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.
An in-depth investor report and a high-level documentary will present investors with the opportunities present in the Angolan oil and gas sector; AOG 2021 will build on the great success of the 2019 conference to bring together the elite of the Angolan oil industry to foster debates, networking and deal-making; The domestic campaign will be developed in tandem with a row of international appearances for Angolan delegations to showcase the country’s energy opportunities to foreign investors.

The pan African investment platform for the energy sector, Energy Capital&#038;Power (ECP), has launched a vast campaign to promote Angola’s oil and gas sector both at home and abroad, building on the massive success of its exclusive partnership with the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas.
The campaign is sustained on three domestic pillars and an international tour that is certain to place sub-Saharan Africa’s second oil and gas producer at the forefront of investor interest.
In Angola, ECP is already working on an Investment Report that will shed light on Angola’s oil and gas sector’s most relevant subjects, interviewing the leaders in the market from the public sector to the private sphere. Scheduled to be released in Q2 2022 under the name Africa Energy Series: Angola 2022, this report will serve to guide investors on issues such as post-COVID-19 market resilience, marginal fields development, gas monetization strategies, downstream expansion, improved production techniques, as well as local content and capacity building.
Parallel to this report, ECP is partnering with CNBC Africa to produce a high-level documentary that will take an in-depth look at the role oil and gas holds in the Angolan economy today, and how it is being used to foster diversification and sustainable growth in the future. Set to be released in mid-2022, this exclusive and unique documentary will be broadcast on Angolan TV channels, on CNBC Africa’s network and on international streaming platforms.
Binding these initiatives together is the Angola Oil&#038;Gas (AOG) Conference which will take place on September 9-10 2021 at the Centro de Convenções de Talatona (CCTA) in Luanda. The most important event in the Angolan energy calendar builds on the massively successful AOG 2019 (https://bit.ly/3AAeMUK), which was inaugurated by H.E. President João Lourenço himself, and received nearly 2000 delegates from over 30 different countries.
“The sheer scope of the campaign we are implementing in Angola makes it nothing short of historic. Our close partnership with MIREMPET is allowing us to take Angola’s oil and gas opportunities to the hands of investors across the globe”, says João Marques, International Conference Director at ECP. “Never has such a comprehensive and vast campaign been implemented in this market and we are excited to see just how much we can do for the future of Angola’s oil and gas industry”, he added.
This year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, AOG will be an exclusive invite-only event that will gather the very elite of Angola’s energy leadership for two days of discussions, networking and deal-making. Under the theme, Angola Oil and Gas Industry: The Roadmap to Regeneration and Growth, AOG 2021 will introduce foreign investors to business opportunities in Angola, promote greater investment in selected projects, and advance an agenda of sustainable, long-term investments in Angola’s oil and gas industry and other key sectors aimed at the diversification of the economy.
The most anticipated in-person event of 2021 will follow the most-strict health-protective measures and will allow senior officials and CEOs of the biggest companies in Angola to interact with government leaders, regulators and state companies in an era of post-COVID-19 recovery.
While the in-person event will be invite-only, the sessions will be streamed live on ECP’s website and digital attendees can sign up for a digital networking platform that will allow them to still enjoy the opportunity to engage with industry professionals and foster relationships.
On the international front, ECP is working with MIREMPET, ANPG and Sonangol to take high-level Angolan delegations to great international stages, including ECP’s US-Africa Energy Forum (USAEF), which takes palace 4-5 October in Houston, US, and African Energy Week (AEW), which takes place 9 – 12 November 2021 in Cape Town, South Africa, hosted by the African Energy Chamber and produced by ECP, where delegates can engage directly with foreign investors in a way that has not been possible until now. Already, H.E. Diamantino Pedro Azevedo, Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas of Angola, himself has confirmed his attendance at AEW and ECP is organizing a US-Angola Summit on the sidelines of USAEF to give the opportunity to Angolan leaders to showcase the country’s vast oil and gas opportunities to American investors.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&#038;Power.
To register for the AOG 2021 virtual networking platform, please visit https://bit.ly/3qRF402
To register for the USAEF 2021 please visit https://bit.ly/36ggZXq
To learn more about the AEW 2021 please visit AEW2021.com
To learn more about Angola’s energy investment opportunities, and to find out more information regarding sponsorship opportunities at AOG 2021, visit AngolaOilandGas2021.com or contact sales@energycapitalpower.com
About ECP: Energy Capital&#038;Power is a leading Africa-focused global investment platform for the energy sector. Through a series of events, online content and investment reports, ECP links the entire energy value chain – from oil and gas exploration to renewable energy – and facilitates global and intra-African investment and collaboration.

Energy Capital & Power Launches Campaign to Promote Angola’s Petroleum Sector: Row of Initiatives Shines Spotlight on Investment Attraction

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.
Tokyo 2020 Olympic rugby sevens match schedule announced with 19 days to go to kick-off; Men’s Olympic champions Fiji to face hosts Japan in opening match on 26 July; Women’s competition kicks off with France v Fiji on 29 July; Men’s final set for 28 July; women’s gold medal decided on ‘Super Saturday’ 31 July; Rugby sevens set to thrill fans with two sessions per day over six days at Tokyo Stadium.

The match schedule for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic rugby sevens competition has been confirmed by Tokyo 2020 and World Rugby with 19 days to go until kick-off as excitement builds towards the sport’s second appearance at the Games.
Players, teams and fans around the world can now finalise their preparations and look forward to six days of intense, action-packed competition at Tokyo Stadium, with matches played during two competition sessions per day.
VIEW MEN’S COMPETITION SCHEDULE >> https://bit.ly/2V74PxG VIEW WOMEN’S COMPETITION SCHEDULE >> https://bit.ly/3jQgJq5
The tournament will get off to a flying start with the highly anticipated encounter between Rio 2016 Olympic champions Fiji and hosts Japan in the opening match of the men’s competition at 09:00 local time (GMT+9) on 26 July.
Another highlight in the men’s schedule sees antipodean rivals New Zealand and Australia take to the pitch in the final match in Pool A on 27 July.
The men’s competition will culminate with the gold medal match at 18:00 local time on 28 July.
The women’s competition gets underway on 29 July when France face Fiji. The 10,000 fans permitted inside Tokyo Stadium will be looking forward to the fourth match of the day when Japan start their campaign against reigning Olympic champions Australia.
The women’s gold medal match will take place at 18:00 local time on 31 July, as part of ‘Super Saturday’ – traditionally a highlight of the Games.
In June, the 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams were allocated to three pools of four, according to rankings based upon performances in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and other World Rugby sanctioned tournaments over the past two years.
VIEW POOLS >> https://bit.ly/3AzuEa3
As the countdown to Tokyo gathers pace, many teams have already announced their squads with a number of players that have starred in Rugby World Cups in the 15s game selected to try and attain Olympic glory for their countries in Tokyo.
VIEW MEN’S OLYMPIC SQUAD NEWS >> https://bit.ly/3qTpaSQ VIEW WOMEN’S OLYMPIC SQUAD NEWS >> https://bit.ly/2SWuGYC
Following a successful test event involving members of the Japan national teams in April, preparations are on track for a world-class tournament at Tokyo Stadium, which proved to be an excellent host venue during Rugby World Cup 2019.
To ensure teams are as best prepared as possible to perform on the greatest sporting stage of all, World Rugby has invested US$4 million into Olympic qualified unions’ sevens programmes and towards the costs of hosting a number of high-performance preparation events over the past three months.
World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said: “With today’s confirmation of the match schedule we move an important step closer to the highly anticipated kick-off for Olympic rugby sevens in Tokyo. Players and teams can now fine-tune their preparations for every match, while fans around the globe can mark their calendars and set their alarm clocks to cheer on their teams.
“Rugby sevens has captured the imaginations of millions of people around the world, attracting an estimated 30 million new fans on Olympic debut at Rio 2016. With just 19 days to go, we cannot wait for rugby sevens to once again step on to the Olympic stage and thrill global audiences with its fast-paced, highly skilful and action-packed style of sporting entertainment.”
Great Britain Women’s Sevens co-captain Abbie Brown said: “Just like everyone in the sporting world, we have waited so long for Tokyo to happen, so now it’s just around the corner you can really tell how special it’s going to be and how excited everyone is to get out there and play. As a squad we have spoken about carving the path for future rugby players in Great Britain so having rugby as part of the biggest multi-sport event is a great opportunity to showcase not only why we have so much love and passion for the game but also to inspire girls and boys to pick up a ball and give it a go.”
Australian Women’s Sevens co-captain Sharni Williams said: ““It’s amazing to be here five years after Rio, never did I think I would get an opportunity to represent my country, let alone at a second Olympics. The unknown has been hard to navigate but we now have the Olympics firmly in our sights.”
Canada Women’s Captain Ghislaine Landry said: “The opportunity to go to another Olympic Games with this team is very exciting. For the last five years, we&#39;ve been training hard and hunting down podium finishes. I’m proud of our team and I know we are heading into the Games with a ton of talent and huge potential.  We can’t wait to show Canada, and the world, how fast and exciting rugby sevens is.”
Canada Men’s co-captain Nathan Hirayama said: “It’s an honour to compete for Canada at Tokyo 2020. We travel the world representing Canada but this will be my first Olympic Games and we’re excited to get to Tokyo. It’s been an unprecedented year but we’ve been training hard and look forward to competing and showcasing Sevens on such a massive stage.”
Rugby sevens is expected to be one of the most keenly awaited events of the Tokyo Games, following the outstanding success of Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan, which captured the nation’s imagination with record-breaking broadcast audiences creating huge numbers of new rugby fans across Japan and Asia.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Rugby.
Media Contact: Rugby@APO-opa.com

Rugby sevens match schedule confirmed for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

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.
Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany in partnership with The Ministry of Health and Wellness, Mauritius, has underscored their commitment to build healthcare capacity through providing one year PG Diploma and two-year Master Degree in many critical and underserved specialities for doctors from Mauritius.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President, Merck Foundation More Than a Mother explained, “I am very proud that in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness of Mauritius, we have provided till today 71 scholarships of one-year diploma and two-years master degree in many critical and underserved specialties for young Mauritian doctors with the aim to transform the landscape of patient care in the country”.
32 Medical graduates have been enrolled in the fields of Oncology, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, and Sexual&#038;Reproductive Medicine. Another 39 medical graduates have been already selected to be enrolled in PG Diploma courses in many new underserved specialties including Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Gastroenterology, Laparoscopic Surgical Skills, Mental Health: Psychological Therapies, Orthopedic Trauma Science, Paediatric, Emergency Medicine, Advanced Surgical Practice, Dermatology, Neonatal Medicine, Pain Management, Psychiatry, Clinical Microbiology&#038;infectious diseases, Ophthalmology, Internal Medicine, Neuroimaging for research, Urology, Orthopedics, Rheumatology, Cancer and Clinical Oncology, Critical Care, General Surgery, and Orthopedic&#038;Trauma.
“We will continue launching other programs to raise awareness and build advocacy to support girl education and address health issues such as raising awareness about coronavirus through Media Training and Media Recognition Awards for Media representative in Mauritius”, added Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.
Merck Foundation, through their Merck Foundation More Than a Mother Campaign, is also working to raise awareness about infertility prevention, male infertility and define interventions to break infertility stigma and support girl education in the country. Also, Merck Foundation has been raising awareness about coronavirus and how to keep safe and healthy during the global pandemic.
“We plan to soon conduct our Merck Foundation Health Media Training for the Mauritian journalists, to educate them, particularly the young journalists, on how to break the silence and be the voice of the voiceless in order to eliminate the stigma of infertility and emphasize the importance of girls’ education, through their day to day work.
Moreover, to underscore the important role that media, art, fashion, music, and film plays in raising awareness about sensitive and health issues such as promoting the best prevention practices during the second wave of coronavirus, Merck Foundation has launched 6 Awards. The Media Awards have been announced in partnership with Media Trust Board, Mauritius”, emphasized Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.
Merck Foundation announced the following 6 awards:
1. Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards “More Than a Mother” in partnership with Media TrustBoard, Mauritius: Media representatives are invited to showcase their work to raise awareness about Infertility Prevention, Breaking Infertility stigma, and Empowering Girls and Women through Education.
Submission deadline: 30th August 2021. Click here (bit.ly/2SFScsN) to view more details.
 2. Merck Foundation Film Awards “More Than a Mother” 2021: All African Filmmakers and Students are invited to create and share a FILM or a DOCUDRAMA to deliver strong and influential messages to break Infertility stigma, and /or Empowering Girls and Women through Education and at all levels.
Submission deadline: 30th August 2021. Click here (bit.ly/3xD7soU) to view more details.
3. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards “More Than a Mother” 2021: All African Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to raise awareness about Infertility Prevention, Breaking Infertility stigma, and/or Empowering Girls and Women through Education.
Submission deadline: 30th August 2021. Click here (bit.ly/2Sha256) to view more details.
4. Merck Foundation Song Awards “More Than a Mother” 2021: All African Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to Empower Girls and Women through Education and at all levels.
Submission deadline: 30th August 2021. Click here (bit.ly/3wX6tAh) to view more details.
5. Merck Foundation “Mask Up With Care” Media Recognition Awards 2021 in partnership with Media TrustBoard, Mauritius: Media representatives are invited to showcase their work to raise awareness on how to adapt best protection measures such as wearing your masks to show you care and love your family&#038;community; to encourage your community to choose to vaccinate when it is available and to sensitize them to support healthcare workers who are at the forefront of COVID 19 pandemic.
Submission deadline: 30th September 2021. Click here (bit.ly/3vL7UQP) to view more details.
6. Merck Foundation “Make Your Own Mask” Fashion Awards 2021: All African Fashion Designers and Students are invited to create and share designs of masks and other clothing items that carry messages to encourage people to wear masks to show they care and at the same time make it creative and fun!
Submission deadline: 30th September 2021. Click here (bit.ly/3xBcaDB) to view more details.
Entries for all the awards to be submitted via email to submit@merck-foundation.com.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.
Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard: Facebook: bit.ly/2LdbD8F Twitter: bit.ly/2LesKH8 YouTube: bit.ly/3sdHMxm Instagram: bit.ly/2LC26rm Flickr: bit.ly/2XqzQdU Website: Merck-Foundation.com Download Merck Foundation App: bit.ly/2MmNvAU
About ‘Merck Foundation More Than a Mother’ campaign: “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile women through access to information, education and change of mind-sets. This powerful campaign supports governments in defining policies to enhance access to regulated, safe, effective and equitable fertility care solutions. It defines interventions to break the stigma around infertile women and raises awareness about infertility prevention, management and male infertility. In partnership with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Information, Education&#038;Gender, academia, policymakers, International fertility societies, media and art, the initiative also provides training for fertility specialists and embryologists to build and advance fertility care capacity in Africa and developing countries.
With “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, we have initiated a cultural shift to de-stigmatize infertility at all levels: By improving awareness, training local experts in the fields of fertility care and media, building advocacy in cooperation with African First Ladies and women leaders and by supporting childless women in starting their own small businesses. It’s all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilling life, with or without a child. 
The Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” are:
H.E. NEO JANE MASISI, 			The First Lady of Botswana
H.E. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia
H.E. MONICA GEINGOS, The First Lady of Namibia
H.E. SIKA KABORE, The First Lady of Burkina Faso
H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady of Ghana
H.E. AISHA BUHARI, The First Lady of Nigeria
H.E. ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE,
The First Lady of Burundi
H.E. CONDÉ DJENE, The First Lady of Guinea Conakry
H.E FATIMA MAADA BIO, The First Lady of Sierra Leone
H.E. BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of Central African Republic
H.E. CLAR WEAH, The First Lady of Liberia
H.E. ESTHER LUNGU, The First Lady of Zambia
H.E. ANTOINETTE SASSOU-NGUESSO, The First Lady of Congo Brazzaville
H.E. MONICA CHAKWERA, The First Lady of Malawi
H.E. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of Zimbabwe
H.E. DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI, THE First Lady of Democratic Republic of Congo
H.E. ISAURA FERRÃO NYUSI, The First Lady of Mozambique
The Former First Lady of Burundi, H.E DENISE NKURUNZIZA, The Former First Lady of Chad, H.E. HINDA DÉBY ITNO, The Former First Lady of Malawi, H.E. PROFESSOR GERTRUDE MUTHARIKA and The Former First Lady of Niger, H.E AÏSSATA ISSOUFOU MAHAMADOU have worked successfully with Merck Foundation as Merck Foundation More Than a Mother Ambassadors to break the stigma of infertility and empower infertile women in their countries.

Merck Foundation launched new innovative initiatives to sensitize local communities about infertility prevention, male infertility with the aim to break the stigma of infertility and empowering infertile women as part of Merck Foundation More than a Mother COMMUNITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, such as;
• ‘Merck Foundation More than a Mother’ Africa Media Recognition Awards and Health Media Training • ‘Merck Foundation More than a Mother’ Fashion Awards • ‘Merck Foundation More than a Mother’ Film Awards • ‘Merck Foundation More than a Mother’ Song Awards • Local songs with local artists to address the cultural perception of infertility and how to change it • Children storybook, localized for each country
About Merck Foundation: The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality&#038;equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit Merck-Foundation.com to read more. To know more, reach out to our social media: Merck Foundation (Merck-Foundation.com); Facebook (bit.ly/2MU6Fht), Twitter (bit.ly/3scVf8t), Instagram (bit.ly/3boJ0jr), YouTube (bit.ly/3sf4aWX) and Flicker (bit.ly/3snPHZ8).

Merck Foundation underscores their commitment to build healthcare capacity through providing training for 71 Mauritian doctors

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.
Chris Paul recorded 32 points and nine rebounds, Deandre Ayton (Bahamas/Nigeria) added 22 points and 19 rebounds, Devin Booker finished with 27 points, and the Phoenix Suns defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 118-105 in Game 1 of the 2021 NBA Finals. Ayton is now the sixth player in NBA (www.NBA.com) history to record 15+ points and 15+ rebounds in a Finals game at age 22 or younger, joining Magic Johnson, Alvan Adams, Kawhi Leonard, Johnny Kerr and Tom Heinsohn. The Suns went 25 from 26 from the free throw line to seal their historic first win.

Download document (1): Adam Silver NBA Finals 7-6-21 (https://bit.ly/3ADaVpO)
Download document (2): Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton Post game 1 (https://bit.ly/3qOcPj2)
Download document (3): Chris Paul Post game 1 (https://bit.ly/3hJVSlK)
Download document (4): Deandre Ayton Post game 1 (https://bit.ly/3ywRZam)
Download document (5): Giannis Antetokounmpo Post game 1 (https://bit.ly/2SQhEvy)
Download document (6): Mike Budenholzer &#8211; Postgame 1 (https://bit.ly/3hD653g)
Download document (7): Monty Williams &#8211; Postgame 1 (https://bit.ly/3hD653g)
Khris Middleton led the Bucks with 29 points and seven rebounds while two-time MVP Giannis Antetokonumpo (Greece/Nigeria) was back in the starting lineup to add 20 points and 17 rebounds.
More than 16,000 fans attended the Finals opener at the Phoenix Suns Arena. The Finals will return this Friday morning with Game 2 at 3:00 a.m. CAT.
Quotes:
Mike Budenholzer (Bucks Head Coach): “We can get better. It&#39;s something we live by. It&#39;s one of our mantras, just keep getting better. I&#39;m sure both teams are going to look at the film and be talking about that. But I think this group&#39;s embraced that on a day-to-day basis. So, when you lose a Game 1 or you lose a game, I think it&#39;s a good place to go mentally is just look, just evaluate and see where we can get better.”
Monty Williams (Suns Head Coach) on Chris Paul: “He&#39;s just a really good basketball player. He&#39;s one of those rare guys that can see the floor and he knows where all five guys should be. He took advantage of his opportunities tonight versus their switching defense and thankfully he made shots.” (on Chris Paul)
Monty Williams on Deandre Ayton: “I&#39;m just happy that he&#39;s playing well and I&#39;m happy that he has an effect on the game in different ways. It&#39;s not just offense. There are games where defensively he impacts the game and covers up a lot of mistakes that we make. It usually takes younger bigs a lot longer, but again, I think playing with Chris, playing with Devin and the work that DA puts in with Coach Mark Bryant has really helped him. He is a talented player. His ability to rebound and finish around the basket, and then to have a big that can step up and make free throws is something that we don&#39;t take for granted. He would be the first one to tell you, if he gets a chance to sit here, that it&#39;s one game and we have a lot more work to do. That&#39;s where his focus is probably at right now, just winning the next game.”
Deandre Ayton (Suns): “I&#39;m just happy because I woke up saying this is just one game closer. I get goose bumps, sometimes I overwhelm myself on the way to the game. I&#39;m having a lot of fun because my guys in there they keep me level and they keep me intent with it.”
Chris Paul (Suns): “I&#39;m just like everybody else. I got those memories that come up on my phone, that show you where you were like a year ago. Abdel Nader  came up to me in the locker room before the game, he was like, C, a year ago today we left to go to the bubble. So it&#39;s amazing to think all the things that have taken place since then. But I&#39;m grateful for where I am now and happy to have this opportunity.”
Chris Paul on Deandre Ayton: “I sat in the background during DA&#39;s press conference right now, just seeing him talk, just seeing the maturity in him not only as basketball player but as a person. Everybody doesn&#39;t get a chance to know him off the court, but he has the biggest heart. One of the best guys you&#39;ll ever meet. So the success and the recognition that he&#39;s getting right now is well deserved, and I couldn&#39;t be happier for another guy on our team.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks): “It felt good. It felt good. Just wearing the jacket and seeing the Finals logo on the jacket and the jersey; obviously, we didn&#39;t get the win, but it&#39;s good to be here. It&#39;s good to enjoy the moment, enjoy the games. You can never take things like this for granted and just try to make the best out of it. But I&#39;m happy that we&#39;re able to be here. We worked hard all year to have an opportunity to win a championship, and we&#39;re going to keep working hard day-by-day and put ourselves in a position to win.”
Khris Middleton (Bucks): “I think it&#39;s just all of them, not just the Toronto series, last year in the bubble; this year in the playoffs against Brooklyn. We were down 3-2 and was able to force Game 7 and win a game on their home court. So I think, you know, we&#39;ve been through a lot. We&#39;ve been through it all. We know it&#39;s not going to be easy. We know it&#39;s going to be tough and there&#39;s times where we&#39;re going to be down in the series. But the series is not over yet if we&#39;re down. We still have to keep competing and just playing.”
Please find select images (please credit NBAE/Getty Images) with players and coaches’ transcripts attached.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver hosted his annual NBA Finals media availability prior to Game 1, please find the transcript attached as well.
To view the teams’ postgame media availabilities, click on the links below:
Bucks postgame media availability (https://bit.ly/3xAzRwx)
Suns postgame media availability (https://bit.ly/3qPocax)
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).

2021 NBA Finals Game 1 Recap – Phoenix Suns Take 1-0 Lead in the Series

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.
There’s no doubt Coca-Cola (www.Coca-Colacompany.com) is driving digital transformation through its consistent messaging and movement into a more agile and growth-minded work environment. Technology Services is leading the charge by enabling the broader corporate vision to build scalable capabilities across the system.

Just last month, Dublin entered the mix of strategically located hubs, and the announcement (https://bit.ly/3hCxDWu) indicated another was in the works. Johannesburg rounds out the list and serves as the latest example of Coca-Cola’s savvy investment in its global digital network. Like other service centers, this teams’ efforts will focus on using digital insights, business intelligence, analytics, and smart digital marketing to enhance the customer and consumer experience.
Dublin’s digital hub will play a supporting role in Africa’s maturation process until Johannesburg is equipped to take on the local challenges and unique offerings that ultimately yield innovative, scalable solutions.
The initial recruiting focus resides in the data and analytics front, followed by software engineers and developers to fortify the diverse talent landscape.
Each delivery center offers exciting opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute to Coca-Cola’s journey to be a cutting-edge technology leader. Africa brings yet another dimension to the tech scene and complements the diverse, yet focused global initiative.
“We are looking for people who want to be part of building something – creating a strong community from the ground up,” said Sue Liderth, Vice President, Regional Delivery for Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions. “That kind of experience instills a lot of pride – not only in one’s work, but also for the company and the communities in which we work, live, and serve.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Coca-Cola.
About The Coca-Cola Company: The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. Our portfolio of brands includes Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, and other sparkling soft drinks. Our hydration, sports, coffee, and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak, Honest and Ayataka. Our nutrition, juice, dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.Coca-Colacompany.com and follow us on Twitter (https://bit.ly/3wn7kc4), Instagram (https://bit.ly/3dRXWH3), Facebook (https://bit.ly/3AxPXst) and LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/3wmju58).

Coca-Cola to Open New Digital Delivery Center in Johannesburg

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 Board of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) (www.GreenClimate.Fund) has approved $170.9 million in financing for the African Development Bank’s (www.AfDB.org) Leveraging Energy Access Finance Framework (LEAF) program. LEAF aims to unlock commercial and local-currency financing for decentralized renewable energy (DRE)  projects in six program countries: Ghana, Guinea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Tunisia.

The Green Climate Fund’s financing is part of an overall $900 million program budget whose objective is to scale up roll-out of mini-grids, solar home systems, and commercial and industrial solar solutions in the program countries.
Tony Clamp, acting Director of GCF’s Private Sector Facility, said, “GCF is delighted to partner with the African Development Bank to support this timely and critical program for decentralised renewable energy across these six African countries. Green Climate Fund’s commitment will help unlock much-needed commercial capital and local currency financing to help overcome financing barriers exacerbated by Covid-19.”
Under LEAF, Africa’s abundant solar resources will be harnessed to provide renewable energy to 6 million people and businesses, and will also prevent 28.8 million tonnes in CO2 emissions over the lifetime of the systems.  
By deploying credit enhancement instruments and technical assistance, LEAF will strengthen capital markets and crowd-in private sector investors, including local financial institutions, thereby enhancing their financial and technical capacity to finance businesses in the fast growing DRE market segment comprising of solar home systems, green mini-grids, and solar solutions for commercial and industrial sectors. The program will also provide requisite support to strengthen the enabling environment and increase private sector investment in this market segment.
“GCF’s approval of LEAF is a significant boost for the African Development Bank’s twin ambitions of accelerating electricity access and supporting the transition to clean energy on the continent using decentralized renewable energy solutions, and moreover facilitated through local financing,”  said Dr. Kevin Kariuki, the African Development Bank’s Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Media contact: Olufemi Terry Communication and External Relations Department African Development Bank email: o.terry@afdb.org

The Green Climate Fund approves $170.9m in co-financing for African Development Bank’s Leveraging Energy Access Finance Framework (LEAF) program

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The ongoing conflict in Tigray has led to a humanitarian crisis characterized by alarmingly high levels of food insecurity, gender-based violence, widespread displacement, limited access to services, and the destruction of the local economy.

The conflict commenced at the peak of the main agricultural season (Meher) harvest period when many households had not yet harvested their crops. It is estimated that over 90 percent of the crop harvest was lost (looted, burned and/or destroyed), while 15 percent of the region’s 17 million livestock were reported looted or slaughtered. Given that the majority of Tigrayans depend on subsistence agriculture (80 percent rely on agriculture as their main source of food and livelihood), the loss of their harvest and production inputs has severely impacted their food security and nutrition.
As of June 2021, about 5.5 million people in Tigray and neighbouring Afar and Amhara are in high acute food insecurity, representing nearly 61 percent of the analyzed population. A total of 353 000 people are in Catastrophe level of acute food insecurity (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification [IPC] Phase 5) in Tigray alone, the highest numbers recorded in the last decade. There are approximately 2.1 million people in Phase 4 (Emergency) and 3.1 million in Phase 3 (Crisis), a large number of whom, if supported with agricultural inputs, would avoid falling into IPC Phase 5 and destitution.
Nearly 93 percent of the population in northern Ethiopia requires emergency assistance (more than 5.5 million people). After failing to harvest in 2020, the consequences of missing the 2021 season may be dire, as most households depend on their own production for food and income. If support is not provided immediately, the next harvest will be in 18 months. This scenario has far-reaching food security and nutrition consequences.
Prior to the conflict, the food system (production, transportation, processing, packaging, storage, retail, consumption, loss and waste) fed and supported the livelihoods of a vast majority of Tigray’s population. Even though households in Tigray were repeatedly exposed to multiple shocks, such as drought, desert locust infestations and the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, most of them were able to cope, as demonstrated by the results of various food security assessments.
Thanks to a contribution of USD 500 000 from the Government of Belgium through SFERA, FAO is implementing a project that will directly benefit 11 000 households (55 000 people). Beneficiaries will be provided with assorted agricultural inputs (short-cycle/drought-tolerant seeds including onion, teff and tomato) and trainings on good agronomic practices. Additionally, the project will support coordination efforts at the regional level to improve the collection and dissemination of information on agricultural interventions by Disaster Risk Management &#8211; Agriculture Task Force partners to enhance their planning and targeting.
The project will be implemented in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, including government, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations and the private sector. 
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Emergency livelihood support for conflict-affected communities in Ethiopia’s Tigray region

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The eruption of violence in the Kingdom of Eswatini in recent days is “deeply concerning”, amid reports that dozens of people have been killed or injured during protests calling for democratic reforms, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Tuesday.

Unrest first began in the last absolute monarchy in Africa, in May, when students took to the streets to call for accountability for the death of a 25-year-old law student, allegedly at the hands of the police.
In late June, these protests grew into daily pro-democracy marches in several locations around the Kingdom, with protesters voicing deep-seated political and economic grievances, said OHCHR, in the regular briefing for reporters at the UN in Geneva.
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, gained independence 53 years ago, and is ruled by King Mswati III. He chooses the prime minister and cabinet, and has the power to dissolve Parliament.
‘Unnecessary’ use of force
OHCHR Spokesperson Liz Throssell, said her office had received allegations of “disproportionate and unnecessary use of force”, harassment and intimidation by security forces, including the use of live ammunition by police.
She urged the authorities in Eswatini to “fully adhere to human rights principles in restoring calm and the rule of law, in particular the obligation to minimise any use of force.
“We also call on the Government to ensure that there are prompt, transparent, effective, independent and impartial investigations into all allegations of human rights violations”, she added, “including those by law enforcement personnel in the context of the demonstrations, and that those responsible are held to account.”
She reminded authorities that peaceful protests are protected under international human rights law, “including under Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the Kingdom of Eswatini is a State Party.”
Internet blocked
The OHCHR Spokesperson also expressed concern at reports that Internet services were disrupted last week and called on authorities “to take all steps to ensure that Internet access is not blocked.”
Ms. Throssell urged the Government of the Kingdom “to open up a longer-term dialogue to air and address the underlying public concerns that have given rise to these recent protests.
“We remain committed to working with the Government of Eswatini to strengthen human rights promotion and protection, including support and guidance in implementing recommendations by UN human rights mechanisms, including guaranteeing the rights to freedom of expression, of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association, as well as the right of people to participate in the conduct of public affairs.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

OHCHR voices deep concern over reported deaths of protesters in Kingdom of Eswatini

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A record 4.5 million children – two out of three – in South Sudan are in desperate need of humanitarian support, UNICEF warned today, ahead of the 10th anniversary of the country’s independence. In a report on the impact of the humanitarian crisis on children, UNICEF warned that hopes that independence would bring a new dawn for the country’s children have faded. Bouts of violence and conflict, recurring floods, droughts and other extreme weather events fuelled by climate change, and a deepening economic crisis have led to extremely high food insecurity, and one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The recent peace agreement, which has only partially been implemented, has so far failed to bring about any remedy to the challenges facing the country’s children and young people.

“The hope and optimism that children and families in South Sudan felt at the birth of their country in 2011 have slowly turned to desperation and hopelessness,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. “The childhood of many 10-year-old children in South Sudan today has been beset by violence, crises and rights abuses.”
Some 8.3 million people in South Sudan need humanitarian support, a much higher number than the levels seen during the 2013-2018 civil war, which ranged from 6.1 million to 7.5 million people.
The child mortality rate is among the highest in the world, with 1 in 10 children not expected to reach their fifth birthday.
High levels of food insecurity are of particular concern. Some 1.4 million children are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition this year, the highest figure since 2013. More than 300,000 children – the highest number ever in the country – are expected to suffer from the worst form of malnutrition and are at risk of dying if treatment is not provided.
Limited access to education and high drop-out rates have left 2.8 million children out of school – the highest proportion of out-of-school children in the world at more than 70 per cent of school-age children. The 14-month school closure because of the COVID pandemic had pushed an additional 2 million children out of school.
Despite continued insecurity, UNICEF is working with partners to increase the capacity to screen and treat children for acute malnutrition with an expected caseload of 1.4 million children in 2021. Improved access to clean water, improved sanitation and hygiene and access to basic health care are also among UNICEF’s top priorities, together with access to education.
However, funding remains limited. UNICEF has appealed for US$180 million to assist the most vulnerable children this year. Halfway into the year, this appeal is only funded for one-third, and the wider Humanitarian Response plan remains similarly underfunded. Donors have already made cuts in their budgets for South Sudan – or given notice that reductions are just around the corner. The crisis will worsen as we enter the lean season with increased risk of flooding. Lives will be lost without urgent action.
“If we, as a humanitarian community, do not receive sufficient funding, the reality for children and families is that no help will be coming,” said UNICEF South Sudan Representative ai Andrea Suley. “Humanitarian organizations are responsible for almost all service delivery in South Sudan. Without an end to the pervasive violence and insecurity threatening families and hampering humanitarian access, and without adequate funding, health and nutrition centres will be closed, wells will not be fixed and the sound of the generators keeping the vaccine fridges cool will soon fade away.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UNICEF South Sudan.

10 years after South Sudan’s independence, more children in need of urgent humanitarian assistance than ever before

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The UN World Food Programme (WFP) warns that without urgent funding, one of the world’s fastest-growing displacement crises in northern Mozambique risks becoming a hunger emergency as families continue to flee insurgent violence.

“The conflict has destroyed people’s jobs, lives and hopes for the future. Insurgents have ripped families apart, burning their homes, traumatizing children and killing people,&#8221; said WFP’s Executive Director David Beasley who recently visited Cabo Delgado and met affected families.
“These innocent communities are now completely reliant on WFP and our partners to provide them with lifesaving food and help them get back on their feet. We must not fail them,” he said.
The displacement has left at least 730,000 people in Cabo Delgado with no access to their lands and no means of earning a living. According to the latest food security data [1] captured before the attacks in Palma town in late March 2021, nearly 228,000 people are highly food insecure. This number is projected to increase to 363,000 during the lean season beginning in October.
Many of those who fled the insurgency in Palma to neighbouring districts are being hosted by locals who themselves are living hand to mouth. The added pressure on already scarce resources is impacting host communities struggling with rising food prices and loss of income due to COVID 19. According to the latest IPC data, in some districts the host communities are as food insecure as those displaced.
Children are worst affected. Recent IPC data shows 75,000 children under the age of five are suffering from acute malnutrition. The situation is projected to continue deteriorating, with more districts likely to move into the &#39;Critical&#39; levels of malnutrition.
The oil and gas-rich province of Cabo Delgado has been experiencing an increasing number of attacks by non-state armed groups since 2017. Conflict has intensified over the past year with seven times more people displaced in 2021, compared to the previous year.
WFP is urgently appealing for US$121 million until the end of 2021 to support 750,000 people in the northern districts of Cabo Delgado.  WFP warns of the risk of having to reduce rations or even halt its food assistance to displaced people next month if no additional funds are received. With families completely reliant on humanitarian support, a break in food assistance has the potential to set the crisis spiraling out of control.
[1] The latest Integrated Food Security Classification (IPC) data covers 5 districts and the city of Pemba, out of a total of 15 districts.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

Displacement crisis driving up hunger rates in northern Mozambique as families flee violence

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The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has received seven tons of relief assistance from the Italian Contingent of the European Union Training Mission in Somalia, EUTM-S, the US Army Civil Affairs Team. The food will be distributed to vulnerable families and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Lower Shabelle region.

The EUTM-S Force Commander, Brig. Gen. Zinzone said essential support to vulnerable communities as part of their mission in Somalia. In addition, they were committed to assisting more communities battling climate shocks and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are a coalition that supports and works with the Somali people. It is fundamental for the Somali people to tell us what they need, and we will always be ready to help in whatever way we can,” said Brig. Gen. Zinzone, during the handover, was attended by various officials, including from the Somalia Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management.
During the handover, AMISOM Deputy Force Commander in charge of Operations and Plans, Maj Gen. William Kitsao Shume, who represented the Head of AMISOM, Ambassador Francisco Madeira, commended the collaboration between different partners in supporting communities living within AMISOM’s area of responsibility.
“Your generous donation has allowed AMISOM, in conjunction with the Federal Government of Somalia and the South West State, to help make sure the vulnerable people do not go hungry,” said Maj. Gen. Shume.
“I am glad that you recognize the significant role of AMISOM’s provision of relief assistance in Somalia, and I hope that this constructive partnership with you can continue,” added Maj. Gen. Shume.
Col. Bruce Terry of the US Army Civil Affairs Unit said it is through the support and collaboration of the international partners that Somalia’s challenges will be overcome.
“Let us each take pride in the part played by our organizations in assisting Somalia, and also for the collective action that continues this endeavor that our nations have sent us to fight and win,” said Col. Terry.
In her remarks, the Somalia Federal Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Khadija Diriye, applauded AMISOM and partners for coming to the aid of vulnerable communities.
“AMISOM has on numerous occasions supported the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in responding to various humanitarian needs of our people. All of us very much appreciate these efforts in helping vulnerable communities in your areas of responsibility,” said Minister Khadija.
The Governor of Lower Shabelle, Abdikadir Murshid Sidi, said due to increased community policing and better working relationships between locals and security agencies, Al-Shabaab has now resorted to sabotaging main supply routes in a bid to curtail humanitarian response.
“Since there are no more hiding places for them and there is more collaboration between the security forces and the public, the terrorist group has resorted to targeting civilian populations,” noted governor Abdikadir.
“I would like to commend the international community for standing with the people of Southwest State,” he added.
According to the Federal Government of Somalia, the impact of the flooding, desert locust, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have pushed 2.7 million people across the country towards a major humanitarian emergency.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Mission in Somalia.

Italy, US armies give food assistance to communities in AMISOM liberated areas

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The UN Support Mission in Libya congratulates the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) on the launch of the voter registration update and considers this event to be a key milestone towards the realization of the Libyan people’s overwhelming demand for national elections on 24 December 2021.

In her remarks during the launching event, UN Assistant Secretary-General, Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya, Ms. Georgette Gagnon, said “As we all know, Libya is at a critical crossroads. After many years of conflict and division, after more than seven years without national elections, there is a new opportunity to move forward and for Libyans to exercise one of their most basic rights, the right to democratically elect their representatives and fully restore legitimacy to their institutions.”
Ms. Gagnon noted that while the launch of the digital voter registration update is a first concrete step towards the holding of elections, it remains imperative that a constitutional basis and a feasible legal framework are in place to enable the implementation of any further concrete preparations. UNSMIL reinforces appeals to the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum to accelerate their deliberations, to reach compromises, and finalize the proposal for the constitutional basis for elections. We also appeal to the parliament to fulfil its role and adopt a legal framework that would enable concrete implementation steps and allow the Libyan people to exercise their democratic rights on 24 December.
Acknowledging the significant efforts that were invested in establishing the voter register, Ms. Gagnon stated “ Electoral assistance is a part of the UN’s core mandate and UNSMIL has been providing support to the HNEC since February 2012 when the institution was established. The UN is honored to have been a part of this effort. We thank our colleagues from UNDP who have provided crucial support to HNEC, and appreciate the donor countries of Germany, EU, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and the UK, for their generous support”. Ms. Gagnon concluded in urging all eligible Libyan voters to take part in the registration process and use the opportunity to preserve their right to vote and choose their representatives in a democratic manner in the December elections.
The launching event was chaired by the HNEC’s Chairperson Dr. Emad Al-Sayeh and attended by Libya’s Prime Minister Mr.  Abdulhamid Debeiba, the two Vice Presidents of the Presidency Council, Mr. Mousa El Koni and Mr. Abdullah El-Lafi, the Minister of Interior Mr. Khaled Mazen, and members of the Libyan and international community.
The Voter Registration Update will be open until 30 July.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

UNSMIL welcomes the Launch of Voter Registration Update by the High National Elections Commission

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This visit is to follow up on the innovative Climate Cooperation Agreement signed between Ghana and Switzerland (the first with an African country and second in the world) under Article 6 the Paris Agreement in November 2020.

Ms Sommaruga will attend a ministerial roundtable discussion to assess progress towards implementation. She will also seek assurances that the private sector will be able to benefit from the carbon credits system laid out in the Swiss-Ghanaian bilateral agreement, according to a press release by the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications DETEC last week.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of Switzerland in Ghana.

Official working visit by Federal Councillor Sommaruga to Senegal and Ghana

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The World Bank, in collaboration with the Government of Lesotho, released a new report assessing the performance of Lesotho’s social protection policies and programs. As the country continues to face weak growth and limited fiscal resources further constrained by the economic shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, strong effective social protection programs are needed to help protect vulnerable people and ensure that they can meet their basic needs.

The Social Protection Program and Systems Review acknowledges Lesotho’s progress to establish safety net systems and programs and suggests a selected range of policy options to increase fiscal savings and improve the coverage and effectiveness of the programs.
“This report will help inform the design and implementation of our social protection programs and policies to ensure that they are efficient and equitable,” said Matebatso Doti, Minister of Social Development for Lesotho. “It will also help us improve the efficiency gains of existing programs to allow us to fund more programs such as the disability and infant grant.”
Lesotho has made significant investments in developing social protection programs over the last 20 years. The country’s social protection programs tackle vulnerabilities throughout the life cycle from children to the elderly. However current programs are costly with social protection spending representing about 6.4%of gross domestic product (GDP) making Lesotho the highest spender among any African country.
The review found that while several social assistance programs in Lesotho are effective in reducing poverty, they have low cost-effectiveness and poor targeting with a large share of the support going to the non-poor. The operational systems used to deliver the programs remain largely manual and have leakages which impact the efficiency of the programs. Simulations show that if programs such as tertiary bursaries were retained only for poorer students with savings reallocated to a transfer targeted to poorer households, the national poverty rate could be reduced by 3.2 percentage points at the food poverty line.
“It is our hope that this research will enhance policies to ensure that the important investments the government is already making in social protection will help to break the cycle of poverty for the next generation, keep children healthy and in school, and help households transition from social grants for their  livelihoods to more sustainable income generating opportunities,” said Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly, World Bank Country Director for South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini.
The report suggests that the government reviews the allocation of spending across social protection programs with to the aim of improving value for money while enhancing their benefits for the recipients. It suggests scaling and re-allocating social protection spending towards poverty-targeted programs such as the child grant program whose total costs accounts for only 0.15%of GDP. It also suggests improving social protection systems by shifting payments from cash to digital payments and introducing “Cash Plus” measures to link beneficiaries to productive activities, and link child grants to better investments in human capital.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.

Lesotho: A New Social Protection Assessment Aims to Help Strengthen Policies and Programs for the Poor

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Ethiopia rejects the unwelcome meddling by the League of Arab States on the matter of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) following the League’s submission of a letter to the UN Security Council and UN General Assembly to intervene in the matter.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, H.E. Demeke Mekonnnen sent a letter to the president of the UNSC on Monday (July 05) stating that his country is disappointed by the Arab League for addressing the UN on a matter that does not fall within its purview.
The League of Arab States has a reputation for its unfettered and unconditional support to any claim Egypt has presented on the issue of the Nile, the letter adds.
The approach followed by the League risks undermining the friendly and cooperative relations between AU and the Arab League since the trilateral negotiation on the GERD is underway under the auspices of the African Union (AU), the letter adds.
The letter notes that the AU, as a common organization for Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan, offers the tripartite a platform to negotiate and reach a win-win outcome guided by the conviction of finding “African solutions to Africa&#39;s challenges.”
The letter further states that Ethiopia is engaging in the trilateral negotiations in good faith and continuing its utmost commitment to make the AU-led process a success and calls on the two lower riparian countries of the Nile to remain faithful to the ongoing African Union-led negotiation.
Ethiopia also reiterates its request for the international community to encourage Egypt and Sudan to abide by the accepted principles of international law on the utilization of transboundary water resources.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of Ethiopia in Stockholm, Sweden.

Ethiopia writes letter to UN Security Council protesting Arab League’s meddling on Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)

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Volume of total reported venture capital deals in Africa in 2020 rose to 319 from 140 in 2019; Financials remains the most attractive sector for VC investment, followed closely by Information Technology; Despite decrease in value of VC deals in 2020, African entrepreneurs continued to innovate throughout the pandemic.

African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA) (www.AVCA-africa.org), the pan-African industry body which promotes and enables private investment in Africa, today announced the release of its second Venture Capital in Africa report.
Mapping Africa’s startup landscape between 2014 and 2020, the report provides data and analysis on venture capital (VC) deal activity in Africa in 2020 along with information about the types of investors that have participated in those deals. The report also includes case studies covering prominent investments across Central, East and North Africa.
Startups in Africa are changing the continent’s economic landscape and creating new market opportunities, having raised a remarkable US$1.1 billion in what was undoubtedly a challenging year for private investment globally. 2020 saw a 2.2x increase in deal volume compared to 2019, corresponding to more than a third of the 933 reported VC deals in Africa between 2014 and 2020.
The Venture Capital in Africa Report acknowledges the vital role of technology in driving economic growth in Africa, as 90% of all reported VC deals between 2014 and 2020 were in technology-enabled companies operating across a variety of sectors. Financials accounted for the largest share of VC deals by both volume (22%) and value (26%) from 2014 – 2020, with Information Technology (18%) and Consumer Discretionary (16%) accounting for the second and third largest share of VC deals by volume within the same timeframe.
In terms of deal value, Consumer Discretionary sectors accounted for 22% of the total value of reported VC deals in Africa between 2014 and 2020, demonstrating investors’ interest in businesses that are likely to remain resilient during economic crises by responding to pertinent consumer needs. This includes e-commerce platforms which represented 39% of companies operating within the Consumer Discretionary sector that received venture capital funding in 2020.
The majority of VC funding in Africa is concentrated in early-stage rounds as seed financing accounted for 33% of the total number of reported VC deals between 2014 and 2020, even though these transactions accounted for only 6% of the total deal value. Series A and Series B funding rounds together accounted for 43% of the total value of early stage deals, and 68% of reported deals were below US$5mn in value.
South Africa remains a hub for VC activity in Africa, accounting for 21% of deals by volume. However, Egypt is increasingly gaining popularity among investors, attracting the second highest (16%) share of country-specific deals in Africa in 2020, likely due to the Egyptian government’s prioritisation of policies that encourage innovation and empower entrepreneurs.
While FinTech continues to attract a significant share of venture capital funding, the report finds that technology is increasingly playing an essential role in transforming traditional sectors, including Health, Agriculture, Education and Energy, as HealthTech, EdTech and AgriTech demonstrated significant growth in 2020.
AVCA Chief Executive Officer, Abi Mustapha-Maduakor, said: “The private sector remains essential towards sustained economic development of Africa, and it is great to see that investors and policymakers continue to believe in the role of small and medium sized enterprises in driving innovation and creating sustainable and inclusive growth on the continent.”
She added that this second edition of AVCA’s report on venture capital is timely given the rate at which the startup ecosystem in Africa is growing and attracting diverse private capital from both foreign and domestic investors.
“African entrepreneurs are building the future, one innovative idea at a time, and the world is watching. As the pan-African industry body championing diverse private investment into the continent, AVCA will continue to provide important data showcasing Africa as a prime investment destination with ample opportunity for financial return and impact.”
 	Download the report via AVCA’s website: https://bit.ly/3hgNviy Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA).
Media Contact: Yossie.Olaleye@avca-africa.org
About AVCA: The African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association is the pan-African industry body which promotes and enables private investment in Africa. With a global and growing member base, AVCA members span private equity and venture capital firms, institutional investors, foundations and endowments, pension funds, international development finance institutions, and professional services firms.
For further information, contact avca@avca-africa.org.

Venture capital investment in Africa soars to record levels in 2020 as global investors demonstrate confidence in key sectors, according to new African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA) report

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His Excellency President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire and the World Bank Group will host a high-level meeting on July 15, 2021, with African leaders to highlight the importance of an ambitious and robust 20th replenishment of the International Development Association (IDA20). The replenishment will support a resilient recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and help the continent continue its economic transformation.

As African countries grapple with the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, continued support from the World Bank, particularly from IDA, is critical to help them meet their financing needs, which were already high before the pandemic.
This high-level meeting follows the call from African leaders, during the African economies financing Summit in Paris last May, asking for increased support to build back better and greener from the crisis. The discussions will help identify key priorities for financing in Africa, and champion a strong policy and financing package for an ambitious IDA20 replenishment. Africa is IDA’s biggest beneficiary with 39 countries and has made significant headway in improving development indicators in the six decades partnership with the World Bank.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.

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Energy Capital & Power Launches Campaign to Promote Angola’s Petroleum Sector: Row of Initiatives Shines Spotlight on Investment Attraction

Rugby sevens match schedule confirmed for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Merck Foundation underscores their commitment to build healthcare capacity through providing training for 71 Mauritian doctors

2021 NBA Finals Game 1 Recap – Phoenix Suns Take 1-0 Lead in the Series

Coca-Cola to Open New Digital Delivery Center in Johannesburg

The Green Climate Fund approves $170.9m in co-financing for African Development Bank’s Leveraging Energy Access Finance Framework (LEAF) program

Emergency livelihood support for conflict-affected communities in Ethiopia’s Tigray region

OHCHR voices deep concern over reported deaths of protesters in Kingdom of Eswatini

10 years after South Sudan’s independence, more children in need of urgent humanitarian assistance than ever before

Displacement crisis driving up hunger rates in northern Mozambique as families flee violence

Italy, US armies give food assistance to communities in AMISOM liberated areas

UNSMIL welcomes the Launch of Voter Registration Update by the High National Elections Commission

Official working visit by Federal Councillor Sommaruga to Senegal and Ghana

Lesotho: A New Social Protection Assessment Aims to Help Strengthen Policies and Programs for the Poor

Ethiopia writes letter to UN Security Council protesting Arab League’s meddling on Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)

Venture capital investment in Africa soars to record levels in 2020 as global investors demonstrate confidence in key sectors, according to new African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA) report

African Leaders Unite to Support an Ambitious International Development Association (IDA20) Replenishment

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