Nigeria Sets the Stage for Global Regulatory Technology Leadership as 2026 RegTech Africa Conference & Expo Heads to Abuja

<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv2297423544layout yiv2297423544layout--1-column" style="color: #1d1d1d; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; text-align: justify; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td class="yiv2297423544column yiv2297423544column--1 yiv2297423544scale yiv2297423544stack" style="text-align: center; width: 600px; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv2297423544text yiv2297423544text--padding-vertical" style="table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td class="yiv2297423544text_content-cell yiv2297423544content-padding-horizontal" style="color: #403f42; display: block; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px; text-align: left; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Under the distinguished patronage of the </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Office of the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria</span><span style="color: black;">, and in partnership with the </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Presidential Committee on Economic & Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI)</span><span style="color: black;">, with the collaboration of the </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA)</span><span style="color: black;">, the </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">2026 RegTech Africa Conference & Expo</span><span style="color: black;"> will convene global leaders in policy, finance, and technology from </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">20th to 22nd May 2026</span><span style="color: black;"> at the </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, Nigeria.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><br />Anchored on the theme, </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">“BUILDING TRUST, INFRASTRUCTURE AND POLICY FOR A BORDERLESS ECONOMY,”</span><span style="color: black;"> the conference is positioned as a premier global platform for shaping the future of trusted digital financial systems, cross-border trade, and regulatory innovation.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><br />The event will bring together heads of government and regulatory agencies, central banks, financial intelligence units, multinational financial institutions, technology leaders, investors, and policy architects to align strategy around the infrastructure, governance, and digital trust frameworks required to unlock Africa’s full participation in the global digital economy.<br /><br />“Regulatory technology is no longer optional. It has become the backbone of secure, inclusive, and sustainable economic systems. The 2026 RegTech Africa Conference & Expo represents Nigeria’s commitment to leadership in shaping global standards for trust, transparency, and cross-border economic collaboration,” </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Cyril Okoroigwe</span><span style="color: black;">, Chair Organizing Committee. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: black;">A central highlight of the event will be the hosting of the </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">prestigious Global Startup World Cup Tournament – Regional Challenge</span><span style="color: black;">, providing African startups with a world-class stage to pitch their solutions before an international panel of judges, venture capitalists, and industry experts. Winners of the regional challenge will proceed to compete at the </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">grand finale in Silicon Valley</span><span style="color: black;">, for a </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">$1,000,000 investment prize</span><span style="color: black;">, unlocking access to global investors, accelerators, and strategic partnerships.</span><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">“By bringing the Startup World Cup Regional Challenge to Abuja, we are not only showcasing African innovation, but connecting it directly to global capital, mentorship, and markets,” </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Graham Olasukanmi Lawal</span><span style="color: black;">, Director Partnerships, Regtech Africa.</span><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">The three-day event, which provides strategic platform for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration will feature strategic ministerial dialogues, closed-door executive roundtables, investment-focused breakout sessions, technology showcases, and curated networking platforms designed to foster impactful public–private partnerships.</span><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Sponsorship and Strategic Partnership Opportunities</span><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Public and private sector organizations, multinational corporations, development finance institutions, technology firms, and venture funds are invited to participate as </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">strategic sponsors and partners</span><span style="color: black;">. Curated partnership opportunities are available across policy leadership, infrastructure development, innovation acceleration, and market expansion pillars.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br />“This is a rare opportunity for forward-looking institutions to align their brands with the future of regulation, trust infrastructure, and borderless digital commerce in Africa and beyond,” Mr. Lawal noted.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The conference is expected to attract thousands of participants from across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;"><br />Registration & Partnership Opportunities Now Open</span><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">To explore partnership opportunities or register interest, please contact: </span><a href="https://6m7wsbqab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Bsw-j-QxmSuoyhOYG_TVHVx73JNNEOLczYJL4wQi5u1tuRmp4i2f8LPETJyWRTOPWImtovBb3E693mOBRk9eyt0qX521PU5ILpu_nK48eriU26OmxcHdBG2ZmJsXv-1QXcNy87yTuoeP6qHMt-eGgJoiJfjjJ3KD&c=7lnCiNHVMDpUQ_KvPPirV0bPwh4kPD1oJPSijcDtrLHLBeyQt4hung==&ch=MnpFKzHXSclLSsP57hUPTGi9LMgYrQKt7ZyjURs_Ne7A8SIZd81CyA==" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #315fc3; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">info@regtechafrica.com</a></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">For further details, visit: </span><a href="https://6m7wsbqab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Bsw-j-QxmSuoyhOYG_TVHVx73JNNEOLczYJL4wQi5u1tuRmp4i2f8LPETJyWRTOPDFfEqmWOqX7Sga7sk5d6sF4DiBMjKXPYp2rar4chATDzg8ctXbhL3dKcV1pFC9yS5eo5nPXVsYD6ge3Oje8tjobG2XPuYpQ8goej1OF5Oks=&c=7lnCiNHVMDpUQ_KvPPirV0bPwh4kPD1oJPSijcDtrLHLBeyQt4hung==&ch=MnpFKzHXSclLSsP57hUPTGi9LMgYrQKt7ZyjURs_Ne7A8SIZd81CyA==" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #315fc3; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">www.regtechafricaconference.com</a><span style="color: black;">.</span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv2297423544layout yiv2297423544layout--1-column" style="color: #1d1d1d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; text-align: justify; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td class="yiv2297423544column yiv2297423544column--1 yiv2297423544scale yiv2297423544stack" style="text-align: center; width: 600px; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv2297423544text yiv2297423544text--padding-vertical" style="table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td class="yiv2297423544text_content-cell yiv2297423544content-padding-horizontal" style="color: #403f42; display: block; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px; text-align: left; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-style: italic;">Distributed by </span><a href="https://6m7wsbqab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Bsw-j-QxmSuoyhOYG_TVHVx73JNNEOLczYJL4wQi5u1tuRmp4i2f8DvArYjZgR0MQf-VkecLENNUuQhs1rpgJeYgFuYUceZdk3nTX4TtP2cx3qLs0QvTJqS2LcluqBvTn2cEa0D3edNNuB9YwmOEM9NkYDaaTmqODhgQCXelSUY=&c=7lnCiNHVMDpUQ_KvPPirV0bPwh4kPD1oJPSijcDtrLHLBeyQt4hung==&ch=MnpFKzHXSclLSsP57hUPTGi9LMgYrQKt7ZyjURs_Ne7A8SIZd81CyA==" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #315fc3; font-style: italic;" target="_blank">African Media Agency</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> on behalf of </span><span style="color: black;">RegTech Africa</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>

Nigeria Sets the Stage for Global Regulatory Technology Leadership as 2026 RegTech Africa Conference & Expo Heads to Abuja

  Under the distinguished patronage of the  Office of the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria , and in partnership with the  Preside...

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LADIMA FOUNDATION ADIAHA AWARD 2026 Entries Now Open Online

<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><h3 class="p_a da_weoIj W_dBP H_dBP o_h M_67SN P_0 b_0" id="message-view-body-landmark" style="border: 0px; clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-align: justify; width: 1px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Message Body</span></h3><div class="msg-body mq_AS" data-test-id="message-view-body-content" style="line-height: normal; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; word-break: break-word;"><div class="je_2kCCw7 jb_dm5 X_7sfl N_7sfl" style="line-height: 1.5; padding: 16px 76px 0px;"><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><div id="yiv0312948768" style="line-height: 1.5;"><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><div class="yiv0312948768WordSection1" style="line-height: 1.5;"><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><div style="line-height: 1.5;"><p class="yiv0312948768MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1d1d; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzx1LpKQZnuksy1Bsl0I-GcmHxVN5_hQe0gqxZAfeAK_wWjc1d1Sx94Ea9-JZbu32qlC4PGuyGz1vGuhyLDyHQ-d-MExrSpdT59EuuP0Ak6HBWvnxJiRPrnI_39xdec9UEaGAa8EtdlpWdGqLo7wHAZ0Uhpe8qntkehKYaRYaPX3qKAGHA9xtQhM7vWx-/s1381/thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="1381" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzx1LpKQZnuksy1Bsl0I-GcmHxVN5_hQe0gqxZAfeAK_wWjc1d1Sx94Ea9-JZbu32qlC4PGuyGz1vGuhyLDyHQ-d-MExrSpdT59EuuP0Ak6HBWvnxJiRPrnI_39xdec9UEaGAa8EtdlpWdGqLo7wHAZ0Uhpe8qntkehKYaRYaPX3qKAGHA9xtQhM7vWx-/w400-h134/thumbnail.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br />The Ladima Foundation is excited to announce that entries are now open for the 2026 edition of The Adiaha Award for Best Documentary by an African Woman.</span><p></p><p class="yiv0312948768MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1d1d; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv0312948768MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1d1d; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Following on from last year’s successful pivot to an online competition,  this year will once again see filmmakers able to enter online to win this prestigious award.</span></p><p class="yiv0312948768MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1d1d; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv0312948768MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1d1d; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">As in previous years, with the winner still securing a $2,000 cash prize, and for this 8^th edition of the award, The Ladima Foundation is excited to announce a partnership with the Afrikama- Current Cinema From Africa,   <a href="https://www.afrikamera.de/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #467886;" target="_blank">https://www.afrikamera.de/</a>. The winning filmmaker will be invited to the event to screen their film and take part in networking and media opportunities. The Afrikama Festival <span lang="EN-GB">has been committed to intercultural dialogue between Africa and Germany since 2007 and sees itself as a permanent platform for dialogue between African filmmakers and the Berlin audience, and as a place for exchange between filmmakers, producers, and distributors. </span></span></p><p class="yiv0312948768MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1d1d; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv0312948768MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1d1d; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">From 2024 to 2027, </span>Afrikama- Current Cinema From Africa <span lang="EN-GB">is focusing on diverse, inspiring, groundbreaking and sometimes contradictory perspectives on key social and political issues of the present and future of the African continent, with its four main themes: BELIEVE * CHANGE * REFLECT and CREATE.</span></span></p><p class="yiv0312948768MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1d1d; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv0312948768MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1d1d; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Open exclusively to African women, living and / or working on the continent, and for films produced in Africa,  entries are now open on Film Freeway: <span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://filmfreeway.com/LadimaAdiahaAward" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #467886;" target="_blank">https://filmfreeway.com/LadimaAdiahaAward</a></span></span></p><p class="yiv0312948768MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1d1d; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv0312948768MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1d1d; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Adiaha Award for African Female Documentary Filmmakers was launched at the Zanzibar International Film Festival in 2018 and awarded there through 2019. The 2020 through  2024 editions of the Award were presented as part of the Encounters International Documentary Film Festival, South Africa, with the 2025 edition taking place online.</span></p><p class="yiv0312948768MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1d1d; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="yiv0312948768MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d1d1d; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Over the years the Adiaha Award has become a prestigious distinction and has seen many of the winners go on to win awards at festivals around the world. Previous winners have included, <span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=f73b742cd81453a2&rlz=1C5CHFA_enZA1180ZA1181&sxsrf=AE3TifMJZ7GNiTA86Gdg5iLCv5kO8VsAOQ:1765189651582&q=Miki+Redelinghuys&si=AMgyJEs9DArPE9xmb5yVYVjpG4jqWDEKSIpCRSjmm88XZWnGNQ5tJazsXprrhm1moDIIaGluTy1xgdTHn7JClefQO9gh23lJsEfkfQnL0Gq8oFfHriQVhXNVtZ7oXh0gyaJd4PR6wPQyXuCs_4BsmVsYp80M-lZ4B28bcTDFV28OCVALtl4SGrRgNTzDNaFcXzVqYqEMo1PdERtomAmWxNZZwIkiSzQtxNJbRahG2IvyOyGjc42ZMI1T4dVbhWXalEKqpH-Agf29kGuNsuyY4yqkmdj9v1jyJCfHS-1pz_uvboH96Tu0kco%3D&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwib-pLx462RAxXEWEEAHWwTJ1AQmxN6BAgoEAI" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #467886;" target="_blank">Miki Redelinghuys</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=f73b742cd81453a2&rlz=1C5CHFA_enZA1180ZA1181&sxsrf=AE3TifMJZ7GNiTA86Gdg5iLCv5kO8VsAOQ:1765189651582&q=Pearlie+Joubert&si=AMgyJEs9DArPE9xmb5yVYVjpG4jqWDEKSIpCRSjmm88XZWnGNXuih80lsTBvLXOuxXgsDPwNNUsDN9Y1w91yapUbjopXPfJup7cVQcBwFXx054tMLGcjJdRWy2bx9Uw-QRwTHMEcFwu0o2erxXCSBBqv42aLa3Y058ji0sc163Wi0cbhuf0nGV-HOvAy4dFO19APKR_B2QajAzY3jJGJaNFr8bRW_U7jmBc-PvB_merljEhwgmxfUxLWpuwSb3ny4uxssGT8yqsLwy76bdV1uHIlbtUIoxlInPqYKGIKZiSEUInxagNXucg%3D&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwib-pLx462RAxXEWEEAHWwTJ1AQmxN6BAgoEAM" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #467886;" target="_blank">Pearlie Joubert</a></span>: <i>Mother City</i> (2025),  Zippy Kimundu and Meena Nanji: <i>Our Land, Our Freedom</i> (2024) and Cyrielle Raingou: <i>Le Spectre de Boko Haram</i> (2023).</span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

LADIMA FOUNDATION ADIAHA AWARD 2026 Entries Now Open Online

  Message Body The Ladima Foundation is excited to announce that entries are now open for the 2026 edition of The Adiaha Award for Best Docu...

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Open Startup Launches Third Cohort of GROW Program to Help African Startups Scale and Fundraise

<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv1232138136layout yiv1232138136layout--1-column" style="color: #1d2228; min-width: 100%; outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; text-align: justify; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td class="yiv1232138136column yiv1232138136column--1 yiv1232138136scale yiv1232138136stack" style="outline: none !important; text-align: center; width: 600px; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv1232138136text yiv1232138136text--padding-vertical" style="outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td class="yiv1232138136text_content-cell yiv1232138136content-padding-horizontal" style="color: #403f42; display: block; line-height: 1.2; outline: none !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px; text-align: left; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsU1cdGDg1ytKf5989hAKyVUMzY4RZATLAuywH9rJm3ePGNRLUFW4bX_QJmE_MMmGWrYBL-AnqK10bv-s7oFY98D36w7vftvDZtgIFGfn4-UKmdRp-ksNQfODOiyfRW-TxcyVNIIlfZ6N8S4MhCkRWcw_tnIcgyKCcSFykZQVXguRcfukhmaXM8PrR6SJp/s1200/mail.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="235" data-original-width="1200" height="63" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsU1cdGDg1ytKf5989hAKyVUMzY4RZATLAuywH9rJm3ePGNRLUFW4bX_QJmE_MMmGWrYBL-AnqK10bv-s7oFY98D36w7vftvDZtgIFGfn4-UKmdRp-ksNQfODOiyfRW-TxcyVNIIlfZ6N8S4MhCkRWcw_tnIcgyKCcSFykZQVXguRcfukhmaXM8PrR6SJp/s320/mail.png" width="320" /></a></div><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">Open Startup (OST) announces the launch of </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;">GROW 3.0</span><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">, the third cohort of its flagship Investment Readiness Program designed to empower advanced African startups to scale their businesses and secure funding.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Now in its third cohort, GROW reflects continuous learning and iteration. With each edition, OST has refined its model to deliver a more hands-on, tailored, and practical investment-readiness experience that directly addresses founders’ go-to-market, fundraising, and growth challenges.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">GROW 3.0 continues to build a stronger pipeline of investor-ready African startups, providing them with the tools, mentorship, and global connections needed to scale confidently and secure funding.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">Building on the success of previous cohorts, supporting </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;">32</span><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"> startups across </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;">13 industries</span><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"> in </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;">10 countries</span><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">, with $10.7M+ raised to date and $12M+ in accumulated revenues, GROW continues to accelerate Africa’s most ambitious entrepreneurs on their journey toward sustainable growth and global exposure.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Now in its third cohort, GROW reflects continuous learning and iteration. With each edition, OST has refined its model to deliver a more hands-on, tailored investment-readiness experience that addresses founders’ go-to-market, fundraising, and growth challenges. Startups are supported through structured mentorship and biweekly office hours, curated investor matchmaking, international-exposure fellowships, and access-to-talent placements. In GROW 2.0, this support was delivered at scale—106 mentorship sessions, 31 targeted training sessions, 75+ investor meetings, 4 VC clinics, engagement of 40+ experts, 18 international-exposure fellowships, and 13 access-to-talent fellowships. Building on these learnings, GROW 3.0 is even more hands-on and tailored, equipping startups with the tools, mentorship, and global connections to scale confidently and secure funding.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">About the GROW Program</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;">GROW</span><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"> is a 12-month program supporting African Startups in their investment readiness and their capacity to scale, sell and fundraise.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">Developed in collaboration with </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;">AfricaGrow</span><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;">Africinvest Group</span><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;">BPI France</span><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;">and Go Ventures</span><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">, the program provides founders with the tools, mentorship, and networks needed to expand into new markets and achieve their growth goals.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Program Benefits</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><li style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;">In-person bootcamp </span><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">focused on investment readiness, with practical clinics on data rooms, metrics, and investor storytelling.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;">Investor access </span><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">via curated introductions, pitch reviews, and deal-readiness support.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;">Global exposure</span><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"> through international immersions and fellowships across leading startup ecosystems.</span></span></li><li style="color: black; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;">Talent support</span><span style="outline: none !important;"> </span><span style="outline: none !important;">to help hire key roles, backed by targeted stipends and expert referrals.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;">Hands-on program support </span><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">for go-to-market, partnerships, and market entry throughout the 12-month journey.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;">Tailored training</span><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"> blending business strategy, product, growth, and fundraising, led by international experts.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;">Personalized mentorship</span><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"> matched to stage and needs, with structured milestones and actionable feedback.</span></span></li><li style="color: black; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;">Community & network integration</span><span style="outline: none !important;"> into OST’s pan-African founders, mentors, and ecosystem partners across Africa and beyond.</span></span></li></ul><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Eligibility</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><li style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Seed-stage startup operational for less than 4 years.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">2–4 co-founders, with at least one African co-founder.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Operating in or impacting Africa, with a strong team and proven execution capacity.</span></span></li><li style="color: black; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none !important;">Raised up to </span><span style="font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;">$350K USD</span><span style="outline: none !important;">.</span></span></li></ul><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Apply Now</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">Applications for </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;">GROW 3.0</span><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"> are now open. Interested startups can apply via this [</span><a href="https://6m7wsbqab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001aEKQrcU7Gs0ZV1NjZlQewcJiTYyD9ZvoKqd28TKvx5Kmh9s2VJ9JbmuLQZSb-jd4qD45awLv865eRNpEldedpbEOgeXPX1k9W79Hy6i3AiWI9n87QkxQs2yqITMXNj5ADFso3NtbaRsAs_o87cMz27Swhm0WycC_d2QkQHhb5pYNy704839PZrDlp0xYxQMb&c=O5dEWTi5pSvhHWDJrR72qROoyUpwGCPnrv4t8Rrmv52E0OG0bMDIbg==&ch=b--lxgcQJWisguCh0MqE_TlKm-W8JpvyluaXISlZM1g_ATXeU8PXLA==" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #315fc3; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">link</a><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">] before </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;">November 2nd, 2025.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Disclaimer:</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Startups selected as finalists will be asked to allocate a symbolic 1% equity to Open Startup (OST) to support the long-term sustainability and growth of the program across Africa.</span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv1232138136layout yiv1232138136layout--1-column" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; min-width: 100%; outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; text-align: justify; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td class="yiv1232138136column yiv1232138136column--1 yiv1232138136scale yiv1232138136stack" style="outline: none !important; text-align: center; width: 600px; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv1232138136text yiv1232138136text--padding-vertical" style="outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td class="yiv1232138136text_content-cell yiv1232138136content-padding-horizontal" style="color: #403f42; display: block; line-height: 1.2; outline: none !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px; text-align: left; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; outline: none !important;">Distributed by </span><a href="https://6m7wsbqab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001aEKQrcU7Gs0ZV1NjZlQewcJiTYyD9ZvoKqd28TKvx5Kmh9s2VJ9Jbo4p1pwJVMOX6DdjjBuHqXcwqJvuzRfC046w0m1IkccKMOU-898M-OufAi9CN4VS2u4thzgDQ9O_OJhS8OpmX8wDi11EQ9nFwXxmgVcT30brPr-tqIxxxdw=&c=O5dEWTi5pSvhHWDJrR72qROoyUpwGCPnrv4t8Rrmv52E0OG0bMDIbg==&ch=b--lxgcQJWisguCh0MqE_TlKm-W8JpvyluaXISlZM1g_ATXeU8PXLA==" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #315fc3; font-style: italic; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">African Media Agency (AMA)</a><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; outline: none !important;"> on behalf of Open Startup (OST)</span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><br />

Open Startup Launches Third Cohort of GROW Program to Help African Startups Scale and Fundraise

  Open Startup (OST) announces the launch of  GROW 3.0 , the third cohort of its flagship Investment Readiness Program designed to empower a...

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Marrakech Joins Delta’s Growing Global Network: New Direct Route from Atlanta Opens Gateway to Morocco

<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnJNrcwqnq5V-SGzL_fWogsVkEjsskeVtmCzyWv5PWw2EjIW6G4Uwa3q5t2f6A80BJzC7Wyr9cO2klpowJs6gbI5u7d8UPMVAqPFFc7rKrnMT90NNnER728wQ3xx7hvmxSLqh1qEF7DCt3F3Z92XjMM9V8eeWHkc4CdM9yP2ny2ZUX-5eCCRN0QLjfluz/s1200/mail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnJNrcwqnq5V-SGzL_fWogsVkEjsskeVtmCzyWv5PWw2EjIW6G4Uwa3q5t2f6A80BJzC7Wyr9cO2klpowJs6gbI5u7d8UPMVAqPFFc7rKrnMT90NNnER728wQ3xx7hvmxSLqh1qEF7DCt3F3Z92XjMM9V8eeWHkc4CdM9yP2ny2ZUX-5eCCRN0QLjfluz/w383-h255/mail.jpg" width="383" /></span></div><br /><p></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv6348180865layout yiv6348180865layout--1-column" style="color: #1d2228; min-width: 100%; outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; text-align: justify; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td class="yiv6348180865column yiv6348180865column--1 yiv6348180865scale yiv6348180865stack" style="outline: none !important; text-align: center; width: 600px; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv6348180865text yiv6348180865text--padding-vertical" style="outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td class="yiv6348180865text_content-cell yiv6348180865content-padding-horizontal" style="color: #403f42; display: block; line-height: 1.2; outline: none !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px; text-align: left; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL)/</span> <span style="color: black; outline: none !important;">- Delta Air Lines has officially launched its first nonstop flight between Atlanta (ATL) and Marrakech (RAK), marking a historic milestone for the U.S. carrier and a significant step forward in U.S.–Morocco connectivity. Operated by a Boeing 767-400ER, the inaugural flight touched down at Marrakech Menara Airport this Sunday, October 26, inaugurating a new three-times-a-week service that opens Morocco’s iconic “Red City” to more than 125 U.S. destinations via Delta’s global hub in Atlanta.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">With this launch, Delta Air Lines becomes the first U.S. airline to operate a nonstop route between Atlanta and Marrakech, enhancing business, leisure and cultural exchanges between the two countries. This new service also represents Delta’s latest entry into North Africa, adding Marrakech to its growing African network alongside Accra, Lagos, Dakar, Cape Town, and Johannesburg.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">“Delta’s new nonstop service to Marrakech marks an exciting milestone in our commitment to connect the U.S. and Africa,” said Christine Marchand-Pardo, Delta’s Managing Director of EMEAI Operations. “This route opens the door to one of the world’s most vibrant and culturally rich destinations, making travel more seamless for our customers. With three weekly flights from Atlanta, we’re delivering convenience alongside Delta’s renowned premium experience. From lie-flat seats in Delta One to curated dining and thoughtful amenities across all cabin experiences, customers can expect comfort at every step of their journey. This expansion also reinforces Atlanta’s position as the world’s leading global hub, offering convenient one-stop connectivity, while bringing the magic of Marrakech closer than ever.”</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The new ATL–RAK route will initially operate three times per week, with departures from Marrakech on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and from Atlanta on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Between December 18 and January 6, 2026, the route will temporarily increase to a daily service, in response to increased holiday travel demand.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Flights will be operated by Delta’s Boeing 767-400ER, offering a range of premium onboard experiences across all cabins for customers:</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><li style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Delta One with lie-flat seats and chef-curated meals, as well as bedding and amenities from Missoni</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Delta Premium Select featuring extra space, additional recline, elevated dining and dedicated service</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Delta Comfort and Delta Main cabin options with enhanced amenities</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Free, fast Wi-Fi across the entire journey via Delta Sync Wi-Fi, available from gate to gate for SkyMiles Members</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Seat-back in-flight entertainment at every seat with more than 1,000 hours of movies, TV shows, music and more</span></span></li></ul><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">With seamless one-stop connections through Atlanta, this route brings Marrakech within reach for U.S. travelers, connecting Morocco to cities across the United States including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and many more.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Since launching its first African service in 2006, Delta has flown over 7.5 million passengers to the continent and continues to invest in expanding its footprint in Africa. With Marrakech now added to the network, Delta serves six African cities and offers U.S. travelers exceptional access to the African continent.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">This new service is also a reflection of Delta’s commitment to international expansion from its Atlanta hub, the world’s busiest airport and one of the most well-connected. With nearly 1,000 daily flights to 215 destinations worldwide, Delta reinforces its status as a global connector.</span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv6348180865layout yiv6348180865layout--1-column" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; min-width: 100%; outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; text-align: justify; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td class="yiv6348180865column yiv6348180865column--1 yiv6348180865scale yiv6348180865stack" style="outline: none !important; text-align: center; width: 600px; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv6348180865text yiv6348180865text--padding-vertical" style="outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td class="yiv6348180865text_content-cell yiv6348180865content-padding-horizontal" style="color: #403f42; display: block; line-height: 1.2; outline: none !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px; text-align: left; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; outline: none !important;">Distributed by </span><a href="https://6m7wsbqab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Dg2WhOeCAvLuFa4LjNLFmZ4jXNVVjb8gafCHUHM8MDoF0pGp5wBI3w5sH2OHXHWIOIiV93eJoPd3CQO0tYvfNq0_MpuT-SiSs1-jRRb7P0xqB8ciz8HQOLGit0Wt0VFQYNAKQ-wJXqRZ8JU7NTCU1YNP3YxA9dVZV35oNY-ULGM=&c=fcThmCMEBRcHCTmbu8uyuWijp4dES-gI6uO4hwuR6oaaK-z8TZNH9Q==&ch=EGhjyFgD9ATlL65YIePxUWdubbYPOX80KGyW5hbSYgmWK5KchpWW1Q==" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #315fc3; font-style: italic; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">African Media Agency (AMA)</a><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; outline: none !important;"> on behalf of Delta Air Lines</span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>

Marrakech Joins Delta’s Growing Global Network: New Direct Route from Atlanta Opens Gateway to Morocco

  Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL)/   - Delta Air Lines has officially launched its first nonstop flight between Atlanta (ATL) and Marrakech (RAK...

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African Media Agency (AMA) Expands Operations to Ghana with Appointment of Angela Akua Asante

<p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv9495387561layout yiv9495387561layout--1-column" style="color: #1d2228; min-width: 100%; outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="center" class="yiv9495387561column yiv9495387561column--1 yiv9495387561scale yiv9495387561stack" style="outline: none !important; width: 600px; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv9495387561text yiv9495387561text--padding-vertical" style="outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="left" class="yiv9495387561text_content-cell yiv9495387561content-padding-horizontal" style="color: #403f42; display: block; line-height: 1.2; outline: none !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPmhs12mvoR01JCaecaWLYQAtaA70uXdlcG4EAC-8-MsqUQbEHIXsuNvc-6OoxkDV5XFft7cr9EQdqSC6A1hLkGkuMgGipOoM9eHZlFP9keb-O4jj-70wsJhvXcY889cTT27TpZ4eXBsSDWmVomNMCc_sbPdun0eppgj4DDd4tiJCrX5_ksLS7C94FLQG/s597/mail.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="597" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPmhs12mvoR01JCaecaWLYQAtaA70uXdlcG4EAC-8-MsqUQbEHIXsuNvc-6OoxkDV5XFft7cr9EQdqSC6A1hLkGkuMgGipOoM9eHZlFP9keb-O4jj-70wsJhvXcY889cTT27TpZ4eXBsSDWmVomNMCc_sbPdun0eppgj4DDd4tiJCrX5_ksLS7C94FLQG/w400-h272/mail.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br />African Media Agency (AMA), a leading independent pan-African communications and public relations firm with offices in New York, Abidjan, Durban, and local presence in 30 African markets, is proud to announce the launch of its on-the-ground operations in Ghana, marking another milestone in its mission to offer localized, insight-driven communication across the continent.</span><p></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The move comes at a time when Ghana continues to assert itself as one of West Africa’s most stable, innovative, and forward-looking economies. According to the World Bank, Ghana’s GDP is projected to grow by 4.4% in 2025, driven by strong performance in services, agriculture, digital innovation, and renewable energy. The country has also become a rising hub for fintech, creative industries, and tech-enabled entrepreneurship, attracting regional and global investors eager to tap into its young, connected population.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Establishing operations in Accra enables AMA to provide clients with a deeper understanding of Ghana’s evolving markets, from consumer behavior and media trends to policy and innovation landscapes. Supported by teams in 30 African countries, AMA combines market intelligence with strategic communication to help organizations build meaningful presence and impact.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">To lead this new chapter, AMA has appointed Angela Akua Asante as Senior Communications Consultant. This follows her fruitful collaboration with the agency since 2023 as an independent consultant on various pan-African health-related projects. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Ms. Asante is a highly experienced bilingual (French/English) Communications and Design Thinking Strategist who has led PR campaigns, content strategies, mediations, and media productions for the European Union and the Embassy of France in Ghana among others. Her extensive background includes working as the Ghana-based French-speaking correspondent for the BBC World Service’s BBC Afrique and covering four FIFA World Cup tournaments across men’s and women’s football.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">With her deep understanding of Ghana’s media and business landscape, Angela will head client strategy, media engagement, and partnership development, ensuring that AMA delivers culturally resonant and impactful campaigns.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">“Ghana has long been one of our most active markets: vibrant, entrepreneurial, and full of creative energy,” said Eloïne Barry, Founder and CEO of African Media Agency. “Our presence here strengthens our role as a partner for brands seeking to enter or expand across Africa. We go beyond communication, we provide the cultural fluency, networks, and insights needed to navigate complex markets and build sustainable trust.”</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">AMA’s Ghana office will provide the agency’s full suite of services — from strategic communication and media relations to market research, digital content, and event management.</span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv9495387561layout yiv9495387561layout--1-column" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; min-width: 100%; outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="center" class="yiv9495387561column yiv9495387561column--1 yiv9495387561scale yiv9495387561stack" style="outline: none !important; width: 600px; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv9495387561text yiv9495387561text--padding-vertical" style="outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="left" class="yiv9495387561text_content-cell yiv9495387561content-padding-horizontal" style="color: #403f42; display: block; line-height: 1.2; outline: none !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; outline: none !important;">Distributed by</span> <a href="https://6m7wsbqab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001YXCgp3qS7ok9XtuudasYHscgnAvu7_lXGS3BkAuziz2h0LcU8qywwWZNzcPYaS1RH1EWMsJeL9lJ9tVcJRJepV5YT2h8Pxodcm4f5X7asscR_SnqM6mJOKpdKfarGDpQr4-9CkR_zgxhi25FtGx-SuhPP-pxRrELnkLn4JNLNIY=&c=dAftBDAwSXp5seps3zjCJl8CoKqbuxw7gGDUnAD-qc6QuSfhij437A==&ch=6hAaEo-L0Plvg_NoSpMDCa9g-LB1U1Y7PUkSQg_j5R5yLG8th4EHbw==" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #315fc3; font-style: italic; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">African Media Agency (AMA)</a></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>

African Media Agency (AMA) Expands Operations to Ghana with Appointment of Angela Akua Asante

  African Media Agency (AMA), a leading independent pan-African communications and public relations firm with offices in New York, Abidjan, ...

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Goya by Yango launches exclusive collaboration with Kente Gentlemen in Côte d’Ivoire.

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv6673569189layout yiv6673569189layout--1-column" style="color: #1d2228; min-width: 100%; outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; text-align: justify; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td class="yiv6673569189column yiv6673569189column--1 yiv6673569189scale yiv6673569189stack" style="outline: none !important; text-align: center; width: 600px; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv6673569189text yiv6673569189text--padding-vertical" style="outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td class="yiv6673569189text_content-cell yiv6673569189content-padding-horizontal" style="color: #403f42; display: block; line-height: 1.2; outline: none !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px; text-align: left; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGKnG06pIdOs6UqrRjj24ndHjBVsKWbBStFsQwPVx241DBG61yRQabUsFp5MG5FT3EQPCybG_4PuWJ0OTCQnSxdhSobnqRhf9sR8ReGw7ef6JUlzi_-SS-gHpvuqmE5TthfZLWEv2yhTBpqsGKY3LdT7_9yDmSpVRwcnIQ7cLq76jw5jq6YIiT8CvGAEU/s148/mail.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="148" data-original-width="147" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGKnG06pIdOs6UqrRjj24ndHjBVsKWbBStFsQwPVx241DBG61yRQabUsFp5MG5FT3EQPCybG_4PuWJ0OTCQnSxdhSobnqRhf9sR8ReGw7ef6JUlzi_-SS-gHpvuqmE5TthfZLWEv2yhTBpqsGKY3LdT7_9yDmSpVRwcnIQ7cLq76jw5jq6YIiT8CvGAEU/s1600/mail.png" width="147" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br />African Media Agency (AMA)/-Goya by Yango, the premium ride-hailing option designed to elevate the everyday ride experience in Abidjan and integrated within the Yango SuperApp, is proud to announce an exclusive collaboration with Kente Gentlemen, a premium fashion brand celebrating Ivorian craftsmanship. This partnership brings the artistry of local design into every Goya ride, combining comfort, elegance, and cultural sophistication.<span style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span><span style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span>Since August 2025, Goya by Yango partner’s drivers have been wearing specially designed custom polos crafted by Kente Gentlemen, made from locally sourced, high-quality fabrics. This initiative highlights Goya’s commitment to cultural elegance, attention to detail, and the refinement of every aspect of the premium experience.</span><p></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Founded in 2017 and based in Abidjan, Kente Gentlemen is a young, opulent brand committed to ethical production and consumption. At the heart of its creations lies the iconic Kente fabric, a symbol of heritage and identity across West Africa, which serves as both inspiration and foundation for the brand’s designs. For this collaboration, Kente Gentlemen drew from Goya by Yango’s brand palette, blending its refined color codes with locally sourced, great quality materials. Each polo is meticulously handmade, combining traditional African tailoring techniques, resulting in garments that embody cultural richness and modern elegance.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">This collaboration represents a natural synergy between two brands united by a shared vision: elevating everyday experiences through design, precision, and purpose. By merging Goya’s premium mobility with Kente Gentlemen’s timeless style, every ride becomes more than just transportation – it becomes an expression of culture and refinement.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">This collaboration underscores Goya by Yango’s commitment to combining premium mobility with cultural sophistication. Every partner’s driver undergoes an 8-step verification process and training aligned with premium hotel hospitality standards, ensuring that each journey is conducted with professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail. Rated 4.75 stars or higher, Goya chauffeurs provide a consistently refined and comfortable ride, allowing users to enjoy a seamless travel experience enriched with style and heritage.</span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv6673569189layout yiv6673569189layout--1-column" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; min-width: 100%; outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; text-align: justify; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td class="yiv6673569189column yiv6673569189column--1 yiv6673569189scale yiv6673569189stack" style="outline: none !important; text-align: center; width: 600px; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv6673569189text yiv6673569189text--padding-vertical" style="outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td class="yiv6673569189text_content-cell yiv6673569189content-padding-horizontal" style="color: #403f42; display: block; line-height: 1.2; outline: none !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px; text-align: left; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; outline: none !important;">Distributed by </span><a href="https://6m7wsbqab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0012bUvuQdGN1zwN66WPNUuLbUGLKxi-t94pBcdD21ROrTZBO6384cD_xS6Wi8AhT91YkIWzuZEoMPp5ulOtpqT-BT2dg-G6bFPy8dz1XGscKbQhiN9v0nh_LUbRROUxIZc3SM_8HlYDZvJ-ypYfciPqFJObkgTBmcl&c=Uno6D0Mf1gX809CHmIrrC8g2yp9cO8Ux4hcRDQLn5ZurpztheDNarw==&ch=69z2BP12afMKLgKiVX409nNzVtU-KqQHGzCogcDi6oyxc6ZZgieSAg==" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #315fc3; font-style: italic; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">African Media Agency (AMA)</a><span style="font-style: italic; outline: none !important;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-style: italic; outline: none !important;">on behalf of Yango</span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>

Goya by Yango launches exclusive collaboration with Kente Gentlemen in Côte d’Ivoire.

  African Media Agency (AMA)/-Goya by Yango, the premium ride-hailing option designed to elevate the everyday ride experience in Abidjan and...

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Rushlake Media and Film Festival Cologne to Host Inaugural Africa XChange Summit: A Stage for the Emerging African Creative Industry

<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; line-height: 13.2pt; margin: 0cm; outline: none !important; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYEjD3Wgb0rP7PjvMXBwoG1TIOY77vqiONdrCs2-8EX4lxyfHD3jrNxurUASM1SVysy6-TjtJvVYhz-N1-LtVFyGxNBwr7p9MDvXAIFVf_ZODOcK_HSY56lXusyxWcXg3zM9sh-9g6_IWRM1XpL78surKeSOR9GM3BmqWs8Y-tB2W-7H7UGNTGx2khiWu/s1280/thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYEjD3Wgb0rP7PjvMXBwoG1TIOY77vqiONdrCs2-8EX4lxyfHD3jrNxurUASM1SVysy6-TjtJvVYhz-N1-LtVFyGxNBwr7p9MDvXAIFVf_ZODOcK_HSY56lXusyxWcXg3zM9sh-9g6_IWRM1XpL78surKeSOR9GM3BmqWs8Y-tB2W-7H7UGNTGx2khiWu/w408-h272/thumbnail.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><br /><span lang="EN-GB" style="outline: none !important; text-align: justify;">the </span><a href="https://filmfestival.cologne/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #467886; outline: none !important; text-align: justify;" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-GB" style="outline: none !important;">Film Festival Cologne</span></a><span style="outline: none !important; text-align: justify;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="outline: none !important; text-align: justify;">will celebrate its 35th edition and Cologne will once again become a meeting place for film, pop culture, and society. Among the international highlights of this year‘s festival is the </span><a href="https://www.rushlake-media.com/africa-xchange-summit-2025/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #467886; outline: none !important; text-align: justify;" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-GB" style="outline: none !important;">Africa XChange Summit</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="outline: none !important; text-align: justify;">, which will take place for the first time this year.<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; outline: none !important;">Film Funding, Innovative Technologies, and the Future of Africa’s Creative Industries<br /></span></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; outline: none !important;">The African film industry has made remarkable progress in recent years, with the film industry being seen one of the fastest-growing sectors in many African countries, most notably Nigeria that the world's fastest-growing entertainment sector. Around five million people already work along a long and broad film value chain in Africa today. But that is far from exhausting the industry's potential. UNESCO estimates that the African film industry has the potential to employ 20 million people and generate $20 billion in revenue annually.<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; outline: none !important;">"With the Africa XChange Summit, we want to offer African creatives a platform to showcase their talents and connect with a global audience. It is time to build an ecosystem to unlock new opportunities and improve access to financing and new capital for African filmmakers. We want to support them in bringing authentic African voices to international platforms while promoting job creation in one of the most dynamic markets of the future," says Philipp Hoffmann, Managing Director at Rushlake Media. Based in Cologne and Nairobi, the company successfully uses its multi-platform network to make international and African content accessible globally.<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; outline: none !important;">African films are also increasingly conquering cinema screens in Europe, being nominated for prestigious events such as the Oscars, and receiving substantial recognition at international film festivals. The enormous growth potential of the emerging African film industry is also increasingly attracting a diversity of investors from Africa and beyond.<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; outline: none !important;">The Africa XChange Summit will feature a range of representatives of funding programs and initiatives such as HEVA Fund, Ubongo and Known Associates will discuss various mechanisms to strengthen the film industry across Africa.<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; outline: none !important;"> Nigerian Film "My Father's Shadow" to Open the Africa XChange Summit<br /></span></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; outline: none !important;">The Africa XChange Summit will open on October 15, 2025,  with the Nigerian  feature film "My Father's Shadow." The semi-autobiographical drama by Akinola Davies Jr. is the first Nigerian film to be shown in the official selection at the Cannes International Film Festival and is about a day in Lagos during the election crisis in the early 1990s. <br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; outline: none !important;">For the two young brothers Akin (Godwin Egbo) and Remi (Chibuike Marvellous Egbo), who live in the countryside, their father is an almost mythical figure. This is partly because they see him so rarely. But one day in 1993, he takes the two of them on his motorcycle to Lagos, where he earns money for his family. It turns out to be an unforgettable day for the two boys – and one that also takes on historical significance for the entire country. In his fantastic debut, Akinola Davies combines a childlike perspective with high politics and a declaration of love for the Nigerian megacity. <br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="outline: none !important;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; outline: none !important;">In Conversation: Nigerian Rapper M.I. Abaga<br /></span></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; outline: none !important;">Another highlight of the event will be the conversation with successful Nigerian rapper Jude Abaga, better known professionally as M.I Abaga. He has also made a name for himself as a songwriter, music producer, and entrepreneur. Among other things, he founded the creative agency TASCK and is convinced that creative people are the key to transforming Africa, shaping narratives, and promoting positive social change across the continent.<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; outline: none !important;">The two-day conference is organized by the multi-platform network Rushlake Media in cooperation with the production company Die Gesellschaft DGS and is supported by the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW (Film and Media Foundation NRW), whose managing director Walid Nakschbandi is looking forward to laying the foundation for an intensive intercontinental dialogue with the conference:<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; outline: none !important;">"Africa is a continent full of dynamism, creativity, and cultural diversity – with growing significance for the global media landscape. The Africa XChange Summit at the Film Festival Cologne creates a valuable platform in North Rhine-Westphalia that promotes dialogue, opens up new perspectives, and paves the way for creative collaborations. For the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, it is a central concern to bring cultures together, learn from each other, and build bridges across geographical and mental boundaries. Joint projects, shared ideas, and partnership-based cooperation are drivers of progress, innovation, and understanding."<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; outline: none !important;">The Africa XChange Summit program was curated by renowned film curator Nadia Denton, who co-hosted the Berlinale's European Film Market EFM podcast and served on the selection committee for the BFI London Film Festival, among other things.<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; outline: none !important;">The full agenda for the two-day conference can be found here. </span><a href="https://africa-xchange-summit.com/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #467886; outline: none !important;" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #103cc0; outline: none !important;"> https://africa-xchange-summit.com/</span></a></span></span></div>

Rushlake Media and Film Festival Cologne to Host Inaugural Africa XChange Summit: A Stage for the Emerging African Creative Industry

  the  Film Festival Cologne   will celebrate its 35th edition and Cologne will once again become a meeting place for film, pop culture, and...

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The Taarab music and improvisation take stage in the 36th Bienal de São Paulo Invocation in Zanzibar

<p><br /></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfey8a4RdiEKqPQU2mYh2UjMgM3NYohhqrdUp09kL-oLu8-OYmBYN21EwH9zO1IraMNv6wUQO68TStTCdLn8hNmZ6IEBsItzhbdzSLsj6IxI2Hka_clU_C9z9jFh-lqWh3vq3rggCOVTfU2EqDW8LitAuo9eHbsk2N6DG_h3b4Z6GEUjz_jn8flS1_PWO/s1080/lo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="907" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfey8a4RdiEKqPQU2mYh2UjMgM3NYohhqrdUp09kL-oLu8-OYmBYN21EwH9zO1IraMNv6wUQO68TStTCdLn8hNmZ6IEBsItzhbdzSLsj6IxI2Hka_clU_C9z9jFh-lqWh3vq3rggCOVTfU2EqDW8LitAuo9eHbsk2N6DG_h3b4Z6GEUjz_jn8flS1_PWO/w372-h320/lo.jpg" width="372" /></a><span style="text-align: justify;">The </span><b style="text-align: justify;">36th Bienal de São Paulo </b><span style="text-align: justify;">continues its global journey with its third </span><i style="text-align: justify;">Invocation</i><span style="text-align: justify;">, titled </span><b style="text-align: justify;"><i>Mawali–Taqsim: Improvisation as a Space and Technology of Humanity</i></b></span></div><p></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">This event it will take place in Zanzibar on February 11th to 13th, 2025. The <i>Invocation </i>will be hosted by <b>Maru Maru Hotel </b>and <b>Golden Tulip Stonetown Boutique</b>, together with the <b>Dhow Countries Music Academy (DCMA) </b>as a partner institution.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">This <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>program it will <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>delves into the multifaceted world of Taarab music, exploring improvisation as a space and technology of humanity. The program is also inspired by the concept of the 36th Bienal de São Paulo, entitled <i>Not All Travellers Walk Roads – Of Humanity as Practice</i>, which draws from Afrobrazilian poet Conceição Evaristo’s poem “Da calma e do silêncio” [<i>Of calm and silence</i>].</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Under the curatorial leadership of Prof. Dr. Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung, alongside co-curators Alya Sebti, Anna Roberta Goetz, and Thiago de Paula Souza, co-curator at large Keyna Eleison, and strategy and communications advisor Henriette Gallus, the 36th Bienal explores the idea of humanity as a practice rooted in shared histories and cultural intersections.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The <b><i>Invocation </i></b>in Zanzibar focuses on the philosophical and artistic dimensions of Taarab, a genre that epitomizes the island’s cultural hybridity and resonates as a profound medium for expression, sentiment, and resilience. Improvisation, a fundamental part of Taarab music, offers a profound metaphor for human adaptability and interconnectedness.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Echoing the complexities of Zanzibar’s history – a crossroads of African, Arabic, Asian, and European influences – the third <i>Invocation </i>offers the possibility of reflecting on nuances and accents of humanity on an island that is a point of intersection of multiple cultures,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>philosophies and sciences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">In the words of Djibril Diop Mambéty, art serves as “the grammar of our grandmothers,” and Taarab embodies this ethos through its eclectic blend of musical instruments, poetic lyrics, and improvisational techniques. Zanzibar’s cultural tapestry, reflected in its language, Swahili, and its emblematic Taarab music, provides the setting for this <i>Invocation</i>.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">In preparation for the 36th Bienal de São Paulo – <i>Not All Travellers Walks Roads – Of Humanity as Practice</i>, and to introduce and tune in to the conceptual thread, a series of public programs called <i>Invocations </i>takes place in four different cities around the world: Marrakech; Guadeloupe; Zanzibar; and Tokyo. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Each edition it will have the exhibition concept of Humanity as Practice from a specific local context, reconfiguring and expanding it through live events and a publication.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The aim of the <i>Invocations </i>is to expand the vocabulary of humanity, at points of intersection between different longitudes and latitudes. Either if humanity were a verb, how would it be conjugated in these different geographies? The Senegalese director Djibril Diop Mambéty once described film – and therefore art – as “la grammaire de ma grande mère” [my grandmother’s grammar], alluding to the familiarity of art, the intergenerational aspects of artistic practices, the colloquialism of art and art/artistic practice as grammar. The four <i>Invocations </i>will explore how artistic practices around the globe help to situated and to enrich and expand the grammars.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Either Ms. Aisha Bakari, known professionally as DJ Hijab, is a trailblazing Tanzanian music producer and DJ celebrated as the first female DJ from Zanzibar. Dj Aisha was born in 1995 on Pemba Island, she grew up in Unguja, where her passion for music was ignited at an early age. Deeply inspired by the rhythms of Taraab music she loved as a child, her journey into the music world would later make her a pioneer in the industry.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">In addition to that Mr.Bernard Ntahondi is a Tanzanian professional specializing in film curation and heritage management. He is currently a curator at the Dar es Salaam Center for Architectural Heritage, where he integrates his knowledge of architecture and history into his film-related endeavors and so forth.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung<b> b</b>orn in 1977 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, Ndikung is the chief curator of the 36th Bienal de São Paulo, director and chief curator of Berlin’s Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW), founding director of SAVVY Contemporary, and also a professor at the Weißensee Academy of Art Berlin.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Among of them the DCMA Young Stars<b>, </b>is among the<b> </b>project which composed of students from Zanzibar’s Dhow Countries Music Academy (DCMA). The DCMA Young Stars program was established to perform at Alliance Française’s world music festival at Dar es Salaam. This band features a diversity of styles and instruments and performs unique combinations of taarab, dance, African and Latin genres.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Neverthe less Keyna Eleison <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is curator, writer, researcher, and Griot heiress. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She was part of the African Heritage Commission for the Cais do Valongo UNESCO World Heritage designation and managed Rio’s cultural centers (2015–2017). Former pedagogical coordinator at Escola de Artes Visuais – Parque Lage (2018–2019), curator of the 10th SIART Biennial in Bolivia, and artistic director of MAM Rio (2020–2023). Curator of the first Amazon Biennial (2023). Works in the development of exhibitions and meanings of works of art and artists, guiding artistic processes, curating exhibitions, teaching art, with the precedent of coordinating art education and storytelling reinforcing the relationship of passage and capturing oral knowledge.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Mr.Khamis Muhamed Juma<b> </b>a highly accomplished artist, curator, and cultural advocate from Zanzibar. With over three decades of experience in fine arts, cultural management, and community development, he has dedicated his career to preserving and promoting African and Swahili art forms through education, exhibitions, and creative projects.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Therefore, Ms.Mariam Hamdan<b> </b>an accomplished journalist, musician, and cultural advocate. After retiring, Maryam used her pension to purchase musical instruments, often second-hand, and became the first woman in Zanzibar to play the qanun instrument publicly. In 2009, she founded Tausi Women’s Taarab (meaning "Peacock"), Zanzibar’s first all-woman taarab orchestra. This group delivers performances of Swahili taarab music, revolutionizing a traditionally male-dominated art form. Maryam also serves as the Chairperson of the Taarab Association, which includes seven taarab groups in Zanzibar.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">In addition Mr.Mohamed Ameir Muombwa as accomplished media professional, government advisor, and social development advocate with a career spanning over three decades in public service and journalism. His extensive experience in government, media relations, and community development has positioned him as a key figure in promoting Zanzibar’s cultural and political narrative.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Among the famous artist and taarib singer Mr.Mohamed Ilyas is one of Zanzibar’s most iconic taarab musicians, known for preserving and enriching the islands' cultural heritage. His music blends the Arabic roots of taarab with a distinctly Zanzibari style, often incorporating European-inspired melodies into his songs.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Ms.Rukia Ramadhan is among the celebrated Zanzibarian singer and musician whose journey into the world of Taraab music reflects her lifelong passion and dedication to the art form. Together with Ms. <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Siti Muharam<b> </b></span>She reimagined<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>as she have <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>been formal court music into a private form of improvisation, laced with a spirit of inclusivity that combined Arabic and Swahili lyrics. In doing so, she paved the way for other female taarab singers, including Bi Kidude.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">In turn of Ms.Siti Muharam now animates the life and legacy of her legendary great grandmother. With support from The Vinyl Factory, Songlines, Pan African Music, British radio DJs Gilles Peterson and Tom Ravenscroft and ecstatic reviews from <i>The Guardian</i>, <i>The Financial Times</i>, <i>The Wire </i>and <i>Mojo</i>, Siti Muharam’s first music release ‘Siti of Unguja’ looks set to be rated among the Top African music albums of 2020.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Thania Petersen<b> </b>is a multi-disciplinary artist who uses photography, performance and installation to address the intricacies and complexities of her identity in contemporary South Africa. Petersen’s reference points sit largely in Islam and in creating awareness about its religious, cultural and traditional practices. She attempts to unpack contemporary trends of Islamophobia through her analysis of the continuing impact of colonialism, European and American imperialism, and the increasing influence of right-wing ideologies.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Tryphon Evarist<b> </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A musician, composer, traditional dancer, and teacher from Zanzibar, Tanzania, where he serves as the Artistic Director of the Dhow Countries Music Academy. Tryphon has mastered a diverse array of musical instruments, including the accordion, clarinet, qanun, and traditional drums, with a commitment to preserving African cultural arts.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Either Mr.Thabit Omar Kiringe<b> </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A highly respected music educator and one of the founders of the Dhow Countries Music Academy (DCMA). His contributions to music education and the preservation of traditional taarab music are widely celebrated.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Uwaridi Female Band<b> is a</b> group of talented, passionate, energetic, and active female musicians. The group combines different types of instruments, traditional with modern to create the sound of victory, evolution of women in, aim of preserving Zanzibar culture and fuse with modern themes. Uwaridi band compose, arrange, create, produce the Sound of New Hope and Rejoice with their packages, Taarab Asilia, Tarafusion, Kidumbaki, Traditional ngoma , Gogo music, and Fusion Music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The Fundação Bienal de São Paulo thanks its master sponsors: Itaú, Bloomberg, Bradesco, Petrobras, Instituto Cultural Vale, and Citi.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Fundação Bienal de São Paulo <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it was founded in 1962, the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo is a private, nonprofit institution with no party political or religious ties, whose actions aim to democratize access to culture and foster interest in artistic creation. Every two years, the Fundação holds the Bienal de São Paulo, the largest exhibition of the Southern Hemisphere, and its traveling exhibitions program in several cities in Brazil and abroad. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The institution </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">also the custodian of two items of Latin American artistic and cultural heritage: a historical archive of modern and contemporary art that is a standard reference in Latin America (the Arquivo Histórico Wanda Svevo), and the Ciccillo Matarazzo Pavilion, the head office of the Fundação, designed by Oscar Niemeyer and listed as historical heritage. The Fundação Bienal de São Paulo is also responsible for conceiving and producing Brazil’s representations at the Venice Biennales of art and architecture, a prerogative bestowed upon it decades ago by the Federal Government in recognition of the excellence of its contributions to Brazilian culture.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Dhow Countries Music Academy Zanzibar (DCMA) is a non-profit, educational, and cultural organization registered in March 2001. DCMA opened Zanzibar’s first music school in September 2002 providing music lessons as well as instruments at minimal cost to anyone interested in studying music related to their cultural background or acquiring mastery of an instrument. Special emphasis has been placed on teaching traditional musical instruments and styles such as Taarab, Beni, and Kidumbak. The overall aim of DCMA is to preserve and promote the musical heritage of Zanzibar and the Dhow region.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>

The Taarab music and improvisation take stage in the 36th Bienal de São Paulo Invocation in Zanzibar

  The 36th Bienal de São Paulo continues its global journey with its third Invocation , titled Mawali–Taqsim: Improvisation as a Space and...

Read more »

Salovey trip to Africa marks a decade of increased engagement

<div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="1200" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5zHj45vQDeTHDKdcK_f0dtkSz8gDxlinmA3AcQ4SP3M3e5AkHFATjbk2Ki7z1yyNiMyMJbZtN2wYkzhzWqodwZGaFpH2Mx0f79Em20KdYJ1xm5k6bKAkeeeCaGAKbOy5Tsh0U00b5o7mukDvdbXdrKpRwG-brqi00C6eUZu8WmEngs9q4gxAWE4_1H0A8=w640-h550" width="640" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a191a; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">During Yale’s spring break, President Peter Salovey is traveling in Africa, his third visit to the continent as the university’s leader, reinforcing Yale’s commitment to global collaboration and extending the university’s outreach to foster educational partnerships.</span></span><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv1989365233layout yiv1989365233layout--1-column" style="color: #1d2228; min-width: 100%; outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="center" class="yiv1989365233column yiv1989365233column--1 yiv1989365233scale yiv1989365233stack" style="outline: none !important; width: 600px; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv1989365233text yiv1989365233text--padding-vertical" style="outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="left" class="yiv1989365233text_content-cell yiv1989365233content-padding-horizontal" style="color: #403f42; display: block; line-height: 1.2; outline: none !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The trip, which includes visits to Côte d'Ivoire and Rwanda, marks a broadening of this outreach to cultivate new and ongoing collaborations with Francophone African countries, with a focus on issues of global importance. Among these are environmental conservation, economic growth, and access to higher education. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">“I was thrilled to visit Rwanda and Côte d’Ivoire this week to mark a decade of Yale’s increased engagement across Africa,” Salovey said. “My goal is to expand our outreach for new and ongoing collaborations, and as this was my first time visiting a Francophone African country, my travels underscore the importance of engaging broadly in the continent.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">“The discussions I had on this trip with institutional partners and alumni are helping us to explore how Yale might continue to build networks and establish educational and research initiatives with colleagues across Africa to address global challenges.”</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Strengthening educational and cultural ties in Côte d'Ivoire </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Salovey arrived Friday in the Côte d'Ivoire capital of Abidjan, where he met with government ministers and officials from the African Development Bank, underscoring the trip's focus on fostering educational collaborations and economic development initiatives. A reception followed, providing an opportunity for networking and strengthening the bond between Yale and its Ivorian counterparts and alumni.  </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Salovey attended a roundtable discussion with students from the International Community School of Abidjan, hosted by the U.S. embassy. During his conversations with students, the Yale president answered questions, shared insights into Yale’s educational philosophy, and encouraged them to be lifelong learners.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The visit also included a meeting with local university presidents which focused on enhancing educational exchanges and partnerships between Ivorian institutions and Yale. </span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv1989365233image yiv1989365233image--padding-vertical yiv1989365233image--mobile-scale yiv1989365233image--mobile-center" style="outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="center" class="yiv1989365233image_container yiv1989365233content-padding-horizontal" style="outline: none !important; padding: 10px 20px; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><img alt="" class="yiv1989365233image_content" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffiles.constantcontact.com%2Fd917b230401%2F34f12a12-dfbc-4517-9328-9fd144007093.jpg%3Frdr%3Dtrue&t=1712861416&ymreqid=55d738a2-f71a-ca11-1caf-f6000701ff00&sig=XO4wfT8oXqz48c_HW3ByiA--~D" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="453" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv1989365233layout yiv1989365233layout--1-column" style="color: #1d2228; min-width: 100%; outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="center" class="yiv1989365233column yiv1989365233column--1 yiv1989365233scale yiv1989365233stack" style="outline: none !important; width: 600px; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv1989365233text yiv1989365233text--padding-vertical" style="outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="left" class="yiv1989365233text_content-cell yiv1989365233content-padding-horizontal" style="color: #403f42; display: block; line-height: 1.2; outline: none !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><p align="center" style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1a191a; font-style: italic; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">President Salovey pictured with Junaid Munir, Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy in Côte d'Ivoire, and students from the International Community School of Abidjan</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Engaging in environmental and educational collaboration in Rwanda</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Earlier in the trip, Salovey visited Rwanda to meet with those involved in Yale’s environmental and educational initiatives there. During a poignant visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Salovey paid homage to the victims of the Rwandan genocide. This visit underscored the importance of remembrance of the past to inform efforts to prevent future conflicts, he said, highlighting Yale's commitment to the study and promotion of human rights.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">That same day, Salovey addressed environmental research during meetings with Jeanne d'Arc Mujawamariya, Rwanda’s minister of environment, and other Rwandan environmental leaders. He explored avenues for collaboration between Yale and Rwanda on sustainability and conservation projects, emphasizing the role of academic institutions in tackling global environmental challenges.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Yale delegation was joined by representatives from the Yale School of the Environment (YSE), for a trip to Volcanoes National Park, located in northwestern Rwanda, to observe the country’s conservation efforts firsthand, reinforcing Yale's commitment to biodiversity conservation.  </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">YSE, which offers Yale master’s and Ph.D. students the opportunity to travel to Rwanda to study conservation of wildlife and wildlands, has learned from several highly successful Rwandan government and public-private initiatives. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">“This year for the first time, through a partnership between YSE, the University of Rwanda, and the Smithsonian Institution, we will be able to bring an equal number of Rwandan master’s or Ph.D. students to join a major portion of the study tour, experiencing the outstanding biodiversity of the parks, their management, and their relationship to communities at their borders,” said Amy Vedder, a lecturer at Yale School of the Environment who participated in the president’s visit. “We look forward to the networking and joint learning that will ensue, knowing that such an experience can contribute significantly to leadership development here in Rwanda as well as with our globally recruited students.” </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;">Subsequently, Salovey observed the work of a women's cooperative group to learn more</span> about<span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"> their vital role in rural adaptation to climate change, showcasing the university’s engagement with partners to support community-driven environmental initiatives. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">In Rwanda, Salovey also delivered welcoming remarks that described Yale’s contribution to transforming research into policy in Africa at a policy dialogue titled, “Collaboration through Research: Pathways to Evidence-based Policy in Rwanda."  </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The event brought together researchers from Yale’s Economic Growth Center (EGC), Yale Inclusion Economics, and the International Growth Centre, and featured presentations by Yale professors Lauren Falcao Bergquist, from the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs and Yale’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and Kevin Donovan, from the Yale School of Management. Falcao Bergquist and Donovan, who are both economics faculty members and EGC affiliates, spoke about their research on industrial policies to boost exports and rural infrastructure investments to mitigate climate change effects. </span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv1989365233image yiv1989365233image--padding-vertical yiv1989365233image--mobile-scale yiv1989365233image--mobile-center" style="outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="center" class="yiv1989365233image_container yiv1989365233content-padding-horizontal" style="outline: none !important; padding: 10px 20px; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><img alt="" class="yiv1989365233image_content" src="https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffiles.constantcontact.com%2Fd917b230401%2F212136e1-ce26-4213-a741-ce7f10fbf29d.jpg%3Frdr%3Dtrue&t=1712861416&ymreqid=55d738a2-f71a-ca11-1caf-f6000701ff00&sig=BACieGd1POGVPVgIdZKcaQ--~D" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; text-indent: -9999px;" width="466" /></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv1989365233text yiv1989365233text--padding-vertical" style="outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="left" class="yiv1989365233text_content-cell yiv1989365233content-padding-horizontal" style="color: #403f42; display: block; line-height: 1.2; outline: none !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><p align="center" style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Participants in a policy dialog in Kigali, Rwanda, March 11 titled, “Collaboration through Research: Pathways to Evidence-based Policy in Rwanda”</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;">Underlining the importance of research-policy partnerships in Rwanda and the mutual benefits of academic collaboration, the event was chaired by Rwanda Minister of Commerce and Industry Jean-Chrysostome Ngabitsinze. The event also provided a chance for participants to engage with Rwandan counterparts and organizations, such as Bridges to Prosperity, which helps build bridges to better lives in rural communities, to discuss research and pathways to impact in Rwanda to address economic and environmental challenges. Learn more about the policy dialogue by </span><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Kquhf4Is0G1LthJkRjcGm6sorhcct2C8_LBG4sSjv76f7_mDTKPRL95iQAtfVKm1yuK8R3J9wtmswCvd9jip8JT0lRkVUXV9uG6mySKIaJVzXEncJ7ynkg6gSZod1T9yGJgoc8K-lluW2QOHtDr6QhvrxMYfzl-CLQHabLIjEdeQZgeuhF96V7RCRjWcl-R04b5eZSCXOe_A3G987MLLUQ==&c=_WjDJuJM41kB8mL4YbgMKLmjhweWF9GbNqg6XZFGMLXD-wN2FNTO7A==&ch=kzzRE6IDB1iOq51J4EPeVEZvVMFcDN3ax3NklIGrdUq3RlEZY33fgQ==" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #315fc3; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">visiting the EGC website</a>.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The visit also included a meeting with Eric Kneedler, the U.S. ambassador to Rwanda, which included an overview of the country and a discussion on the importance of increased collaboration between U.S. and African institutions. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; font-weight: bold; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Fostering global partnerships for a sustainable future </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The visit to Côte d'Ivoire and Rwanda exemplifies Yale’s dedication to strengthening global partnerships in education, environmental conservation, and economic development, Salovey said. In addition to underscoring the university’s commitment to addressing global challenges, the trip also highlighted the potential for academic institutions to contribute significantly to international diplomacy and collaboration.  </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">In his inaugural remarks as Yale’s president in 2013, Salovey launched an initiative to strengthen ties between Yale and Africa by fostering new directions in research on Africa, and identifying new partnerships and deepening existing ones, all while transforming the educational experiences and career opportunities of students at Yale and in Africa. Throughout his tenure as president, Yale has continued to leverage the power of partnerships and global networks across the continent to create new knowledge in science, public health, business, and other disciplines — and to improve lives around the globe.  </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a191a; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">As Yale continues to build and strengthen these partnerships, Salovey said the impacts of these collaborations across the African continent are expected to resonate far beyond the immediate participants, to foster a more interconnected and mutually supportive global academic community.</span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv1989365233layout yiv1989365233layout--1-column" style="color: #1d2228; min-width: 100%; outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv1989365233layout yiv1989365233layout--1-column" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; min-width: 100%; outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="center" class="yiv1989365233column yiv1989365233column--1 yiv1989365233scale yiv1989365233stack" style="outline: none !important; width: 600px; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv1989365233text yiv1989365233text--padding-vertical" style="outline: none !important; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="left" class="yiv1989365233text_content-cell yiv1989365233content-padding-horizontal" style="color: #403f42; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.2; outline: none !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px; word-break: normal;" valign="top"><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-style: italic; outline: none !important;">Distributed by</span><span style="color: #1a191a; font-style: italic; outline: none !important;"> </span><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Kquhf4Is0G1LthJkRjcGm6sorhcct2C8_LBG4sSjv76f7_mDTKPRL_kVqjY_85Lt3sNfjpWjZeyOJiIkKL9dLPKD6XZZDNTJoIl8uTmmDfn0pcuQebP9bUjQ9ZhQwgAVzYTm9rv4t6p8Apaa9SFr4Zzw9B5fPFqSlQONoSi5jfRAWr3o8jD14CeT2h3jvinagI8FTOtHkr4Zso0jKKQAleqjQf0ov4ii&c=_WjDJuJM41kB8mL4YbgMKLmjhweWF9GbNqg6XZFGMLXD-wN2FNTO7A==&ch=kzzRE6IDB1iOq51J4EPeVEZvVMFcDN3ax3NklIGrdUq3RlEZY33fgQ==" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #5e81ca; font-style: italic; outline: none !important;" target="_blank">African Media Agency (AMA)</a><span style="color: #5e81ca; font-style: italic; outline: none !important;"> </span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-style: italic; outline: none !important;">on behalf of Yale</span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div>

Salovey trip to Africa marks a decade of increased engagement

  During Yale’s spring break, President Peter Salovey is traveling in Africa, his third visit to the continent as the university’s leader, r...

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