests conducted: 7,762,073 Positive cases identified: 1,369,426 Total recoveries: 1,160,412 Total deaths: 38,854 New cases: 12,170
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Coronavirus – South Africa: COVID-19 update (20 January 2021)

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Total cases: 11,860 (+312) Recovered: 7,812 (+232) | 65.6% Active cases: 3,895 Tests: 808,584 (+4,247) Deaths: 153 (+5) | 1.3% Test positivity rate: 7.3%
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Coronavirus – Rwanda: COVID-19 update (20 January 2021)

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Save the Children welcomes the decline in the number of grave violations against children in South Sudan such as killing and maiming, sexual abuse and recruitment. While children in the country are still being harmed at unacceptable levels, the number of violations has significantly declined over the past five years, according to last week’s report of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) in South Sudan.

In analysing the findings from the Second and Third CAAC Reports, Save the Children found that the number of child victims in South Sudan has steadily declined each year. Looking at the four violations where the victims are individual children, the number has gone down from a high of 1,630 verified violations in 2016, to 82 verified violations in the first half of 2020. The last full year of data, 2019, showed the number of grave violations against children was less than 1/6th what it was in 2016.
Rama Hansraj, Save the Children’s Country Director for South Sudan, said:
“These findings show that, as South Sudan’s Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) continues to take concrete steps towards peace, the country is becoming a safer and better place to be a child. Verified cases of recruitment and use of children in conflict – still the highest type of violation against children in conflict in South Sudan – has dropped from a terrible high of 1,221 cases in 2017, to 39 documented cases in the first half of 2020. While this is still 39 cases too many, it’s a heartening, substantial improvement.
“For all of us working in South Sudan, our hope would be that the number of grave violations committed against children could reduce to zero. Each time a violation takes place, an innocent child is robbed of something critical – whether it be their life, their bodily integrity, or their ability to feel safe.
“We continue to be concerned about the targeting of schools and hospitals by warring parties. In the past two years, there were 13 verified attacks on schools and 9 verified attacks on hospitals [1] which, while a decline on previous years, is still unacceptable. We condemn any attack on schools and students as a grave violation of children’s rights – children should be able to go to school safely to learn and interact with their friends and teachers.
“We appreciate the efforts of the RTGoNU in ensuring the reduction in the overall number of grave violations against children since its formation. Such improvements do not come out of a vacuum. They come from years of hard work, cooperation, negotiations, investment and goodwill from different players and interests.”
Save the Children remains committed to working with the RTGoNU, donors and communities to ensure things continue on this positive trajectory, and implementing long-term interventions that deter and prevent the recruitment and use of children.
As part of our commitment to South Sudan’s children, Save the Children will continue to run case management for vulnerable children, in particular for those children who are unaccompanied or separated from their families, or those who have returned after being recruited and used by armed groups. We will continue our reintegration support, and will ensure vulnerable children receive the mental health and psychosocial support they need to fully recover.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Save the Children.

Save the Children welcomes decline in violations against children in South Sudan

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Health Minister Lizzie Nkosi announces 24 new COVID-19 deaths in Eswatini, taking total deaths to 427. &#8220;May their souls rest in peace.&#8221;

New cases: 346 Total cases: 13,789 Active cases: 4,364 New recoveries: 140 Total recoveries: 8,652 New deaths: 24 Total deaths: 427
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Coronavirus – Eswatini: COVID-19 update (20 January 2021)

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Active cases: 123 New cases: 12 New tests: 347 Total confirmed: 3,950 Recovered: 3,697 (+0) Deaths: 128 (+0)
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Coronavirus – Gambia: COVID-19 update (20 January 2021)

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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 US$10 million Line of Trade Finance Agreement with PJSCB Orient Finans to support private sector and SME development in Uzbekistan.

Commenting on the Line of Trade Finance Facility, Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, ITFC CEO, said: “This US$10 million trade finance facility for PJSCB Orient Finans will allow ITFC to enhance its support to Uzbekistan as the private sector in the country seeks to recover from the social and economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The development impact that these lines of trade finance have are widespread and indicative of ITFC’s unbending commitment to Uzbekistan, its people and its socio-economic growth.”  

PJSCB Oreint Finans Chairman of the Board, Mr. Tokhir Djunaydullaev spoke of the contribution that this financing will make, saying: “Currently we are developing our corporate lending and mutually beneficial cooperation with international financial institutions in compliance with the mission of PJSCB Orient Finans that is to provide modern banking services to new and existing clients in accordance with their needs and demands. This Line of Trade Finance Agreement for US$10 million is concluded between ITFC and PJSCB Orient Finans along these lines. This financing will be used for the benefit of the private sector, including SMEs. This is a wonderful opportunity for our clients to be financed under Sharia standards and use trade finance instruments for their transactions. I believe in a strong cooperation with ITFC.” 
In addition to the line of finance to PJSCB Orient Finans, ITFC has approved seven other Lines of Trade Finance Facilities for the total amount of US$56 million for local banks in Uzbekistan.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).
Contact Us: Twitter: @ITFCCORP  Facebook: @ITFCCORP  LinkedIn: International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC)  Tel: +966 12 646 8337 Fax: +966 12 637 1064  E-mail: ITFC@itfc-idb.org
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$54.88 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.
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International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation approves US$10 million Line of Trade Finance Facility for Uzbekistan based Private Joint Stock Commercial Bank ‘Orient Finans’

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While the development and approval of safe and effective vaccines less than a year after the emergence of COVID-19 is a stunning achievement, Africa is in danger of being left behind as countries in other regions strike bilateral deals, driving up prices.

As of early this week 40 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in 50 mostly high-income countries. However, in Africa, Guinea is the sole low-income nation to provide vaccines and to date these have only been administered to 25 people. Seychelles, which is a high-income country, is the only one on the continent to start a national vaccination campaign.
“We first, not me first, is the only way to end the pandemic. Vaccine hoarding will only prolong the ordeal and delay Africa&#39;s recovery. It is deeply unjust that the most vulnerable Africans are forced to wait for vaccines while lower-risk groups in rich countries are made safe,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa. “Health workers and vulnerable people in Africa need urgent access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.”
The COVAX Facility – which is co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and WHO – has secured 2 billion doses of vaccine from five producers, with options for over 1 billion more doses.
“COVAX is on track to start delivering vaccine doses and begin ensuring global access to vaccines, said Thabani Maphosa, Managing Director, Country Programmes, GAVI.” This massive international undertaking has been made possible thanks to donations, work towards dose-sharing deals and deals with manufacturers that have brought us to almost 2 billion doses secured. We look forward to rollout in the coming weeks.&#8221;
In Africa, the coalition has committed to vaccinating at least 20% of the population by the end of 2021 by providing a maximum of 600 million doses based on two doses per individual disbursed in phases. An initial 30 million doses are expected to start arriving in countries by March with the aim of covering 3% of the general population, prioritizing mainly healthcare workers and other priority groups and then expanding to cover additional vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions. Most of the doses are expected to arrive in the second half of the year. These timelines and quantities could change if candidate vaccines fail to meet regulatory approval or production, delivery and funding face challenges. 
To make sure that vaccines are transported and stored adequately to remain effective, WHO, Gavi, UNICEF and other partners are working with countries to support their readiness to receive vaccines by mapping existing cold chain equipment and storage capacity as well as providing technical support for countries to be ready to receive and manage the vaccines.
According to the WHO vaccine introduction readiness assessment tool, African nations are on average 42% ready for their mass-vaccination campaigns, which is an improvement on the starting point of 33% two months ago. However, there is still a long way to go to reach the desired benchmark of 80%.
As the largest vaccine buyer in the world, procuring more than 2 billion doses annually for routine immunization and outbreak response on behalf of nearly 100 countries, UNICEF is coordinating and supporting the procurement, international freight and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines for the COVAX Facility. This is the biggest, most sophisticated ground operation in the history of immunization. UNICEF is stockpiling one billion syringes and buying 10 million safety boxes so that used syringes and needles can be disposed in a safe manner by personnel at health facilities, thus preventing the risk of injuries and blood borne diseases.
“UNICEF has put in place a global network of freight forwarders and logistics providers to deliver vaccines as quickly and safely as possible as part of this historic and mammoth operation,” said Mohamed Fall, UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Director. “This invaluable collaboration will ensure that we have enough transport capacity in place for delivering COVID-19 vaccine doses, syringes and safety boxes to the front-line workers who ultimately protect the millions of children who depend on their vital services.”
All the 54 countries on the continent have expressed interest in the COVAX Facility.  Eight higher and middle-income countries will self-finance their own participation, while lower-middle income and low-income countries will access the vaccines at no cost through the Facility. The vaccines distributed by COVAX will have received WHO Emergency Use Listing authorization and as such will have undergone stringent validation of their safety and effectiveness. However, vaccine nationalism is threatening the COVAX initiative.
The COVAX initiative has raised US $6 billion in pledges but needs an additional US $2.8 billion in 2021 and WHO and partners are urging countries and donors to contribute and help end the pandemic globally.
Dr Moeti spoke during a virtual press conference today facilitated by APO Group. She was joined by Thabani Maphosa, Managing Director, Country Programmes, GAVI, and Mohamed Fall, UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Director.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Africa needs timely access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines

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New cases: 992 Total active cases: 8,082 Lost to follow-up: 134 Total number of tests conducted: 115,367 (2,588 new) Total confirmed cases: 14,851 Total recovered: 6,206 (78 new) Outcme under investigation: 76 Total deaths: 353 (17 new)
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Coronavirus – Malawi: COVID-19 update (20 January 2021)

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On Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden was sworn into office, ushering in a new administration, new foreign policy and a new approach to U.S. trade and investment in Africa.

For its part, the Trump administration had not been short on growing U.S. private sector involvement in Africa, specifically under its trademark initiative, Prosper Africa. Designed to strengthen bilateral trade and investment, the initiative was launched in 2019 and supported by the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development (BUILD) Act. Signed by former President Trump in 2018, the BUILD Act consolidated the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and USAID’s Development Credit Authority into the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), doubling the limit on investments from $29 billion under OPIC to $60 billion under the DFC.

Serving as a critical instrument of American foreign policy, the DFC aims to mobilize private investment in emerging markets and generate returns for American taxpayers. Out of the $29.9 billion in active commitments globally, $8 billion has been directed to Africa alone, making it the second-largest recipient of investment following Latin America. With a rapidly growing, increasingly urbanized population – and associated needs for energy and infrastructure development – the African continent should be at the forefront of a U.S. investment agenda, in terms of developing a mutually beneficial, long-term relationship characterized by sustainable energy development and cooperation.

Advocating for Natural Gas Abroad

The African natural gas value chain represents a critical avenue for foreign investment and export opportunities, including the creation of onshore U.S. manufacturing jobs. The Total-operated Mozambique Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) project, for example, secured its largest share of senior debt financing from the U.S. Export-Import Bank, which aims to support U.S. exports for the development and construction of the LNG plant and create an estimated 16,700 American jobs over its five-year construction period. In terms of U.S. LNG exports, the relative proximity of certain sub-Saharan markets to North America renders the cost of transporting U.S. LNG to the continent as 20-40 percent less than transporting it to North Asia.  As a result, the export market potential for U.S. companies looking to sell excess LNG supply to Africa – as a result of the country’s recent major investments in new liquefaction capacity – is substantial, coupled with Africa’s own large-scale energy needs.

As part of the Democratic Party platform, President Biden has targeted the elimination of billion-dollar oil and gas subsidies in the U.S. and called on other developed countries to do the same. While the proposition is unlikely to pass U.S. Congress, it suggests that the Biden Administration may follow the likes of Europe, in terms of restricting fossil fuel investment and signaling its commitment to climate change action. To date, U.S. oil majors (ExxonMobil, Chevron) have been less radical in their commitment to reducing carbon emissions and retooling investment strategies than their European counterparts (Total, Shell). If the U.S. can continue to lend support to gas development abroad – particularly in Africa, in which gas is positioned as a relatively clean burning fossil fuel able to deliver energy to scale – then it can cement its role as a leading provider of finance, infrastructure and technology to Africa’s energy transition.

Facilitating a Mutual Energy Transition

President Biden has been expectedly liberal in his stance toward a U.S. energy transition: in addition to once again committing the country to the Paris Agreement, he has pledged to transition the national economy to net-zero emissions by 2050, utilizing the revenues retained from subsidy cuts to fund a two-trillion-dollar climate action plan. That said, U.S. support of renewables should not be limited to the domestic market, and if the country plans to increase its fund allocation toward stimulating green business, then Africa represents a worthwhile recipient. The energy sector is already considered an investment priority by the DFC, attracting $10 billion in commitments to date.  

In sub-Saharan Africa, total investment in power project development available to U.S. companies is estimated by Power Africa at $175 million. Meanwhile, universal electricity access by 2030 will require the construction of more than 210,000 mini-grids, mostly solar hybrids, connecting 490 million people at an investment cost of almost $220 billion, according to the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program. U.S. renewable-focused firms are well-equipped to meet African demand for renewable investment, offering an influx of technology, flexible capital and technical expertise, coupled with a free-market competition approach and reduced barriers to entry.

In addition to attracting external investment to reach continent-wide clean electrification goals, Africa is rich in minerals needed to fast-track the U.S. along its own energy transition. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, for example, is estimated to contain one million tons of lithium resources and is a global leader in the production of cobalt, copper, tantalum and tin. Such minerals are required to meet growing market demand for ‘green’ batteries that have the capacity to fuel U.S. clean energy by powering carbon-free grids, electric vehicles and green technologies.

Countering Chinese Influence

In terms of foreign policy, enhanced U.S. presence in Africa represents a strategic counter to Chinese influence, in the midst of an ongoing trade war between the two economic superpowers. The DFC offers a dynamic alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which has faced criticism due to its debt-heavy approach targeting government-to-government financing, along with its procurement to Chinese – and not African – firms and state-owned enterprises for the development of large-scale infrastructure projects. Criticism aside, China has been able to successfully extend its influence across the Global South because of the financial backing it receives from its government. Public sector support serves to alleviate perceived risk by providing a governmental vote of confidence – which the DFC has sought to do through reinsurance models that boost underwriting capacities and guarantees on behalf of American exports and contractors. Political risk insurance also seeks to protect U.S. investments against risk associated with currency exchange, expropriation, foreign government interference and breach of contract.

As it stands, bilateral trade between the U.S. and Africa is – for lack of a better word – underwhelming, decreasing from $31.3 billion in the first six months of 2019 to a paltry $12.7 billion over the same period in 2020. Last July, the U.S. began negotiations with Kenya over a free trade agreement targeting duty-free access for Kenyan goods to the U.S. market. If an agreement is reached – and it appears unlikely, given President Biden’s proclivity for multilateralism and his anticipated prioritization of the African Continental Free Trade Area – it could serve as a trading model for other sub-Saharan countries and to enhance commercial engagements. In short, the pieces of the puzzle for U.S. private sector-led growth in Africa are there; it is now up to the Biden Administration to put them together.

 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Oil &#038; Power Conference.
Africa Oil &#038; Power invites U.S. and global investors to take part in its program of 2021 events. Email getintouch@africaoilandpower.com or visit www.AfricaOilandPower.com for more information.
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The Next 100 Days: Positioning Africa at the forefront of the Biden Administration

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Siemens South Africa (www.new.Siemens.com/za/en.html) has joined forces with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the Eastern Cape Department of Health to provide a separate modular hospital solution to the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in East London in the fight against Covid-19. Further Siemens project partners include Solidarity Fund, Siemens Healthineers, Siemens Caring Hands and Aspen Pharmacare.

The partner organizations seek to jointly address major health sector challenges faced by the community of uMdantsane as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Many local health care facilities have taken strain, particularly in underdeveloped communities of South Africa. This modular solution with a 100-bed capacity will be erected as an extension of the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital for the purpose of easing the burden on the hospital and providing adequate, quality healthcare. It will provide the main hospital with direly needed additional capacity of 10 new ICU beds, 90 ward beds, diagnostics services and a pharmacy store. The separate facility to the main hospital will ensure access to equipment that is current, efficient and of superior quality. The hand-over of the hospital module is projected to take place in the first quarter of 2021.
“As a multinational organization, we are deeply committed to the well-being of the country. The collaboration of all stakeholders involved solidifies our Business to Society mindset that private companies must take up the call to contribute towards the prosperity and progress of the societies that they operate in.” said Sabine Dall’Omo, CEO of Siemens Southern and Eastern Africa.
A financial grant of up to €3.5 million has been contributed by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Globally, Siemens AG has established a worldwide relief fund to help combat the Covid-19 pandemic under the auspices of the community-serving nonprofit organization Siemens Caring Hands. All Siemens employees could make monetary donations to Siemens Caring Hands for this effort. Siemens AG then matched every amount donated, effectively doubling any donation made to Siemens Caring Hands. The organization is using these donations to deliver rapid aid to people affected by the pandemic worldwide. Siemens Caring Hands has donated €520,000 towards the modular hospital solution in the Eastern Cape.
“Siemens Caring Hands has taken on an enormous challenge. With the donations from Siemens and its employees, Siemens Caring Hands wants to assist in mitigating the terrible consequences of the Pandemic. In total, the people at Siemens have mobilized around 15 million Euros for this purpose. I am grateful that we, together with the German government and GIZ, can now make a substantial contribution to South Africa as well. This comprehensive solidarity is part of the Siemens DNA” said Stephan Frucht, Board member of Siemens Caring Hands e.V.
Multinational specialty pharmaceutical company Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited (APN), is proud to partner with Siemens in the establishment of a modular hospital solution to the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in East London. “Aspen operates important pharmaceutical manufacturing operations in Port Elizabeth (which includes COVID vaccine formulation and filling capability) and East London, where Cecilia Makiwane is situated. We endeavor to continuously make sustainable contributions towards the communities in which we operate. Through this partnership, we aim to assist in providing ongoing quality healthcare to members of the East London community during the unprecedented and challenging period of COVID-19,” said Stavros Nicolaou, Group Senior Executive: Strategic Trade Development.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Siemens South Africa.
Contacts for journalists: Boitumelo Masike Phone: +27 79 739 1062; e-mail: boitumelo.masike@siemens.com
Althea Borman Phone: +27 71 360 8873; e-mail: althea.borman@siemens.com

About Siemens AG: Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) [www.Siemens.com] is a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for more than 170 years. Active around the world, the company focuses on intelligent infrastructure for buildings and distributed energy systems and on automation and digitalization in the process and manufacturing industries. Siemens brings together the digital and physical worlds to benefit customers and society. Through Mobility, a leading supplier of intelligent mobility solutions for rail and road transport, Siemens is helping to shape the world market for passenger and freight services. Via its majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, Siemens is also a world-leading supplier of medical technology and digital health services. In addition, Siemens holds a minority stake in Siemens Energy, a global leader in the transmission and generation of electrical power that has been listed on the stock exchange since September 28, 2020.
In fiscal 2020, which ended on September 30, 2020, the Siemens Group generated revenue of €57.1 billion and net income of €4.2 billion. As of September 30, 2020, the company had around 293,000 employees worldwide. Further information is available on the Internet at www.Siemens.com.

Siemens together with GIZ support the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in the Eastern Cape in the fight against Covid-19

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WHO Africa Online Press Briefing on COVID-19 in Africa
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WHO Africa Online Press Briefing on COVID-19 in Africa

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Renewable energy will be a critical driver of Africa’s post-COVID-19 growth recovery and economic prosperity,  panelists in a 2021 UK Africa Investment Summit event said Wednesday, as they called for a stronger partnership between the United Kingdom and  Africa.

The panel, themed UK &#038; Africa: Partnering in Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure Development, covered discussion of British innovation and experience in the context of partnering with Africa to advance its economic development. Panel members said investment in large-scale electrification projects would be key.  
African countries are building back better from the coronavirus, said Louis Taylor, CEO, UK Export Finance, adding that  this presents an “unalloyed opportunity for UK investors to be part of the African success story and for African countries to access the UK’s support for projects.”
“The UK is still the ultimate one-stop-shop. The UK government is still the largest G7 investor in Africa. For instance, UK Export Finance is providing a £ 1.7 billion guarantee to support the development of Cairo monorail in Egypt – the UK’s biggest ever overseas infrastructure guarantee,” Taylor said.
According to International Energy Agency data, scaling up Africa’s capacity to achieve universal access to energy by 2030 would require over $100 billion per year, of which 40% would be dedicated to solar, wind, and other low-carbon power generation projects.
The African Development Bank has taken the lead in accelerating the electrification of the continent through its  New Deal on Energy for Africa, a transformative partnership-based strategy that aims to increase access to energy for all Africans.
“Building on the City of London’s deep expertise in innovative financial solutions, the African Development Bank sees promising opportunities to further expand its program to securitize receipts from solar home systems providers,” said Wale Shonibare, the Bank’s Director for Energy Financial Solutions, Policy and Regulation.
Shonibare called for a structured approach to sustainable infrastructure development and the implementation of large-scale electrification programs, citing the Bank’s Desert to Power initiative as an example of a project likely to attract interest from UK businesses.  
Nicholas Oliver, Business Development Director of UK-based NMS Infrastructure Ltd, urged investors to engGE more actively with local companies: “We need to create partnerships with governments and local businesses. It is a great time to invest in Africa. The African Development Bank estimates that climate change presents a $3 trillion investment by 2030. What an opportunity,” he said.
Olusola Lawson, Co-Managing Director of  African Infrastructure Investment Managers, an infrastructure investment management firm, noted the urgent need for access to energy in centers of high demand.  
“In Africa, you can’t have transition without electrification. In this context, what we see is the trend from centralized large-scale power plants to a more distributive system.”
The UK Africa Investment Conference, hosted by the UK Department for International Trade, brings together the UK and African businesses to explore the opportunities for partnership and investment.
The UK has been a strong partner to the African Development Bank in the institution’s drive to attract greater private sector participation in African infrastructure investment. The Bank is currently working with a number of UK institutions to improve the enabling environment for infrastructure development in Africa.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Media Contact: Emeka Anuforo Communication and External Relations Department African Development Bank Email: a.anuforo@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group (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 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

U.K Africa Investment Summit: Renewable energy critical driver of Africa’s post-COVID-19 growth recovery and economic prosperity, Panel says

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Wari (www.Wari.com), a global platform offering digital financial services, is partnering with Lycaremit to strengthen its global network; Lycaremit users will benefit from Wari’s highly secure network to access low-cost fund transfers across 30 African countries, Europe, Russia, and the Middle East; Services will be available online immediately, via WhatsApp Messenger and via a mobile app which is to be launched imminently.

Wari, a global platform offering digital financial services, and Lycaremit, a world leader in remittance and part of the multinational Lyca Group, have signed a strategic partnership that will strengthen and expand their global networks to provide access to money transfer services worldwide.

A pioneering platform, Wari has transformed the development of and access to financial services by offering tailored and convenient payments and solutions. Through its highly secure platform, Wari has built a network of more than 700,000 outlets around the world providing numerous channels for its customers to utilise.

The partnership between Lycaremit and Wari was born out of an ambition to create an integrated ecosystem comprising financial services, operations, and the facilitation of seamless cross border transactions. Lycaremit’s customers will benefit from Wari&#39;s innovative platform which will enable Lyca to credit any bank account and mobile wallet. Wari will benefit from the increased engagement that Lyca’s global brand recognition will bring to its platform.

Wari is available via WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Wari App, Ussd and at Points Of Sale. Lycaremit’s services will be available online with immediate effect and the company will be launching a dedicated mobile app imminently.

Lycaremit is part of the Lyca Group, a British multinational of likeminded businesses that share the common goal of connecting people. Lycaremit provides affordable, reliable digital money transfers to more than 50 countries worldwide, and is constantly building upon its services to improve the lives of its customers.

Allirajah Subaskaran, Founder and Chairman of Lyca Group, said: “The Lyca Group was built to connect people around the world. We are committed to helping as many people as possible send money to friends and loved ones across borders. Through our partnership with Wari, we have an opportunity to better realize that vision.”

Kabirou Mbodje, CEO of Wari, said: &#8220;We partner with key players around the world to offer a global ecosystem to our customers. This agreement will provide more options to foreign communities who support their families back in their countries of origin and is aligned with our goal of ensuring that financial and digital services accessible to all.”

Lycaremit plans to roll out its services globally in the coming year, starting with Europe to meet growing demand on the continent for fast, reliable international money transfers.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Wari Group.
Media Contact: Wari Communications pr@wari.com
Hawthorn Advisors Email: lyca@hawthornadvisors.com Tel: +44 (0) 20 3745 4977
About Lycaremit: Launched in Jun 2015, Lycaremit (www.Lycaremit.co.uk) is a trading name of Lycamoney Financial Services Limited and part of the British multinational Lyca Group. Lycaremit allows customers to transfer money online to a growing list of over 50 countries around the world. It provides fast, secure, and reliable services with low transactions fees as attractive and convenient alternatives to the incumbent traditional money transfer companies.
Lycaremit was born out of the necessity for money to be easily transferred when and where customers need it the most. The service can be accessed via desktop devices and soon through a mobile app which will be launched imminently.
For more information go to Lycaremit’s website: www.Lycaremit.co.uk.
About Wari: Launched in 2008, Wari (www.Wari.com) is a digital platform offering financial services with high social added value intended for the public, companies, institutions and merchants.
Wari (www.Wari.com) platform and its services, available to this day in more than 170 countries, via 700, 000 direct points of service and partners worldwide, including 45, 000 in Africa, offers a wide range of products and services: Wari (www.Wari.com) accounts, merchants payments, bills payments, TV subscription, airtime topups, games &#038; lotteries, sending and receiving money, Wari bank card, insurance to name a few and can handle all payment methods (cash, bank account, bank cards, wallets, vouchers…).
Wari&#39;s (www.Wari.com) objective is to promote access to basic financial services for all, within an open, integrated and federating ecosystem, using simple services adapted to both needs and demand, strategic partnerships, a wide physical local network and a highly secured platform.
For more information please visit Wari’s website: www.Wari.com https://mywari.us/WhatsApp.

Wari and Lycaremit enter strategic partnership to facilitate cross-border remittance

Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers, but does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group.
NBA (www.NBA.com) Licensed Merchandise to Launch in More Than 1,200 DECATHLON Stores Worldwide Through Partnership Across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America; Marks DECATHLON’s First Partnership with a North American Sports League.

DECATHLON, one of the world’s largest sporting goods retailers, and the National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced a new multiyear merchandising partnership that makes DECATHLON an official licensee of the NBA across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America and marks DECATHLON’s first partnership with a North American sports league.

The partnership will feature a dedicated range of NBA team and league-branded base layers, accessories and footwear* designed by DECATHLON and sold under their basketball brand “TARMAK.”  The collection will be sold exclusively in more than 1,200 DECATHLON stores worldwide and online at www.Decathlon.com. Products will be available for pre-order beginning in March 2021 ahead of the April 2021 launch in stores.

“Since the creation of TARMAK four years ago, it has been our dream to collaborate with the NBA, the greatest basketball league in the world,” said TARMAK Leader Damien Dezitter. “We have a common objective to develop basketball all over the world, so it’s natural to work together to make this possible.”

“We are excited to partner with DECATHLON, a leader in sporting goods retail with a global footprint,” said NBA EME Director, Global Partnerships Steve Griffiths. “Through this partnership, NBA fans and basketball players around the world will have access to an exciting and innovative range of merchandise to help them get in the game.”

Fans can download the official NBA App on iOS (https://apple.co/2XX214z) and Android (http://bit.ly/39NUzhH) for the latest news, updates, scores, stats, schedules and videos and follow the NBA on Instagram at NBAEurope (https://bit.ly/390Eoya).

*Select markets only
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).
Media Contact: Tom Marchesi NBA EME +44 207-420-8921 tmarchesi@nba.com
Thomas Senez TARMAK Media Relations +33 7 60 39 36 88 Thomas.senez@decathlon.com
About DECATHLON &#038; TARMAK: DECATHLON (www.Decathlon.com), one of the world’s leading sporting goods retailers, is headquartered in France and specializes in the creation of sports products and their distribution online and in stores at more than 1,600 locations in 59 countries.
Created in 2016, TARMAK is DECATHLON’s basketball brand which designs its own products and technologies, including balls, boards, clothes, shoes, training accessories, protections and supports.
About the NBA: The NBA (www.NBA.com) is a global sports and media business built around four professional sports leagues: the National Basketball Association, the Women’s National Basketball Association, the NBA G League and the NBA 2K League. The NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 215 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 100,000 stores in 100 countries on six continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2020-21 season featured 107 international players from 41 countries. NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with 1.9 billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms. Through NBA Cares, the league addresses important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.
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