insert_link Business / Economics Vehicle Sales Surge in June The local car market saw a sharp rebound in June 2025, posting 1,313 units sold — a 29.9% jump from May and 32.2% higher than June 2024. According to Simonis Storm economist Almandro Jansen, the strong performance signals rising consumer confidence and an improved economic environment, making it the second-best month for sales this year. today23 July, 2025
insert_link APO International Portugal Fully Supports Autonomy Initiative as Most Serious, Credible & Constructive Basis to Settle Moroccan Sahara Dispute As part of the international momentum generated under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, in support of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara and the Autonomy Plan, the Portuguese Republic expresses "its full support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative as the most serious, credible and constructive basis to settle this dispute." This position was expressed in the Joint Statement signed by the Minister of Foreign […] today22 July, 2025
insert_link APO International South Africa: President Ramaphosa appoints National Youth Development Agency board members President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in terms of Section 9(1)(a) of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Act of 2008, appointed members of the Board of the Agency for a period of three years, with effect from 1 August 2025. An Act of Parliament established the NYDA, primarily to address challenges faced by the nation’s youth. The Agency functions as a single, unitary structure addressing youth development issues at national, provincial […] today22 July, 2025
insert_link APO International South Africa: National Assembly Adopts the 2025 Revenue Laws Amendment Bill The National Assembly (NA) today approved the Revenue Laws Amendment Bill, which marks a significant step in the country's retirement reform agenda. The Bill proposes changes to several tax laws. It is categorised as a Money Bill, processed under Section 77 of the Constitution and follows extensive consultations led by the Standing Committee on Finance. The Bill is part of necessary legislative reforms to support the implementation of the two-pot […] today22 July, 2025
insert_link APO International Fostering Digital Villages Initiative showcases innovation at agricultural shows in Zimbabwe The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Mhondoro-Ngezi District Agricultural Show Society, successfully hosted a ‘Digital Fair’ in the Mashonaland West Province in Zimbabwe. The Digital Fair was held under the auspices of the Fostering Digital Villages Initiative (FDiVi). This strategic blending of digital innovation with traditional agricultural exhibitions marks a significant step in Zimbabwe’s journey towards agrifood systems transformation as it showcases […] today22 July, 2025
insert_link APO International Strengthening vulnerability analysis to tackle food insecurity in Southern Africa Food insecurity in Southern Africa is worsening, driven by erratic weather patterns, pest outbreaks, and economic shocks. An estimated 46.3 million people across seven countries -Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, South Africa and Tanzania— are projected to fate acute food insecurity during the 20205/26 consumption period. As shocks intensify, timely and harmonized vulnerability assessments remain critical to inform early action, response planning, and policy development. To […] today22 July, 2025
insert_link APO International Ethiopia: Ministry of Finance Launches First-Ever Issuance Calendar for Treasury (T)-Bills As part of ongoing efforts to reform and modernize public finance management and to foster market-based deficit financing through domestic-currency Treasury bills and bonds market, the Ministry of Finance has published its first three-month Treasury-bill issuance calendar. This milestone supports the government’s “reset, reform, and relaunch” agenda, deepening the domestic debt market and improving transparency. By giving market participants clear visibility of upcoming auctions, the calendar enhances predictability and builds […] today22 July, 2025
insert_link APO International Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) ministerial committee endorses membership of Sahel countries as non-Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) members The 2nd Extraordinary Meeting of the GIABA Ministerial Committee (GMC) concluded in Accra, Ghana on the 19th of July, 2025, with a decision to allow the three Sahel countries that have withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to join the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) as Non-ECOWAS Members. The Ministers present at the high-level meeting unanimously considered the importance of dealing with […] today22 July, 2025
insert_link APO International Egypt: Executives of Japan Food Solutions S.A.E. paid a courtesy call on the Ambassador On 16 July 2025, Mr. Emad Said, Senior Managing Director of Japan Food Solutions (J.F.S.) S.A.E., paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Thanawat Sirikul, Ambassador of Thailand to Egypt, at the Royal Thai Embassy. Mr. Emad reported on his visit to Thailand to attend the annual Thaifex 2025 to meet with Thai entrepreneurs with whom the Embassy had matched the company. In addition, both parties discussed opportunities and potential […] today22 July, 2025