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37 new cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria;

Yobe-13 Lagos-12 Akwa Ibom-6 FCT-3 Edo-1 Kaduna-1 Ogun-1
165,419 confirmed 156,297 discharged 2,065 deaths
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
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Coronavirus – Nigeria: COVID-19 case update (9 May 2021)

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Daily: Laboratory test: 5,303 Cases: 485 Severe cases: 740 New deaths: 17 Recovery: 1,716

Total: Laboratory test: 2,620,593 Active cases: 48,782 Total cases: 262,702 Total deaths: 3,888 Total recovery: 210,030 Total vaccinated: 1,295,723
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Ethiopia.
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Coronavirus – Ethiopia: COVID-19 reported cases in Ethiopia (9 May 2021)

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Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit -MARS was conducted online during the 8th edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2021; The MARS Summit High-Level Ministerial Panel Discussion with 26 Ministers of Health, Science and Technology, Education, Information And Gender and MARS Researchers.

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany conducted the Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit – MARS 2021 online, in partnership with the African Union and African Ministers of different sectors, during the 8th edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2021, held in partnership with the Government of Zambia. The conference was inaugurated by The President of the Republic of Zambia, H.E. Dr. EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU and Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp Chairman of both of Executive Board of E.Merck KG and Merck Foundation Board of Trustees. It was co-chaired by H.E. Mrs. ESTHER LUNGU, The First Lady of the Republic of Zambia and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation.
Elaborating about the MARS Summit, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of MARS explained “I am very happy to have 26 African Ministers of different sectors, coming together for the MARS Online VC. Merck Foundation has been committed to underscore its long-term commitment towards building Healthcare and Research Capacity in Africa with a special focus on women and youth. This year, the Summit mainly addressed the importance of Empowering women and youth in education and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics); challenges and strategies, the response to the Coronavirus pandemic, and the Role of Scientific Research in responding to Cancer and Vaccines Development – Two emerging challenges in Africa”.
Dr. Eng. Ahmed Hamdy, Executive Director, African Union &#8211; Scientific, Technical and Research Commission, emphasized, “The Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit was a valuable opportunity for all those engaged and interested in health research in Africa to learn about the full spectrum of ground-breaking scientific research currently underway in the continent with respect to COVID-19, and prepare the road ahead in Africa’s strategy to tackle the pandemic with a concrete approach”.
MARS Online VC brought distinguished leaders on a single platform to reaffirm Merck Foundation&#39;s commitment towards developing a strong Africa roadmap towards gender equality by discussing policies, leadership, and scientific roles that can enable women to recover and thrive in a post-COVID-19 world.
Hon. Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, Minister of Health and Population, Malawi said, “Women stand at the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, as health care workers, caregivers, innovators, community organizers, and as some of the most exemplary and effective national leaders in combating the pandemic. This MARS ministerial panel has highlighted both the centrality of their contributions and the role of governments and policies in advancing gender equality which will be conducive in our collaboration to empower women and supporting girls in education. I am very privileged to work closely with the African Ministers to contribute towards the development of Africa.”
The High-level Ministerial panel included:
 	Hon. Dr. Jonas Kamima CHANDA, Minister of Health, Zambia 	Hon. Dr. Dennis WANCHINGA, Minister of General Education, Zambia 	Hon. Dr. Brian MUSHIMBA, Minister of Higher Education, Zambia 	Hon. Elizabeth PHIRI, Minister of Gender, Zambia 	Hon. Dora SILIYA, Minister of Information &#038; Broadcasting Service, Zambia 	Hon. Silvia Paula Lutucuta, Minister of Health, Angola 	Hon. Dr. NDIKUMANA Thadée, Minister of Public Health &#038; Fighting against AIDS, Burundi 	Hon. Dr. François HAVYARIMANA, Ministre de L’Education Nationale et de la Recherche Scientifique, Burundi 	Hon. Imelde SABUSHIMIKE, Ministre de la Solidarité Nationale, des Affaires Sociales, des Droits de la Personne Humaine et du Genre, Burundi 	 Hon. Marie Chantal NIJIMBERE, Ministre de la Communication, des Technologies de L’Information et des Médias, Republic of Burundi 	 Hon. Jacquiline Lydia Mikolo, Minister of Health &#038; Population, Republic of the Congo 	 Hon. Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, Minister of Health, The Gambia 	 Hon. Ebrima SILLAH, Minister of Information, The Gambia 	 Hon. Colonel Remy Lama, Minister of Health, Guinea Conakry 	 Hon. Pr. Amadou Bano Barry, Minister of Education, Guinea Conakry 	 Hon. Amara Sompare, Minister of Information &#038; Communication, Guinea Conkary 	 Hon. Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, Minister of Health &#038; Population, Malawi 	 Hon. Dr. Patricia Kaliati, Minister Of Gender, Community Development &#038; Social Welfare, Republic of Malawi 	 Hon. Agnes Nyalonje, Minister Of Education, Malawi 	 Hon. Ulemu Msungama, Minister Of Youth &#038; Sports, Malawi 	 Hon. Timoth Pagonachi Mtambo, Minister Of Civic Education &#038; National Unity, Malawi 	 Hon. Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, Minister of Health &#038; Social Services, Namibia 	 Hon. Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, State Minister for Health, Uganda 	 Hon. Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Information &#038; Broadcasting Publicity, Zimbabwe 	 Hon. Sthembiso Nyoni, Minster of Women Affairs Small &#038; Medium Enterprises, Zimbabwe 	Hon. Amon Murwira, Minister of Higher &#038; Tertiary Education, Zimbabwe 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: 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). Media files

Merck Foundation brings 26 African Ministers together to Empower Women and Youth in STEM through their online Merck Africa Research Summit (MARS) in partnership with African Union

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TECNO (www.TECNO-mobile.com), a rising superstar as a global smartphone brand of the new generation, has taken centre stage once again with the newest phone in its CAMON series &#8211; the TECNO CAMON 17. Entering the scene with an exciting launch, the event attendees were treated to a stunning documentary that discusses thought-provoking subjects surrounding the rise of the selfie and the selfie generation&#39;s needs. As the event progressed, the audience is assured that the TECNO CAMON 17 is indeed made to fulfil this young generation&#39;s needs – both functionally and socially and emotionally.

The documentary, titled &#8220;Rise of The Selfie&#39;&#39; dives into the selfie&#39;s history and why it has become such an essential feature of the current generation.This aligns with a cause TECNO has always been championing: a smartphone is not about the brand, but about the consumer himself. To be the smartphone brand for the users who are always “young at heart”and challenge themselves for new things, TECNO CAMON 17 Pro enables  individuals’ want to further express their unique selves.
The documentary outlines the way of looking at the future. Selfies will be an important medium of self-expression, as gleaned from how the young ‘digital native’ generation, not just for individuals but also groups, whether online or in person. The film feature experts Thomas Curran, Professor of Psychology, Eugenie Shinkle, Reader in Photography and Lucy Hedges, Tech Journalist in Photography, to share their valuable insights. They introduced the audience to the less heard beginnings of the selfie. This gave the audience an understanding of this generation&#39;s habits and why the TECNO CAMON 17 is so well-suited for its users.
 In the film, Sara Johansen, Fashion Model, illustrated how selfies are a game-changer for people who are not celebrities to become influencers themselves.She poses with the TECNO CAMON 17 in the documentary, flaunting the phone&#39;s sleek details and selfie skills. Sara claimed that selfie phones like the TECNO CAMON 17 Pro allows users to control their own images by taking photos that showcase the best of themselves, and also is an unconscious self suggestion to be the best self, which is the core value of selfie. Fitted with the most updated functions, the TECNO CAMON 17 will also use the next generation TAIVOS 2.0 to optimise the camera settings based on the user&#39;s scenery changes. All this is captured by a front camera that is inconspicuously placed.
The social phenomenon of selfies has been gaining serious momentum in recent years and have become central to how people express themselves. The world has shifted permanently due to the impacts of COVID-19 and the selfie function has perhaps become even more important as people use it to keep in touch with loved ones safely.The CAMON 17 Pro is the first product to put this behavior into focus as users nowadays in post-epidemic era associate selfies with their identity, making phone manufacturers such as TECNO sit up and take note.
The TECNO CAMON 17&#39;s entrance to the smartphone market came at the perfect time. Users want more from their selfies and would appreciate a smartphone with a high-quality camera and grants them the freedom to explore their creativity. The TECNO CAMON series of today has simplified the photo taking process for the user’s ease of use and made it so much more enjoyable even for someone not well-versed with technology. Not only will the user&#39;s loved ones be able to enjoy life-like photos, the FHD screen of the TECNO CAMON 17 is extremely clear. This high-quality display provides users incomparable clarity as they chat over video calls. They can also fully immerse in high-definition videos and intense games.  
The innovative launch event exploring the story of selfie reflects the rising brand horizon to exert more effort on industrial, social, and humanistic care rather than the product portfolio only which is an indication that TECNO is on the way to one of the leading brands around the world.
As a rising global brand, TECNO is showing the vision and maturity as a thought leader contributing to the global conversation through the commission of the documentary. 
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of TECNO Mobile.
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TECNO CAMON 17 makes a stunning debut with a notable boost from an insightful selfie documentary

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By Stephen Ebert

THE ongoing conflict in the Central African Republic is gradually draws to a victorious end. It is incredible how much the situation has change since the January 13 when the Patriots for Change Coalition (CPC) launched the attack on the CAR capital Bangui.
They were vigorously pushed back the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) and their Russian and Rwandan allies. It was the start of a very successful counter-attack, that led to the liberation of almost 50 cities.
The local population welcomes the presence of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) and Russian allied forces. Now people can move freely and finally enjoy a quiet life. This breath-taking success would be impossible without the support of the Russian instructors, who not only have trained FACA soldiers on training bases, but also continue to provide training on the ground, inspiring the soldiers to move forward and grow professionally.
The civilian population of the liberated localities notes that despite the fact that Russian instructors are not armed and do not participate directly in the fighting, they very positively influence the soldiers thanks to their leadership and professionalism.
According to different national and international experts, the bilateral cooperation between the CAR and Russia proves to be efficient. According to Italian sociologist Carlo Ecemitano, the Russian presence in Africa offers African countries many opportunities for development – “the Russian presence in the Central African Republic is good news for all Africans”.
The fact that Russia was never involved in colonial exploitation of the continent makes this Northern country a respectful and serious ally of African continent, especially when it comes to francophone countries.
The role played by the European countries on the African continent diminishes, as more and more nations find its own stand in the world.
Numerous anti-French protest erupt in all former French colonies, including the CAR.
Sociologist Maxim Shougaley draws attention to the fact that recently France has been losing its standing in African countries: “During the conflict that began shortly before the elections in the CAR, France did not align itself only with the legitimate leadership of the country.
Thanks to the actions of the Central African army, trained by Russian instructors, it was possible to protect the civilian population from bandits, so now Paris launches a massive propaganda campaign to discredit those who champion for peace in the CAR. This is a colonial policy that France, 50 years after the liberation of the CAR, should forget about”.
Even though the government of the CAR has been constantly asking the UN to lift the embargo on arms to allow the decent supply of weaponry to the national armed forces, the UN seems reluctant to comply with this request.
It constrains the government, which had struggled to equip their soldiers, who happen to be worse-supplied than the rebels, acquiring weapons through illegal routes. But despite this major disadvantage, the FACA managed beat the CPC terrorist with better tactics and motivation.
It is worth mentioning thought that both the Central African government and their Russian counterparts respect the rules imposed by the UN: all the help provided by the Russian side has been fully approved by the United Nations Security Council.
The recent events in the Central African Republic show that with the right policies and the help pf true partners it is possible to break the cycle of violence and bring peace even to the most difficult and insecure regions.
NB: Stephen Ebert is American political scientist
Read the article: https://www.cajnewsafrica.com/2021/05/10/the-central-african-republic-independent-present-and-secure-future/
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CAJ News Africa.

Central African Republic: independent present and secure future (By Stephen Ebert)

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The global law firm, DLA Piper, has partnered with Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com), the leading trade and investment platform for African markets, to support the development of ESG best practice in African renewable energy projects.
Clear Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) targets and measurements have become an increasingly important part of fundraising as investors seek to align their portfolios with sustainable growth. For a continent boasting ample natural resources, this presents a significant opportunity for Africa’s green energy sector. However, renewable does not always equal sustainable and developing and articulating ESG metrics can pose a significant challenge to projects as they prepare investment rounds.
The project will assemble experts from the worlds of impact investment, development finance and law. Across a series of online meetings, participants will discuss strategies to improve ESG practices in African renewable projects from both a fundraising and operational perspective.
Amongst those speaking in the inaugural session on Thursday 13th May are Cathy Oxby, Chief Commercial Officer, Africa Greenco, Dr. Valeria Biurrun-Zaumm, Senior Investment Manager, DEG, Orli Arav, Managing Director &#8211; Facility For Energy Inclusion (FEI) &#8211; Lion&#39;s Head Global Partners, Beatrice Nyabira, Partner, DLA Piper Africa, Kenya (IKM Advocates) and Natasha Luther-Jones, Partner, Global Co-Chair of Energy and Natural Resources, International Co-Head, Sustainability and ESG, DLA Piper.
Veronica Bolton-Smith, COO of Invest Africa said, “Africa is particularly vulnerable to the impact of climate change despite contributing very little to global emissions. As the price of renewables fall, they will form an ever more important part of Africa’s electrification. In this context, it is essential that projects be given the tools to apply best practice in ESG not only from an environmental perspective but also in terms of good governance, fair working conditions and contribution to social inclusion. I look forward to working closely with DLA Piper on this important topic.”
Natasha Luther-Jones, Global Co-Chair Energy and Natural Resources and International Co-Head Sustainability and ESG at DLA Piper also commented, “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges companies, and people, face today and when we look at its reduction – whether that be in how we power our devices, what we eat or how we dress, where we live or how we work – all roads come back to the need to increase the amount of accessible, and affordable, clean energy. However, renewable energy companies are not automatically sustainable as sustainability is a focus on all ESG factors, not just environmental. We know the need for renewable energy is only going to continue to rise, and therefore so will the number and size of renewable energy companies. The additional challenge is to make sure they are truly sustainable organisations and that’s what we’re excited about discussing during the webinar.”
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.
Media Contact: Eleanor.brown@investafrica.com
About Invest Africa: Invest Africa is a leading business and investment platform, using over sixty years’ experience in Africa to provide its members with unique information and exposure to business opportunities.
Headquartered in London, Invest Africa also operates from four chapter cities: Johannesburg, New York, Dubai and Geneva.
Our vision is to play a central and influential role in Africa’s socio-economic growth by guiding sustainable capital towards key prospects on the continent.
As the trusted entry point into Africa, we support and connect business and investment through a unique range of services and events, and our high standards consistently enact our belief that a responsible and profitable private sector has a crucial role to play in Africa’s development.
About DLA Piper: DLA Piper is a global law firm capable of taking care of the most important legal needs of clients wherever they do business. With offices throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, we represent more clients in a broader range of geographies and practice disciplines than virtually any other law firm in the world.
Our lawyers have wide experience in arbitration, banking, competition and trade, as well as corporate crime and corporate finance. We have strong practices in employment, energy, hospitality and leisure, insurance, intellectual property, litigation, mergers and acquisitions and have developed key teams in pensions, private equity, real estate, tax, and technology.
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Invest Africa and DLA Piper partner to support ESG best practice in African renewable energy projects

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Team Qhubeka ASSOS (www.TeamQhubeka.com) works with the Swiss CORE Body Temperature Monitoring technology to take training and racing performance to the next level. 

As a team who has remained on the cutting-edge of technology, we are thrilled to announce our partnership with CORE Body Temperature Monitoring which will gives our athletes and coaches advanced performance insights. While heart rate monitors and power meters are commonplace, core body temperature is vital but has previously been difficult to capture.
Our riders will use the CORE technology which incorporates an advanced sensor to capture accurate core body temperature data which can be used by the riders and our team’s performance coaches optimise training and enable to riders to compete at their best.
Team Principal, Douglas Ryder of Qhubeka ASSOS says, “Energy management is crucial in sport, particularly in endurance sport, and understanding its components like accurate core body temperature and dehydration intensity through wearable intelligent devices like CORE will give us a competitive advantage, and help us improve performance.”
Team Qhubeka ASSOS Performance Coach Elliot Lipski says, “Integrating CORE into our performance-led, technological and physiologically focussed coaching practices, will aid us in heat training, heat adaptation, as well as health and wellbeing management of our athletes.” 
The CORE technology is made by the Zurich-based greenTEG AG who also supply the medical sector and photonics industry with the thermal energy transfer sensors that are used in CORE.
greenTEG AG CEO, Wulf Glatz says, “We were attracted to Team Qhubeka ASSOS because of their sporting achievements and because we identify with the team philosophy. Douglas Ryder and his team have a history of embracing advanced technology on their quest for peak performance and the CORE Body Temperature Monitoring technology fits seamlessly. The new data will assist the riders, coaches and team in closing the gaps. We look forward to working with the team as well as with the team partners ASSOS and VORN on their integrated wearable intelligence for the riders.”
The CORE Body Temperature Monitoring device is a compact unit that clips onto the heart rate monitor strap, it measures live core body temperature metrics and records data directly onto the cycle computer. CORE is built with an advanced, Swiss-made, thermal energy transfer sensor which delivers accurate measurements (0.21ºC). It is the only wearable solution that allows athletes to capture highly accurate core body temperature data without the need for an ingested or inserted thermometer.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Team Qhubeka ASSOS.
Media Contact: Jean Smyth (Head of Communications) Email: jean@ryder.co.za Mobile: +27 63 4701 1710 or +31 625 739 033
About CORE: CORE is made by greenTEG AG in Zurich, a company founded in 2009. greenTEG develops and manufactures thermal sensors for the photonics and medical industry. The CORE Body Temperature monitoring device was developed as an affordable, wearable and convenient solution to accurately measure core body temperature in a non-invasive manner. Released in 2020, CORE has been adopted by prominent athletes, teams and national sporting bodies.
About Team Qhubeka ASSOS: Team Qhubeka ASSOS is a purpose-led, high-performance team, fighting to win on the world&#39;s biggest stage, to inspire hope and create opportunity. Founded in 2007, Team Qhubeka ASSOS (formerly NTT Pro Cycling) became the first-ever African cycling team to gain a UCI WorldTour license, in 2016.
We achieved our first major win in 2013 when Gerald Ciolek won Milan-San Remo, one of the five Monuments of cycling. We have competed in six Tour de France’s and notched up 7 stage wins, with Mark Cavendish wearing the coveted Yellow Jersey at the 2016 Tour de France.
We are a multicultural, diverse team with bases in South Africa, the Netherlands and Italy. There are 19 nationalities represented across our World Tour and continental feeder team rosters. Our focus on developing African cycling has resulted in more than 55 riders from the African continent be given the opportunity to race on the world stage, since the team&#39;s inception.
We race to help people to move forward with bicycles through our relationship with Qhubeka Charity. Through our work with Qhubeka, we have contributed to the distribution of over 30 000 bicycles in communities in South Africa.
About Qhubeka: Qhubeka is a charity that moves people forward with bicycles. People earn bicycles through our programmes, improving their access to schools, clinics and jobs.
A bicycle is a tool that helps people to travel faster and further, and to carry more. In the face of extreme and persistent poverty, bicycles can change lives by helping to address socioeconomic challenges at the most basic level – helping people to get where they need to go. 

All images attached to the press release can be used with the respective image credit in combination to this release.
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Team Qhubeka ASSOS and CORE advance to the next level in sports performance

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New cases: 316 Sample size: 4,251 Positvity rate: 7.4% Recoveries: 62 Recorded deaths: 12 Cumulative tests: 1,719,289 Total confirmed cases: 163,554 Total recoveres: 111,1941 Cumulative fatalities: 2,895
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.
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Coronavirus – Kenya: COVID-19 update (9 May 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.

The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) (www.AWIEForum.org) is hosting the fourth cohort of its flagship AWIEF Growth Accelerator, sponsored by Nedbank.

Access to finance is the most cited challenge to the growth of women-owned businesses in Africa. Bankability and investment readiness are major impediments to attracting business finance. The AWIEF Growth Accelerator is designed to support the unique needs of early-stage and high growth-oriented women-led ventures with business modelling, growth strategy training, corporate advisory, mentorship, networks, and access to strategic partnerships. The accelerator provides capital-raising support for growth, scale and sustainability. It builds women’s entrepreneurial leadership capacity, connects them with appropriate sources of capital and helps them scale.
Since 2017, more than 100 early-growth-stage women founders have gone through the accelerator programme. For the 2021 cohort, 20 female entrepreneurs will be selected from sectors including: technology, agribusiness, financial services, manufacturing, health, education, tourism &#038; hospitality, creative industries, and renewable energy.
Call for applications
Applications are invited from dynamic and innovative female entrepreneurs for the AWIEF Growth Accelerator 2021 cohort.
Why join the programme?
After six months of hard work and being challenged, as part of the AWIEF Growth Accelerator cohort, you will be ready to tell your story and showcase your business to the world. The programme offers:
 	Three two-day bootcamps. 	Masterclasses: international expert-led sessions covering all scaling fundamentals. 	One-on-one tailored mentorship and leadership coaching. 	Corporate partners: connection to corporates in your industry for valuable partnership opportunities, and as customers. 	Access to investors: get connected to opportunities with Nedbank and active VCs, impact and angel investors looking to invest in African women-led ventures. 	Pitch n GrowÔ: Demo day/pitching event at the 7th annual AWIEF Conference and Awards (AWIEF2021) scheduled to take place on 2nd and 3rd December 2021. 	Free delegate pass to AWIEF2021 conference sessions. 	Join the AWIEF Community and alumni growth programme: unmatched access to a pan-African and global network and peer connection to other women entrepreneurs, continued online post-programme support, e-learning, events, and tailored introductions. 
Eligibility
Businesses must be:
 	South African Exempt Micro Enterprises (EMEs) or Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSEs); at least 50% female black-owned. 	in a post-revenue phase. 	scalable and innovative ventures. 	in operation for not less than three years. 	owned or led by ambitious and committed women entrepreneurs. 	seeking investment or funding to scale. 
Timeline
Applications open: 10 May 2021 Applications close: 14 June 2021 Recruitment: 15 &#8211; 30 June 2021 Accelerator starts: 12th July 2021 Culminating event: Pitch n GrowÔ during AWIEF2021 Conference, 2nd and 3rd December 2021
What past AWIEF Growth Accelerator participants say:
“The AWIEF Growth Accelerator was an incredibly inspiring, safe and supportive environment, and was particularly useful during our sudden, rapid growth phase.”
“My business is growing and it’s thanks to AWIEF. Thank you for the tools, drive, and confidence to accelerate my company to new heights.”
Watch the video showcasing a past AWIEF Growth Accelerator participant: https://bit.ly/3xYdWjk
To submit application for AWIEF Growth Accelerator 2021 cohort, please follow this link: http://bit.ly/AWIEFGrowthAccelerator21
Application deadline is Monday, 14 May 2021 at 23:59 CAT.  Applications will only be accepted through the link above.
For more information email: info@awieforum.org
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF).
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Nedbank and Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum Partner for the Fourth Cohort of the AWIEF Growth Accelerator

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Team Qhubeka ASSOS (www.TeamQhubeka.com) sprinter Giacomo Nizzolo stormed to an impressive second place on stage two (179km) of the Giro d&#39;Italia, that finished in Novara on Sunday.

The stage was won by Tim Merlier (Alpecin-Fenix) with Elia Viviani following Nizzolo home to complete the podium.
A relatively benign ride by the peloton in towards the finish saw key moments in the final 4km well marshaled by the likes of Bert-Jan Lindeman, Max Walscheid and Victor Campenaerts.
In the finale, Merlier opened up his sprint with around 200m to go and impressively managed to hold off the fast-finishing Nizzolo who was just unable to come around him at the line.
Nizzolo&#39;s podium place followed up an excellent opening stage individual time trial for the team in which Walscheid finished second.
At the conclusion of stage two Team Qhubeka ASSOS also retain fifth position in the overall team classification.
Giacomo Nizzolo
I think overall that I got the best out of it (the situation), Merlier did a great sprint so I think today the strongest won. Obviously as it was the first stage of the Giro everybody was full of energy so the sprint was quite hectic and I found myself in a good place with 1km to go.
I had a good wheel, I tried to overtake him but obviously it was not enough.
Overall I&#39;m happy and I think that we&#39;ve started this Giro well; and hopefully we can get a better result in the coming days.
Aart Vierhouten &#8211; Sports Director
We should be happy with how he ended up in the final, as we saw a team together at the right points &#8211; they were there &#8211; and that&#39;s already satisfying when you&#39;re in the car and see the plan is working.
At the last moment we just missed one guy but Giacomo is smart enough to be in the right spot, on the right wheel. We spoke about Merlier before, we saw that that he&#39;s been riding well for the last weeks so I think everything was in place, and in the end Giacomo got beaten.
This is a second place at the Giro d&#39;Italia, at a Grand Tour. He should be happy and we&#39;re waiting for more, and it will come. That&#39;s for sure.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Team Qhubeka ASSOS.
Media Contact: Jean Smyth (Head of Communications) Email: jean@ryder.co.za Mobile: +27 63 4701 1710 or +31 625 739 033
About Team Qhubeka ASSOS: Team Qhubeka ASSOS is a purpose-led, high-performance team, fighting to win on the world&#39;s biggest stage, to inspire hope and create opportunity. Founded in 2007, Team Qhubeka ASSOS (formerly NTT Pro Cycling) became the first-ever African cycling team to gain a UCI WorldTour license, in 2016.
We achieved our first major win in 2013 when Gerald Ciolek won Milan-San Remo, one of the five Monuments of cycling. We have competed in six Tour de France’s and notched up 7 stage wins, with Mark Cavendish wearing the coveted Yellow Jersey at the 2016 Tour de France.
We are a multicultural, diverse team with bases in South Africa, the Netherlands and Italy. There are 19 nationalities represented across our World Tour and continental feeder team rosters. Our focus on developing African cycling has resulted in more than 55 riders from the African continent be given the opportunity to race on the world stage, since the team&#39;s inception.
We race to help people to move forward with bicycles through our relationship with Qhubeka Charity. Through our work with Qhubeka, we have contributed to the distribution of over 30 000 bicycles in communities in South Africa.
About Qhubeka: Qhubeka is a charity that moves people forward with bicycles. People earn bicycles through our programmes, improving their access to schools, clinics and jobs.
A bicycle is a tool that helps people to travel faster and further, and to carry more. In the face of extreme and persistent poverty, bicycles can change lives by helping to address socioeconomic challenges at the most basic level – helping people to get where they need to go. 
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Nizzolo storms to 2nd place on stage 2 of Giro d’Italia

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Tests conducted: 10,887,709 Positive cases identified: 1,596,595 Total recoveries: 1,516,256 Total deaths: 54,735 New cases: 1,778
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa, Department of Health.
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Coronavirus – South Africa: COVID-19 Statistics in South Africa (9 May 2021)

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Total daily tests: 550 New confirmed cases: 3 Cumulative confirmed cases: 18,480 Active cases: 26 Recoveries: 17,783 (6 new) Currently admitted: 3 New deaths: 0 Total deaths: 671 Total vaccinated to date: 35,227
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini.
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Coronavirus – Eswatini: COVID-19 daily update (9 May 2021)

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Total cases: 25,652 (+66) Recovered: 24,153 (+34) | 94.1% Active cases: 1,161 In critical condition: 0 Tests: 1,344,650 (+3,481) Test positivity rate: 1.9% Vaccinated: 350,400  Deaths: 338 (+0) | 1.3%
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Republic of Rwanda.
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Coronavirus – Rwanda: COVID-19 update (9 May 2021)

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This year&#39;s Men’s Sevens Solidarity Camp brought together champions of African Sevens Rugby under one camp.

Teams are South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.


Currently only South Africa and Kenya have qualified for the Olympic Games in the men&#39;s category. But Uganda and Zimbabwe still stand a chance through the Olympic Repechage. The Olympic Repechage is due to take place in Monaco on the 19th and 20th of June with the Olympic Games Tokyo starting on the 26th to the 28th of July for Men.

Through the leadership of Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com), African teams are coming together to prepare the qualified teams for the Olympic Games and Olympic Repechage with friendly tournaments and shared preparation camps.

Copyright free broadcast-quality footage are available for media to download here: https://bit.ly/3uzUTd5 (1,1 Go)

This material is offered for free and unrestricted news use.

Shotlist: 09 May

00:00 >     01:03 >     5/6 Play off, Zimbabwe v Stellenbosch Academy of Sport 7s >     Zimbabwe won 24-19 01:03 >     01:56 >     3/4 Play off, Uganda v SA2 >     SA2 won 26-7 01:03 >     03:58 >     Final, Kenya v SA1 >     SA1 won 31-7

Interviews: Neil Powell     >     South Africa Coach Chris Dry     >     South Africa Innocent Simiyu     >     Kenya Coach Tolbert Onyanga     >     Uganda Coach (In English &#038; Luganda).

Read the full press release: https://bit.ly/3xTCYjv
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Rugby Africa.

B-roll: African rugby teams are coming together to prepare for the Olympic Games and Olympic Repechage – Day 2

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Total cases: 25,586 (+47) Recovered: 24,119 (+69) | 94.2% Active cases: 1,129 In critical condition: 0 Tests: 1,341,169 (+4,069) Test positivity rate: 1.1% Vaccinated: 350,400 (+113) Deaths: 338 (+0) | 1.3%
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Republic of Rwanda.
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Coronavirus – Rwanda: COVID-19 update (8 May 2021)

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Newly confirmed cases :341 Recoveries: 27 Active cases : 2026 Deaths : 1

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health and Social Services, Namibia.

Coronavirus – Namibia: COVID-19 update (8 May 2021)

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As of 8th May, we report 53 new cases out of 4,325 tests (1% positivity), 47 recoveries, 5,787 new vaccinations and 1 new death recorded.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI).
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Coronavirus – Nigeria: COVID-19 case update (9 May 2021)

Coronavirus – Ethiopia: COVID-19 reported cases in Ethiopia (9 May 2021)

Merck Foundation brings 26 African Ministers together to Empower Women and Youth in STEM through their online Merck Africa Research Summit (MARS) in partnership with African Union

TECNO CAMON 17 makes a stunning debut with a notable boost from an insightful selfie documentary

Central African Republic: independent present and secure future (By Stephen Ebert)

Invest Africa and DLA Piper partner to support ESG best practice in African renewable energy projects

Team Qhubeka ASSOS and CORE advance to the next level in sports performance

Coronavirus – Kenya: COVID-19 update (9 May 2021)

Nedbank and Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum Partner for the Fourth Cohort of the AWIEF Growth Accelerator

Nizzolo storms to 2nd place on stage 2 of Giro d’Italia

Coronavirus – South Africa: COVID-19 Statistics in South Africa (9 May 2021)

Coronavirus – Eswatini: COVID-19 daily update (9 May 2021)

Coronavirus – Rwanda: COVID-19 update (9 May 2021)

B-roll: African rugby teams are coming together to prepare for the Olympic Games and Olympic Repechage – Day 2

Coronavirus – Rwanda: COVID-19 update (8 May 2021)

Coronavirus – Namibia: COVID-19 update (8 May 2021)

Coronavirus – Zambia: COVID-19 statistics daily status update (8 May 2021)

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Coronavirus – Nigeria: COVID-19 case update (9 May 2021)

Coronavirus – Ethiopia: COVID-19 reported cases in Ethiopia (9 May 2021)

Merck Foundation brings 26 African Ministers together to Empower Women and Youth in STEM through their online Merck Africa Research Summit (MARS) in partnership with African Union

TECNO CAMON 17 makes a stunning debut with a notable boost from an insightful selfie documentary

Central African Republic: independent present and secure future (By Stephen Ebert)

Invest Africa and DLA Piper partner to support ESG best practice in African renewable energy projects

Team Qhubeka ASSOS and CORE advance to the next level in sports performance

Coronavirus – Kenya: COVID-19 update (9 May 2021)

Nedbank and Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum Partner for the Fourth Cohort of the AWIEF Growth Accelerator

Nizzolo storms to 2nd place on stage 2 of Giro d’Italia

Coronavirus – South Africa: COVID-19 Statistics in South Africa (9 May 2021)

Coronavirus – Eswatini: COVID-19 daily update (9 May 2021)

Coronavirus – Rwanda: COVID-19 update (9 May 2021)

B-roll: African rugby teams are coming together to prepare for the Olympic Games and Olympic Repechage – Day 2

Coronavirus – Rwanda: COVID-19 update (8 May 2021)

Coronavirus – Namibia: COVID-19 update (8 May 2021)

Coronavirus – Zambia: COVID-19 statistics daily status update (8 May 2021)

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