Month: May 2025

 The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) has approved a $304 million loan to Botswana to support the southern African country in managing mounting fiscal challenges and implementing key governance and economic reforms.  The funding, approved by the Bank Group’s Board of Directors on Wednesday, will finance the Governance and Economic Resilience Support Programme (GERSP), a one-year general budget support operation covering the 2025/2026 fiscal year.  The facility aims to cushion Botswana […]

 The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (www.ITFC-IDB.org), the trade finance arm of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, renewed its longstanding support to the Republic of Burkina Faso with the signing of a EUR 106 Million Facility terms under the Master Murabaha Agreement, with Société Burkinabè des Fibres Textiles (SOFITEX) as the executing agency. The facility provided aims to support the country’s cotton campaign, reinforcing ITFC’s longstanding commitment to […]

 Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marks ‘World Hypertension Day 2025’ in partnership with Africa’s First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Medical Societies and Academia through their “Nationwide Diabetes&Hypertension Blue Points Program”, by reinforcing its commitment to improving cardiovascular and diabetes care across Africa, and beyond.   Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation stated, “At Merck Foundation we observe “World Hypertension Day” by expanding access to […]

 The Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris featured a standout session this year with the Premier Invest Deal Room, a platform that spotlighted over $10 billion worth of oil, gas and renewable energy projects seeking investment across Africa and the broader energy frontier. “This is a platform to showcase interesting opportunities across Africa that we are advising on,” said Marcel Awasum, Head of Business Development for Premier Invest. “All […]

 President Wavel Ramkalawan has announced the appointment of the Physical Planning Appeals Board. The appointment is made in accordance with Section 40 (2) and 40 (8) of the Physical Planning Act, 2021.  The appointment took effect on 1st May 2025 for a 3-year period. The full composition of the Physical Planning Appeals Board is as follows: Mr Brian Chanty-Seng          Chairperson Mr Richard Didon                  Member Mr Wills Agricole  […]

 The Standing Committee on the Auditor-General (SCoAG) today expressed concern over continuous failures by several municipalities to submit annual financial statements on time and the delays that result in the completion of audits, which continue to undermine accountability, service delivery, and the integrity of local government financial management. As a result of this non-compliance the mandate of the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) is impeded. In line with the scope […]

 Around 95 percent of South Sudan’s population depends on farming, cattle-keeping or fishing for survival. Yet, the country is facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian situations, with more than 7.7 million people currently estimated to be affected by acute food insecurity. To help rebuild a thriving agriculture sector, South Korean peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) are spearheading the implementation of high-tech, mechanized farming […]

 President Cyril Ramaphosa has honoured the late struggle veteran and human rights lawyer Advocate Dumalisile Philemon Pearce Nokwe with the posthumous conferral of the honorary title of Senior Counsel (Silk) for the Republic of South Africa. The President has bestowed this conferral on the late Adv Nokwe on the eve of the esteemed legal practitioner’s reburial in West Park Cemetery, Johannesburg, tomorrow, Saturday, 17 May 2025. He will be reburied […]

 Africa is entering a pivotal phase in its energy transformation, characterized by a growing shift toward “Africa-first” energy policies. Despite contributing less than 4% to global emissions, Africa faces the world’s most severe energy access challenges – with approximately 600 million people lacking electricity and 900 million without clean cooking solutions. With $47 billion in oil and gas capex in 2024 – a 23% increase year-over-year – Africa is proving […]