Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers and does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group.
In her four years at Sena Health Centre, midwife Goretti Adhiambo has seen too many lives lost to complications in pregnancy and childbirth. “We provide all the basic maternal health services at the health centre including antenatal care, but complicated cases have to be referred to the mainland hospital for specialized care,” she explained. 

Her health centre is located on the remote Mfangano Island in Kenya’s Homa Bay County. Reaching the mainland town of Mbita for treatment requires at least an hour’s boat ride – two, if the waters are choppy. During an obstetric emergency, this delay can be deadly.
In 2018, Ms. Adhiambo treated a young woman with labour complications. The woman was referred to the mainland for specialized care but died while being ferried to Mbita. “She was barely 18 years old, and to lose such a young life was very painful for my colleagues and me,” Ms. Adhiambo recalled.
Today, Ms. Adhiambo is the midwife in charge, overseeing the care of expectant mothers and newborns. And she has a new tool in her arsenal that can help identify complications long before they become life-threatening: an ultrasound device.
Putting tools in the hands of midwives
For years, pregnant women on Mfangano Island have had to travel to the mainland not only for emergency obstetric care, but also for diagnostic services as simple as an obstetric ultrasound screening. Such tools are often only available at specialist health facilities located in major towns and urban areas. As a result, pregnancy complications are often only identified at great effort and expense, too late for treatment, or not at all.
But this is starting to change.
Through a partnership between UNFPA, AMREF International University and the Phillips Foundation, portable ultrasound technology – and the training to go with it – are being made available to midwives from far-flung health centres in remote parts of Kenya.
Ms. Adhiambo and others recently learned how to use the portable machine, known as the Lumify Probe, from experienced sonographers who guided them on skills including: confirming whether a pregnancy is viable, visualizing and recognizing the number of fetuses, identifying where in the uterus the placenta is, and detecting the position of a fetus. By being able to spot issues, such as breech position of the fetus or multiple pregnancy, midwives are able to provide better advice, monitoring and referrals. 
“When midwives become proficient in providing basic obstetric ultrasound at point of care, early detection of pregnancy complications and timely referral to higher level health facilities can occur,” said Priscilla Ngunju, a project coordinator with AMREF International University. “Our hope is that more mothers are able to access at least one obstetric screen, done before 24 weeks of gestation, in keeping with the World Health Organization recommendations.” 
Empowered to save lives
The trained midwives also received Lumify Probe devices for their health facilities. And because the device is portable, the midwives are able to carry it with them when conducting home and community visits, expanding the reach of these critical services.
In addition to eliminating the cost of transport to the mainland, the programme has greatly lowered the cost of ultrasound screenings. Ultrasound screenings at the clinic cost Ksh 500 (about $5), while they can be double or triple the cost at specialist health facilities. 
Ms. Adhiambo says she is happy the expectant mothers she serves at Sena Health Centre will be spared these burdens.
“I learned a lot from the training, including how to interpret an ultrasound image, locating the placenta and detection of serious birth defects,” she told UNFPA. “I can now use my skills to save the life of a mother.” 
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Midwives bring portable ultrasound technology to remote communities in Kenya

Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers and does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group.
In a new report, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warns of the lack of support available for survivors of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Given the magnitude of such violence and its impact, MSF calls on the Congolese authorities and their partners to swiftly act in order to respond to the huge medical, legal, socioeconomic, and protection needs that we observe.

The figure is colossal. However, it is only the tip of the iceberg: in 2020, nearly 11,000 survivors of sexual violence were assisted with the support of MSF teams in six of the 26 provinces of the DRC, approximately 30 per day.
The data collected by MSF in 2020 shows a worrying picture of the physical and psychological state of patients treated for sexual violence: infections, unwanted pregnancies; physical injuries resulting from the violence; severe psychological trauma, including among minors who represented one fifth of patients treated by MSF in 2020.
&#8220;The extent of sexual violence in the DRC is recognized and denounced by many national and international actors,&#8221; said Juliette Seguin, MSF head of mission in the DRC. “Yet, this condemnation is not followed by sufficient actions, whether in terms of prevention, care or protection. Our teams on the ground are daily witnesses that needs are far from being met.”
Published on July 15, the MSF report stresses the shortcomings in the provision of care to survivors: medical staff inadequately trained, lack of medicines and medical supplies; unavailability of in socioeconomic and legal support&#8230;
If the emergency is above all a medical one, medical consultations carried out by MSF staff also reveal a lesser-known impact of sexual violence; its lasting economic and social impact on survivors. Following their aggression, many victims are too scared to go back to the fields, or are rejected by their communities, exacerbating their vulnerability and poverty while few reinsertion programmes are available for them.
&#8220;The immediate and long-term needs are significant but approaches and funding that would allow them to be met are severely lacking&#8221;, deplores Seguin. “Last year, for the DRC, less than 6% of international funding requested to respond to humanitarian health needs was disbursed, and 18% of the amount requested for the protection of populations and human rights. This trend continues in 2021. Beyond funding, some innovative approaches adapted to the local context are not implemented. The resulting lack of support constitutes a double penalty for survivors.”
The shortcomings identified by MSF in the support to survivors mirrors the weakness of the response to gender-based violence (GBV) in the country: in the first half of 2020, the United Nations estimate that barely one in four victims of GBV had access to medical care, 5% to psychosocial assistance, 15% to legal assistance, and only 0.5% of socioeconomic reintegration.
The MSF report therefore calls on the Congolese authorities, civil society, and their international partners to redouble their efforts to ensure comprehensive and good quality care for survivors of sexual violence –medical, psychological, socioeconomic, and legal support. These efforts must guarantee better access to urgent and long-term programmes, whether cases are linked to conflict or not and whether the aggression took place in a conflict zone or in a zone considered ‘more stable.’
&#8220;The narrative of sexual violence as a &#39;weapon of war&#39; tends to erase the fact that this violence is also perpetrated by unarmed men and in more stable regions where few actors are present to offer support&#8221;, explains Juliette Seguin. “While troop movements and fighting clearly increase the number of sexual assaults, these are also perpetrated by people not bearing arms, and their victims are equally in need of care, support, and protection.&#8221;
In 2020, MSF teams provided care for 4,078 victims of sexual violence in North Kivu; 3,278 in Kasaï-Central; 1,722 in Maniema; 907 in South Kivu; 768 in Ituri, and 57 in Haut Katanga.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).

DRC: Doctors Without Borders calls for urgent boost to support survivors of sexual violence

Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers and does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group.
Salamabila is a city of 71,000 inhabitants in the mining region of the province of Maniema, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The prevalence of sexual violence is alarming: on average, 120 to 150 patients who have suffered this type of violence come to MSF every month. However, it can be even more devastating. In March alone, 221 people came for consultation. To assist these people who suffer a lot of stigma, an innovative decentralized program was implemented by Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF): 18 reproductive health agents work directly in communities to identify and welcome people who have experienced this type of violence. In addition to raising awareness about this huge social problem, the health agents are prepared to provide essential first aid in the first 72 hours after the violence. With proper care and medication, it is possible to avoid sexually transmitted and other diseases as well as unwanted pregnancy.

In cases where the necessary care – both medical and psychological – is more complex, people are advised to seek help with the MSF team at the Salamabila’s regional hospital. There, one of the first people they will find is Nurse Jeanne Musaganwa Mwavita. Mama Jeanne, as she is known by everyone, has been working at MSF for more than a decade and now is part of the project aimed at women&#39;s reproductive health, especially for survivors of sexual violence. “In most cases, the women went to work in the fields and found armed men. After that, it is very difficult for them to have the courage to go back to the field, where they work to provide their livelihood”, she explains. “That is why it is so important that we not only undergo an assessment of their physical condition but also their mental health”, Mama Jeanne says, acknowledging the importance of a holistic approach for the survivors. Two psychologists are part of the MSF team in Salamabila. Often, their work goes beyond welcoming victims; families also need support to deal with the different emotions that arise after violence.
None left unscathed
A vast majority of women who fell victim to rape are rejected by their husbands and their families. In Kananga, Kasai province, the mental health supervisor at MSF&#39;s clinic Corneille Kangangila explains the magnitude of the problem across the DRC. “Often, the patient does not suffer from any pathology but claims to feel &#39;pain everywhere&#39;. For us, this is an entry point for starting psychological care,” he says. Just outside Kananga’s Provincial Hospital, MSF runs a specialized clinic where survivors of sexual violence receive free healthcare, including psychological care. “Sexual violence does not only have medical consequences. It is an invisible pain. What touches me deeply is the level of violence our patients goes through. The extent of the trauma caused not only by the rape itself but also by the rejection of the victim,&#8221; tells Kangangila.
“The first place to go after a rape must be the hospital, to receive the necessary medical care as quickly as possible, as well as to have access to mental health support”, says Marlène Minbie, a doctor of the Health Ministry who works at the MSF clinic in Kananga. “I remind everyone around me including the police that the important thing is, first of all, to tell the survivor to seek medical care. Many seek socio-legal support first, which is understandable: they try to find a way to protect themselves”, she adds.
Léonie* knows this situation well. She was raped by armed men in front of her husband and six children. “I am no longer the same person. When I got home, my husband rejected me and kicked us out of the house, the children, and me. I have been living with relatives for three months.” Today, she sells everything she can along the road to put food on the table for herself and her children. Many women who have experienced the same type of violence do not even find a place of shelter and depend on the support of specific programs for survivors. However, without funding to keep these programs active, that support often never arrives.
In 2020, MSF medical and mental health staff assisted 10,810 survivors of sexual violence in 22 projects run by the organization in the DRC. Among those assisted, 98% were women and 62% sought help within the first 72 hours, with notable differences between regions. In view of its scale and its consequences, sexual violence must be considered a major emergency by the Congolese authorities, donors, and all humanitarian organizations present in the country. While MSF teams provide as much medical including psychological care to the victims as they can, the phenomenon calls for a much stronger response in terms of health, protection, and the law. The current lack of support means that the survivors are &#8220;sentenced twice&#8221;, and MSF, therefore, pleads that national and international efforts be rapidly scaled up in order to meet the urgent and long-term needs of all the victims.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).

It takes a whole village: the need of a multiple approach to assist survivors of sexual violence

Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers and does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group.
The Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (www.OKACOM.org) Council of Commissioners (bit.ly/3B5c3mo) representing the riparian states of Angola, Botswana, and Namibia recently convened to discuss the oil and gas exploration activities of Canadian based company ReconAfrica, in the transboundary Cubango-Okavango River Basin (CORB) which is shared by the three countries. Mandated by the three member states to advise on the conservation, development, and sustainable utilisation of water resources in the CORB, OKACOM organised the Council meeting specifically to discuss the explorative activities based in the north-east of Namibia and north-west of Botswana to determine the presence of oil and gas. ReconAfrica’s activities not only resulted in national and regional concern, but has also attracted international attention with fears of adverse environmental impact on the Basin, both in the short term and long term. Media reports have highlighted the concern of potentially affected stakeholders such as the communities living within the Basin.

Firstly, the Commission recognises the legitimacy of Petroleum Exploration License PEL073 and PEL001 issued to ReconAfrica by the relevant authorities in both Namibia and Botswana respectively, both of which are at varying stages. Both governments, through the Ministries responsible for mining and energy, have issued official statements stating that the explorative activities are well within environmentally safe boundaries and do not pose any harm to the Basin. In advising members states on issues affecting the environmental integrity of the Basin, the Commission has to ensure that this status is sustained by member states individually and jointly through adhering to agreed key principles with regards to any major developments in the basin including these exploration activities.

A Shared Vision for the CORB
The CORB is internationally renowned for its significantly high biological productivity and iconic biodiversity, making it one of the most important biodiversity conservation areas in the world. Hence, its status as a Wetland of International Importance (a Ramsar site) and a 1000th World Heritage site under the UNESCO Convention. In light of this the Commission re-affirmed its commitment to uphold a shared vision for the Basin which states that all efforts will be employed to achieve an “economically prosperous, socially just and environmentally healthy development of the Cubango-Okavango River Basin”.

Adherence to Environmental Impact Assessment Processes 
The Member States reported that a key objective and commitment is to ensure that ongoing and proposed prospecting activities are done outside of the core and buffer zones of the delineated protected conservation areas as provided for in their respective environmental legislations, and ReconAfrica will need to comply as indicated in their project plans.

This is to be enforced through the respective ministries responsible for water and environment, and further to the member states will make an effort to ensure that their respective Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) legislations and approaches are harmonized and synchronized in order to ensure comparability of results. The Council agreed that an approved EIA report should precede any subsequent stages of the exploration work and if found at any stage that there is a significant threat to the integrity of the Basin and the local communities, the process should be duly suspended.

Notification, Consultation, and Negotiation on Planned Measures in the Basin 
The process of Notification, Consultation, and Negotiation (bit.ly/36D3TDL) of riparian states regarding planned measures that could cause transboundary impacts is closely related to the obligation of prevention of ‘significant harm’. In light of the current explorative activities taking place, the prevention of ‘significant harm’ and ‘significant adverse effects’ to co-riparian states has become a key management aim between all three Member States. The basic principle requiring States not to permit the causing of significant harm to other riparian states is laid down in international conventions, in customary international law, in national legal regulations, and/or in cooperation agreements of countries sharing river basins. Thus, each Member State concerned should prepare and submit relevant information and notification to other Member States in the Basin as soon as possible in line with the forgoing legislations and guidelines. Further to this, the relevant Ministers should be involved and adequately briefed and advised on the status of these initiatives for them to make the necessary decisions as appropriate and guide the process.

Stakeholder Consultations 
The Commission duly agreed that stakeholder consultation, involvement, and subsequent agreement should be pre-requisite for any further work in relation to oil and gas exploration in the Basin. All member states will ensure that this is fully implemented at all stages of the process through the relevant ministries. Stakeholder consultation is key in safeguarding the participation and involvement of communities and other affected parties within the Basin and should be documented and done transparently.

The Commission commits that it will ensure the gains that have been achieved by the Basin over the more than 25 years of the tripartite existence are not reversed by activities that may negatively affect the wellbeing of the Basin and its communities. As an advisory body to the three Member States, OKACOM not only commits to ensuring that comprehensive monitoring of the process is undertaken, but will act in convening the necessary meetings and platforms for discussion and information sharing from Member States. 
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of OKACOM.
Contact Information: The Office of the Executive Secretary OKACOM Secretariat Enquiries Email: info@okacom.org Website: www.OKACOM.org

­­­­­­­­­­About OKACOM: The Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM) is a River-Basin Organisation, established by the governments of Angola, Botswana and Namibia under the 1994 Agreement, with the mandate to advise the three Member States on the conservation, development and sustainable utilisation of water resources in the Cubango-Okavango River Basin. The Council of Commissioners is the principal organ of OKACOM comprising of representatives from each member state, responsible for defining and guiding the development of policy and general supervision of the activities of OKACOM.

Member States of the Cubango-Okavango River Basin Commit to Working Together to Ensure Environmental Principles are Upheld

Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers and does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group.
Ster-Kinekor, the official Cannes Lions representative in South Africa, along with Bizcommunity, online media partner to Ster-Kinekor, and The Creative Circle, invite you to book now for Cannes Trend Talks 2021 presented by Ann Nurock.

This year, the world’s most prestigious advertising festival, Cannes Lions went online for the first time and Ann Nurock and some of SA’s leading creatives, who were all category judges at this year’s festival, watched the talks by global thought leaders, analysed award-winning campaigns and identified key themes, to bring you their insights at Cannes Lions Trends Talks 2021 taking place online Thursday, 22 July.

Get the inside scoop on what’s really cutting through with audiences, as well as what’s steering the direction for local and global creative communities. – Cannes Lions

Find out about the 42% of consumers who make up the global Accenture study who said they would switch brands from providers who did not have relevant societal impact, and curated examples of the award-winning work with analysis. Ann Nurock presents her annual case studies, which show how creativity continues to be a driver in identifying and addressing some of the world&#39;s most urgent problems. “The work this year was really fresh, not because it was new, but because it was more human. Work that solved problems delivered a better ROI,” Ann Nurock, senior partner: Relationship Audits Management, industry advocate and Cannes Lions reporter. Book out 2pm-6pm 22 July 2021 in your calendar for this immersion session virtually together with your peers with Q&#038;A sessions after each speaker. Cannes Lions Trends Talks 2021 Programme
 	2pm: Welcome by MC Neo Mashigo, presents Creative Circle rankings 	2.20pm: Ann Nurock “The year that changed everything” trends presentation 	3.20–3.30pm: Q&#038;A 	3.30pm: Break, awards-winning reels 	3.40pm: Panel discussions: 	  	 		Brett Morris (Film Lions juror) 		Steph van Niekerk (Industry Craft Lions) 		Lufuno Mavhungu (Radio and Audio Lions juror) 	 	 	4.15pm: Break, award-winning reels 	4.35pm: Neo Mashigo hosts panellists: 	  	 		Nkgabiseng Motau (Print&#038;Publishing Lions juror) 		Tanya Schreuder (Media Lions juror) 		Bryan Habana (Entertainment Lions for Sport jurors) 	 	 	6pm: Event to conclude 
 Book now for this annual industry highlight proudly brought to you by Ster-Kinekor, official SA Cannes Lions representatives, Creative Circle and Bizcommunity (supported by the Loeries). Save the date and book now: 22 July 2021 | 2pm | R150 per ticket Secure your ticket by email: cannestrendtalks@sterkinekor.com For more:
 	Bizcommunity search: Cannes Lions content in Biz 	Google news search: Cannes Lions on Google News 	Twitter search: Cannes Lions Twitter search 	Official site: http://www.canneslions.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram 
More info: Cannes Lions special section

 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Bizcommunity.

Cannes Trend Talks 2021 Official Programme and invitation

Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers and does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group.
The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) (www.AWIEForum.org) opens the nominations for the 2021 annual AWIEF Awards.

Currently in its fifth edition, the prestigious AWIEF Awards recognise, honour, and celebrate women entrepreneurs and business owners in Africa and across various industry sectors for their  achievements and contribution to Africa’s inclusive economic growth and social development.
AWIEF Awards cover emerging and established entrepreneurship in the private and not-for-profit sectors. AWIEF Awards noninees are women who have demonstrated outstanding vision and inspiration and have overcome challenges to make a significant social impact and/or become successful in their businesses in line with AWIEF’s core areas of innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and socio-economic development.
Daisy Mmabatho Molefhi, Founder and Vice Chancellor of ABM University College, the oldest private tertiary education institution in Bostwana, and last year’s winner in the category of Lifetime Achievement Award, had this to say, “It was a great honour to receive this award. I want to see many more women holding this trophy. It’s so significant to me, and I want to encourage women out there to enter or nominate someone so that Africa can recognise them.” 
Irene Ochem, AWIEF Founder and Chief Executive Officer commented: “We have been amazed by the standard of entries over the years. This year we project entries from entrepreneurs who will be addressing some of humanities greatest concerns, especially in the current COVID-19 pandemic challenges. Each entrant is firmly grounded in the reality of the African landscape, presenting practical solutions to address relevant issues. We will continue to identify and bring these women to AWIEF to recognise and celebrate them for their passion and determination in making a difference in their countries and on the continent”.
Entries and nominations for the 2021 AWIEF Awards begin on 15 July 2021 and close on 23 August 2021. You can either nominate yourself or be nominated by someone else.
Winners of the 2021 AWIEF Awards will be announced and celebrated at the 7th Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) Virtual Conference and Awards hosted on 2-3 December 2021, with the theme ‘Advancing inclusive, resilient and sustainable growth in the post-COVID-19 African economy’.
AWIEF’s prestigious annual event is a platform that sees global thought leaders, industry experts, policymakers, academics, development partners, investors, and the media gather to dialogue, connect, network, share, collaborate and transact in a combined effort to boost Africa’s entrepreneurship ecosystem for women.
The eight AWIEF Awards categories are:
 	Young Entrepreneur Award 	Tech Entrepreneur Award  	Agri Entrepreneur Award 	Creative Industry Award 	Empowerment Award 	Energy Entrepreneur Award 	Social Entrepreneur Award 	Lifetime Achievement Award 
To nominate yourself or someone you know, go to www.judgify.me/AWIEFAwards2021
Click here to listen to the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner: https://youtu.be/QMi3_ug_Rnk
Entries and nominations close on 23 August 2021.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF).
Media Contact: Email: info@awieforum.co.za

Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum Announces Call for Nominations for AWIEF Awards 2021

Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers and does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group.
Energy Capital&#038;Power (ECP) (www.EnergyCapitalAndPower.com) is proud to announce that it has entered into a strategic knowledge partnership with Norway-based Rystad Energy; This enables ECP to utilize Rystad Energy’s valuable data, tools and analytics for the production of web content, investor reports, and event programs, adding greater depth to ECP’s capability in analyzing African energy developments; Drawing on Rystad Energy’s impressive track record and credibility, and ECP’s experience in African markets, this cooperation will ensure Rystad Energy’s active participation in ECP events.

Energy Capital&#038;Power (ECP) is proud to announce that it has entered into a cooperation agreement with Norway-based energy knowledge provider Rystad Energy. With a focus on increasing ECP’s capability in analyzing African energy developments and emerging markets, while advancing Rystad Energy’s footprint in the African energy space, this cooperation will draw on Rystad Energy’s knowledge and resources, and ECP’s experience and connections, to contribute to Africa’s energy development.
As an independent energy research and business intelligence company, Rystad Energy is committed to ensuring quality decisions are made by energy stakeholders. The knowledge company provides data, tools, analytics and consultancy services to global energy stakeholders, predominantly within oil and gas markets; supply chains; renewable energy and the energy transition, with the aim of ensuring sustainable energy development. With transparency as a core focus, achieved through accurate and actionable insights across the entire energy value chain, Rystad Energy facilitates progressive and productive energy decisions through the provision of a comprehensive analysis of historical, present and future activities in the energy sector. 
ECP remains committed to bringing investment to all segments of the energy value chain in Africa and globally. With a lineup of transformative events, regular thought-provoking online content, and the creation of in-depth investment reports, ECP facilitates global and intra-African investment and collaboration. With ECP seeking support on data content and expert guidance to fulfill its mission to grow sustainable energy investments in Africa, the agreement will bring greater quality to both ECP’s content and programming while increasing Rystad Energy’s visibility in Africa. Under the terms of the cooperation, Rystad Energy will contribute data and analytics to ECP for the production of web content and investor reports.
“By integrating Rystad Energy’s expertise, data and analytics with ECP’s reach and experience in African markets, we have established a formidable partnership that will drive productive decisions and sustainable developments across the entire African energy value chain,” states Per Magnus Nysveen, Senior Partner and Head of Analysis, Rystad Energy.
Additionally, Rystad Energy will play an active role in ECP’s upcoming energy events by presenting, moderating, and participating in key panel discussions. The partnership builds on Rystad Energy’s impressive track record and credibility in the global energy industry to advance ECP’s agenda to promote sustainable energy developments, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global move towards the energy transition.
“Rystad Energy is a valuable partner for ECP as we strive for sustainable energy developments, productive decisions, and accelerated African energy sector growth. With Rystad Energy agreeing to be a knowledge partner to ECP, we will be even more equipped to drive investment in the African energy sector, backed by up-to-date and comprehensive data and insights. The strategic cooperation will not only ensure the provision of in-depth content, but will contribute to the success of ECP’s upcoming events,” says Kelly-Ann Mealia, Chairperson, ECP.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&#038;Power.

Advancing Energy Sector Knowledge: Energy Capital & Power and Rystad Energy Start Strategic Cooperation

Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers and does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group.
Cannes (France), first place in world press coverage thanks to its famous film festival, a platform of global influence, has just hosted the 5th edition of the Better World Fund. At the podium, Eileen Akbaraly, founder of Made For A Woman (www.MadeForAWoman.shop), reaffirmed her entrepreneurial and creative commitment to an innovative project which is respectful of nature and profoundly human. She received the Unity Peace Award BWF.

A stone’s throw from Spike Lee&#39;s “summer palace”, the splendid president of what is, this mid-July, the most important crossroads for celebrities on the planet, a conscience of tomorrow was invited to this forum of new worlds. This was an opportunity for the young Madagascan raffia-palm craft brand to promote its values and ambitions.
Invited to speak at the high-end advocacy session ‘Mastermind’ at the opening of this day presented by the Better World French endowment fund, Eileen Akbaraly challenged the public regarding the modern mission of companies. “Customers want transparency about the origin of materials, products that have meaning, an identity inseparable from their territory. The act of purchasing is aligned with a certain relationship to the world which values human action and demonstrates natural balance.”
It is a major development for all economic and creative players from the South as well as the North, confirmed by the presence of other panelists such as OECD adviser Louis Maréchal, the president of the René Moawad Foundation, Michel Moawad from Lebanon, geopolitician Mikaa Mered, Ghanaian politician Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, and even international lawyer Stéphane Brabant.
During the evening, several hundred prestigious guests were able to appreciate the immanent beauty of the unique works of Made For A Woman, produced in the brand&#39;s workshops in Madagascar. Bags, tunics, and hats, made by hand in the tradition of the living heritage of Madagascar and colored without heavy metals or dangerous chemicals, offered testimony to a desire to magnify this inseparable link between nature, women, and men who inherit it and the risky, daring part called intelligence in action. Traceability was illustrated by the film “The Raphia Journey” by Geoffrey Gaspard, produced by Eileen Akbaraly, which was presented to guests on the Croisette.
https://bit.ly/2TdHCJN
At the end of the event, Eileen Akbaraly received the Unity Peace Award [Best Commitment] from the collective Union-Life International.
Created by Manuel Collas de La Roche as a forum conducive to advocacy for peace, solidarity, and humanism, the Better World Fund held its 5th edition within the prestigious framework of the 74th Cannes Film Festival. Over the years, it has honored personalities of international rank including Jean-Michel Cousteau, Mary J. Blige, Denis Mukwege, Forest Whitaker, and HRH Prince Albert.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Made for a Woman.
For more images: https://bit.ly/3z2ZOoO
Press Office: fazdahall@gmail.com +27 834 133 346 vincent.garrigues@meroe.global +33 640 460 542
MADE FOR A WOMAN Anosivavaka, Ambohimanarina, Antananarivo, Madagascar
https://MadeForAWoman.shop/ https://www.instagram.com/madeforawoman/

Madagascan designer Eileen Akbaraly honored at Cannes

Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers and does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group.
Communities living across the eastern most peninsula of Africa will be able to enjoy 4G services on their mobile phones following a three-year partnership  agreement signed by fixed satellite solution and professional service provider, iSAT Africa and SES (www.SES.com), the leader in global content connectivity solutions. The two companies announced today that this new service will be available first via SES’s O3b medium earth orbit (MEO) constellation to subsequently migrate and expanded to SES’s next-generation MEO system, O3b mPOWER, in 2022.

iSAT Africa is well-established in the region for embracing innovative mobile internet connectivity solutions for unconnected rural communities in Africa. Through SES’s highly-flexible and scalable O3b mPOWER system that can deliver low-latency high-speed connectivity services from tens of megabits to multiple gigabits per second to a single site, iSAT Africa will be able to quickly scale its network to meet anticipated extensive connectivity demands. The fibre-like connectivity will equip iSAT Africa to enable local mobile operators to deploy 4G services to close the digital divide. iSAT Africa is among the first companies in Africa to sign up for O3b mPOWER.

According to the GSMA 2020 report, mobile coverage has been expanding in Sub-Saharan Africa quickly; 3G coverage expanded to 75% compared to 63% in 2017, while 4G doubled to nearly 50% compared to 2017. However, the coverage gap in Sub-Saharan Africa remains the highest globally as it is home to 67% of the world’s population not covered by mobile broadband. This is because attempts to deploy 4G networks in sparsely-populated rural and remote areas continue to be an economic challenge. With telcos and internet service providers increasingly seeking innovative, cost-effective yet reliable connectivity solutions, SES’s MEO satellite-based MEF-certified service that can ensure seamless interconnectivity with any network is an ideal solution.

“At iSAT Africa, we don’t just believe in delivering connectivity to everyone across Africa. It’s also about delivering differentiated, cost-effective and reliable services that will enable various businesses to expand. This agreement represents a leap towards achieving that mission with iSAT Africa being able to deliver 4G services to communities and businesses located in underserved areas. As long-term partners of SES, we are confident this innovative solution will enable us to offer differentiated connectivity services to our telco customers,” said Rakesh Kukreja, Founder and Managing Director  at iSAT Africa.

John-Paul Hemingway, CEO of SES Networks said, “We will be able to revolutionise the connectivity capabilities of mobile operators across Africa together through this agreement with iSAT Africa. The O3b and O3b mPOWER systems will easily enable the deployment of 4G services and high-performance networks for cloud applications regardless of where they are across the region. The enhanced flexibility and scalability of O3b mPOWER will truly connect Africans living in underserved areas in the most economically viable manner.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of SES.
For further information please contact: Suzanne Ong External Communications Tel. +352 710 725 500 suzanne.ong@ses.com
Follow us on: Twitter: https://bit.ly/36AdjQj Facebook: https://bit.ly/2UOJ0Tk YouTube: https://bit.ly/36A6Vc7 LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/36JHd4F Instagram: https://bit.ly/3emtHZc Read our Blogs: https://bit.ly/3z3Pooz Visit the Media Gallery: https://bit.ly/3emoh0e
About SES: SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless connectivity around the world. As the leader in global content connectivity solutions, SES operates the world’s only multi-orbit constellation of satellites with the unique combination of global coverage and high performance, including the commercially-proven, low-latency Medium Earth Orbit O3b system. By leveraging a vast and intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES is able to deliver high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to the world’s leading telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners. SES’s video network carries over 8,200 channels and has an unparalleled reach of 361 million households, delivering managed media services for both linear and non-linear content. The company is listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.SES.com.
About iSAT Africa: iSAT Africa, a fast-growing communication service provider in Africa and Middle East, is a UAE based company whose mission is to transform the way Africa gets and stays connected with the rest of the world. iSAT’s unique connectivity solutions deliver efficiency, reliability and affordability for Data, Internet, Voice and Video solutions . These customized solutions serve broadcast and media organizations, multinationals, major ISPs, Governmental and Non-Governmental organizations as well as Tier 1 telecom operators.
With its network of partners and service providers, iSAT Africa is able to satisfactorily deliver end-to-end solutions, turn-key solutions and managed services to it’s customers/ partners within the shortest time possible whilst adhering to agreed upon service level agreements.
iSAT’s Satellite Solutions, backed by powerful satellites, teleport and data infrastructure, latest technologies and inhouse human expertise is very unique in the industry. It is against this background that iSAT Africa partners with other leaders within the telco space in a bid to adequately meet its customers ever growing demand for telecommunication services across the African continent.

iSAT Africa and SES Networks to Provide Reliable 4G Services in East Africa via O3b mPOWER

Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers and does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group.
Khris Middleton scored 40 points, the Greek Freak Giannis Antetokounmpo added 26 points, 14 rebounds and 8 assists and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Phoenix Suns 109-103 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals (www.NBA.com), tying the best-of-seven series at 2-2. After struggling in Game 3, Suns guard Devin Booker exploded with 42 points, but could not turn the tide down the stretch. It is now a best-of-three series which moves back to Phoenix for Game 5 on Saturday night, LIVE on ESPN at 3:00 a.m. CAT on Sunday morning.

Download document (1): Postgame Booker and Paul (https://bit.ly/3xGXUcV)
Download document (2): Postgame Giannis (https://bit.ly/3yYZQOj)
Download document (3): Postgame Middleton and Connaughton (https://bit.ly/2TgrqaG)
Download document (4): Postgame Mike Budenholzer (https://bit.ly/3wJNoQZ)
Download document (5): Postgame Monty Williams (https://bit.ly/3rcKh31)
Please see the postgame transcripts attached and highlights below.
Postgame Quotes:
KHRIS MIDDLETON (BUCKS): “Just the energy. I&#39;ve been playing in this building for two years now. A lot of shots. I guess I&#39;ve got to get some extra shots in Phoenix and whatnot. But just got to find a way to knock down shots when I&#39;m on the road. It&#39;s been tough for me all postseason long. Just got to find a way.”
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO (BUCKS): “Tough game. Tough game. It wasn&#39;t a pretty game, but we grinded through. They played really good, really good. You have to give them credit. But as I said, three minutes before in the timeout in my head, I&#39;m like, you&#39;ve got to keep making plays; right now, it&#39;s how bad do you want it? If they go up 3-1, it&#39;s a whole different ballgame. I feel like it was just emotions. Sometimes I block shots and I run the other way, but I think there was so much emotions into me and I tried to enjoy that moment. And there&#39;s sometimes that you have a block, you have a three, whatever, run to the other end. But for me, the way I play, the way I want to play moving forward, I want to enjoy every single moment. That was a moment that I felt like our team was turning it around and we were getting momentum and Khris was hitting big shots. It felt good.”
DEVIN BOOKER (SUNS) ON HIS 42-POINT NIGHT: “It doesn&#39;t matter at all. I said that after last game too, when I struggled shooting it. The main objective is to win the game. So anything that goes on throughout the game, it doesn&#39;t matter, for real.”
CHRIS PAUL (SUNS): “You can&#39;t just bank on the fact that you got home court, you got to go out there and play the game. You got to go out there and execute, so we&#39;ll do that, we&#39;ll do that. We tend to respond well but it&#39;s easy. We know what we got to do, we know what we got to do. Be better.”
MIKE BUDENHOLZER (BUCKS HEAD COACH): “Yeah, I think this is kind of a mental toughness win for us. I think both teams are scrapping. I thought Jrue made several winning plays late &#8212; the steal, I thought he came up with a big defensive rebound in traffic and I thought he came up with a big offensive rebound. So I think for him just to stick with it, the mental toughness that you mentioned, that&#39;s how he&#39;s built. He&#39;s a winner, and he made a lot of winning plays those last three or four minutes.”
MONTY WILLIAMS (SUNS HEAD COACH): “It&#39;s huge and it&#39;s not just Giannis, it&#39;s all of their guys. I mean first play of the game the other night, we talked about it the other day, like Jrue gets a corner three. We didn&#39;t have the heightened awareness in that environment, for sure. We talked about it for two days. They&#39;re a pace team as well.”
For postgame media availability, please click on the links below:
 	Suns media availability (https://bit.ly/3kmvUaE) 	Bucks media availability (https://bit.ly/3khQ7yx) Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).

2021 NBA Finals Game 4 Recap – Bucks Tie the Series 2-2

Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers and does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group.
New service BeduConnect links GCC countries with North Africa; Saloodo! (www.Saloodo.com) is the first digital marketplace to offer road freight connection between the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa; Road freight connection is faster than ocean freight and cheaper than air freight.

The digital road freight platform Saloodo!, is expanding its services in Middle East and Africa by offering a new road freight connection between the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman) and North Africa (Egypt, Libya and Sudan). BeduConnect was set up to connect countries of the Arabian Peninsula with North African trading partners due to capacities in both air freight and ocean freight being currently tight.
“Having recently expanded to Libya, thanks to the success of the Saloodo! platform, we are now very proud to be the first logistics provider to establish road freight connections between the GCC countries and North Africa. Road freight is particularly effective here, as it is cheaper than air freight and has faster lead times than ocean freight” says Tobias Maier, CEO of Saloodo! Middle East and Africa. “In addition, BeduConnect makes it easier for shippers to identify trusted carriers, help carriers manage their fleets and optimize their capacity.”
BeduConnect is available for Full-Truck-Load and comes with all known Saloodo! features. The digital platform simplifies the search for suitable freight forwarders so that the right partners can be found more quickly from a network of verified freight forwarders. In addition, the platform recommends a transport price based on current market data. The supply chains are completely digitalised, the management of transport documents can also be easily accessed online, and a real-time shipment status provides the desired service for customers. With a combination of logistics expertise backed by DHL, as well as the flexibility and digital skills of a start-up, Saloodo! lends weight to the digitalization efforts of the logistics sector in the Middle East and Africa.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Saloodo!.
Point of contact: Deutsche Post DHL Group Media Relations David Stöppler Phone: +49 228 182-9944 E-mail: pressestelle@dpdhl.com
On the Internet: www.dpdhl.com/press Follow us at: www.twitter.com/DeutschePostDHL
About Saloodo! Saloodo! combines the best of two worlds: The digital freight platform, founded by Deutsche Post DHL Group in 2016, combines the logistics expertise and infrastructure of a global player with the flexibility and digital skills of a start-up. Saloodo! simplifies the day-to-day processes of shippers and hauliers with a powerful end-to-end, digital solution for commissioning and handling shipments. This maximizes the transparency and efficiency of the entire transport process.
By offering the free choice of a neutral online marketplace and the security and convenience of a digital freight forwarder, Saloodo! is the answer to the progressive digitization in the highly fragmented transport market.
About DHL – The logistics company for the world: DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 400,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing&#038;energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.
DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 66 billion euros in 2020. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. Deutsche Post DHL Group aims to achieve zero-emissions logistics by 2050.

Saloodo! launches with BeduConnect a road freight service between Middle East and Africa

Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers and does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group.
Provides systemic liquidity and supports vital supply chains across Africa’s markets; Sustains and increases access to goods and services during the pandemic; Bolsters economic opportunities and inclusive growth, in markets such as Togo, Burkina Faso and Chad.

CDC Group, the UK’s Development Finance Institution and impact investor, has announced a US$50 million trade finance facility for Ecobank International (EBI SA), the Paris based member of the Ecobank Group.

This marks CDC’s first partnership with EBISA with the commitment aimed at providing systemic liquidity to underserved markets and crucial trade finance support to local banks and businesses across Africa.

The Covid-19 crisis has had a significant adverse effect on trade flows, business operations and jobs in Africa’s markets. This CDC facility will support the continent’s economic recovery and is expected to generate between US$70 &#8211; $140 million in additional trade annually. The investment will enhance the import of essential goods, commodities and capital equipment, while also helping to expand access to goods and services in general.  

EBI SA, the international subsidiary of Togo-based Ecobank Group, is an ideal partner to boost CDC’s impact across Africa and help strengthen financial support for local banks and the businesses that they serve. With the Ecobank Group’s extensive footprint and operations across 33 countries on the continent, the facility will broaden economic opportunities and inclusive growth, particularly in markets such as Togo, Burkina Faso and Chad.

The trade finance risk-sharing facility will meet the liquidity needs of local African banks at a crucial time especially with the economic impact of the pandemic. By committing capital to address these shortfalls, CDC is taking on additional risk and providing further credit support and trade finance lines to local banks, thus protecting commerce across the continent.

The facility contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals Zero Hunger (SDG 2) and Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8).

Admir Imami, Director, Head of Trade&#038;Supply Chain Finance, CDC Group, said: “Our partnership with Ecobank presents an opportunity for CDC to provide trade support where it is most needed. Keeping trade flowing across the continent is a key objective in CDC’s Covid-19 response, and we are thrilled that our patient capital can support businesses that are at the centre of economic activities in our markets. We remain committed to playing our part in closing the trade finance gap in Africa, by helping to facilitate business and job growth, and building resilience for the long term.”

Akin Dada, Ecobank Group Executive Corporate and Investment Banking, said: “Our partnership with CDC to enhance finance and capacity comes at a crucial time in Africa’s history with much-needed recovery from the challenges of Covid-19 and the immense trade and investment opportunities being created by the African Continental Free Trade Area. We welcome the opportunity to work with development finance institutions such as CDC to help realise Africa’s potentials and sustainably drive its economic development.”

Jean Erwin NIZET, Ag. Managing Director at EBI SA, said: “This partnership with CDC will allow EBI SA to provide further support for African trade. In this challenging Covid-19 environment, this represents an important step in increasing Ecobank’s trade capacity and better serve its clients in Africa. This will ensure that Ecobank continues to contribute to the creation of value and sustainable growth across the continent.”
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ecobank.
Media Contact: CDC Toyosi Adebayo press@cdcgroup.com
Ecobank Christiane Bossom Group Manager Corporate Communications groupcorporatecomms@ecobank.com Tel: +228 22 21 03 03 
About CDC: CDC Group is the UK’s impact investor with over 70 years of experience of successfully supporting the sustainable, long-term growth of businesses in South Asia and Africa.
The company is a leading player in the fight against climate change and has committed more than $1bn of climate finance over the last four years.
CDC is also a founding member of the 2X challenge (www.2xcollaborative.org) which has raised $10bn to empower women’s economic development. 
The company has investments in over 1000 businesses in emerging economies and total assets of $9.3bn. In 2020, CDC committed over of $1.5bn to businesses in Africa and Asia, and aims to invest up to $1.75bn in 2021 – with a focus on driving inclusive growth, job creation and supporting economic recovery from COVID-19.
CDC is funded by the UK government and is a champion of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. All proceeds from CDC’s investments are reinvested to improve the lives of millions of people in Africa and South Asia.
CDC’s expertise makes it an ideal partner for private investors looking to devote capital to making a measurable environmental and social impact in countries most in need of investment.
About Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (‘ETI’ or ‘The Group’): Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (‘ETI’) is the parent company of the Ecobank Group, the leading independent pan-African banking group. The Ecobank Group employs over 14,000 people and serves about 29 million customers in the consumer, commercial and corporate banking sectors across 33 African countries.
The Group has a banking license in France and representative offices in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Johannesburg, South Africa; Beijing, China; London, the UK and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Ecobank International (EBI SA) is a banking subsidiary of ETI established in 2008 to capture cross-border flows between sub-Saharan Africa and the rest of the world, build a stronger relationship with international financial institutions and corporate customers and centralised Group affiliates with EUR and USD denominated deposits and FX hedging needs. ETI is listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in Lagos, the Ghana Stock Exchange in Accra, and the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières in Abidjan. For further information please visit www.Ecobank.com.

CDC Group announces US$50m trade finance facility with Ecobank as part of its Covid-19 response

Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers and does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group.
ABH (www.AfricaBusinessHeroes.org) also unveiled its first annual report, highlighting the initiative’s achievements and the impact; Investors, partners and entrepreneurs from across sectors and markets gathered to discuss pressing issues and ideas for collaboration; Applications for this year’s edition of the prize competition are under review with the 2021 Top 50 to be announced in the coming weeks.

The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) prize competition, the flagship philanthropic program established by the Jack Ma Foundation to help foster an inclusive pan-African entrepreneurial ecosystem, held its first ever Annual Summit in a fully virtual format, gathering over 1,600 attendees from across Africa. The Summit consisted of a half-day online conference and workshops and presented an opportunity for the ABH community to connect, engage and hear from some of the best minds in business, technology and marketing.

At the summit, Jason Pau, Executive Director (International) of the Jack Ma Foundation, launched the first ever ABH Annual Report (https://bit.ly/2U4u57T), which recaps the journey of ABH to date and the impact it has created for participants and communities. “The team has relentlessly sought to look out over the horizon, innovate and drive greater impact through our program. We are focused on building an inclusive pan-African entrepreneurial community, and our achievements are only possible through the support of our partners, judges, volunteers, friends and communities across Africa and from all corners of the world.”

The report notes that since being named ABH finalists, the 2019 and 2020 top 10 have in total supported over 8,300 direct and indirect jobs, and created 455 new direct jobs. Many have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 response, leveraging their businesses to deliver blood, oxygen, PPE and other essential services to those most in need. Furthermore, several businesses have seen growth rise two and even threefold and raised millions of dollars in funding, thanks to the exposure and connections gained during their experience at ABH. In addition, 43,000 entrepreneurs from all over Africa who were past applicants have been able to access unparalleled training, learnings, and networking opportunities.

Throughout the Summit, participants discussed the central theme of this year’s competition, ‘It’s African Time’. Bogolo Kenewendo, global economist and former Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Botswana, and ABH Special Advisor noted the key role entrepreneurs can play in unlocking the economic potential of the continent: “The potential for businesses is immense. Africa has been one of the world’s fastest-growing regions for the past decade, with around USD 6.7 trillion available in consumer and business spending, many of the opportunities are veiled as challenges and problems. We need capital to fuel problem solving and innovation in the continent. It’s not charity, it is business. There is more scope for growth in Africa than the rest of the world.”

Participants also shared the same passion for delivering solutions. In a poll during the summit, 93% of respondents stated that a problem to solve and a great business idea was the reason they chose to become an entrepreneur. Only 5% said they were primarily driven by economic gain.

The event also gathered a panel of senior African and international speakers to engage with the audience on a number of crucial subjects including investment, technology, marketing and talent cultivation. Their common message was that this is an extremely exciting, yet challenging time for entrepreneurship and business-making in Africa, but the future looks bright:

 	Moulaye Tabouré, Founder and CEO of Afrikrea and one of the top ten finalists in 2019, commented: “Crisis is a great way to focus. In 2020 we grew volume 2.5x and revenue 5x. It was painful but it worked.” 	Fred Swaniker, the founder of African Leadership Group, said the shift to remote work gives entrepreneurs access to new talent, across borders which makes now an excellent time to grow. He added: “Ignore technology at your peril. Stop thinking about tech as a side thing, think about it as core to everything. If you do, it’s a phenomenal time to be an entrepreneur.” 	“The growth in access to capital in Africa is incredible,” said Charlie Graham-Brown, Chief Investment Officer&#038;Partner at Seedstars. “2020 saw a drop in volume, but the number of deals grew by 44%. For entrepreneurs needing to raise capital, it’s a brilliant time.” 
Entries for the 2021 ABH prize competition recently closed and expert judges are currently reviewing thousands of applications to select the top 50, to be announced later this month. All 54 African countries are represented in this year’s applicant pool and a variety of sectors, with agriculture dominating at 22%, followed by ICT at 9% and business, education, and manufacturing at 8% each. A third of all entrants are women with 15% from Francophone countries.

CNBC Africa, Star Times, and 11 national TV stations will broadcast a four-episode series on the journey of the 2020 Africa’s Business Heroes in July. Full airing details will be available in local listings. To follow the next phases of ABH and all the updates, please visit: www.AfricaBusinessHeroes.org and follow us on Twitter (https://bit.ly/3kkucXB), LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2TfTFpY), Instagram (https://bit.ly/3rigzcL) and Facebook (https://bit.ly/3eDKOGb).
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH).
Press Contacts: Holly Zhao (+1)5054693316 holly.zhao@alibaba-inc.com
Miriam Forte (+44)7534247780 m.forte@alibaba-inc.com
About Africa’s Business Heroes: The Africa’s Business Heroes prize competition is the flagship philanthropic initiative spearheaded by the Jack Ma Foundation aimed at supporting and inspiring the next generation of African entrepreneurs across all sectors, who are building a more sustainable and inclusive economy for the future of the continent. Over a ten-year period, ABH will recognize 100 African entrepreneurs and commit to allocating grant funding, training programs, and support for the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Each year, the ABH prize competition and show will feature ten finalists as they pitch their business to win a share of $1.5 million in grant money. Jack Ma, Founder of Alibaba Group and the Jack Ma Foundation, created the prize after he made his first trip to Africa in 2017 and was inspired by the energy and entrepreneurial potential of the young people he met with.

Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Brings Together Over 1,600 Delegates for Its First Annual Summit

Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers and does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group.
ATI (www.ATI-ACA.org), through RLSF, has supported the 60 MW Salima Solar PV plant in Malawi; this is the second project in the country to benefit from RLSF; the first project being Phase 1 of the Nkhotakota Solar Power Plant, with an initial installed capacity of 21 MW; with project construction almost finalized, Salima Solar will be the first solar PV in Malawi to connect to the grid.

The African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI), under its Regional Liquidity Support Facility (RLSF), has supported the Salima Solar PV plant, by providing a revolving liquidity guarantee that can be drawn following any payment delays by the national offtaker – Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi Limited (ESCOM). This is the second project in the country to benefit from RLSF, the first project being Phase 1 of the Nkhotakota Solar Power Plant, with an initial installed capacity of 21 MW.

The 60 MW Salima Solar PV plant, being one of the most advanced projects, will be instrumental for Malawi’s underdeveloped electricity sector which has an installed generation capacity of around 439 MW. Over 90% of this capacity comes from hydro power plants on the Shire River in the southern region; this heavy reliance on hydro is often constrained by drought and low water levels. Moving forward, there is high potential for solar and new hydro technologies to enter into the power market, thanks to reforms by the Government that have led to the establishment of a viable electricity market for private sector participation in generation expansion.

Salima Solar PV plant is due to start operations in August 2021. It was developed by JCM Matswani Solar Corp Limited, a Malawian Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) owned by the Canadian Independent Power Producer (IPP) JCM Power and InfraCo Africa Limited; the latter is part of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG). Construction equity was provided by JCM Power, the Dutch Development Bank FMO, and InfraCo Africa Limited. This will be the first solar PV in Malawi to connect to the grid. The energy generated, at an estimated annual average of 154 GWh, will be sold exclusively to the Malawian utility, ESCOM, under a 20 year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). ATI, through RLSF, will provide cover for an amount of USD 4.4 million against the risk of delayed payment by ESCOM; the RLSF policy will be for an initial tenor of up to ten (10) years. The liquidity cover being provided via RLSF will enable up to USD 78 million of total project financing.

Malawi’s energy sector has recently gone through sector restructuring efforts with the goal of increasing the availability of reliable electricity supply in the country. This includes the unbundling of ESCOM and the establishment of the Electricity Generation Company of Malawi (EGENCO). More recently, ESCOM has been further unbundled with the introduction of Power Market Limited (PML), which will become the Single Buyer in the energy sector – taking over PPAs signed between ESCOM and IPPs. Additional restructuring of Malawi’s power market is underway, with strong investor interest and political will for IPPs to enter the market.

ATI’s CEO, Manuel Moses, noted “The Government of Malawi views private investment as critical to achieving its goals for the power sector. This is evidenced by ESCOM’s recent positive track record in meeting its payment obligations to Malawi’s only operational IPP in a timely manner as recorded by ATI’s Transparency Tool. We remain confident that ESCOM’s payments to JCM Matswani will follow the same trend. In addition to the two transactions that we have supported under RLSF, we look forward to providing similar support to eligible renewable energy IPPs in Malawi and indeed across the rest of the African continent.”

Quote from JCM Power
JCM Power’s Country Director, Phylip Leferink noted, “JCM Power is excited to complete construction and enter into operations of the first utility scale solar PV Plant in Malawi in August 2021. The support of ATI played an important role in enhancing the project’s bankability and contributed to JCM’s focus to develop high-quality, innovative and state of the art projects across Sub-Saharan Africa. The Salima Solar project is positively changing Malawi’s energy landscape whereby JCM is firmly committed to continue to play a pivotal role in further developing the country’s energy sector.”

InfraCo Africa’s Head of Asset Management, Connor Dawson said, “Salima Solar will be Malawi’s first grid-connected solar PV plant. The revolving liquidity guarantee provided by ATI, under its Regional Liquidity Support Facility, will support Salima Solar, ensuring that it can deliver reliable access to clean electricity; powering future economic growth.”
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI).
Media Contact:  Sheila Ongas Communications Officer African Trade Insurance Agency sheila.ongas@ati-aca.org Mobile +254 728 600 180
About The African Trade Insurance Agency: ATI was founded in 2001 by African States to cover trade and investment risks of companies doing business in Africa. ATI predominantly provides Political Risk, Credit Insurance and, Surety Insurance. In 2020, ATI closed the year with a gross exposure of US$6.3 billion and a net profit of US$39.4 million, owing to a strong demand for ATI’s insurance solutions from the international financial sector and from African governments. Since inception, ATI has supported US$66 billion worth of investments and trade into Africa. For over a decade, ATI has maintained an ‘A/Stable’ rating for Financial Strength and Counterparty Credit by Standard&#038;Poor’s, and in 2019, ATI obtained an A3/Stable rating from Moody’s.

About The Regional Liquidity Support Facility (RLSF): ATI and the German Development Bank, KfW, with financing from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), launched the RLSF in 2017. The Facility was created to help tackle climate change and attract investments by supporting renewable energy projects in ATI’s member countries. RLSF has an initial capacity of EUR 63.2 million and it supports small and mid-scale renewable energy projects with an installed capacity of up to 50 MW (and in exceptional cases up to 100 MW) by protecting the developers against the risk of delayed payments by public off-takers; in turn improving project bankability and ensuring that more projects reach financial close. https://bit.ly/3B2Fi9n

About JCM Power: JCM Power is an independent power producer (IPP) dedicated to accelerating social, economic and environmental sustainability in growth markets through the development, construction and operation of renewable energy infrastructure. Our driving vision is to advance the clean energy age. For more information please visit: www.JCMPower.ca.

About The Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG): PIDG is an innovative infrastructure development and finance organisation which encourages and mobilises private investment in pioneering infrastructure in the frontier markets of sub-Saharan Africa and south and south-east Asia to promote economic development and combat poverty. PIDG delivers its ambition in line with its values of opportunity, accountability, safety, integrity and impact. Since 2002, PIDG has supported 157 infrastructure projects to financial close which provided an estimated 209 million people with access to new or improved infrastructure. PIDG is funded by six governments (the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia, Sweden, Germany) and the IFC. For more information please visit: www.PIDG.org.
About InfraCo Africa: InfraCo Africa is part of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG). InfraCo Africa seeks to alleviate poverty by mobilising private investment into high-quality infrastructure projects in sub-Saharan Africa’s poorest countries. It addresses the risks and costs of early-stage project development: funding teams of experienced developers and providing risk capital to those projects which need the financial commitment and leverage that InfraCo Africa can bring. InfraCo Africa is funded by the governments of the United Kingdom (through FCDO), the Netherlands (through DGIS) and Switzerland (through SECO). For more information please visit: www.InfraCoAfrica.com.

African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI) Steps in to Provide Liquidity Cover for the 60 MW JCM Salima Solar PV – The Second Project in Malawi to Benefit from the Regional Liquidity Support Facility (RLSF)

Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers and does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group.
Children learn more and are more likely to stay in school if they are first taught in a language that they speak and understand. Yet, an estimated 37 percent of students in low- and middle-income countries are required to learn in a different language, putting them at a significant disadvantage throughout their school life and limiting their learning potential. According to a new World Bank report Loud and Clear: Effective Language of Instruction Policies for Learning, effective language of instruction (LoI) policies are central to reducing Learning Poverty and improving other learning outcomes, equity, and inclusion.

Instruction unfolds through language – written and spoken – and children learning to read and write is foundational to learning all other academic subjects.  The Loud and Clear report puts it simply: too many children are taught in a language they don’t understand, which is one of the most important reasons why many countries have very low learning levels.
Children most impacted by such policies and choices are often disadvantaged in other ways – they are in the bottom 40 percent of the socioeconomic scale and live in more remote areas.  They also lack the family resources to address the effects of ineffective language policies on their learning. This contributes to higher dropout rates, repetition rates, higher Learning Poverty, and lower learning overall.
“The devastating impacts of COVID-19 on learning is placing an entire generation at risk,” says Mamta Murthi, World Bank Vice President for Human Development. “Even before the pandemic, many education systems put their students at a disadvantage by requiring children to learn in languages they do not know well – and, in far too many cases, in languages they do not know at all. Teaching children in a language they understand is essential to recover and accelerate learning, improve human capital outcomes, and build back more effective and equitable education systems.”
The new LoI report notes that when children are first taught in a language that they speak and understand, they learn more, are better placed to learn other languages, are able to learn other subjects such as math and science, are more likely to stay in school, and enjoy a school experience appropriate to their culture and local circumstances. Moreover, this lays the strongest foundation for learning in a second language later on in school. As effective LoI policies improve learning and school progression, they reduce country costs per student and, thus, enables more efficient use of public funds to enhance more access and quality of education for all children.
“The language diversity in Sub-Saharan Africa is one of its main features – while the region has 5 official languages, there are 940 minority languages spoken in Western and Central Africa and more than 1,500 in Sub-Saharan Africa, which makes education challenges even more pronounced,” says Ousmane Diagana, World Bank Regional Vice President for Western and Central Africa. “By adopting better language-of-instruction policies, countries will enable children to have a much better start in school and get on the right path to build the human capital they need to sustain long-term productivity and growth of their economies.”
The report explains that while pre-COVID-19, the world had made tremendous progress in getting children to school, the near-universal enrollment in primary education did not lead to near-universal learning. In fact, before the outbreak of the pandemic, 53 percent of children in low- and middle-income countries were living in Learning Poverty, that is, were unable to read and understand an age-appropriate text by age 10. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the figure was closer to 90 percent. Today, the unprecedented twin shocks of extended school closures and deep economic recession associated with the pandemic are threatening to make the crisis even more dire, with early estimates suggesting that Learning Poverty could rise to a record 63 percent. These poor learning outcomes are, in many cases, a reflection of inadequate language of instruction policies.
“The message is loud and clear.  Children learn best when taught in a language they understand, and this offers the best foundation for learning in a second language,” stressed Jaime Saavedra, World Bank Global Director for Education. “This deep and unjust learning crisis requires action. Investments in education systems around the world will not yield significant learning improvements if students do not understand the language in which they are taught. Substantial improvements in Learning Poverty are possible by teaching children in the language they speak at home.”
The new World Bank policy approach to language of instruction is guided by 5 principles:
1. Teach children in their first language starting with Early Childhood Education and Care services through at least the first six years of primary schooling.
2. Use a student’s first language for instruction in academic subjects beyond reading and writing.
3.  If students are to learn a second language in primary school, introduce it as a foreign language with an initial focus on oral language skills.
4. Continue first language instruction even after a second language becomes the principal language of instruction.
5. Continuously plan, develop, adapt, and improve the implementation of language of instruction policies, in line with country contexts and educational goals.
Of course, these language of instruction policies need to be well integrated within a larger package of policies to ensure alignment with the political commitment and the instructional coherence of the system.
This approach will guide the World Bank’s financing and advisory support for countries to provide high-quality early childhood and basic education to all their students. The World Bank is the largest source of external financing for education in developing countries – in fiscal year 2021, it broke another record and committed $5.5 billion of IBRD and IDA resources in new operations and, in addition, committed $0.8 billion of new grants with GPE financing, across a total of 60 new education projects in 45 countries.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.

Teaching young children in the language they speak at home is essential to eliminate Learning Poverty

Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers and does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group.
It is a pleasure to speak to you today, at this Africa Regional Dialogue in support of the Food Systems Summit.  We meet at a time of rising food insecurity and hunger.  Between 720 million and 811 million people in the world faced hunger in 2020 — as many as 161 million more than in 2019.

No region of the world has been spared; but the numbers show persistent regional inequalities.  About one in five people in Africa faced hunger in 2020 — more than double the proportion of any other region.
The high cost of nutritious diets, coupled with high levels of poverty and income inequality, continue to keep healthy diets out of reach for around 3 billion people in every region of the world.  Of these, 1 billion of our African sisters and brothers could not afford a healthy diet in 2019.
Malnutrition in all its forms remains entrenched, particularly among women and children.  Most children under 5 years with malnutrition live in Africa and Asia.  Thirty-seven per cent of world’s stunted children can be found in Africa.
These tragic numbers are not new.  Hunger was on the rise even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Nor do these numbers tell us the whole picture.
While we are severely off track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 — zero hunger — by 2030, this Goal cannot be achieved in isolation.  Ending hunger requires us to consider food as a system, revealing a range of intersecting challenges that are undermining our progress towards all the SDGs.
Take the climate crisis.  Globally, one third of greenhouse gas emissions originate in our food systems.  Agriculture is also responsible for up to 80 per cent of biodiversity loss, and continues to overuse our diminishing natural resources, including land and water.  Around the world, an estimated 600 million people — almost 1 in 10 — fall ill after eating contaminated food each year.
Despite all these worrying trends, I remain optimistic.  But we must act with urgency.
Science has confirmed that transforming our food systems offers an opportunity to drive progress across the board, from climate action to reducing pollution.  This is the rationale of the Food Systems Summit.  Over 140 Member States have responded to my invitation to convene national Food Systems Summit Dialogues.  The majority of the African continent is participating:  44 countries, over 80 per cent of all African Governments, are leading national dialogues.
Governments everywhere recognize the importance of this issue, particularly at a time of crisis.  But there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution.  Food systems vary by location; our approaches must be rooted in local and regional realities.
Food systems dialogues are engaging a diverse range of participants.  Where they are present, United Nations resident coordinators and country teams are playing a fundamental role.
Like the power or transport sectors, food systems can and must contribute to the green and blue transitions.  This means, for example, being less dependent on fossil fuels-based fertilizers and more attuned to nature-based solutions such as natural soil regeneration.  Solutions exist, and they can be deployed at scale, to fight in the same stroke climate change, hunger and malnutrition while preserving our planet.
Through the 2030 Agenda, the world has agreed on a bold vision for the future. Through Agenda 2063, Africa has articulated its master plan for transforming itself into the global powerhouse of the future.  Our task now is keeping our promises by delivering on the commitments we have made, through accelerated action.
The aim of this Dialogue is to help you to think through how to strengthen national pathways for food systems transformation to achieve the 2030 Agenda [for Sustainable Development].  This should be one of the main outcomes of the Food Systems Summit.  In addition to your national progress, this dialogue can help bring a unified African voice to the upcoming Pre-Summit in Rome at the end of July, and to the Summit in September in New York.
In Rome, the outcomes of regional dialogues around the world will converge with the other work streams of the Summit process.  These strands are generating ideas for enhanced global cooperation in support of country and regional priorities.
By the time of the Summit in New York, we will be able to show how countries and regions around the world have articulated their own pathways to 2030, joined by a range of partners to accompany them on their journey.
I am encouraged to see African countries come together at this Dialogue.  We need African leadership to realize our vision and meet the Goal of zero hunger by 2030.  I wish you every success at this meeting and look forward to an outcome that puts us on track to delivering a more sustainable and resilient food future for all Africa’s people. 

 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations (UN).

With One in Five Africans Facing Hunger in 2020, Deputy Secretary-General Calls for Transforming Food Systems, Nature-Based Solutions, at Regional Dialogue

Content provided by APO Group. CNBC Africa provides content from APO Group as a service to its readers and does not edit the articles it publishes. CNBC Africa is not responsible for the content provided by APO Group.
This Administration is deeply dedicated to addressing racial injustice and inequities at home and abroad. On the global stage, the United States is leading by example.

Last month, the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights released a report on racism and police brutality against Africans and people of African descent at the hands of law enforcement around the world, which includes examination of such cases in the United States. As the President has repeatedly made clear, great nations such as ours do not hide from our shortcomings; they acknowledge them openly and strive to improve with transparency. In so doing, we not only work to set the standard for national responses to these challenges, we also strengthen our democracy, and give new hope and motivation to human rights defenders across the globe.
It is in this context that the United States intends to issue a formal, standing invitation to all UN experts who report and advise on thematic human rights issues. As a first step, we have reached out to offer an official visit by the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism and the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues. I also welcome the UN Human Rights Council’s adoption today in Geneva of a resolution to address systemic racism against Africans and people of African descent in the context of law enforcement. I look forward to engaging with the new mechanism to advance racial justice and equity.
Responsible nations must not shrink from scrutiny of their human rights record; rather, they should acknowledge it with the intent to improve. I urge all UN member states to join the United States in this effort, and confront the scourge of racism, racial discrimination, and xenophobia. Because when all people – regardless of their race or ethnicity – are free to live up to their full potential, our collective security is strengthened.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Department of State.

APO

Midwives bring portable ultrasound technology to remote communities in Kenya

DRC: Doctors Without Borders calls for urgent boost to support survivors of sexual violence

It takes a whole village: the need of a multiple approach to assist survivors of sexual violence

Member States of the Cubango-Okavango River Basin Commit to Working Together to Ensure Environmental Principles are Upheld

Cannes Trend Talks 2021 Official Programme and invitation

Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum Announces Call for Nominations for AWIEF Awards 2021

Advancing Energy Sector Knowledge: Energy Capital & Power and Rystad Energy Start Strategic Cooperation

Madagascan designer Eileen Akbaraly honored at Cannes

iSAT Africa and SES Networks to Provide Reliable 4G Services in East Africa via O3b mPOWER

2021 NBA Finals Game 4 Recap – Bucks Tie the Series 2-2

Saloodo! launches with BeduConnect a road freight service between Middle East and Africa

CDC Group announces US$50m trade finance facility with Ecobank as part of its Covid-19 response

Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Brings Together Over 1,600 Delegates for Its First Annual Summit

African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI) Steps in to Provide Liquidity Cover for the 60 MW JCM Salima Solar PV – The Second Project in Malawi to Benefit from the Regional Liquidity Support Facility (RLSF)

Teaching young children in the language they speak at home is essential to eliminate Learning Poverty

With One in Five Africans Facing Hunger in 2020, Deputy Secretary-General Calls for Transforming Food Systems, Nature-Based Solutions, at Regional Dialogue

U.S. Leadership on Human Rights and Ending Systemic Racism

News Tips

Advertise With Us

APO

Midwives bring portable ultrasound technology to remote communities in Kenya

DRC: Doctors Without Borders calls for urgent boost to support survivors of sexual violence

It takes a whole village: the need of a multiple approach to assist survivors of sexual violence

Member States of the Cubango-Okavango River Basin Commit to Working Together to Ensure Environmental Principles are Upheld

Cannes Trend Talks 2021 Official Programme and invitation

Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum Announces Call for Nominations for AWIEF Awards 2021

Advancing Energy Sector Knowledge: Energy Capital & Power and Rystad Energy Start Strategic Cooperation

Madagascan designer Eileen Akbaraly honored at Cannes

iSAT Africa and SES Networks to Provide Reliable 4G Services in East Africa via O3b mPOWER

2021 NBA Finals Game 4 Recap – Bucks Tie the Series 2-2

Saloodo! launches with BeduConnect a road freight service between Middle East and Africa

CDC Group announces US$50m trade finance facility with Ecobank as part of its Covid-19 response

Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Brings Together Over 1,600 Delegates for Its First Annual Summit

African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI) Steps in to Provide Liquidity Cover for the 60 MW JCM Salima Solar PV – The Second Project in Malawi to Benefit from the Regional Liquidity Support Facility (RLSF)

Teaching young children in the language they speak at home is essential to eliminate Learning Poverty

With One in Five Africans Facing Hunger in 2020, Deputy Secretary-General Calls for Transforming Food Systems, Nature-Based Solutions, at Regional Dialogue

U.S. Leadership on Human Rights and Ending Systemic Racism

News Tips

Advertise With Us

Newsletters