APO International

 The HSE University BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre (www.BRICSCompetition.org) has summarised the first results of its annual analytical study on bringing biotechnological drugs to the BRICS market. One of the conclusions of the report was the need to conduct a large-scale sectoral study on the removal of barriers in the pharmaceutical industry in the BRICS region. As a first step, it is proposed to focus on a relatively narrow […]

 The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) this week approved two loans to Cameroon designed to radically improve transport links with neighbouring Chad with major economic benefits to both countries. The funds, EUR 318.24 million and EUR 12.24 million, are for the implementation of the fourth phase of the Transport Sector Support Program – Reconstruction of the Douala-N'Djamena Economic Corridor-Ngaoundéré-Garoua Section (PAST 4). The larger loan […]

 In a landmark event set for 2025, African government leaders, industry stakeholders, and key figures in the mining sector will gather for the Ministerial Symposium, a critical platform aimed at advancing collaboration, addressing challenges, and fostering sustainable growth in Africa’s mining industry. This gathering reaffirms the continent’s commitment to transforming its rich mineral resources into avenues for economic resilience and development. The Ministerial Symposium has transformed into the ‘Official Meeting […]

 The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org/) – as the voice of the African energy sector - wholeheartedly supports the decision to renew Haitham Al Ghais as the Secretary General of OPEC for a further three-year term, effective 1 August 2025. The renewal of Secretary General Al Ghais' mandate was confirmed during the 189th meeting of the OPEC Conference, which concluded recently, affirming his significant contributions to the organization and the […]

  Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, in partnership with the First Ladies of African and Asian Countries, announces the 2025 Call for Applications for two Merck Foundation SONG Awards - apply now at submit@merck-foundation.com Merck Foundation Song Awards “More Than a Mother” to address one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, Stopping GBV and/ or […]

 New data from global communications platform Infobip (www.Infobip.com) shows customers prefer conversational experiences on the day of Black Friday. Infobip recorded new levels of total customer communications interactions on its platform this year, with 3.4bn interactions on the day of Black Friday, representing a 26% increase compared to last year. From the total number of interactions, the company identified 1.8bn coming from messaging interactions on its platform, up from 1.7bn last year. […]

 The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has approved two financial facilities for South-Africa based Standard Bank Group to support economic development in Africa. The first is a $200 million trade finance risk participation agreement (RPA) for Standard Bank of South Africa Limited; the second is a ZAR 3.6 billion investment in a social bond issued by the Standard Bank Group (SBG). The partnership will bolster Standard Bank […]

 ECA collaborated with stakeholders to examine the crucial role of higher education in promoting sustainable development in Africa at a forum on higher education in Africa, held from December 10 to 12, 2024, in Nairobi. Dubbed:  "2024 UNESCO Forum on Higher Education in Africa: A Driver for Sustainable Development," the conference is part of celebrating the African Union's Year of Education 2024 under the auspices of UNESCO. Educational experts, policymakers, […]

 The 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16) hosted a high-level event to mobilize political support and scale up investments for the African Great Green Wall (GGW) Initiative. Organized in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Development Bank, the event celebrated progress and outlined strategies to enhance land restoration, drought resilience, and sustainable development across Africa. The gathering […]