Zanzibar Records Slight Decline in Urban Poverty

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTiBdxcOmngk3oewfoS0leb4sRKvjT3Xhzcs-oKwWZcFVUhH_W9lHJVLdkaLlopxlrdvXyM1rmSXy72xw1uIcelTQ6sSRzb71pvIH-qAWJvmaLZqAfcCU4_MfMyVVhBl5gDgpih9aJC2BA/s1600/bank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="75" data-original-width="375" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTiBdxcOmngk3oewfoS0leb4sRKvjT3Xhzcs-oKwWZcFVUhH_W9lHJVLdkaLlopxlrdvXyM1rmSXy72xw1uIcelTQ6sSRzb71pvIH-qAWJvmaLZqAfcCU4_MfMyVVhBl5gDgpih9aJC2BA/s400/bank.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Zanzibar achieved a modest reduction of 4.5 percent in its basic needs poverty rate and a one percent decrease in extreme poverty between 2010 and 2015, with the urban Unguja island being the main driver behind these reductions, according to the latest World Bank Poverty Assessment for Zanzibar. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">With a total population of about 1.3 million, the Zanzibar archipelago consists of several islands. Unguja, the largest of them has a population of about 900,000, followed by Pemba with over 400,000 people, per the 2012 census.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The World Bank assessment which analyses data from the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar’s Household Budget Survey (HBS) as well as the Integrated Labor Force Survey (ILFS), reports that the basic needs poverty rate in the archipelago stands at 30.4 percent in 2015 when the assessment was conducted, compared to 34.9 percent in 2010. Unguja is the main urban center and it registered the most decline from 26 percent in 2010 to 18.4 percent in 2015. This downward trend in poverty was also only reflected in other urban centers and rural areas related to Unguja with a decline of 11 percent for the former and 3 percent in the latter. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“The contribution of educational levels of household heads and their spouses to the reduction in Unguja is significant as it underscores the importance of strong investment in the human capital of citizens to eradicate poverty,” said Bella Bird, the World Bank Country Director for Tanzania, Malawi, Somalia and Burundi. “Nevertheless, the negative poverty trends for Pemba highlight the urgent need to address the wider issue of regional inequality by driving to ensure more equitable access to basic services across the country.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">While there were modest changes in Unguja, the assessment reveals contrasting trends for Pemba, with the island’s poverty rate increasing from 48 percent to 55 percent between 2010 and 2015. Eighty-three percent of the Pemba population resides in rural areas, underscoring the underdevelopment of the island’s urban sector as the core contributor to the increased poverty. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The report which was launched today in Stone Town shows the poverty reduction in Unguja was occasioned by increases in returns to household businesses; improved productivity in the nonfarm sector and in agriculture; as well as improvements in the levels of education achieved by heads of household and their spouses. And, while having larger families was a constraint, their burden appeared to have been offset where spouses were engaged in nonfarm activities from which they experienced returns. Improvements in ownership of assets, particularly mobile phones, also contributed to the reduction in poverty and welfare improvement.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Despite the positive trends in pay-offs from educational attainment in Unguja’s urban areas, the report authors note that unemployment of educated youth in these areas remained very high. This discrepancy could be related to the quality of education in Zanzibar which has been declining with the substantial expansion of the system’s capacity over the past decade, similar to trends witnessed on Mainland and most of Sub-Saharan Africa. On the other hand, the analysis of the relationship between education returns and poverty reduction focused around the educational attainment of household heads who were more likely to be older than the population’s average and therefore more likely to have received an education of better quality.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Among other key findings, the assessment shows improvements in households’ living conditions, but despite these positive changes, a large part of the Zanzibar population remains clustered around the poverty line and could easily fall back into poverty at the slightest shock. Conversely, small increases in their incomes could bolster a significant proportion of people over the poverty line. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“There is a lot of work ahead to improve the living standards of all people in Zanzibar,” said Carolina Sanchez, Senior Director for Poverty and Equity at the World Bank. “The report released today can form the foundation for more effective development programs that can improve the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable, especially those whose situation has gotten worse in recent years.”</span></div> </div>

Zanzibar Records Slight Decline in Urban Poverty

Zanzibar achieved a modest reduction of 4.5 percent in its basic needs poverty rate and a one percent decrease in extreme poverty betwee...

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Asilimia 12 ya wanawake duniania ni waathirika waukatili wakijinsia

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIoMXd0MnlOJ_writkrhgH_kDg_H2z23VPhYdKaHyrhQMHA0vujIcXRjnDUTP85halTC6Qz8o2c1tYXE10_8by-5fJDOGwPYMzo4dWhgAINrQcSrjDthwUrH5fq7A0_IkYJ0rz0X3GZTq/s1600/DSCN0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIoMXd0MnlOJ_writkrhgH_kDg_H2z23VPhYdKaHyrhQMHA0vujIcXRjnDUTP85halTC6Qz8o2c1tYXE10_8by-5fJDOGwPYMzo4dWhgAINrQcSrjDthwUrH5fq7A0_IkYJ0rz0X3GZTq/s400/DSCN0134.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Na,Jumbe Ismailly-IRAMBA </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">KITUO cha Msaada wa kisheria kwa Wanawake (WLAC) kimesema ukatili wa kijinsia ni tatizo kubwa kiulimwengu na kwamba utafiti uliofanywa na Shirika la Afya Duniani (WHO) unaonesha kuwa kati ya asilimia 12 mpaka 25 ya wanawake duniani wamefanyiwa vitendo vya ukatili,aidha wa kiuchumi,wa kingono na ama wa kimwili. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mratibu wa mradi wa kuelimisha jamii kuhusu masuala ya ukatili wa kijinsia na ukeketaji kutoka Kituo cha msaada wa Kisheria kwa wanawake na Watoto,Viviani Kweka aliyasema hayo kwa nyakati tofauti katika Kijiji cha Maluga na Ng’ang’uli vilivyopo katika kata ya Maluga wakati wa kuutambulisha mradi wa kuelimisha jamii kuhusu masuala ya ukatili wa kijinsia pamoja na ukeketaji. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Aidha Kweka aliweka bayana kuwa mraddi ulianza kutoa elimu hiyo kwa wasaidizi wa kisheria,Maofisa Ustawi wa jamii,Maofisa Maendeleo ya Jamii,jeshi la polisi kupitia dawati la jinsia,makundi ya vijana na wanawake pamoja na shule za msingi kwa ufadhili wa Shirika lisilokuwa la kiserikali la The Foundation For Civil Society. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Kwa mujibu wa Mratibu huyo kwa takwimu za mwaka 2016 zilizofanywa na UNICEF zinaonesha kwamba katika tafiti zilizofanyika katika nchi 30 duniani,takribani wasicha milioni 200 wamefanyiwa ukeketaji na kati ya nchi hizo,27 zipo Afrika na Tanzania ikiwa mojawapo. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Kwa hiyo tunaweza kuona kwamba ukatili wa kijinsia bado ni tatizo kubwa sana hapa nchini kwetu”alisisitiza Kweka. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Kuhusu nini kifanyike kukabiliana na hali hiyo,Mratibu huyo alibainisha kuwa njia pekee ni kutoa elimu kwa wananchi itakayosaidia kuwabadilisha,wakafunguka na kubadilisha mitazamo yao waliyokuwanayo dhidi ya wanawake na watoto. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Hata hivyo Kweka ambaye pia ni Wakili kutoka WLAC alitumia mafunzo hayo kutoa wito kwa wananchi wanaofanyiwa vitendo vya ukatili huo kujenga utamaduni wa kuvunja ukimya na kufunguka na kutoa taarifa kwenye sehemu husika kama vile wajumbe wa mashina ya nyumba kumi,wenyeviti wa vijiji na vitongoji,maofisa watendaji wa kata na vijiji. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Kwa mujibu wa Vivian kinachosababisha ukatili wa kijinsia katika Kata ya Maluga pamoja na sehemu nyinginezo ni watu kukumbatia mila potofu,ambapo mila na tamaduni kwa kiasi kikubwa zinasababisha ukatili wa kijinsia sambamba na uelewa mdogo kwamba ukatili wanaofanyiwa watu ni kinyume cha sheria. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Kwa upande wao Wawezeshaji wa mafunzo hayo,Mwanasheria kutoka WLAC,Robert Chuwa aliwashauri wananchi wa kata hiyo kujenga utamaduni wa kuandika wosia ambao kwa kiasi kikubwa utawasaidia sana wanawake ambao ndiyo waathirika wakubwa pale inapotokea mmoja anapofariki. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Naye Wakili wa Kujitegemea,Benjamin Kalume alisema ukatili unaofanyika katika Kijiji cha Maluga ni ukatili wa kimwili ambao ni kinyume kabisa na sheria zilizopo Tanzania na vitendo vya ukatili vinavyofanywa katika Kijiji hicho ni vya kipigo kwa wanawake.</span></div> </div>

Asilimia 12 ya wanawake duniania ni waathirika waukatili wakijinsia

Na,Jumbe Ismailly-IRAMBA  KITUO cha Msaada wa kisheria kwa Wanawake (WLAC) kimesema ukatili wa kijinsia ni tatizo kubwa kiulimwengu na...

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Nigeria, Economic Community of West African States, Major World Economies Adopt Abuja Statement

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhYD2carhIHlbe-KX7JKn_OzOcuFOgvecC0ZZSTa_EQkf2x1u-Q5R091W3qN-K-7w3BuGmK70VLYjwkw89c0g9Un_tqKKJc34ip7gfCdoZ-o2lpSVtUHjHZqVrmmd5I4dR3CAKZmtY6cS/s1600/nigeria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="250" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhYD2carhIHlbe-KX7JKn_OzOcuFOgvecC0ZZSTa_EQkf2x1u-Q5R091W3qN-K-7w3BuGmK70VLYjwkw89c0g9Un_tqKKJc34ip7gfCdoZ-o2lpSVtUHjHZqVrmmd5I4dR3CAKZmtY6cS/s400/nigeria.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Nigeria, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), World Trade Organisation (WTO), Friends of Investment Facilitation for Development (FIFD) and participants at the High Level Policy and Private Sector Trade and Investment Facilitation Partnership Forum today adopted a declaration titled “The Abuja Statement” at the close of the two-day event, which saw the participation of over 30 African countries as well as major world economies.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Forum was opened yesterday the 2nd of November by Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo with the support of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Abuja Statement on “Deepening Africa’s Integration in the Global Economy through Trade and Investment Facilitation for Development” was unanimously adopted after two days of intensive deliberations between policy makers and the business community from around the world.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Statement reaffirmed that trade and investment are inseparable and remain indispensable “twin engines” for economic growth, modernization and development of Africa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">It reiterated the need to scale up investments in “connectivity” – infrastructure - ports, transport corridors and telecommunications networks to enable Africa participate and benefit from today’s integrated and digital global economy. It supported the ongoing Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) negotiations in Africa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Statement said: “One of the central objectives of the High Level Forum was to examine how the WTO could contribute to facilitating the required investment –as well as trade by developing multilateral approaches to improving transparent, cutting red tape, streamlining procedures and strengthening international cooperation with the aim of expanding sustainable pro-development investment.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Furthermore, the Statement noted: “Participants underscored the importance of enabling developing and least developing countries to increase their participation in global investment flows, including by mobilizing resources needed to address their technical and capacity constraints.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Statement called for a successful 11th WTO Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires in December to strengthen the WTO as a global public good that remains central to the welfare, prosperity and development of all its members.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Statement further emphasized that policies, institutions and best practices are required for expanding the required investment in the domestic economies of African countries, the region and continent.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">In his reaction, Minister Enelamah said: “The new narrative of Nigeria out there: that the country is positive, pro-development, pro-business and pro-enabling environment for business.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">On his part, the Director General/Chief Negotiator of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN) Ambassador Chiedu Osakwe stated that “This High Level Forum on Trade and Investment Facilitation held in Abuja, was an acknowledgment of Nigeria’s economic and trade policy leadership in West Africa, Africa and the global economy.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The High Level Forum was co-hosted by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and <a href="http://fmiti.gov.ng/">Investment</a> , ECOWAS in partnership with FIFD. Members of FIFD coalition are Nigeria, Argentina, China, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Hong Kong China, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, Switzerland, Canada, the European Union and Qatar.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Other participants at the Forum were WTO DG Roberto Azevedo; Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Mukhisa Kituyi, African Union (AU) Commissioner for Trade and Industry Albert Muchanga, President of ECOWAS Commission Marcel Alain de Souza and CEOs and business leaders from Hauwei, Procter and Gamble, Vodacom, etc.</span></div> </div>

Nigeria, Economic Community of West African States, Major World Economies Adopt Abuja Statement

Nigeria, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), World Trade Organisation (WTO), Friends of Investment Facilitation for ...

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Siemens signs agreements with Uganda and Sudan

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOI0UnaXTE0pdIf-fShZNIRdDMkFjIt2zuZTnfW05A3xh2boZwY0U37bX7Q-PtDl8WGIUzfnoZV8lDmhT6QyTYUvdFmbRNh2vbRNop7kLNs35fEHwyGWlJzAYvmxhNqKysYIkkrNhjeAQN/s1600/sime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="65" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOI0UnaXTE0pdIf-fShZNIRdDMkFjIt2zuZTnfW05A3xh2boZwY0U37bX7Q-PtDl8WGIUzfnoZV8lDmhT6QyTYUvdFmbRNh2vbRNop7kLNs35fEHwyGWlJzAYvmxhNqKysYIkkrNhjeAQN/s400/sime.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://www.siemens.com/" style="font-size: x-large;">Siemens</a><span style="font-size: large;"> will work more closely with the African countries Uganda and Sudan in the areas of power supply, industry, transportation and healthcare. The African states signed the corresponding Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) at the World Economic Forum 2017 in the South African city of Durban. The documents were signed in the presence of Brigitte Zypries, German Federal Minister for Economics and Energy, Joe Kaeser, President and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens AG and further high-ranking personalities.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Africa’s economies are gaining ground and can develop their full potential with the right partner. Siemens wants to support their sustainable development – with solutions and projects in Africa, for Africa. The agreements with our African partners are important steps along this path,” said Joe Kaeser, President and CEO of Siemens AG. “Our goal is to double our order intake in Africa to more than €3 billion by the year 2020.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Brigitte Zypries, German Federal Minister for Economics and Energy, said: “Africa is a continent with economic opportunities and the German industry is an outstanding partner for the countries of Africa to realize these opportunities. I am very pleased that with the agreements signed today, good progress is being made towards the goal of better infrastructure and thus more growth and employment. I particularly welcome the training program because well-trained skilled workers are a key pillar of prosperity and development. And it is precisely these elements that I also support with the ‘Pro! Africa’ plan.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Siemens is a company that invests for the long term, and we are interested in the long-term fundamentals of these markets and the diversification of their economies,” said Sabine Dall’Omo, CEO of Siemens Southern and Eastern Africa. “The opportunity for industrialization in Africa is now. It is estimated that Africa imports one-third of the food, beverages and other similar processed goods it consumers. The potential exists for Africa-based companies to meet this domestic demand and in so doing create sustainable revenue streams and opportunities for job creation.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Under these agreements, Siemens and its partners will develop solutions in the areas of power supply, transportation, industry and healthcare. Another key point in the agreements relates to continuing training programs for various technical fields in order to create a pool of well-trained local workers. Furthermore, Siemens is joining the “Make IT Alliance” of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development to promote start-ups and technology companies across the African continent. The agreement was signed in the presence of Guenter Nooke, German Chancellor's Personal Representative for Africa in the ministry.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Africa possesses vast economic potential with forecasted growth rates of up to five percent. Spending on African infrastructure has more than doubled to $80 billion over the last 15 years, and the aspiring urban centers offer growth opportunities for the entire continent. More than a billion people worldwide have no access to electric power, and half of those people live in Africa. In Uganda and Sudan, Siemens’ primary goal is to increase national power generating capacities and to connect the local population to the power grids. A reliable and extensive power supply system is the fundamental prerequisite for economic growth.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">African countries need infrastructure and industrial projects that generate sustained income streams to fully exploit their own economic potential. New financing concepts and long-term investment guidelines that will remain in effect for 30 years will create a stable investment climate for international investors and help to implement planned infrastructure projects.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Siemens has already developed financing solutions for its megaproject in Egypt and power plant projects in Nigeria and is supporting its African partners’ efforts to implement these major infrastructure projects. Siemens promotes economic growth in Africa through far-reaching partnerships in the competence fields of power generation, transportation and healthcare, as well as the digitalization of industry.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Siemens has been active in Africa for more than 157 years. Today, with more than 3,600 employees based in a total of 15 African countries, the company contributes decisively to the continent’s economic development. In addition, Siemens is investing an average of €10 million per year for training programs and is promoting programs to increase integrity in politics and society. In the spirit of Germany’s current presidency of the G20 group and the recently published Marshall Plan for Africa, Siemens is developing new projects for the continent, with the long-term goal of promoting the African economy and creating local jobs.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO on behalf of Siemens AG.</span></div> </div>

Siemens signs agreements with Uganda and Sudan

Siemens will work more closely with the African countries Uganda and Sudan in the areas of power supply, industry, transportation and h...

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The last chance to stop wondering with Discovery Channel is now!

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgoaqqEFQcCk-JQQtAAty-r0JbKreUeZlTJ-cKrRelF354dBy44xfXAkj9PnEqn0sDY8UgYpi4fkYyNDC29TydtTACY5Tzb2VaKL_H0XsrgFRqfhkdd00tyci5SfC4EKWgQtrxATmms9E/s1600/kul.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgoaqqEFQcCk-JQQtAAty-r0JbKreUeZlTJ-cKrRelF354dBy44xfXAkj9PnEqn0sDY8UgYpi4fkYyNDC29TydtTACY5Tzb2VaKL_H0XsrgFRqfhkdd00tyci5SfC4EKWgQtrxATmms9E/s400/kul.png" width="282" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The sixth annual Jozi Film Festival entry submissions opened on Monday 6th February 2017, and from today, all budding film makers have less than 27 days left to get their entries in. For those of you who missed it - this year, for the first time ever, the Jozi Film Festival (JFF) has partnered with Discovery Networks to launch a brand new category - the Discovery Channel Don't Stop Wondering Award.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">For this category, film makers need to develop a 2-5 minute documentary which showcases and celebrates unique African stories and captures Discovery's ethos of sparking curiosity. This is an Africa-wide search for filmmaking talent that carries a cash prize of $5,000 from Discovery Channel for the final winner to go towards their next filming project. Entry is free and multiple entries are welcome. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">"Discovery Networks is very excited to see the entries that will be received for this</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">competition as Discovery Channel has always been about satisfying curiosity, by breaking ground with high-quality factual entertainment programming that inspires and entertains audiences around the world," said Dilek Doyran, VP of Commercial Development and Country Manager of Africa and the Mediterranean. "So, if you are a naturally inquisitive film maker, then do not miss out on this opportunity and enter now before the closing date." </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">After the closing of the entries, the Top 10 films selected by a JFF and Discovery jury will be broadcast on Discovery Channel in July and August, and again at the sixth annual Jozi Film Festival in September. The winning film will then be selected by popular vote via the voting tool on Discovery's<a href="http://www.discoverychannelafrica.com/"> website</a>: <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001CuwVdPqK5DH1hop8EAptotIgZ4VV3b1O5--6Wu8Jp2IVKjx2dv5AQSe_jiSeEhfdSMIrjm1OOzipPor2bc8PfadBRtZuMPZjzkHY2mGqUEUA1lHH79ozoE_-1_Jm_a48lT4zVG1e9XQQymgCUFlChCBMX32TMpuSswYmjaH3LAQ847o6j1oMIPGzx0FC4vLY&c=zQM4RJp8HZ-W93lcPPDPh4ArlbDaG4Hp_GD2xYPE0tkLrgcVEpsGgw==&ch=0bsHR7llYHLI-HMxtEqBFR942frqqrvqXCsaHRmh_BOGHqNscq0MDg=="> </a>and the winner will be flown to Johannesburg to receive their prize at the Jozi Film Festival awards to be held on 24 September 2017.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Entrants must be 18 years or older and must reside on the African continent. Don't miss out! Submit your work for this category -before the closing at 18:00 on 31 May 2017.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">For more information on how to submit to <a href="http://www.jozifilmfestival.co.za/">JFF2017</a>, please <a href="http://www.discoverychannelafrica.com/">visit</a> .You're just one short film away from your dream career! </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Discovery Communications.</span></div> </div>

The last chance to stop wondering with Discovery Channel is now!

The sixth annual Jozi Film Festival entry submissions opened on Monday 6th February 2017, and from today, all budding film makers have l...

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GE to supply power generation technology for Ghana’s 400 MW Bridge Power project

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXqp6vUWwAUyk7TYkzK00XMdbFV_7aklQhD3OqonOPlV_ZqHQD4bozjKPFxdjTf5hwtw6HgHVBNHMJxRmJQDfGPpMlvt5hzaXyj2Jmz0mqawGPZj-lglmp6KexGSB6tx9NZ9QVOQcxmwD/s1600/Kaz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXqp6vUWwAUyk7TYkzK00XMdbFV_7aklQhD3OqonOPlV_ZqHQD4bozjKPFxdjTf5hwtw6HgHVBNHMJxRmJQDfGPpMlvt5hzaXyj2Jmz0mqawGPZj-lglmp6KexGSB6tx9NZ9QVOQcxmwD/s400/Kaz.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">GE (</span><a href="http://www.ge.com/" style="font-size: x-large;">NYSE: GE</a><span style="font-size: large;">) announced today that it will supply the power generation equipment for the Bridge Power plant project in Tema, Ghana. The equipment, which will be used in the first phase of the project, will collectively generate 200 MW of power. An additional 200 MW of power will be deployed in stage two of the project.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The equipment scope includes <a href="https://powergen.gepower.com/products/aeroderivative-gas-turbines/tm2500-gas-turbine-family.html">GE’s TM2500 gas turbine generator sets</a> and GE’s steam turbines in a combined cycle (CC) configuration. This will be the first time the TM2500 gas turbines will be used in a combined cycle configuration globally and marks a milestone for the technology, which was also <a href="http://www.genewsroom.com/press-releases/ge-announces-order-ae-energia-bring-fast-digital-power-angola-283734">selected this week for Angola’s ambitious electrification program</a> led by PRODEL.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“The Bridge Power plant successfully brings together the need for a cost-effective fuel solution, in this case liquefied petroleum gas, with an integrated power solution driven by GE’s latest flexible technology” said Leslie Nelson, CEO, GE’s Gas Power Systems for Sub Saharan Africa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The 400 megawatt (MW) Bridge Power and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) import, storage, and transportation infrastructure project will address Ghana’s long-term energy requirements by providing enough electricity for the equivalent of up to 17 percent of the country’s capacity. Upon completion, it will be Africa’s first LPG fired power plant and the world’s largest plant of its kind. The fuel-flexible plant will also be capable of being fueled by LPG, natural gas or diesel.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Bridge Power is being developed by the Early Power Limited (“EPL”) consortium under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Electricity Corporation of Ghana (ECG). The EPL consortium comprises of Endeavor Energy, a leading independent power development and generation company focused on Africa; Sage, a leading independent trading firm in Ghana; and GE (General Electric).</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Bridge power plant project will bring much needed electricity to Ghana and is expected to have an immediate positive impact on the reliable operation of schools, factories, offices, other local businesses, hospitals, and households. The project is another example of how GE works with the government, corporate customers and other stakeholders in Ghana. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Together, GE and its customers in Ghana support economic growth through infrastructure development in the power, oil & gas and healthcare sectors. In March this year, GE opened a 5,600 square meter oil & gas facility in Takoradi, that will serve as a primary service center for deep-water offshore projects. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO on behalf of GE.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> </div>

GE to supply power generation technology for Ghana’s 400 MW Bridge Power project

GE ( NYSE: GE ) announced today that it will supply the power generation equipment for the Bridge Power plant project in Tema, Ghana. Th...

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Kenyan President gives vote of confidence for the Huduma Card in driving financial inclusion

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSGYixbmundXvvwS50TRH-kmySxqqiCzR7p20e4PFpvv_k3xQudmUQ0IcpoRSYG3nQbDZcdSk8ZqzHCPpLOc2BUtVLPFpFEjHHg4DnQ9XwYi0nyrWXJd5JGZ4_pNZMtlZ_dAaJamXvjH5/s1600/Mastercard+Huduma+Logo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSGYixbmundXvvwS50TRH-kmySxqqiCzR7p20e4PFpvv_k3xQudmUQ0IcpoRSYG3nQbDZcdSk8ZqzHCPpLOc2BUtVLPFpFEjHHg4DnQ9XwYi0nyrWXJd5JGZ4_pNZMtlZ_dAaJamXvjH5/s400/Mastercard+Huduma+Logo.PNG" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Kenyan Government has provided a vote of confidence in the implementation of the Huduma Card in the country, and its role in driving financial inclusion. The announcement was highlighted during the 2017 World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa, and is in line with the events focus on showcasing how Africa is ensuring its citizens are empowered through inclusion. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Research done by the World Bank indicates that financial inclusion is progressing well in Kenya, where <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001fr13ZOd08v1PU9yYhi_edPXhz6APBPzi4SCacEo4ytkZ61zs5zlH08SRlTisLpbMNu6OCU2M3OgIYGGyA8oSzw_58BtwMK-qYxxZj7WKIxbUNbSRxdrGK4hq5THgCLXAEPW4b2VLSF8XXwg64qXPOjQ-D657Bf3fL3UTtELyVwkRz6dYDBIQMM3yT2W2LKU5bzocssbchvFd8r94W_LTBDRq4M_XI4d-l2FTIbO508U=&c=f9GzVxkj4WHo2q-w-rbolLxTto_vXuO0T8V3G5WBHhThaFFbDMP2sw==&ch=2HUIKXhFxSutP8AMHIrTCHtZeMLSxua5w3Ikkm3uTHuYvrsS0QSFIw==">75 percent of adults have an account</a> - however, a core pillar of Kenya's Vision 2030 is improving the efficiency and transparency of public services and payments to bring even more Kenyans into the financial ecosystem. This is key to the sustainable growth of any economy.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mastercard, as one of the official technology partners to Huduma, ensures that the card offers a secure and convenient way for citizens to transact. The company is driven to displace cash, and is committed to financially empowering 500 million people worldwide by 2020. The Huduma partnership forms a key part of the strategy in reaching this goal. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">"With a successful pilot under our belt, we are confident that the national roll out of the Huduma Card will be successful, meeting the expectations of the Kenyan Government and the needs of all Kenyans. The road to achieving our long term goal of reaching 13 million citizens over a period of seven years is well underway," says Dennis Mutuku, CEO Huduma Kenya Secretariat.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mutuku pointed out that as part of the roll out strategy, the Huduma team are exploring various options to drive usage of the card. One such example he highlighted was the recent launch of the Public Transport pilot in partnership with Matatu operators. He noted that given the country's dependence on public transport, the introduction of a transit payment solutions will help to reach more people with the greatest need in a meaningful and practical way. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">"The Huduma story in Kenya can be held up as a leading example across the rest of the continent of how technology, innovation and collaboration between public and private sector partners can be harnessed to implement flexible and safe payments that facilitate inclusive growth," says Daniel Monehin, Division President and Financial Inclusion Lead for International Markets, Mastercard. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Continued collaboration between partners in both the public and private sector is key to implementing these large scale initiatives that aim to develop strong financial ecosystems. This is a core theme at WEF Africa, where sharing knowledge in creating a digital continent is seen as being vitally important. Kenya is at the beginning of its journey with the implementation of the card, but already the potential of the prepaid card solution is evident. Mutuku reinforced that it is a journey, mentioning that in order to ensure the roll out is successful key implementation steps cannot be overlooked.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">"Providing citizens across the continent with more seamless solutions to engage with and access government services remains a core priority of ours and we will keep partnering and collaborating with market leaders to make sure that Africans benefit from continued innovation that will deliver more inclusive economic ecosystems," Monehin concluded.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">More about the Huduma Card</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The multi-purpose prepaid Huduma Card can be obtained easily at various Huduma Centre's nationwide and the four partner bank branches (CBA, DTB, EQUITY, KCB) - and because applicants do not require a credit check or bank account to apply, it allows Kenya's un- and under-banked citizens in particular to benefit from being financially included and able to pay for and receive critical government services. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">With its chip and PIN technology, the Huduma Card also enables citizens to make and receive social payments safely, conveniently and without cash in store, online, by phone anywhere Mastercard is accepted worldwide. Chip and PIN technology is a global standard to guarantee that money is protected even if the card is stolen or lost - this added protection ensures beneficiaries can receive their funds conveniently and securely.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Integrating state services on the system ensures that all Kenyans benefit from vital public initiatives such as the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and National Social Security Fund (NSSF) among others. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) for Mastercard Worldwide.</span></div> </div>

Kenyan President gives vote of confidence for the Huduma Card in driving financial inclusion

The Kenyan Government has provided a vote of confidence in the implementation of the Huduma Card in the country, and its role in driving...

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Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) Unveils 2017 Honorees for Business and Entrepreneurship at World Economic Forum on Africa, May 3-5, 2017

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFVhOgqNSYQ4kDFvq9oV4LHBrV6GjusvDR6okAjrrdDNbD0-cXpMLCaC_r3P-J_tz5akpFtgqFq6OACZMCyCM0ZvuOzUi4-fNIZTt2XVHXstdIWQLW2GX-eOsvOnE22v87TTC0hO6XAui/s1600/MIPAD+LOGO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFVhOgqNSYQ4kDFvq9oV4LHBrV6GjusvDR6okAjrrdDNbD0-cXpMLCaC_r3P-J_tz5akpFtgqFq6OACZMCyCM0ZvuOzUi4-fNIZTt2XVHXstdIWQLW2GX-eOsvOnE22v87TTC0hO6XAui/s400/MIPAD+LOGO.jpg" width="272" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">M<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ZVSlq4a0z3u0XHZ9FMIRstK7vWxA44YptjQx8a4waLddpdZ7m52FhiMn1G81_EE6apgDXh6yGOAV15Bbr9gV2ZHdHtH2WG7CS7UVwLdj_RFDm1vqr30PP6-ECHYS-MTK1LIVRAhF2fzLUF-srhqcxpR2D_kJffhw&c=Pbos0A_GLzgf4KZRBJyDnd43ppI6BJpGStKUuQ4v3iNOjEjsnWvbgw==&ch=aYuUQO9AbkeizhfaDX82xRbZJN03WokeHrpmWTgbsFbmX7N3NMevOg==">ost Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD)</a>, a global civil society initiative whose efforts emanate from the International Decade for People of African Descent, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, will unveil its 2017 honorees in the Business and Entrepreneurship category during the World Economic Forum on Africa taking place between 3 and 5 May in Durban, South Africa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">MIPAD is a unique global list that identifies 200 high achievers, under the age of 40, of African descent in public and private sectors worldwide, 100 inside Africa, and 100 outside Africa in the Diaspora. From Eldrick "Tiger" Woods the most successful golfer of all time to the highest paid CEO in Africa, James Mworia, Managing Director and CEO, Centum Investments, Kenya. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">"Our mission with MIPAD is to build a progressive network of civil society actors who come together and support the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent. In proclaiming this global initiative, the international community is recognizing that people of African descent represent a distinct group whose contributions and human rights must be promoted and protected", said Kamil Olufowobi, Founder of MIPAD.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">MIPAD gathers these young leaders and their mentors twice a year around prestigious events held both in Africa, in March and the United States, in September. The Awards Dinner in honor of the 'MIPAD Class of 2017' is slated for September 26th, 2017 in New York City, following the opening of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly. Former U.S. President Barack Obama and current UN Secretary-General António Guterres are invited to attend as keynote speakers.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">This year's MIPAD Business and Entrepreneurship category will honor 76 top achievers from Africa and the Diaspora. The selection panel considered the contributions and impact of these individuals through their business ideas, successful enterprises, innovative thinking, net worth and commitment to diversity and inclusion. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">"I am honored and humbled to have been selected by MIPAD, it is an extremely inspiring initiative. I am a firm believer that this is our time as Africans and Africa. In order to take things to the next level we must truly enable, empower and inspire our young entrepreneurs and women entrepreneurs across the continent, we as Africans are not playing to catch up we are going to lead the way," says Ashish J. Thakkar, Founder, Mara Group & Mara Foundation, one of the 2017 honorees in Business & Entrepreneurship, inside Africa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">In addition, other high achievers are recognized under three other categories as follows; Politics and Governance, Media and Culture, and Religion & Humanitarian endeavors.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">There are around 200 million people identifying themselves as being of African descent who live in the Americas. Many millions more live in other parts of the world, outside of the African continent. Whether as descendants of the victims of the transatlantic slave trade or as more recent migrants, they constitute some of the poorest and most marginalized groups. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">In many cases, people of African descent still experience discrimination in their access to justice, and face alarmingly high rates of police violence and racial profiling. Furthermore, their degree of political participation is often low, both in voting and in occupying political positions.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The promotion and protection of human rights of people of African descent has been a priority concern for the United Nations. The International Decade for People of African Descent, proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 68/237 and to be observed from 2015 to 2024, provides a solid framework to underline the important contributions made by people of African descent around the world and to propose concrete measures to promote their full inclusion and to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">If you meet any of the MIPAD honorees in Durban during the 2017 WEF Africa, please extend a hand of congratulation for their contributions to societies around the world and for their resilience and strength in the face of adversity.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD).</span></div> </div>

Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) Unveils 2017 Honorees for Business and Entrepreneurship at World Economic Forum on Africa, May 3-5, 2017

M ost Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) , a global civil society initiative whose efforts emanate from the International Dec...

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Clitoraid Announces Its First Clitoral Restorative Surgeries for FGM Victims in Kenya

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiQcMHlIXHIh2Ga_ceHDtkuC6a_XCT0pMfiZIcv71g-LhYHCE0vhjBr4gbqJA8IxvScqinFyf1JiNbyf18ndNShElT4-mC4RC3VVwV3shJKjn8B3I5lhDfsL6U7ohJeP_LAm7Om_8mLNZ/s1600/aid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiQcMHlIXHIh2Ga_ceHDtkuC6a_XCT0pMfiZIcv71g-LhYHCE0vhjBr4gbqJA8IxvScqinFyf1JiNbyf18ndNShElT4-mC4RC3VVwV3shJKjn8B3I5lhDfsL6U7ohJeP_LAm7Om_8mLNZ/s400/aid.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">From May 2 to May 13, the U.S.-based, non-profit organization </span><a href="http://www.clitoraid.org/" style="font-size: x-large;">Clitoraid</a><span style="font-size: large;"> will launch its first humanitarian mission in Nairobi, Kenya, offering clitoral restorative surgery to victims of female genital mutilation (FGM).</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">According to Clitoraid Spokesperson Nadine Gary, this new mission is part of the multiple actions planned during the month of May, the month of Clitoris Awareness.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Dr. Marci Bowers, Clitoraid’s gynecological surgeon, will operate on 40 women in Kenya. Clitoraid partners with the Kenyan non-governmental organization Garana and Dr. Abdullahi Adan, a plastic reconstructive surgeon in this endeavor.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Dr. Bowers will restore sexual pleasure to 40 patients,” Gary said. “But those having surgery next week are only a few of the many FGM survivors who have contacted us, desperately seeking to be made whole again.” (According to a 2013 UNICEF report, a quarter of all Kenyan women are victims of the barbaric custom of FGM, also known as “cutting.”)</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Gary said Bowers will also train local surgeons during her stay in Kenya.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“She’ll present the clitoral restorative technique developed by French urologist Dr. Pierre Foldes,” Gary explained. “Clemence Linard, our clinical sexologist in France, will also participate, offering counseling to patients and sharing her expertise with Kenyan sexologist Dr. Tammary Esho, who volunteered to assist.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Clitoraid's humanitarian mission began in 2004.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“International spiritual leader Maitreya<a href="http://rael.org/"> Rael</a> during one of his visits to West Africa in 2003, learned of the gruesome practice of mutilating girls’ genitals,” Gary said. “He launched Clitoraid not just to launch an educational campaign against FGM but to provide the surgery that repairs the damage inflicted on its victims.” </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Gary said Clitoraid has already operated on over 250 FGM survivors, mainly in the United States, where 500,000 victims reside today.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Among our former patients is Jaha Dukereh, a U.S. resident born in the Gambia,” Gary said. “Last year she was named one of Time Magazine's ‘100 Most Influential People’ in recognition of her anti-FGM activism. She calls her restorative surgery through Clitoraid ‘a life-changing experience’.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile, Clitoraid’s first hospital dedicated to FGM victims and their medical needs in West Africa is still awaiting licensure in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Corrupt male politicians and greedy doctors prevented our 2014 opening, oblivious to the anger and despair of countless local FGM patients,” Gary said.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO on behalf of Clitoraid.</span></div> </div>

Clitoraid Announces Its First Clitoral Restorative Surgeries for FGM Victims in Kenya

From May 2 to May 13, the U.S.-based, non-profit organization Clitoraid will launch its first humanitarian mission in Nairobi, Kenya, ...

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Liberated Africa: Pathways to Self-Transformational Development

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvCVECltfh_sZc5OT0jym3XfQT6bkm_q9zHwlQa3gplZWZ9QWzCOZqBgxz97jP5toyQ0k9r5cRxwCWPRH9ceYDuH0Ju8PkTEiQjGBkGL8d_2IfGNsGmHLSpPiOBNWAyqUQQpV8BfPMfX8/s1600/ili.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvCVECltfh_sZc5OT0jym3XfQT6bkm_q9zHwlQa3gplZWZ9QWzCOZqBgxz97jP5toyQ0k9r5cRxwCWPRH9ceYDuH0Ju8PkTEiQjGBkGL8d_2IfGNsGmHLSpPiOBNWAyqUQQpV8BfPMfX8/s400/ili.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">By Ehiedu Iweriebor<br />In the period since independence in the 1950s, Africa has undergone profound social, cultural, economic and political changes. Some inherited and historically rootless colonialist political and social systems have collapsed, been transcended and reconstituted. Different political systems – single party rule, personal rule and military governments have come and gone. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">New post-independence political and social systems; economic institutions, professional associations and labour unions, various types - traditional and new and varied cultural expressions have all emerged. Creative efforts to foster effective nation-building, develop a sense of belonging and manage diversity productively have also been made. New political systems, different forms of electoral democracy and democratic government; political parties and groups, varied social and intelligentsia organizations, confident youth groups, civil society organizations are also emerging. Disruptive and traumatic political and social crises have occurred. These include civil wars, secessionist wars, famines, elite generated manipulative ethnicity and deadly intergroup conflicts, and recently home grown and imported religious terrorism and their destructive wars, spectacular damaging actions, the creation of refugees and internally displaced peoples and the generation of general feelings of insecurity.<br /><br />Social development institutions like health and educational facilities that barely existed under colonialism have been built. For example, vast numbers of schools at all levels including universities and other tertiary institutions – conventional and specialized have been established and dot various parts of Africa. They have produced millions of educated Africans as never existed before in African history. New physical infrastructures: roads, railways, water ways and airports have been built. This is a rough profile of profound changes in Africa since the 1950s. <br /><br />However, given Africa’s size and vast unmet human, social and economic needs there is no question that substantial as what has been built is, the extant physical and social infrastructures are not adequate or abundant enough.<br /><br />At the same time, it is quite clear that the physical and social landscapes of Africa today are vastly different from what they were 60 years ago such that it is unlikely that people from those times will recognize Africa of today.<br /><br />Yet it is also true that there are some aspects of African realities that have not changed substantively or for the better during this period because Africa did not regain, recover or assert its ownership and use of its autonomous self-direction capacities in some spheres over the past six decades. These are primarily in the areas of economic sovereignty, development capacitation, self-actuated development and ideological self-direction. This failure is manifested in such conditions as persistent underdevelopment, the pre-eminence of primary commodities production and export in its economic interactions with the world, import dependency, development incapacitation and poverty generation. It is also manifested in Africa’s ideological subordination to external diktat through the acceptance and implementation of the economic management dogmas and prescriptions of the multilateral imperialist agencies – the World Bank, IMF and similar bilateral external agencies. These prescribed non-development dogmas include: privatization, deregulation and African states self-withdrawal from promoting socio-economic development and the simultaneous promotion of the ascendancy of “MARKET FORCES, FOREIGN INVESTORS, FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENTS and FOREIGN TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ” as the primary and indispensable engines of African economic growth. <br /><br />The forceful application of these disempowering dogmas through the active complicity of psychologically programmed and ideologically defeated African leaders and elite over the past three decades has yielded or in fact consolidated Africa in its status as under- developed, under-equipped and incapable of development self-propulsion. With African economies arrested in primary commodity export and the mass importation of manufactured goods they are mired in the same exocentric rut and this inevitably results in the export of jobs and import of poverty, therefore recurrent poverty-generation.<br /><br />This condition and its persistence over this period suggest that IT CANNOT BE RESOLVED WITHIN ITSELF. It has to be transcended by African strategies of psycho-cultural recovery and development capacitation. Psycho-cultural recovery will entail the self-conscious efforts of liberated Africans to peel off the layers of self-deceit, self-delusion, psycho-ideological incapacitation, diminution of African self-worth, self-marginalization of African agency in African development. It would also require the expurgation from African leaderships and elite of their worshipful dependence on outsiders and preference for all things foreign including pre-fabricated solutions that have been introduced into Africa as dogmas of disempowerment and mechanisms of control from the slave trade era to the present. In its various incarnations, African disempowerment was partially procured through various seemingly neutral but ultimately destructive external ideological constructs such as “Christianization”, “Islamization”; European “Civilization” during the colonial era; “Modernization” in the neo-colonial period after independence and its latest expression, as multilateral imperialist “globalism” and dictatorial globalization that ideologically and politically dictates a single, global capitalist and liberal democratic system as the only “approved” economic, political and social and order for all times. This would be composite world of the rich and powerful, and the weak and powerless with Africa at the top.<br /><br />But all these disempowering political, social, cultural and economic constructs and systems of domination were politically and self-consciously created by organized and mission-driven national and racial elites pursuing the objectives of group ascendancy and global domination. They are not divine constructs imposed on the world. In the same way, liberated Africans can self-consciously choose and work to exit from this state of UNFREEDOM AND INDIGNITY by dismantling and reconstituting the extant world order (as Asians have done) and chose to create and enter the realms of FREEDOM AND SELF-DIRECTION through development capacitation, psychological liberation, cultural recuperation, mental freedom and self-actuated development so as to emerge as powerful participants in the world system as actors not subjects. This is the liberatory imperative.<br /><br />In order for Africa to assume responsibility for its own transformation and elevation, and be able to undertake self-reliant development and create secure domestic prosperity, it has to create its own specific ideology and strategy of self-development. To do this there are a number of irreducible components that have to be designed and put in place. These are: the recovery and application of African agency in African development, the creation of the liberated African state, establishment of an African development capacitation system, the creation and dissemination of the Affirmative Africa Narrative and African comprehensive military empowerment.<br /><br />The Centrality of African Agency in African Development<br />The first requirement of this liberated development strategy and process is the emplacement of African Agency at the centre of African thought and action as the primary psycho-cultural foundation, ideological premise and endogenous propellant for Africa’s self-actuated development. In this context African Agency is the endogenously created psycho-cultural software embedded in societies with which African societies train, organize, motivate, self-activate and direct themselves to accomplish desirable ends individually and collectively. It is the absolute psycho-cultural grounding and ideological ownership of the African project devoid of compromises to any external imperatives. African Agency is grounded on the supremacy of African endocentric thought and motive-forces as the propellants of development as a self-directed imperative.<br /><br />Without contemporary Africans’ psychological internalization of this understanding and ownership of their development vision and their assumption of complete responsibility for self-actuated development, African societies will remain dependent, underdeveloped and insecure. Therefore the new liberated Africa vision must recognize the absolute necessity of the restoration of African Agency to primacy for any successful African actuated process of transformation. This new perspective is critically important because it has to be realized that one of the major challenges and primary impediment to Africa’s development since independence in the 1960s has been the absence of African Agency in African development as the directive force. This was due to the concerted and largely successful efforts of external multilateral imperialist forces (posing as omniscient advisers) working with psycho-ideologically unprepared and even naive African collaborator-leaders to promote exocentric authority and the corresponding marginalization, diminution and de-activation of African Agency in African development. Consequently, without the unquestioned ascendancy, centrality and directive role of African Agency, African development understood as Africans’ self-equipment for total liberation and radical transformation can never occur.<br /><br />The Liberated African State<br />Second, is the imperative of the creation of a new Liberated African State through the rigorous ideological cleansing, psychological re-empowerment and administrative reconstruction of the contemporary politically compromised and disabled neo-colonial African states that are more representative of external forces than national interests.<br /><br />The decolonization of the colonial African state and the evolution and emergence of the liberated state after independence was disrupted in the 1980s when most African states were captured and disabled by the cancerous ideologies, dogmas and prescriptions of the multilateral imperialist agencies – the World Bank and the IMF and their bilateral supporters in the context of the economic crises of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Embodied in various formulations and policy diktats such as the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), and its unvarying conditionalities: currency devaluation, subsidy removal, trade liberalization and others like deregulation, privatization, poverty reduction; these prescriptions have transformed African states into disabled, compromised, neo-colonial political-administrative contraptions that are responsible to neo-imperialist multilateral institutions and not to Africans. They therefore cannot serve Africa’s interests<br /><br />This is why it is imperative to create the new Liberated African state. It will be a strong and interventionist developmental state. Its raison d’ etre would be the representation and promotion of national interests. This Liberated African state will be grounded on the affirmation and militant expression of its untrammeled sovereignty; and the absolute non-compromise of national interests to any external agencies, formulations, dogmas and imperatives. It would self-consciously assume and assert uncontested ideological ascendancy. In fact the new liberated state will represent the completion of the decolonization of the African states and the emergence of truly endogenous states. It is only such Liberated African developmental states that can lead to the realization of the African citizens’ expectations for defence and protection, advanced development, material prosperity and freedom from want and colonialist philanthropy, psychological security and empowerment, dignity and equity with all other groups in the world.<br /><br />The African Development Capacitation System<br />The third critical requirement is the development and placement of an African Development Capacitation System as the primary motive-force for Africa’s social and economic transformation and creation of advanced societies. This is proposed against the background of the complete failure of the extant neo-colonial economic system inherited and maintained from colonialism. In over five decades of its use and application as the dominant economic management system and growth strategy it has yielded and maintained Africa in a state of development incapacitation, primary commodity exportation, secondary goods importation, dependency, poverty generation, incapacity for self-propulsion, and subjection to the diktat and control of multilateral imperialist agencies – the World Bank and IMF. It is quite clear that the extant exocentric economic system with its development motive forces externally situated is organically defective, un-reformable and inherently incapable of propelling Africa to the highest levels of development. <br /><br />Therefore in order for Africa to develop and achieve the highest levels of human development it has to own the instruments and systems of self-actuated development. This perspective is partly based on this author’s succinct definition of Development - as a society’s self-equipment with the resources and capacities for its self-reproduction. Consequently, the African Development Capacitation system is the creation and existence within all African societies of the endogenous capacities to conceive, design, construct, manage and operate projects in ALL sectors of the economy. These include the technological, scientific, managerial and operational capabilities for all facets of modern industrial and agricultural production and development self-propulsion.<br /><br />Practically, the components of the development capacitation system include the domestic possession and ownership of the following capacities: Project Conception and Design capabilities; Technological Production Capacity or Capital Goods Industries comprising : Engineering Industries for the manufacture of all types and levels of machine tools, industrial machinery and equipment, transport equipment, electrical and power equipment; electronic and professional tools and equipment. Intermediate Goods Industries (Metals, Heavy Chemicals, Petrochemicals, Paper, Rubber etc); Civil Engineering Construction Capabilities for large, medium and small scale projects; and Project management and operation and supervision Capabilities.<br /><br />This endogenous development capacitation system is found in all successful global examples of societal self-development as the prime movers of any society’s self-actuated transformation from conditions of UN-FREEDOM: material underdevelopment, mass poverty, indignity and colonialist philanthropy to new empowered conditions of FREEDOM: expressed as self-created material abundance and prosperity, psycho-cultural confidence and dignified existence. This is practically expressed in mass industrialization, modernized mass agricultural production, mass mineral exploitation and beneficiation primarily for domestic use; mass employment, mass prosperity generation; cultural elevation, self-actuation, self-agency, human dignity and societal power. This is in effect the enthronement of the strategy and process of endocentricity and its ineluctable creation and production of a state of development.<br /><br />The Affirmative Africa Narrative<br />The fourth basic requirement is the creation and permanent dissemination of a self-elevating paradigm or narrative to be known as the Affirmative Africa Narrative. Currently there is no global African created narrative that conceives, presents, projects and widely propagates a truthful, complex and elevating narrative of Africa and Africans. In its absence there exists a universal externally fabricated, pervasive and routinely propagated perverse perspective on Africa that I describe as the Pathological Africa Narrative. This narrative which evolved from the era of the European slave trade; was expansively propagated and consolidated during colonialism and has been fine-tuned and expanded since independence to the present to include other foreign propagators like Asians and even Africans. It presents an image and impression; perception and narrative of Africa as a world of deficits, lack, deprivation, absence, danger, disease, inaction, native incapacity, immobility and a basket charity case that is rescueable only by the self-assigned salvationary efforts of Western multilateral imperialist agencies – World Bank and IMF - their dogmas, experts and prescriptions. This Pathological Africa Narrative is not only inaccurate but it is also dangerous and damaging as it represents the software of African self-denigration, servility, surrender and incapacitation.<br /><br />In order to pursue the vision of liberated Africa it is imperative to create and propagate the Affirmative Africa Narrative. This would be a robust and unapologetic statement of African accomplishments in all areas of human endeavor since independence despite all internal and external obstacles. It would provide the psychological props and grounding among Africans for their self-representation. The Affirmative Africa Narrative is intended to confront, combat, degrade, pulverize, defeat, eliminate and replace the Pathological Africa Narrative that currently pervades external and internal descriptions and representations of Africa and Africans. In its place, the Affirmative Africa Narrative should become the primary perceptual representation and imagistic projection of an energetic and boundless; resurgent and self-directed Africa.<br /><br />Consequently, for Africans committed to racial upliftment and continental advancement and empowerment embodied in the new liberated Africa vision, the requisite framework of self-representation, self-projection and self-activation is the Affirmative Africa Narrative. This is thus a necessary and indispensable accompaniment and organic adjunct to the determined pursuit of the liberated African vision and mission.<br /><br />The Imperative of African Military Empowerment <br />A fifth requirement of the liberated Africa vision is the imperative of Africa’s military empowerment through deliberate provisions for continent-wide development of military capabilities. In order to meet the defence needs of a self-conscious people and continent determined to assume responsibility for its own self-advancement, self-protection, self-projection and emergence as a powerful and dynamic participant in global affairs, two range of actions are minimally imperative. <br /><br />First is the establishment and development of military industries throughout Africa to ensure that virtually all military equipment from the most basic to the most advanced are manufactured (not assembled) in Africa. This is will free Africa from its current pathetic situation of dependency for military wares from the countries which participated in the past in Africa’s conquest and colonization as well as from new armament producers and traders. To be militarily none self-equipped and self-reliant is to reside in a state of UNFREEDOM. <br /><br />The second aspect of African military empowerment is the revival, re-steaming and realization of the long-standing grand visions from the 1960s for continental defence institutions and systems. The founding nationalist and pan Africanist leaders of the 1960s and 1970s, had canvassed and proposed the development a comprehensive continental military defence system. This is was to be known as the African Military High Command. These pioneer leaders envisaged it as a powerful continental defence force for self-protection, internal security issues, intra-continental intervention, conflict resolution, contributions to continental and global peace keeping and management as needed and as a force of self-projection that announces Africa’s global presence. It would also be responsible for the security of African geo-political and oceanic spaces against foreign powers desirous of containing, controlling and constraining Africa by the establishment of their military cordon around the continent. <br /><br />The over-all rationale for the prescription of Africa’s military empowerment is due to the historical purblindness and psychological incapacitation of African leaderships and dominant elite since independence. In the light of the rapid conquest, colonization and exploitation of African communities after the Berlin Conference between the 1880s-1900s, self-conscious Africans should never have the luxury of forgetting that Africa was conquered primarily because of Western military superiority in arms and armaments. Thus it would seem minimally patriotic, psychologically imperative, behaviourially logical and eminently sensible that such a people and continent should give premium attention to the establishment of a powerful military capacity for defence and offense as indicated by its historical experiences and new status as sovereign states.<br /><br />Therefore a fulsome strategy for African military self-equipment and a powerful and expansive African Military High Command should be developed and incorporated as part of the liberated development strategy to equip Africa to defend, protect and project itself and to play a dynamic role in global affairs.<br /><br />Conclusion<br />The various elements outlined above constitute a new strategy and process of endocentric development or African Liberated Development and their application would produce Liberated Africa. This Africa would be truly self-made: developmentally transformed, ideologically self-directed, politically stable, technologically advanced, industrially developed, socially prosperous, culturally renascent, psychologically assertive, militarily powerful, a globally ascendant continent with self-restored human dignity, an Africa of which all Africans will be duly proud.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Distributed by APO on behalf of Ehiedu Iweriebor. </span></div> </div>

Liberated Africa: Pathways to Self-Transformational Development

By Ehiedu Iweriebor In the period since independence in the 1950s, Africa has undergone profound social, cultural, economic and politica...

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Landmark 80MW peat to power project in Rwanda reaches financial close

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAz0n6MUAMKfK4NW4AHGE7Z2SFBw4LQzRc76UKpIYbg8KKojXYhqAaAdcywLlmuwMAwWcU8hOKLUzCnPfEFZ6sNeIiJoLPRZMVzNQBtKQkXTioKvpLIMjkbn0jWUTrszto_mQh1i0wnVhU/s1600/ama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAz0n6MUAMKfK4NW4AHGE7Z2SFBw4LQzRc76UKpIYbg8KKojXYhqAaAdcywLlmuwMAwWcU8hOKLUzCnPfEFZ6sNeIiJoLPRZMVzNQBtKQkXTioKvpLIMjkbn0jWUTrszto_mQh1i0wnVhU/s400/ama.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">A US$350 million deal to finance an 80 megawatt (MW) peat to power project in Rwanda, which will improve access to electricity for the three quarters of the country's population that is currently off the grid, has reached financial close. <br /><br />The power plant, which is expected to increase installed capacity in Rwanda by 40%, will utilise the Country's significant peat reserves to improve the national installed generation capacity. Despite its status as one of Africa's fastest-growing economies, only 25% of Rwanda's population currently has access to reliable electricity.<br /><br />The plant is being constructed in the Mamba Sector of Gisagara District, one of the most remote areas in Rwanda, and is expected to be completed within three years.<br /><br />The Africa Finance Corporation is the Mandated Lead Arranger for the project debt, and has successfully arranged total senior debt facilities of US$245 million, contributing US$75 million in loans and providing an underwriting commitment of US$35 million.<br /><br />Finnfund, a Finnish Development Finance Company, served as the lead arranger for total mezzanine debt facilities of US$35 million for the project. The other lenders are Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank(TDB)African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Export-Import Bank of India, and Rwanda Development Bank (BRD).<br /><br />The project is sponsored by Hakan Madencilik A.S - an energy company from Turkey, and Quantum Power - a power and energy infrastructure investment platform. Themis Infra, an infrastructure development firm, is the Project Development Manager.<br /><br />Andrew Alli, CEO of AFC, commented on the announcement: "The move from costly external imports of fuel to more sustainable indigenous sources of energy such as peat will reap great rewards for Rwanda, not just in terms of the significant savings in foreign exchange hitherto used in importing expensive diesel oil for power generation, but also the positive economic and social benefits of providing more cost effective power for businesses and industries, as well as more affordable power for the people". <br /><br />"AFC prioritises investing in projects that will have significant advantages for the local community, which this plant will. It will also make a huge contribution to powering Rwanda's economic growth in the future, in line with the government's objectives."<br /><br />Rwanda aims to provide 70% of its 12 million people with power from the grid or off-grid by 2018, and the country intends to become a lower middle-income country by 2020<br /><br />Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).</span></div> </div>

Landmark 80MW peat to power project in Rwanda reaches financial close

A US$350 million deal to finance an 80 megawatt (MW) peat to power project in Rwanda, which will improve access to electricity for the t...

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Johnson & Johnson Names Winners of First Africa Innovation Challenge

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPbQxhbxazrGgDUJBT5gLMcwhRQM_LxyMsqsxi-6MigkluMoRBFW1RHyZ3E6KveM6Ppe-eSoUA87909-4YIc66rvk1SGed6N_x4JifkhpENck7MculzQJVkGe_54njmubOiiZ-q1Jb1VD/s1600/jpon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="71" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPbQxhbxazrGgDUJBT5gLMcwhRQM_LxyMsqsxi-6MigkluMoRBFW1RHyZ3E6KveM6Ppe-eSoUA87909-4YIc66rvk1SGed6N_x4JifkhpENck7MculzQJVkGe_54njmubOiiZ-q1Jb1VD/s400/jpon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Johnson & Johnson today named the winners of the first Africa Innovation Challenge at the Global <a href="http://www.jnj.com/">Entrepreneurship</a> Congress. The initiative, which received nearly 500 submissions from innovators and entrepreneurs across the continent, sought the best ideas for new, sustainable health solutions that will benefit African communities. The Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies comprises the world’s largest healthcare business and its presence in Africa dates back to 1930, including business operations, public health programs and corporate citizenship. The Africa Innovation Challenge is part of the company’s comprehensive approach to collaborate with and support Africa’s vibrant innovation, education and health systems institutions.<br /><br />In addition to the Africa Innovation Challenge winners, the company also announced today that it is a major partner of Women in Innovation and the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa, programs that seek to substantially increase the number of women on the continent working in the sciences. These announcements follow the prior week’s opening of two new Johnson & Johnson regional offices in Ghana and Kenya, which along with our South Africa-based global public health headquarters, will support health system strengthening and public health programs.<br /><br />“Africa is one of the fastest growing regions of the world, and Johnson & Johnson is proud to support this growth through strong collaborations that encourage innovation and accelerate advancements in the continent’s health systems,” said Paul Stoffels, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Johnson & Johnson. “We are seeing a surge of activity among entrepreneurs and health system leaders to develop important solutions that overcome longstanding health and societal challenges. By working together, we hope to bring meaningful solutions to patients and consumers more rapidly, to help cultivate the next generation of scientists, and to support Africa’s entrepreneurial base.”<br /><br />Africa innovation challenge<br /><br />The Africa Innovation Challenge, launched in November 2016, solicited novel ideas with a focus on three critical health areas: promoting early child development and maternal health; empowering young women; and improving family well-being. The three winning concepts embraced these themes as well as the goal of creating ongoing, sustainable businesses:<br />Project Agateka (Burundi) – The development of a sustainable solution to support girls who are unable to afford menstrual pads and underwear is an important need for young women. Project Agateka will provide a direct health solution as well as the opportunity for women and girls to generate income in Burundi. With the inclusion of health information, the initiative also provides health education to support improved sexual and reproductive health.<br />Project Kernel Fresh (Liberia) – Project Kernel Fresh sources natural palm kernels from smallholder women farmers, increasing their income. The entrepreneur cold presses the palm kernel oil to be used in organic cosmetics. The project will also create jobs for young women by training them to sell the products throughout Liberia.<br />Project Pedal Tap (Uganda) – Seeking to prevent disease transmission, and a reduction of water use, Project Pedal Tap will develop hands-free solutions for hand water taps in Uganda. The entrepreneurs will create manufacturing capabilities, using mostly recycled materials, which will lead to an ongoing business.<br /><br />“This was an extremely difficult competition to judge as there were many terrific ideas,” said Josh Ghaim, Chief Technology Officer, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. “The three winning projects demonstrated a strong benefit to local communities and the ability to empower young women, and they also have the potential to deliver ongoing economic support. We look forward to working with these entrepreneurs over the course of the next year to help them build sustainable operations.”<br /><br />Each of the three winning recipients will receive funding as well as mentorship from scientists, engineers, and operations members from the Johnson & Johnson Consumer Research & Development organization and other areas of the company.<br /><br />Supporting women in science and innovation careers<br /><br />Globally there is significant gender inequality in the sciences. To help address this, Johnson & Johnson has made a strong commitment to increase the number of Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Manufacturing and Design (WISTEM2D) careers. Last year, the company entered into 10 partnerships with institutions around the world to accelerate the development of WISTEM2D careers and supported other STEM initiatives globally.<br /><br />With the sponsorship of Women in Innovation (WiIN), and through the collaboration with the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA), the company expands its WISTEM2D commitment to Africa, where gender inequality in science and innovation careers mirrors gaps found around the world.<br /><br />WiIN is a new mentoring program that will reach 1,000 female college graduates in Rwanda and provide them with communication leadership skills and encourage them to pursue a career in the sciences. The pilot program, which will begin in 2017 and seeks to expand to other African countries, will provide week-long, comprehensive instruction and mentorship to recent women college graduates on how to pursue and maintain a career in the sciences.<br /><br />The AESA collaboration, which launched this month, will promote and accelerate the development of Africa’s research leadership, scientific excellence and innovation by encouraging and supporting WISTEM2D education and career development for young people, particularly females across the continent. The initiative will include entrepreneurial mentorship and internship programs for early career researchers, challenges, and other innovation initiatives. Throughout the year, employee volunteers from the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies will work with AESA to host WISTEM2D workshops and courses geared toward coaching scientific leadership and promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in Africa.<br /><br />“African millennials and entrepreneurs represent some of the best talent in the world. Our presence at the Global Entrepreneurs Congress here in Johannesburg and other Africa based conferences like the Next Einstein Forum, programs like the Africa Innovation Challenge, and partnerships with organizations like Women in Innovation and the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa reflect our confidence in Africa’s women and men and their potential to change the world through innovation,” said Seema Kumar, Vice President, Innovation, Global Health, and Policy Communication.<br /><br />New regional operations in Ghana and Kenya<br /><br />The new regional offices in Accra, Ghana and Nairobi, Kenya represent a novel approach to how Johnson & Johnson seeks to develop partnerships, products and service delivery models that address neglected and emerging health issues. Teams from the company’s consumer, medical device, pharmaceutical, global public health and Global Community Impact (GCI) groups will be located in a central office in each country, helping to bring an integrated approach to improving health outcomes in the region.<br /><br />“The expansion of our companies’ operations in Africa allows Johnson & Johnson to continue to build innovative, collaborative opportunities that meet a variety of market needs, including developing new pharmaceutical products, service delivery approaches and advocacy for health issues impacting vulnerable communities,” said Alma Scott, Head of Africa Operations and Partnerships, Global Public Health. “Through regional engagement with health delivery partners, we seek to support locally-executable programs that drive health impact.”<br /><br />About Johnson & Johnson in Africa<br /><br />The Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies have a strong legacy in Africa. More than 80 years ago, South Africa was selected as the company’s third overseas location and has steadily expanded its footprint in Africa to 27 countries. Today, Johnson & Johnson operates three manufacturing plants and employs more than 1,500 employees in Africa who serve the region’s diverse health needs through our consumer, commercial, global public health and corporate citizenship programs.<br /><br />Through innovation, collaboration and local engagement we are:<br />Cultivating Africa’s innovation through heath technology hubs;<br />Expanding R&D skills and capacity among African scientists;<br />Catalyzing healthcare infrastructure investments;<br />Enhancing collaboration with local health delivery partners;<br />Boosting education and training resources for healthcare workers;<br />Empowering African youth to thrive and become drivers of change;<br />Improving access to medicines.<br /><br />Distributed by APO on behalf of Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.</span></div> </div>

Johnson & Johnson Names Winners of First Africa Innovation Challenge

Johnson & Johnson today named the winners of the first Africa Innovation Challenge at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress. The ini...

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Togo Ministry of Health, Samsung and Vision Togo partner to bring state-of-the-art medical facilities to Togo

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TfGBdsrQS_EQyPBO-Mm1hfzUKb2jb5jKZzCKxIHA2gjM4ubtFfWM7lekR40GhwkF3WD5KD0RK1m9YdFjVQw9Ej8QKf0vYHMRHe0BNKsVT6LQebb2uJE1i6GG0_HhICryW2N2ptwuU08-/s1600/sum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TfGBdsrQS_EQyPBO-Mm1hfzUKb2jb5jKZzCKxIHA2gjM4ubtFfWM7lekR40GhwkF3WD5KD0RK1m9YdFjVQw9Ej8QKf0vYHMRHe0BNKsVT6LQebb2uJE1i6GG0_HhICryW2N2ptwuU08-/s400/sum.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">At least 24 villages in the Kara region are expected to benefit from a new health initiative spearheaded by electronics giant, Samsung, the Togo Ministry of Health and Vision Togo. The Samsung Mobile Health Clinic is a facility mounted onto a truck and is fully equipped to assist community members in the prevention and diagnosis of medical conditions. The truck will move between Lome and Kara in an eight week rotation to ensure maximum outreach. <br /><br />Speaking at the launch ceremony, Togo's Minister of Health, Prof. Moustafa Mijiyawa, says: "We wish to cultivate a culture of proactive healthcare in Togo. The Samsung Mobile Health Clinic supports our mission in championing a healthy nation with our people - to live well, live long and with peace of mind." <br /><br />Sir Paul Judge, founder of Vision Togo says: "We are encouraged by this partnership as it supports our goal to reduce inequalities in Togo. We forsee so many communities benefitting from these medical services and the Samsung Mobile Health Clinic is best placed to help us do this. We hope to roll out more clinics in other regions in the future. The mobile clinic will enable last mile health interventions as well as real time data gathering which is essential to improving overall access to healthcare in Togo." <br /><br />A large focus will be placed on screening people to establish conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, tooth decay and cataracts. The mobile clinic will also be used to educate the communities about health issues and encouraging people to take tests as a preventative measure. <br /><br />The Chief of Kpagouda, a village elder, says that the arrival of the mobile clinic in the village will contribute a lot to the reduction of tropical diseases and above all help improve efficiency in the local health system. "It will also empower women, since the clinic arrives direct to the village and they do not need to raise money to travel far to a health facility. It is a great honour for our village to be selected on the route of the mobile clinic." </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Mr. Lee Changwook, managing director for Samsung Electronics West Africa says: "Delivering effective healthcare in the continent usually means doing things differently. The Samsung Mobile Health Clinic is designed for use in remote rural areas, and intended to eliminate the economic and geographical barriers that prevent people from obtaining free quality medical attention." <br /><br />"We continuously strive to make a positive change in people's lives through our technology and expertise and help the United Nations in tackling the SDGs in Africa to achieve the agreed targets. We are confident the mobile clinic will bring positive change to the lives of people in Togo," he adds. <br /><br />Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Samsung Electronics.</span></div> </div>

Togo Ministry of Health, Samsung and Vision Togo partner to bring state-of-the-art medical facilities to Togo

At least 24 villages in the Kara region are expected to benefit from a new health initiative spearheaded by electronics giant, Samsung, ...

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AFC invests US$25 million in Egypt's Carbon Holdings

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVsUgQQkW82A3m4v-bhIltk7Yq4GAOSucPJ4rAz99lyeKU2kIygAqP7_wKl_yxupsS329AKRRFQW5Rep250yBv1wYX5K_XFjrTMewtrNoex_VIOptIK9DSamMHw2a9B11FNT_TaHUEttY/s1600/andrw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVsUgQQkW82A3m4v-bhIltk7Yq4GAOSucPJ4rAz99lyeKU2kIygAqP7_wKl_yxupsS329AKRRFQW5Rep250yBv1wYX5K_XFjrTMewtrNoex_VIOptIK9DSamMHw2a9B11FNT_TaHUEttY/s400/andrw.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Corporation (AFC), a leading pan-African multilateral development finance institution and project developer, has announced it is to invest US$25 million in Egyptian petrochemicals company Carbon Holdings Ltd.<br /><br /> Carbon Holdings primarily operates in the Suez Special Economic Zone. As well as exporting raw materials and end products, the company aims to develop an integrated large scale petrochemicals platform in Egypt to take advantage of the country's strategic geographic location along the Suez Canal. Subsidiary companies of Carbon Holdings include Oriental Petrochemicals Company, Egypt Hydrocarbon Corporation and Tahrir Petrochemicals Corporation.<br /><br /> In addition to AFC, the International Finance Corporation and Gulf Capital are providing capital to support the expansion of Carbon Holdings' operations. The Company's investment strategy will support the establishment of a robust raw materials base and ultimately the development of Egypt's manufacturing sector, delivering long term jobs to Egypt and helping to boost Africa's overall economic growth.<br /><br /> Commenting on the investment, Andrew Alli, CEO of AFC, said: "AFC prioritises investing in projects and businesses that can make a tangible impact on the people, their communities and the economy, and we believe that key to the next chapter in Africa's growth story is investing in companies such as Carbon Holdings which deliver industrial products across a broad reaching value chain. <br /><br /> "The government of Egypt is pursuing policies to diversify the economy and is supporting the private sector to develop new industries, including manufacturing, to create high value-add jobs for Egyptians. AFC is proud to be able to support Carbon Holdings to expand its operations and drive local employment."<br /><br /> Basil El-Baz, Chairman and CEO, Carbon Holdings said: "Carbon Holdings is at a very exciting stage in the development of its Egyptian petrochemicals business and relationships with our investors have been integral to our growth. I am delighted that through this investment we can now welcome AFC into this prestigious investor group. The addition of such a pre-eminent African institution is extremely important to Carbon Holdings and will further emphasise our strategic commitment to the industrial development of not only Egypt, but to our future industrial plans in Africa."<br /><br /> AFC was formed to provide specific project structuring expertise and risk capital for large-scale infrastructure projects that are needed across Africa to develop economies. In November 2016, AFC launched AfIDA, a think tank and network to promote and advance the development of more bankable infrastructure projects across Africa. AfIDA will work to develop market norms, conduct independent research and act as a policy advocacy forum for the industry.<br /><br /> The deal was arranged by Investbridge Capital, a Dubai-based privately-owned DFSA regulated independent provider of alternative asset management and corporate advisory services. <br /><br />Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).</span></div> </div>

AFC invests US$25 million in Egypt's Carbon Holdings

Corporation (AFC), a leading pan-African multilateral development finance institution and project developer, has announced it is to inve...

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Aiteo emerges Nigeria’s leading oil & gas company with record 90kpod output in 1 year

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6hTvOrmq5Imvbshczqi5D310wBrImCI9maSOu5HGhtsEsHtY22SYpVF7YFAZvx3ftHVCqozPihSmNAfNM93_gETimtkgxzw9ZjVVPtYrpLr909wbcnID3iVgrj8jbzjpLHbEYQpu5mi4/s1600/oit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6hTvOrmq5Imvbshczqi5D310wBrImCI9maSOu5HGhtsEsHtY22SYpVF7YFAZvx3ftHVCqozPihSmNAfNM93_gETimtkgxzw9ZjVVPtYrpLr909wbcnID3iVgrj8jbzjpLHbEYQpu5mi4/s400/oit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Integrated energy group <a href="http://aiteogroup.com/">Aiteo</a> has announced a peak production of 90kpod just one year after its acquisition of sub-Sharan Africa’s reputedly largest onshore oil bloc OML 29.<br /><br />Aiteo acquired OML 29 in September, 2015 when oil major Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) fully exited the facility. At the time of the divestment, average production was 23Kbpod. But Aiteo, one of the frontline sponsors of the justconcluded 16th Oil and Gas (NOG) Conference held in the country’s capital Abuja, says it has tripled this figure leveraging the diversity and skills of its work force and bona fides as a dynamic international energy conglomerate.<br /><br />Its CEO and Vice Chairman Benedict Peters said the company grew production from 23kbbl/d upon takeover of operations to a peak of 90Kbbl/d in one year. He also highlighted several existing and developing projects that could potentially grow Aiteo’s asset production to over 150 kbopd and 200mmscf/d. He said: “Our outlook is bright with 3 producing oil fields and viable crude exports via Bonny terminal. We also have contingent resources to appraise and prospective ones to explore in the medium-to-long term, including full 3D coverage and 2P NNS reserves at 1.6bn bbl. Put simply, we have a clear vision for the future with the experience and assets crucial to providing oil and gas consistently on a regional and global scale.” <br /><br />Aiteo’s ambitious five-year objectives include tackling the power challenges in Nigeria head-on through its legacy investments in the gas-to-power value chain. “This is a testament to our commitment to the transformation of the entire oil & gas value chain into a world-class landscape,” Peters added.<br /><br />The company’s main subsidiary Aiteo Eastern E&P is also a major infrastructure provider for Nigeria’s oil industry as the operator of the 97km Nembe Creek Trunk Line, an industry-wide evacuation pipeline for produced fluids covering much of the country’s Eastern Delta region.<br /><br />Aiteo’s Group Managing Director Mr. Chike Onyejekwe said: “Our growth drivers remain strong leadership, high commitment and motivation, technical and commercial excellence and superior asset base. In the next five years, our operations will continue to be guided by these qualities as we leverage our capabilities comparable to oil majors elsewhere in the world. Indeed, the future is Aiteo.”<br /><br />In the interim, Aiteo says it is developing a pipeline of power generation projects across Nigeria. The company is confident that its significant gas resources at OML 29 will transform the country’s oil rich Niger Delta region into a power generation hub of repute before long.<br /><br />Distributed by APO on behalf of Aiteo Group. </span></div> </div>

Aiteo emerges Nigeria’s leading oil & gas company with record 90kpod output in 1 year

Integrated energy group Aiteo has announced a peak production of 90kpod just one year after its acquisition of sub-Sharan Africa’s repu...

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