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Angola’s National Oil, Gas and Biofuel’s Agency (ANPG) has outlined its timetable for the evaluation of its ongoing 2020 bid round, as interest in the acreage on offer continues to grow. In line with its statutory duties as national concessionaire in charge of the attribution of petroleum exploration blocks, the ANPG has sought to adjust its processes to remain competitive in the current market environment, which is dominated by concerns around COVID-19, long-term demand considerations and stiff competition from new and promising frontiers like Guyana and Suriname.

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. The aim of the strategy is to provide access to promising acreage to competent explorers in an effort to increase geological knowledge about Angola’s hydrocarbons potential and ultimately increase proven reserves.
A hybrid online and physical roadshow for the current bid-round is scheduled for April 6 in at the Talatona Convention Centre in Luanda. This event will provide the opportunity for investors to engage with the agency regarding the blocks on offer, the data packages and the accessibility studies, as well as touch upon environmental, logistical and local content issues.
This will kickstart a series of both digital and in-person roadshows and technical presentations to promote the blocks to be awarded in key international markets. The acreages on offer include:
 	Three blocks of the lower Congo onshore Basin CON1, CON5 and CON6 	Six of the Kwanza onshore Basin (KON5, KON6, KON8, KON9, KON17 and KON20) 
In line with the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 86/18, of 2 April 2019, which establishes the rules for the organisation of bid rounds, the ongoing 2020 bid round will unfold as follows:
 	Tender Launch 	Proposal submission 	The opening of offers from potential suitors in a public setting 	The evaluation and qualification of proposals 	The submission of the evaluation report to the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Petroleum and Gas 	Contract negotiation with the winners of the bid-round 	Signature 

The Angolan National Agency for Oil, Gas and Biofuels counts on Africa Oil &#038; Power (AOP) (www.AfricaOilAndPower.com) &#8211; the leading investment promotion platform in the African energy sector &#8211; as a consultant. Please contact joao@africaoilandpower.com for more information.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Oil &#038; Power Conference. Media files

Angola’s Petroleum Agency outlines timeline for ongoing bid-round

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After a strong showing in the Flanders Classics that have led up to &#8220;De Ronde&#8221;, Team Qhubeka ASSOS (www.TeamQhubeka.com) will take the start on Sunday with confidence and the determination to race from the front.

The Italian &#038; European Champion, Giacomo Nizzolo, who has been in scintillating form of late (4th at Brugge-De Panne, 2nd Gent-Wevelgem and 15th at Dwars Door Vlaanderen) will once again headline our team but it is the strength in depth of our classics squad that will once again define our success on Sunday&#39;s race of attrition.
Victor Campenaerts, Dimitri Claeys, Michael Gogl, Emil Vinjebo, Max Walscheid &#038; Lukasz Wisniowski will complete our lineup that takes on the Tour of Flanders.
We would like to extend our thanks to long-time Dimitri Claeys &#8220;fan&#8221; and team supporter, Arno Claeys for his assistance with announcing our team (https://bit.ly/3fCie9g) for the Tour of Flanders.
Michael Gogl
I am really looking forward to Sunday. It is (Tour of Flanders), in my opinion, the most amazing race on the calendar despite being one of the hardest. After some health trouble during the last few races, I finally feel back to being 100% again and am confident of being able to do a good race. The team also looks really ready, how we have raced in the last classics has been impressive, so we will go out there and do it together.
Dimitri Claeys
I had a really hard crash on Wednesday at Dwars Door Vlaanderen, but as a Belgian, the opportunity to race De Ronde van Vlaanderen is a very special occasion. Despite the discomfort I have, I will certainly be giving my 100% effort for the team on Sunday, and with some strong guys that are in-form, hopefully we can do a good race and achieve a top result.
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. 
All images attached to the press release can be used with the respective image credit in combination to this release.
Media files

A determined Team Qhubeka ASSOS ready to take on Tour of Flanders

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The Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Maldives, successfully priced a US$200 million debut sovereign Sukuk on 29 March 2021. The country’s first Sukuk issue will have a 5-year maturity and pays a 9.875% semi-annual coupon. The proceeds of the issuance will be used to settle tender offers for the Government’s 2022 bonds.

The Senior Unsecured 144A/ Reg S Sukuk will be issued from the recently established Maldives Sukuk Issuance Limited’s US$1.0 billion Trust Certificate Issuance Programme. The issue, rated B3 by Moody’s, will settle on 8 April 2021 and will be listed on the Euronext Dublin and Nasdaq Dubai.

The Sukuk follows an Ijara structure with a Murabaha component and will be supported by rental income from assets which are owned by the Government of the Republic of Maldives.

The Joint Lead Managers and Joint Bookrunners for the issuance were The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) (www.ICD-PS.org), Credit Suisse, Emirates NBD Capital and HSBC.

Commenting on the inaugural Sukuk issuance, Mr. Ibrahim Ameer, Finance Minister of Maldives, said “This debut issuance marks the beginning of Maldives in the International Islamic Finance markets and reaffirms our support to develop and to remain as an active player through the diversification of our existing debt portfolio. The programme paves way for the continuous engagement with the sukuk centric investors.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD).

The Republic of Maldives successfully prices its debut sovereign US$200 million 5-year Sukuk issuance

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The AU Plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) (https://bit.ly/2PlmKyo) was adopted during the 2nd Session of the African Union Conference of Ministers of Culture (CAMC2) held in Algiers, Algeria in 2008. The AU Plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries is a revised edition of the Dakar Plan of Action of 1992 prepared in the spirit of the World Decade for Cultural Development (1988-1997). The Republic of Zimbabwe and cultural and creative workers proposed the review of the Plan of Action. The proposed review was then approved by the 3rd Specialized Technical Committee on Youth, Culture and Sport held in Algiers, Algeria in October 2018.

The proposed review of the AU Plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries aimed at ensuring that current trends on the African creative economy and internationally were included in the African Union Plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries and it also strongly focused on potential areas for the development of the creative economy sector on the continent.

As such, the Revised African Union Plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries has identified eight (8) key areas which can contribute to the development of Cultural and Creative Industries in Africa. These areas are:
 	Markets for Africa’s Cultural and Creative Industries; 	Education, Capacity Building and Sustainability; 	Finance and Investment; 	Intellectual Property Rights; 	Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs); 	Cultural Infrastructure; 	Cultural and Creative Industry Statistics; and 	Social Inclusion and Cohesion 
The review of the Plan of Action was concluded in April 2020 and the Validation Workshop was organized to gather inputs from AU Member States experts and cultural and creative industries workers prior to its presentation for adoption to the AU Policy Organs.

During the opening, Ms. Cisse Mariama Mohamed, Director for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS) welcomed participants of the Validation Workshop of the Revised African Union Plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries. Director reiterated that the Revised African Union Plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries envisions an innovative, integrated, peaceful and prosperous Africa, where cultural and creative industries are the cornerstone of inclusive and sustainable development driven by its people and rich heritage.

She used the opportunity to also inform the participants that the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance which was adopted in 2006 has entered into force, and called for Member States to implement this continental policy tool. Ms. Cisse Mariama Mohamed further requested for support in advocating for the ratification and implementation of the Statute of the African Audio Visual and Cinema Commission (AACC) which the Government of Kenya has graciously offered to host.

“We need urgently to operationalize the AACC, a Specialized Agency of the African Union, so that it starts implementing its programmes and promote the production and marketing of our creative products on continent and in the world at large”, Director emphasized.

Mr. Daves Guzha, Chairperson of the Bureau of the 5th Pan-African Cultural Congress (PACC5) in his statement of support acknowledged the support and the trust which the AU Commission has provided to the Technical Working Group since 2018 when the review process started.

Dr. Thokozile Chitepo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry Responsible for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Zimbabwe reiterated Zimbabwe’s commitment in the process of revising the AU Plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries. In her statement of support, she said the Republic of Zimbabwe will continue to provide its support to enable African cultures and creative industries to thrive.

The workshop, which was a working session, provided inputs and recommendations on the Revised Plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries which will allow to move it to the next stage.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

The Validation Workshop on the Revised African Union Plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) calls for the Ratification and Implementation of the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance

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On a recent weekday, community health worker Hajiya Balkisu Yahaya bared her arm and felt the small prick of the needle as she got her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine from a colleague. In return, Hajiya Balkisu vaccinated her colleague too. The two are health workers deployed as vaccination teams to immunise against the COVID-19 disease in Nigeria’s Jigawa State and are some of the first to get the jab. 

“I have taken the first dose and I am now very very happy,” Hajiya Balkisu, who works at the Sakwaya Primary Healthcare Center in Dutse, the capital, said. “It’s good so I can protect myself first before protecting others.”
Only two weeks into the arrival of Covid-19 vaccines in Nigeria, Jigawa state, is recording impressive results as authorities accelerate efforts to distribute doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, millions of which are available across Nigeria. The  vaccines  were delivered to the country from the Serum Institute of India(SII) in early March.
Jigawa has the second-highest turnout for the vaccine, second only to Lagos State. Authorities here received 68,520 doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine and 33,508 persons have been vaccinated by March 29. The state has recorded 518 of the 162,593 COVID-19 cases in Nigeria by the same date. 
Hajiya Balkisu says the turn out signifies some vaccination success despite instances of Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy among some residents. 
Since the start of the pandemic last year, unfounded theories about the origin of COVID-19 as well as rumours about the vaccine’s safety  have spread widely across the internet and social media space in Nigeria. Some of them spread claims of vaccines causing infertility in women while others have claimed that vaccines will be administered to the country’s political elite only. 
But working with local communities, the state has overcome a huge part of the fear, state officials note. Getting Jigawa’s residents to turn out was possible largely due to the influence of traditional and religious leaders, according to Mr Hassan Shaibu Kwallam, the State Immunization Officer.
“Our strategy has been a very simple one. We have the buy-in of the local health workers and we also have the cooperation of the traditional leaders. That has made the vaccination process go smoothly.”
When it was time for His Royal Highness, the Emir of Hadejia to get his first jab on a recent Monday, he did it publicly, opting to take the vaccine at the Hadejia General Hospital in the Hadejia Local Government Area (LGA) where many in his community could see. After the Emir received the injection, he held up his green vaccine card,with a QR code stamped on it, for proof.
“I hope to dispel the rumours that a different vaccine, safer and more potent, is being administered to only very important personalities,” the Emir said. “Coming out like this will build trust and confidence in the minds of many that harbour this misconception and will lead to a higher turn-out for vaccine rollout. I am sure of it.”
Partnerships work
It’s not the first time Jigawa has successfully immunized thousands despite some pockets of hesitancy, health authorities say. When the Polio disease was endemic in Nigeria and parents were reluctant to get their wards vaccinated, health workers also turned to traditional and religious leaders for advocacy support. This culminated in the huge success recorded in 2020 when Nigeria was declared polio-free after years of fighting the disease.
Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Sani, Emir of Gumel who received his vaccine last Wednesday says partnerships between local leaders and health workers increase chances of success when it comes to immunisation.
 “I am presenting my humble self for the COVID-19 vaccination before all so everybody can do the same,” the Emir said. “What we, as an emirate had successfully done during the polio eradication initiative, is a clear testimony of our sustained ability to convince our communities in support of any public health interventions brought up by the government.”
Only health workers like Hajiya Balkisu and traditional leaders were targeted for the first phase of the roll-out, to protect health personnel and build trust among communities. Now, phase two (which targets adults aged 50 and older) and then phase three (for ages between 18 and 49) are due to have commenced. Those who successfully receive their first jabs are expected to take their second doses after 12 weeks.
Nigeria received  3.9 million vaccines in March out of an expected 84 million doses through the COVAX Facility, co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations(CEPI), in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Bank, and other partners. COVAX is one pillar of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, a global collaboration to hasten production and fair access to COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines. 
An additional 41.3 million vaccine doses through the Africa vaccine acquisition task team(AVATT) and the African Union are expected in April.
No need for fear
Back in Jigawa, Hajiya Balkisu said she has had to convince many that the slight fever some feel after taking the vaccine was normal &#8211; she felt it too and it went away in a day, she added.
Dr Sunday Audu, WHO Jigawa state coordinator echoed her message. “There is no reason for hesitancy,” he urged. “There have been no reports of any serious Adverse Effect Following Immunization (AEFI) in the state. It is only a minor inconvenience but it would be beneficial for more people to get their doses so we can protect ourselves and our neighbours.”
WHO has supported in training the 162 vaccination teams deployed across the 27 LGAs of Jigawa, including Hajiya Balkisu’s team. WHO technical officers, Dr Audu promised, will continue supporting the coordination, training, monitoring and supervision of health care workers till all doses are used up.
“I will advise my colleagues and everyone else to put their mind at rest,” Hajiya Balkisu added as she attended to people waiting to be vaccinated. “Don’t think too much about the inconvenience of the jab. Just relax and you will be fine. It’s much less painful than contracting Covid-19 and falling sick.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) &#8211; Nigeria.

#YesToCovidVaccine: Jigawa records impressive turnout as vaccination effort in Nigeria progresses

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We are deeply saddened by the latest reports confirming that six Malian refugees were among 137 people killed on 21 March in Niger’s western region of Tahoua, near the town of Tillia.

Most of the victims in this deadly attack by unidentified armed groups were internally displaced people who had already fled horrendous violence, some of them during 2020. 
It is clear that the attacks on displaced people and the communities generously hosting them, were targeted and deliberate.
In addition to the unjustifiable violence meted out against civilians, shelters and granaries were also burned to the ground and cattle stolen or killed. Survivors have nothing left.
An estimated 1,400 people from these villages are now on the move, trying to escape from the violence.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and our partners continue to gather information from survivors, many of whom have been left in shock and mourning. Our teams and partners are monitoring the situation and providing humanitarian aid and counselling to survivors.
We reiterate our call for greater protection of civilians and displaced communities. We also call on the international community to seize the sense of urgency and continue supporting regional efforts to address the root causes of this crisis and help us respond to humanitarian needs arising from forced displacement.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Six refugees among 137 killed in Niger’s recent attack

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COVAX announces 854,400 doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine produced by AstraZeneca-SK Bioscience (AZ-SKBio) have arrived in Cairo, Egypt; Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Population, the vaccine supply will be prioritized for health care workers, elders and people with chronic diseases.  

Last night, Egypt received more than 850,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped via the COVAX Facility.  Almost a year after Egypt had to face the spread of the coronavirus, a plane landed in Cairo carrying 854,400 doses of the Astra Zeneca Oxford vaccine.  
According to the Ministry of Health and Population plan, the first segments of the population that will receive the 854,400 doses will be health workers, elders and people with chronic diseases.  
Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Hala Zayed expressed her thanks to WHO and UNICEF for their constant support to Egypt’s plan to contain the Coronavirus pandemic. This support continues with the arrival of the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccinations to Egypt as part of the COVAX agreement in cooperation with GAVI which will encompass 40 million vaccinations that will arrive consecutively.
The Minister of Health and Population stressed on the importance of collaboration with partners from International agencies in addressing the pandemic. Her excellency also highlighted that this vaccine delivery will contribute to the completion of the vaccination process targeting the most at risk citizens including the elderly and those with underlying conditions to protect them from the virus.
 “COVID-19 vaccines arrival through the COVAX Facility is a historical step of solidarity for humanity during the unprecedented time that we are passing through. This is an important step to insure the equitable global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines bringing hopes to many, including people in Egypt through escalating the vaccination of people at risk especially the front-line healthcare and essential services providers. In respect to rigorous and scientific reviews, WHO has approved COVID-19 vaccines for Emergency Use based on their safety and effectiveness. We collectively hand in hand are to halt the pandemic as individuals, families , communities and public and private institutions through continuing of the application of effective preventive public health and social measures such as sanitation, avoiding crowdedness especially in closed areas, keeping physical distance and wearing masks until most of the people are vaccinated.’ Dr Naeema Al Gasseer, WHO Representative in Egypt.
“I would like to highlight the importance for the Health workers to receive the vaccines. They are at the forefront of the fight against the Coronavirus. It is a race against time to end the Corona pandemic and vaccinate people, and in this race, it is critical that as many safe and effective vaccines as possible are available for the health workers”, said Mr. Jeremy Hopkins, UNICEF Representative in Egypt.  
The COVAX initiative, which has been pivotal in last night delivery, is trying to narrow the gap between the millions being vaccinated in some countries compared to many less in other parts of the world. This positive and encouraging news is somewhat of a light at the end of the tunnel, with an exit to this pandemic finally in sight. It is also an important symbol of all the efforts that UNICEF and WHO are supporting to reduce disparities between countries in the access to vaccines. 
COVAX is co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), working in partnership with UNICEF as well as the World Bank, civil society organizations, manufacturers, and others.
The establishment of the COVAX Facility represents a collective recognition of the need for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. No-one is safe until everyone is safe. On behalf of all those who will be vaccinated through COVAX in Egypt, MOHP, WHO AND UNICEF extend our thanks to the governments from the United States of America, Germany, United Kingdom, EU, Japan, Canada and many others for their support towards this goal.
U.S. Ambassador to Egypt, Jonathan R. Cohen stated: “The United States is donating $4 billion to support COVAX’s vital work. We are excited to see them deliver the first of millions of vaccines to Egypt tonight. This is the first of many deliveries that will help our strategic partner Egypt beat this epidemic.” 
 Dr. Cyrill Jean Nunn, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Egypt, said:
“Global challenges can only be tackled on an international level -the pandemic does not stop at borders. The delivery of vaccines we see today is the tangible result of a great ongoing international effort and Germany is very proud to be part of it. ACT-A and COVAX are our multilateral and inclusive answer to the pandemic. No country can be safe as long as others are not.”
Sir Geoffrey Adams, British Ambassador to Egypt, said: “I am delighted to see that the first shipment under the COVAX vaccine scheme has now arrived in Egypt. Since the beginning of this crisis, the UK has been committed to ensuring equitable vaccine distribution among all countries, protecting those most at need. This is why the UK has pledged £1.3bn of aid to end the COVID-19 pandemic as quickly as possible, and we’ve put over £548m into the COVAX AMC scheme. These 850,000 doses delivered today are a great first step &#8211; or a shot in the arm, as we say in the UK. But we need to keep up the momentum. We are pledging £1.65bn to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, over the next five years &#8211; ensuring fair and equitable vaccine access for all. 
“Today Egypt receives its first COVAX delivery. The European Union launched its “Team Europe” initiative, together with the EU Member States and European Financial Institutions, to support partner countries in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and its consequences. The “Team Europe” package reaches almost €38.5 billion. The European Union is committed to ensuring that everyone who needs a vaccine gets it, anywhere in the world. No one is safe until everyone is safe. COVAX is the best vehicle for delivering on international vaccine solidarity. Team Europe has contributed over €2.2 billion, including €1 billion from the EU budget, for the COVAX Facility to help secure 1.3 billion doses of vaccination. This comes in addition to national contributions by EU Member States.  One out of three vaccines delivered by COVAX has been possible through Team Europe support. I am pleased that the first COVAX delivery arrived in Egypt, a key partner country in the region. Since March 2020, the Team Europe approach provided the framework for a coordinated COVID-19 response in Egypt. We have mobilised €1.8 billion in grants, loans and guarantees to help mitigate the impact of the outbreak in response to the immediate health crisis and the resulting socio-economic and sanitary needs,” said Ambassador Christian Berger, Head of the European Union Delegation to Egypt.
“Canada is committed to a robust global effort to end COVID-19 and the devastating health, social and economic effects it has on the most vulnerable, both here in Egypt and around the world.”, said H.E. Louis Dumas, Ambassador of Canada in Egypt.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UNICEF, Middle East and North Africa. Media files

Coronavirus – Egypt: 854,400 COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped by COVAX to Egypt

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Six patients have been diagnosed positive for COVID-19 in tests carried out today at Quarantine Centers in Central and Anseba Regions.

Out of these, five patients are from Quarantine Centers in Asmara, Central Region while the sixth patient is from the Quarantine Center in Hagaz, Anseba Region.
Sadly, an 84-year old male patient in the Southern Region has passed away due to COVID-19.  The number of deaths due to the pandemic has thus risen to 10.  The total number of recovered patients stands at 3,029.
The total number of confirmed cases in the country to-date has increased to 3,285.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea. Media files

Coronavirus – Eritrea: Announcement from the Ministry of Health (31 March 2021)

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Active cases: 224 New cases: 12 New tests: 361 Total confirmed: 5,459 Recovered: 5,070 (+10) Deaths: 165 (+0) Vaccinated: 6,833
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, The Gambia. Media files

Coronavirus – Gambia: COVID-19 update (31 March 2021)

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The African Union Commission congratulates Honourable Michel Sidibé, former Minister of Health and Social Affairs, of the Republic of Mali and former Executive Director of UNAIDS, on his appointment as the African Union Special Envoy for the African Medicines Agency (AMA). Hon.  Sidibé was appointed by the African Union Chairperson H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, following the Executive Council decision of February 2021 (EX.CL/Dec.1110(XXXVIII)) requesting the Commission to nominate an African Union Special Envoy for the AMA. Hon. Sidibé will serve as the African Union Special Envoy for the AMA supporting the signing and ratification of the AMA Treaty by African Union Member States.

Hon. Michel Sidibé has championed a people centered approach to health and development for over 40 years. He served as Minister of Health and Social Affairs for Mali (2019-2020) and as Executive Director of UNAIDS, holding the rank of Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations (2009-2019). Prior to joining UNAIDS, Hon. Sidibé worked at UNICEF and for Terre des Hommes, where his passion for advancing global health and social justice began.
Hon. Sidibé is a renowned tireless champion of African-owned solutions and has been an outspoken advocate for local pharmaceutical production of medicines and other essential health commodities. He contributed to the efforts towards access to quality and safe medicines and vaccines and in fighting global inequities. He was initially appointed by the African Union Commission (AUC) as a senior advocate for the signing and ratification of the African Medicines Agency.
Under his leadership at UNAIDS, more than 25 million people started life saving HIV treatment. His vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths has been a rallying call that has inspired millions in the global AIDS and health movement. Global resources mobilized for the fight against AIDS grew from $9 billion to $22 billion during his tenure.
In 2019, the African Union Member States expressed their profound gratitude for his contribution to the attainment of the objectives of the AU, including Agenda 2063 (Assembly/AU/Motion1(XXXII)). Michel Sidibé is the recipient of various African and global awards, including honorary doctorates from world&#39;s leading universities. The support of the Honourable Michel Sidibé, was recognized by the Executive Council for the continued advocacy to mobilize Member States to sign and ratify the African Medicines Agency (AMA) Treaty.  The Envoy will work in close collaboration with the African Union Commission and other AMA partners including the World Health Organization (WHO) to coordinate the ratification of the AMA Treaty.
The AMA Treaty was adopted by Heads of States and Government during their 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly, Assembly/AU/Dec.735(XXXII), on 11 February 2019 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Treaty has been ratified by six (6) Member States (Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Rwanda and Seychelles) and signed by nineteen (19). The Treaty will come into force once ratified by fifteen (15) Member States.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

African Union Congratulates Honourable Michel Sidibé, from the Republic of Mali on his Appointment as African Medicines Agency Envoy

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New confirmed cases: 88 Deaths: 3 Recoveries: 172 Active cases: 1758
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health and Social Services, Namibia. Media files

Coronavirus – Namibia: COVID-19 update (31 March 2021)

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COVID-19 update &#8211; 31st March,2021: we recorded 219 new cases out of 7,465 tests (3% positivity) and 73 recoveries and sadly 6 new deaths.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI). Media files

Coronavirus – Zambia: COVID-19 update (31 March 2021)

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129 new cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria;

Lagos-46 Ondo-19 Nasarawa-14 Kaduna-11 Borno-9 Bauchi -8 Akwa Ibom-5 FCT-5 Jigawa-4 Plateau-3 Bayelsa-2 Osun-2 Rivers-1
162,891 confirmed 151,648 discharged 2,057 deaths
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Media files

Coronavirus – Nigeria: COVID-19 update (31 March 2021)

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New cases: 26 Cumulative confirmed cases: 33,551 Active cases: 2,028 Total recovered: 30,272 (116 new) Currently admitted in treatment units: 28 (5 new) New discharges from treatment units: 2 Total tests conducted: 218,468 (436 new) Total deaths: 1,117 (1 new) Total vaccinated to date: 134,289 (11,192 new)
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health and Population, Republic of Malawi. Media files

Coronavirus – Malawi: COVID-19 update (31 March 2021)

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Daily: Laboratory test: 8,022 Severe cases: 865 New recovered: 1,484 New deaths: 24 New cases: 2,068

Total: Laboratory test: 2,356,893 Active cases: 45,613 Total recovered: 158,109 Total deaths: 2,865 Total cases: 206,589
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Ethiopia. Media files

Coronavirus – Ethiopia: COVID-19 update (31 March 2021)

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1,412 people have tested positive to the disease, from a sample size of 9,219. Our positivity rate is at 15.3% from the cases 1,324. Total confirmed positive cases are now 134,058. Cumulative tests so far conducted are 1,489,459.

Nairobi leads with 651 cases Nakuru 142, Mombasa 90, Kiambu 64, Turkana 54, Machakos 42, Uasin Gishu 42, Kilifi 34, Kakamega 29, Kisumu 26, Kajiado 26, Busia 23, Kisii 23, Kitui 20, Nandi 19, Murang’a 16, Makueni 16, Trans Nzoia 13, Kericho 13, Nyeri 11, Siaya 11, Vihiga 7, Laikipia 7, Marsabit 6, West Pokot 6, Kwale 4, Garissa 4, Mandera 2, Nyandarua 2, Taita Taveta 2, Elgeyo Marakwet 2, Baringo 1, Bungoma 1, Homa Bay 1, Kirinyaga 1 and Lamu 1.
389 patients have recovered from the disease, 230 from Home Based and Isolation Care, &#038; 159 from various health facilities. Total recoveries now stand at 92,679. We continue to thank our health care workers for their good work that has enabled us to attain these results.
6 deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours. 3 occurred in the last 24 hours &#038; 3 are late death reports from facility record audits. Cumulative fatalities goes up to 2,153. Our sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their loved ones.
1,349 patients are currently admitted in various health facilities countrywide. 4,799 patients are on Home Based Isolation &#038; Care. 153 patients are in the ICU 43 of whom are on ventilatory support &#038; 101 on supplemental oxygen. 9 patients are on observation. 106 patients are separately on supplementary oxygen with 91 of them in the general wards and 15 in the High Dependency Unit (HDU).
Nairobi, which has become the epicentre of this virus continues to lead with the number of cases that have been reported. By yesterday the County had recorded a total of 61,851 cases followed by Mombasa with 9,915 cases &#038; Kiambu comes in third with 8,829 cases. Kajiado which is at number four has 3,863 cases while Wajir has the least number of Covid-19 cases at 92 followed by Tana River which has 106 cases and Mandera with 138 cases.
98 per cent (130,052) of the 132,635 confirmed cases, are all local transmissions. This is evidently clear that the virus is rapidly spreading in estates, villages, towns &#038; wherever people are in most parts of country.
We are appealing to the people of Wajir county which has less than 100 cases to continue adhering strictly to the containment measures we have advised and all our people in other counties to equally adhere to the containment measures.
“We are here today to make a passionate appeal to you wherever you are and in whatever you do to please be considerate of yourself and those you love,” Dr Mercy Mwangangi, CAS Health.
As of yesterday, we had lost a total of 2,147 people from the disease. And the number keeps going up. Things therefore cannot be left the same.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.

Coronavirus – Kenya: COVID-19 update (31 March 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.

Tests conducted: 9,879,348 Positive cases identified: 1,548,157 Total recoveries: 1,474,319 Total deaths: 52,846 New cases: 1,422
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa, Department of Health. Media files

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