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Around 40 km outside Cape Town, Leebah Bessick wipes sweat from her forehead as she digs a pitchfork into the earth at a neighbourhood community garden. It’s an unseasonably hot day here at Blackheath Secondary School and even a shady corner of the garden offers Bessick and the other gardeners little respite from the midday sun.

Still, she finds refuge here these days after enduring a year of hardship and unemployment caused by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, which hit South Africans hard.
“I learned that the only way to survive is through asking for help and accepting it from kind people,” Bessick says. “In return, I’ve learned to appreciate the little things in life. I try to help out in community projects to return the favour.”
Bessick, 43, had a fairly comfortable middle-class lifestyle until the pandemic shut down borders and businesses across the world last year, including in South Africa, which has experienced one of Africa’s worst outbreaks. The bookkeeper at a small financial services firm was first forced to take a pay cut; then, in July 2020, she was laid off.
The government child support grant she has received each month as a single mother of three since her savings ran out, has been a lifeline. Bessick receives the equivalent of $90 a month – $30 each for her 15-year-old daughter and two boys, aged 7 and 8.
“I didn’t have a lot of money, but I was comfortable. There was money through the month for things like going to the doctor’s. Now I’m stuck with the same contact lenses. My glasses broke. I haven’t been able to change them for a year,” she says.
Millions of Bessick’s compatriots are in the same predicament as a result of the pandemic’s twin health and economic crises. The virus has infected more than 1.5 million South Africans and killed 54,417, according to national health department statistics released on 2 May 2021.
About 2.6 million South Africans have lost their jobs since the pandemic hit, according to the African Development Bank’s 2021 African Economic Outlook report (https://bit.ly/3en9DpM). Like many financially constrained African countries, South Africa turned to the African Development Bank to support its Covid-19 health and economic response efforts. In July 2020, the Bank approved a loan of around $288 million (https://bit.ly/3ha0kvh) to the government.
The funding supported the provision of essential healthcare needs. By February 2021, South Africa had boosted its Covid-19 testing capacity roughly sevenfold to conduct 35,000 tests per day. In the same month, it became one of a handful of African countries to launch a vaccination program, although the rollout has been slow.
To counter the socioeconomic effects of the crisis, 18 million people, or close to one-third of the country’s population, have received additional social grants. This has helped lift more than five million people above the food poverty line and alleviated widespread hunger. Over 4.5 million workers have received more than $3.8 billion in wage support through a temporary unemployment insurance fund. In spite of these interventions, the conservative estimate of South Africa’s unemployment rate is 30%.
Patricia Blows, who runs the community garden in Blackheath, encouraged Bessick to join her in growing vegetables on the school-donated plot of land. Affectionately known as Aunty Pat, she recalls that during the worst of the pandemic, people constantly knocked at her door in search of food. After a while, she said, she could no longer turn them away and that is how Pat – and the rest of her family – contracted the coronavirus.
“Luckily enough, it’s starting to get better now,” she said, as the chatter of young people spilled out into the afternoon air. “But now we must rebuild.”
Find out more about the Bank’s Covid-19 response (www.AfDB.org/covid-19).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Editor’s note: Shortly after this interview was conducted, Leebah Bessick found employment.
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Social safety nets, community spirit help South African mother through Covid-19 crisis

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The Basketball Africa League (BAL) (www.theBAL.com) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), France’s public development bank committed to financing and technical assistance for projects that improve the lives of people in developing and emerging economies, today announced AFD as an official partner of the BAL.  The inaugural BAL season will tip off Sunday, May 16 at the Kigali Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, with 12 teams from across Africa competing in the new professional league.  The first BAL Finals will be held Sunday, May 30.

Through the partnership, AFD will use the game of basketball to advocate for social development across the African continent, with a focus on disadvantaged communities.  The partnership aims to advance access to education, wellness and greater inclusion of girls and women in all aspects of society as part of AFD’s support for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Together, AFD and the BAL will promote Sport en Commun (Sport in Common) (www.SportenCommun.org/en/), a pan-African initiative established by AFD aimed at using sport as a tool for economic and social development in Africa.  Based in Dakar, Sport en Commun supports and finances sports projects that impact development and social cohesion in Africa.  AFD and the BAL will use this platform to highlight inspiring initiatives that provide skills and opportunities to young Africans.
“I am thrilled with this partnership between the Basketball Africa League and the Agence Française de Développement, which will help make sport a lever for sustainable development in Africa,” said AFD Chief Executive Officer Rémy Rioux. “This trailblazing league is a testament to the dynamic sports environment of a continent undergoing rapid economic and social change, and ushers in a new era of cooperation, working together through sports to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”
“AFD’s experience in driving social projects, combined with the love and passion for the game of basketball across the continent, will create a unique platform that will reinforce our belief that sports has the power to transform lives,” said BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall.  “The BAL is the latest milestone in our efforts to grow the game in Africa, with the ultimate goal of impacting communities well beyond the court.  We will use this partnership to provide Africa’s youth with resources, skills and opportunities they will utilise throughout their lives to influence positive social change for the continent.”
Following the conclusion of the inaugural BAL season, the BAL and its partners – including AFD – will host an Africa Youth Summit in Dakar, Senegal, where youth leaders and other stakeholders will discuss socioeconomic challenges and collaborate on practical solutions to address them, particularly through sports-related initiatives.
Champions from the national leagues in Angola, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia earned their participation in the inaugural season.  The remaining six teams, which come from Algeria, Cameroon, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique and Rwanda, secured their participation through BAL qualifying tournaments conducted by FIBA Regional Office Africa across the continent in late 2019.
Additional details about the BAL will be announced in the coming weeks.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).
Media Contacts : Yvon Edoumou BAL +221 77 637 3401 yedoumou@thebal.com
Clément Lapointe AFD lapointec@afd.fr
About AFD: The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) implements France’s international development and solidarity policy.  Through its public sector and NGO financing activities, research, and publications (AFD Publications), training on sustainable development (AFD Campus) and awareness raising activities in France, AFD finances, supports and accelerates the transition to a fairer and more sustainable world.  AFD builds shared solutions with its partners, with and for the peoples of the South.  AFD teams are involved in more than 4,000 projects, which are having a major impact in 115 countries, French overseas departments, and regions in crisis, for the common good: climate, biodiversity, peace, gender equality, education and health.  AFD highlights the commitment of France and the French people towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
About the BAL: The BAL, a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the NBA, is a new professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa.  The BAL, which is headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, builds on the foundation of club competitions FIBA Regional Office Africa has organized in Africa and marks the NBA’s first collaboration to operate a league outside North America.  Fans can follow the BAL @theBAL on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and register their interest in receiving more information at www.theBAL.com.

Basketball Africa League And Agence Francaise De Developpement to Advance Education and Inclusion in Africa

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Energy Capital &#038; Power (ECP) (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com) is excited to announce its strategic partnership with CNBC Africa via ABN Productions to produce and distribute its latest Africa Energy Series documentaries; The series will feature first-hand interviews with key energy industry thought leaders and decision-makers in Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea and Angola; Each 30-minute episode will be available to watch on CNBC Africa and YouTube, and promoted in Forbes Africa magazine and on ECP’s platforms. 

Energy Capital &#038; Power (ECP) – the continent’s leading energy investment platform – is excited to announce its strategic partnership with CNBC Africa, effective immediately, for the production and distribution of a series of high-impact documentaries on the African energy sector.
Serving as the visual accompaniment to ECP’s Africa Energy Series investment reports, the documentaries will feature first-hand interviews with government officials, private sector players, industry regulators and energy experts discussing the current developments and future ambitions of Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea and Angola.
The documentary series will be available to watch on CNBC Africa and YouTube and promoted in Forbes Africa magazine and on ECP’s platforms. Each market will represent one episode within the larger series, with 30-minute programs published throughout 2021 and 2022. Each episode will showcase how Africa’s most high profile and dynamic energy producing markets are dealing with COVID-19, the energy transition, investment promotion, innovation and technology and more.
The programs will create a greater understanding of the opportunities available in Africa, including in particular in the natural gas industry, and to unlock investment in the selected markets.
“We are thrilled to announce our distribution partnership with CNBC Africa – one of the leading sources of business and economic affairs on the continent – and to take another step forward in shaping and championing Africa’s energy narrative,” says Kelly-Ann Mealia, Chairperson of ECP. “Since releasing our first books and films in 2016, ECP has long-recognized the value of engaging with our audience across multimedia platforms, and we look forward to renewing this initiative with new tools under our belt. The Africa Energy Series documentaries represent a dynamic and contemporary vehicle to not only tell investors about the rich landscapes, vibrant spirit and limitless potential of Africa’s leading energy markets, but to show them.”
The announcement comes after ECP, formerly Africa Oil &#038; Power, underwent a comprehensive re-branding last month, repositioning itself within a shifting energy investment environment. The brand refresh encompasses new service offerings, including strategic communications, custom publishing and events, and bespoke creative and marketing solutions, with a renewed emphasis on video and multimedia content and an enhanced distribution network.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital &#038; Power.
To find out more about ECP and its dynamic vision for the African energy sector, please visit www.EnergyCapitalPower.com.
To participate in the upcoming Africa Energy Series documentaries, please contact editorial@energycapitalpower.com and to advertise or sponsor, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.
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Energy Capital & Power, CNBC Africa Partner for Africa Energy Series Documentaries

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World Asthma Day theme is ‘Uncovering Asthma Misconceptions’, challenging long-held misconceptions that prevent people with asthma from enjoying optimal benefit from the advances in the management of asthma; In Africa, it is estimated that over 40 million people are living with asthma; AstraZeneca’s Africa PUMUA Initiative (www.AstraZeneca.com) is a collaboration with Ministries of Health, local health providers, healthcare societies and respiratory health experts to redefine asthma care in Africa

To mark World Asthma Day (WAD) on the 5th of May, Global Pharmaceutical Company AstraZeneca officially opened and handed over the first PUMUA nebulisation stations across 4 countries: Kenya, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Ethiopia. The nebulisation stations, the first of the targeted 1000 to be implemented this year, are part of AstraZeneca’s Africa PUMUA Initiative, meaning ‘breathe’ in Swahili.

The Africa PUMUA Initiative looks at addressing the barriers currently preventing access to care for patients with asthma. It was designed in consultation and collaboration with Ministries of Health, local health providers, healthcare societies and respiratory health experts to strengthen local health systems and centres to improve paediatric and adult asthma management across both the public and private sectors.

The theme of the World Asthma Day event this year, organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma, (GINA), is ‘Uncovering Asthma Misconceptions’, providing a call to action to address common widely held myths and misconceptions concerning asthma that prevent people living with asthma from enjoying optimal benefit from the major advances in the management of asthma. In Africa, it is estimated that over 40 million people are living with asthma [II] and the World Health Organisation (WHO) cautions that over 80% of asthma-related deaths occur in low-and lower-middle income countries [III].  This figure highlights the importance and urgency of ensuring that those at risk of or who are living with asthma have timely access to healthcare services, such as appropriate diagnosis, a direct link to care and reliable access to quality treatments to achieve control. This lies at the heart of the Africa PUMUA Initiative, which contributes to this effort by partnering with and supporting local health stakeholders and health systems in Africa

Barbara Nel, AstraZeneca Country President for African Cluster said: “This World Asthma Day, we’re joining the respiratory community across the globe in challenging long-held misconceptions around asthma to drive the prioritisation that is needed to deliver better outcomes for people living with this disease. We are delighted to mark this important week in the respiratory calendar with the kick-off for installations of nebulisation stations and nebulisation machines in four countries across the continent as part of our Africa PUMUA Initiative. By joining forces with the Ministry of Health, respiratory societies and our other partners, we can achieve results that go beyond what any individual stakeholder can achieve. This is the value of public-private partnerships, with the patient at the centre.”
[I] Estimate of the prevalence of asthma in Africa https://bit.ly/3ekdofV last accessed 13 October 2020
[II] Estimate of the prevalence of asthma in Africa https://bit.ly/3ekdofV last accessed 13 October 2020
[III] Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 328 diseases and injuries for 195 countries, 1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. Lancet 2017; 390: 1211–59 https://bit.ly/33jHMk2. 
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AstraZeneca.
About AstraZeneca: AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas &#8211; Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal &#038; Metabolism, and Respiratory &#038; Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on LinkedIn @AstraZeneca.
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AstraZeneca Africa PUMUA Initiative celebrates World Asthma Day with the handover of the first PUMUA nebulisation stations in 4 countries

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The IRC is extremely concerned about the safety of migrants and refugees being returned to Libya, following a huge spike in the number brought back by the Libyan Coast Guard this weekend.

Since Thursday, the IRC’s teams have responded to four disembarkations in the west of the country, providing medical attention and Core Relief Items, including water, blankets and hygiene items to 696 survivors, including 79 women and 36 children. Bringing the total of those returned to Libya so far this year to approximately 7,000 people.
Thomas Garofalo, Libya Country Director at the International Rescue Committee, said
&#8220;Those returned are fortunate to have survived. So far this year, more than 500 people have tragically drowned or gone missing while attempting this journey &#8211; including more than 130 in a single shipwreck just last week. However, the situation for those returned to Libyan soil remains dire.&#8221;
The vast majority of people assisted by the IRC this weekend were immediately sent to overcrowded detention centres, where they are now at grave risk of ill-treatment, exploitation and violence, and face a lack of access to basic services such as adequate hygiene and sanitation facilities.
These horrific conditions only push extremely vulnerable people to take further risky journeys. With legal pathways to safety almost non-existent, the endless cycle of return and exploitation will continue unabated unless urgent action is taken.
The international community has the means and the tools to reverse this trend and prevent yet more avoidable deaths this summer. The IRC calls on political leaders to urgently prevent the needless loss of yet more lives in the Mediterranean Sea by re-establishing search and rescue operations, strengthening coordination with all rescue actors, ending returns to unsafe ports, and working with the Libyan authorities to ensure the release of all migrants and asylum seekers from detention centres in the country.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Rescue Committee.

The IRC is extremely concerned about the safety of migrants and refugees being returned to Libya

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345 people have tested positive to the disease, from a sample size of 6,686 tested in the last 24 hours. Our positivity rate is at 5.2%.

Total confirmed positive cases are 160,904 and cumulative tests conducted are 1,688,106.

140 patients have recovered from the disease, 82 from Home Based &#038; Isolation Care, while 58 are from various health facilities countrywide. Total recoveries now stand at 109,217 of whom 79,525 are from Home Based Care and Isolation while 29,692 are from various health facilities.

24 deaths have been reported, with one having occurred in 24 hours, 15 on diverse dates within the last one month and 8 are late death reports from facility record audits. This now pushes cumulative fatalities to 2,805.

1,230 patients are currently admitted in various health facilities countrywide, while 6,654 patients are on Home Based Isolation and Care.  154 patients are in the ICU, 26 of whom are on ventilatory support and 101 on supplemental oxygen. 27 patients are on observation.

117 patients are separately on supplemental oxygen with 109 of them in general wards and 8 in High Dependency Units.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.
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Coronavirus – Kenya: COVID-19 update (4 May 2021)

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Mr. Ange de la Victoire DUSABEMUNGU, a journalist from TOPAFRICANEWS.COM, Rwanda’s Panafrican News Website, is one of 50 journalists selected from around the world to take part in the United States&#39; Combatting the Climate Crisis through the U.S. Innovations Virtual Reporting Tour.

Mr. DUSABEMUNGU is an experienced Communications Associate with a demonstrated history of working in Rwanda&#39;s Media industry.
Environment journalist at www.TOPAFRICANEWS.com. Mr. DUSABEMUNGU started working in the Media Industry from 2012 after University graduation.
He worked for 4 Years at IGIHE.COM as Editor. IGIHE is Rwanda&#39;s popular online website. After that he launched www.TOPAFRICANEWS.com to which he is a reporter.
According to the note from the U.S Department of State-Bureau of Global Public Affairs: “the U.S. Department of State, in cooperation with our partner Meridian International Center, is pleased to offer this virtual program to enable journalists to examine U.S. efforts to promote international cooperation to develop and expand the availability of diverse traditional and alternative sources of energy.”
This exclusive opportunity will be provided to 50 journalists from all geographic regions, specifically from countries affected by demands to reduce emissions standards and seeking solutions to energy challenges.
These journalists have been specifically selected by U.S. Embassies and Consulates.
This three-week-long program includes on-the-record press briefings with climate change issues&#39; experts, analysts, and government officials, as well as exclusive access to interviews and videos from Washington, D.C., Michigan, and Colorado.
The Virtual Tour starts from Monday, May 10th to Friday, May 28th, 2021.
By 2050, scientists estimate, climate stressors — including hurricanes, wildfires, drought, extreme heat and flooding from rising seas — could compel between 25 million and 1 billion people around the world to leave their homes and jobs behind, some temporarily, some for good.
The United States is taking unprecedented efforts to reduce carbon pollution, promote cleaner sources of energy, mitigate climate impact, and promote international efforts to address global climate change.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of TOPAFRICANEWS.
Media Contact: Mr. DUSABEMUNGU Ange de la Victoire E-mail: info@topafricanews.com Tel: +250787105131 Kigali-Rwanda
About TOPAFRICANEWS.COM: Top Africa News.com is a Private shareholder Digital News Website managed by AFRICA NEWS DIGEST Ltd, a Domestic Company registered in Rwanda Development Board.
Available on www.topafricanews.com, this website publishes stories from across Africa focusing on Environment, Natural resources, Livestock and Agriculture, Tourism and conservation, Youth, Sports and Culture, Peace Building, Health, Infrastructure and ICT, Security, Education, Business and Banking.
The main objective of this website is to tell the World the real Africa’s Story from the real and reliable sources. We Publish News Stories, Supplements stories, advertorials, Feature stories among many others.
We are based in Kigali, Rwanda.
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Rwanda’s TOP AFRICA NEWS reporter among 50 Journalists to attend “Combatting the Climate Crisis through U.S. Innovations Virtual Reporting Tour”

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Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) (https://bit.ly/2Rs6jkt), a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, today introduces Vertiv™ Liebert® EXM2 (https://bit.ly/3xQNc4m), a three-phase monolithic uninterruptible power supply (UPS) providing double conversion efficiency up to 97%, which further increases up to 98.8% with the dynamic online mode. With power capacity ranging from 100 to 250 kVA and a compact and flexible footprint, the system is designed for a wide range of applications, including metros and railways, healthcare, light industrial, commercial offices and medium size data centers. It is currently available in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and select countries in Asia Pacific and India.

Liebert EXM2 delivers technological advancements that enhance efficiency and reliability, such as intelligent paralleling and three machine-learning-based modes of operation which cut operating costs and keep energy dissipation to a minimum. Vertiv’s proven dynamic on-line mode delivers up to 98.8% efficiency whilst ensuring fast transfer output performance and reliability. Moreover, the internal modular fault tolerant design allows for safe, easy and fast installation and service, reducing mean time to repair (MTTR) and maximizing availability.

The latest innovations provide industry-leading efficiency and thus energy savings, significantly reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO) and allowing quick return on investment (ROI). Liebert EXM2 is compatible with lithium-ion batteries (LIB) and tolerates high temperatures up to 50°C, which minimizes cooling needs and overall energy consumption.

Liebert EXM2 offers advanced monitoring, management and diagnostic capabilities through a 9-inch touchscreen panel that enables flexible views and multiple security options. The intelligent controls and communications are compatible with Vertiv™ LIFE™ Services, Liebert® Nform, SiteScan® and the Trellis™ platform infrastructure monitoring software, as well as third-party battery management systems (BMS) and data center infrastructure management (DCIM) systems.

Liebert EXM2 replaces the flagship Liebert® EXM and Liebert® NXC models, which have been widely recognized as highly performing UPS systems, supporting thousands of sites and about 1.7 GW of mission-critical loads across the globe. This latest product innovation addresses the growing need of highly reliable and efficient UPS for mid-size applications that enable low latency connection between cloud and edge sites.

“The Liebert EXM2 derives its evolution from our industry-leading series of UPS systems, taking one step further in increasing energy savings and bringing latest technologies to our customers,” says Kyle Keeper, vice president of global AC power for Vertiv. “Our growing investment in research and development means that our engineering teams are continuously innovating our portfolio to deliver state-of-the-art solutions.”

“With its advanced digital technology and optimized fault tolerant design, the Liebert EXM2 combines reliability, efficiency, flexibility and intelligence that ensure optimal performance to power a range of critical loads while saving on space and operating costs,” says Andrea Ferro, AC Power director for Vertiv in Europe, Middle East and Africa. “The system can be installed in various configurations – in row, room and even against the wall or in a corner – and allows customers to select the best solution amongst a wide range of available configurations and options.”

Learn more on how to scale with confidence at Vertiv.com/SWC (https://bit.ly/3nNSyIM).
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vertiv.
Media Contact: Zenab Abbas E zenab.abbas@vertiv.com
Rania El Rafie E rania.elrafie@apo-opa.com
About Vertiv: Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) brings together hardware, software, analytics and ongoing services to ensure its customers’ vital applications run continuously, perform optimally and grow with their business needs. Vertiv solves the most important challenges facing today’s data centers, communication networks and commercial and industrial facilities with a portfolio of power, cooling and IT infrastructure solutions and services that extends from the cloud to the edge of the network. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, USA, Vertiv employs approximately 20,000 people and does business in more than 130 countries. For more information, and for the latest news and content from Vertiv, visit Vertiv.com.
Forward-Looking Statements: This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27 of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. These statements are only a prediction. Actual events or results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statement set forth herein. Readers are referred to Vertiv’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for a discussion of these and other important risk factors concerning Vertiv and its operations. Vertiv is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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Vertiv launches Next-Generation Mid-size UPS System for Critical Applications

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34 new cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria;

Enugu-19 Lagos-13 FCT-1 Kaduna-1
165,215 confirmed 155,371 discharged 2,063 deaths
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
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Coronavirus – Nigeria: COVID-19 case update (4 May 2021)

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Daily: Laboratory test: 3,638 Cases: 541 Severe cases: 822 New deaths: 15 Recovery: 1,523

Total: Laboratory test: 2,593,729 Active cases: 52,901 Total cases: 259,354 Total deaths: 3,772 Total recovery: 202,679 Total vaccinated: 1,194,578
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Ethiopia.
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Coronavirus – Ethiopia: COVID-19 reported cases in Ethiopia (4 May 2021)

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COVID-19 daily update &#8211; 4th May: we report 82 new cases out of 4,998 tests (2% positivity), 36 recoveries, 6,044 new vaccinations and 1 death.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI).
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Coronavirus – Zambia COVID-19 statistics daily status update (4 May 2021)

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Eight patients have been diagnosed positive for COVID-19 in tests carried out today at Quarantine Centers in Om-Hajer (5), and Ali Ghidir (1), in Gash Barka Region; and Asmara (2), Central Region, respectively.    

On the other hand, seven patients who have been receiving medical treatment in hospitals in Anseba (3), and Northern Red Sea (4), Regions have recovered fully and have been discharged from these facilities.   
The total number of recovered patients to-date has accordingly risen to 3503 while the number of deaths stands at 12.  
The total number of confirmed cases in the country to-date has also increased to 3681. 
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.
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Coronavirus – Eritrea: Announcement from the Ministry of Health (4 May 2021)

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An analysis of global electricity revealed that wind and solar showed resilient growth in 2020 despite the pandemic, forcing a record fall in global coal power. The Global Electricity Review (https://bit.ly/3nMqxBv) published by energy think tank Ember (www.Ember-climate.org) analysed electricity data from every country in the world to give the first accurate view of the global electricity transition in 2020. It revealed that almost a tenth of global electricity was generated by wind and solar in 2020. Morocco and Kenya are the clear leaders in Africa, already ahead of the world average. However, data from 2014 to 2019 shows that only a third of the rise in Africa’s electricity demand was met with renewables, and two-thirds of the rise was met with fossil gas.

2020 global power trends: Pandemic pause helps wind and solar push coal to a record fall
The pandemic brought the world to a halt in 2020 and paused the world’s rising demand for electricity. The slight drop in demand (-0.1%) was the first fall since 2009, although it was smaller than the impact of the financial crisis.
Wind and solar power showed resilient global growth in 2020 despite the pandemic, up by 15% (+314 TWh) versus 2019. The growth in wind and solar helped push coal power to a record fall of 4% (-346 TWh).
Global wind and solar boom, Morocco and Kenya lead the way in Africa
Globally wind and solar doubled in the last five years to supply almost a tenth of global electricity in 2020. Among Africa’s leading economies, Morocco and Kenya had the highest levels of wind and solar, respectively generating 16% and 15% of their electricity from wind and solar in 2019.
Morocco has achieved a rapid increase in solar power, increasing from near-zero in 2015 to 4% of its electricity in 2019. It also increased its wind power from 9% of its electricity in 2015 to 12% in 2019. Kenya has seen a rapid acceleration in wind power, increasing from less than 1% in 2015 to 14% in 2019. Solar power remains at less than 1% of Kenya’s electricity.
Many of Africa’s leading economies have yet to harness the potential of wind and solar power, which are now amongst the cheapest forms of new electricity. In 2019, Nigeria and Algeria generated less than 1% of their electricity from wind and solar, while Egypt increased to 3% in 2019 after recent growth in solar power. South Africa generated 6% of its electricity from wind and solar in 2020, tripling since 2015, but still below the world average of 9.4%.
Across the G20, many countries mirrored the global average wind and solar share (9.4%) in 2020, including India (9%), China (9.5%), Japan (10%), Brazil (11%), the US (12%) and Turkey (12%). Europe is leading the way, with Germany at 33% and the United Kingdom at 29%, giving confidence in how wind and solar can be quickly built and integrated into the electricity system.
Emerging economies such as India and Turkey have accelerated their deployment of wind and solar to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. India’s wind and solar generation tripled in five years to provide 8.9% of total electricity production in 2020, now just below the global average. Lower electricity demand and wind and solar growth led to coal’s market share falling by 5% since 2015.
In Turkey, wind and solar provided 12% of electricity generation in 2020, this share has tripled since 2015. This helped to reduce gas and oil’s market share by 11% over the same period, however coal’s market share continued to grow.
Fossil fuels still dominate the world’s electricity in 2020
Fossil fuels generated 61% of the world’s electricity in 2020, down from 66% in 2015 when the Paris Agreement was signed. Coal was the single largest source, responsible for 34% of global electricity in 2020.
The dataset of global electricity generation revealed that major African economies were significantly more reliant on fossil fuels for electricity than the world average of 61%. Above-average levels of fossil fuels were observed in Nigeria (81%) and South Africa (89%) in 2020, also in Egypt (90%), Algeria (99%) and Morocco (79%) in 2019. South Africa stands out with by far the largest share of coal (86%) in Africa, over double the world average.
However, fossil fuel’s share of electricity is hugely varied across Africa, as many countries have far higher shares of clean electricity than the world average in 2020 (39%). Ethiopia, Kenya, Angola and Zambia all generated over 80% of their electricity from clean sources in 2019. Kenya recently pledged 100% renewable electricity by 2030 (https://bit.ly/3nLogGK), showing their commitment to a clean energy future.
Across the G20 there were also many countries with fossil fuel shares above the global average in 2020. Five G20 countries had over three-quarters of their electricity supplied from fossil fuels in 2020: Saudi Arabia (100%), South Africa (89%), Indonesia (83%), Mexico (75%) and Australia (75%). In comparison, France and Brazil only generated 9% and 14% of their electricity from fossil fuels, respectively.
Africa’s rising electricity production
In Africa, electricity production is still increasing every year. From 2014 to 2019, renewables met one third of Africa’s growth in production, with gas making up the remaining two thirds. Renewables growth in Africa has been accelerating since 2015, but it has not yet been fast enough to meet all of the rising demand. The rise in gas was particularly marked in North Africa, where there were the biggest increases in electricity demand, and very little build-up of renewable electricity.
Africa &#8211; unlike Asia &#8211; has avoided a coal-reliant electricity grid. There has been no growth in total coal generation since 2014, as South Africa’s falling coal generation was cancelled out by increases in Morocco and Zambia. In addition, there is very little coal capacity under construction or planned in Africa &#8211; only South Africa and Zimbabwe are building new coal.
Peter Tunbridge, analyst at Ember, said:
“The challenge remains to build renewables fast enough to keep up with rising electricity demand, not just for Africa, but across the world. Emerging economies such as India and Turkey are accelerating their deployment of wind and solar beyond the increase in electricity demand, to actually reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. Wind and solar have the potential to power Africa’s electric future, and rapid deployment of these technologies will be essential for African countries to meet their rising demand for electricity, whilst avoiding a fossil gas trap.”
Professor Anton Eberhard, Power Futures Lab, University of Cape Town, said:
“Solar and wind energy are now the cheapest sources of new power generation in Africa. Countries such as Morocco and Kenya have made impressive progress. Other countries, including South Africa, will add significant new investments in these technologies in 2021 and beyond.  As the share of these variable energy sources grows, there will be new challenges for power systems in Africa, especially for system operators who will have to procure and manage complementary flexible resources to ensure supply security and stability.”
Duncan Gibb, Renewables Project Manager and Analyst, REN21, said:
“It&#39;s encouraging to see that Morocco and Kenya have made such progress with solar and wind power, and have reached high shares among African countries. Their success shows the huge impact of effective political leadership and well-designed regulatory frameworks that create market conditions where renewables thrive. At the same time, more than half of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa still lacks access to electricity. Renewable energy, including solar and wind, can quickly and inexpensively help fill this gap. Ember&#39;s Global Electricity Review shows the huge potential for African nations to build affordable renewables and provide electricity for their citizens.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ember.
Notes to editors: Download images: https://bit.ly/3nL0lao
Media enquiries: Hannah Broadbent (https://bit.ly/3vMfJ9l) Head of communications +44 7759909060 hannah@ember-climate.org
About Ember: Ember is an independent, not-for-profit energy think tank that produces cutting-edge research and high impact policies that aim to accelerate the global electricity transition from coal to clean. @EmberClimate Ember-climate.org
About Ember’s Global Electricity Review: This annual report analyses electricity data from every country in the world to give the first accurate view of the global electricity transition in 2020. It aggregates generation data by fuel by country from 2000. 68 countries comprising 90% of world electricity generation have full-year data to 2020 and have formed the basis of an estimate for changes in worldwide generation. All remaining countries have full data as far as 2019. G20 countries, which comprise 84% of world electricity generation, each have a separate in-depth country analysis. All the data can be viewed and downloaded freely from Ember’s website.
Charts and underlying data available on request.
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Renewables supplied only a third of Africa’s electricity demand growth

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Tests conducted: 10,739,813 Positive cases identified: 1,586,148 Total recoveries: 1,509,656 Total deaths: 54,511 New cases: 1,187
 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 (4 May 2021)

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Total daily tests: 1,044 New confirmed cases: 1 Cumulative confirmed cases: 18,461 Active cases: 27 Recoveries: 17,763 (5 new) Currently admitted: 3 New deaths: 0 Total deaths: 671 Total vaccinated to date: 35,227
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Coronavirus – Eswatini: COVID-19 daily update (4 May 2021)

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Total cases: 25,351 (+40) Recovered: 23,523 (+10) | 92.7% Active cases: 1,491 In critical condition: 1 Tests: 1,326,706 (+3,119) Test positivity rate: 1.3% Vaccinated: 350,310 (+87) Deaths: 337 (+0) | 1.3%
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Coronavirus – Rwanda: COVID-19 update (4 May 2021)

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Angola’s National Oil, Gas and Biofuel’s Agency (ANPG) has officially opened blocks for licensing in the Onshore Lower Congo Basin and the Onshore Kwanza Basin as part of its 2020 oil and gas licensing round. This latest call to tender is part of the agency&#39;s ongoing 2019-2025 hydrocarbons licensing strategy.

The Onshore Lower Congo Basin Blocks include CON1, CON5 and CON6; while the Onshore Kwanza Basin Blocks comprise KON5, KON6, KON8, KON9, KON17, and KON20.

The ongoing bid-round is a manifestation of Angola’s strategy for the continuous attribution of petroleum concessions 2019-2025 which was approved and codified by Presidential Decree no. 52/19, of 18 February 2019.

It aims to expand research and evaluation activities across sedimentary basins, increase geological knowledge of Angola’s hydrocarbon potential and invite a new wave of explorers to yield new discoveries.

For bidding rules and procedures please click here (https://bit.ly/3h6Q07v).

 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital &#038; Power.
The Angolan Agency for Oil, Gas and Biofuels counts on Africa Oil &#038; Power (AOP) – the continent’s leading energy investment platform – as a consultant. Please contact Joao@energycapitalpower.com for further information.
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