APO International

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) on Monday, 4 December 2023 approved a USD 7 million Trade Finance Transaction Guarantee facility for NBS bank in Malawi to support small businesses. This facility will provide 100% guarantee to international confirming banks (CBs) for the non-payment risk taken on NBS’s trade finance transactions conducted on behalf SMEs, local corporates, and women-led businesses in Malawi. It will enable […]

History of the "Solar Grandmothers" initiative During the India-Africa Forum held in New Delhi in April 2008, an agreement was reached between the Government of India and the African Union (AU) Commission on pan-African projects for the establishment of regional Barefoot College Training Center in Africa. This was followed by solar energy training for rural women from Burkina Faso in India with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the […]

The African Development Bank-managed Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) (www.AfDB.org/SEFA) has approved a $9.72 million grant to scale up the Africa Hydropower Modernisation Programme (AHMP), a one-stop shop that overhauls African hydropower systems to enhance their reliability and flexibility. With this new funding, AHMP will expand the modernisation of a pipeline of 12 private-sector-led projects in 8 countries selected through a competitive process. The physical works and preparation activities will […]

The President of Kenya, William Ruto, alongside President George Weah of Liberia and former President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, have emerged the winners of the 12th African Leadership Magazine (ALM) Persons of the Year Awards 2023 (https://www.AfricanLeadershipMagazine.co.uk/), following the 2-step selection process which included a call for nominations and an online voting poll that closed at midnight (CAT) on Thursday, 14 December 2023. The trio secured victories in the African […]

The African Development Bank (http://www.AfDB.org) on Thursday charged the first cohort of graduates from its Public Finance Management Academy for Africa (PFMA) to serve as standard-bearers for embedding accountability across Africa. Kevin Urama, the Bank’s Chief Economist and Vice President made the charge at a milestone graduation ceremony in Abuja for 51 public officials from 26 countries. He called on African countries to come together to mobilise and effectively manage […]

Africa’s efforts to build a resilient and self-reliant pharmaceutical industry for the continent advanced significantly today as the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation and the Rwandan Government signed the host country agreement paving the way for the Foundation’s operationalisation. The Foundation also signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Investment Bank to further strengthen cooperation. The African Development Bank Group’s Board of Directors approved the setting up of the African […]

The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan, on behalf of the Government and the people of Seychelles, has extended his heartfelt condolences to His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the new Emir of the State of Kuwait, following the passing away of his brother, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the late Emir of the State of Kuwait, on 16th December 2023. In his message, President […]

FIFA (https://www.FIFA.com) is pleased to announce that the media accreditation process for The Best FIFA Football Awards™ 2023, which will take place at the Eventim Apollo in London on Monday, 15 January 2024 has now been launched. The deadline for submitting accreditation requests is 8 January 2024. The process will be handled via the FIFA Media Hub (https://apo-opa.co/3TvKQF9) for written press and photographers. Please note that there is limited space available at the event. Please ensure […]

On 18 December 2023, Dominic Ongwen was transferred to a prison facility in the Kingdom of Norway to serve his sentence of imprisonment. Mr Ongwen is the fifth person transferred by the International Criminal Court ("ICC" or "Court") (www.ICC-CPI.int) to a State that has indicated its willingness to accept sentenced persons. On 9 November 2023, the Presidency of the ICC designated (https://apo-opa.co/478ubKS) Norway as the State of enforcement for the sentence […]