APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the premier award-winning Pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, is proud to announce the inclusion of Rania El-Rafie, Vice President, Public Relations and Strategic Communication, in the 2023-2024 ‘50 Remarkable African Women in Communication and Media’ list.

Known as the #Nzinga50, the annual ‘50 Remarkable African Women in Communication and Media’ list is published by CommsOfAfrica, a pan-African provider of specialist information on the communication, media, and content creation sectors in Africa. Covering the entire African continent, as well as the diaspora, the list consists of exceptional African women who contribute significantly to advancement and innovation in their respective fields. Criteria for inclusion in the list include professional achievements and societal impact, reputation and influence, and creativity and vision.

Rania joins a notable list of female industry leaders who are inspiring and transforming Africa’s communications and media landscape. From corporate and agency PR professionals to independent consultants, journalists, producers, presenters, and TV hosts, all are making a lasting impression in their chosen disciplines.

“It is truly an honour to be included in the list of 50 remarkable African women in PR, together with some of the most influential and recognised names in our industry,” said Rania El-Rafie, Vice President, Public Relations and Strategic Communication at APO Group.

“Promoting diversity, inclusivity, and gender equality in our industry is something that I am deeply passionate about, and it is high on APO Group’s agenda as well. With 67% of our staff being female, and 50% of our management team, our inclusive approach not only enriches our company culture, but promotes innovation and success.

“At APO Group, our purpose is to champion Africa’s narratives, amplify Africa’s voices, and bridge Africa and the world. This goes beyond simple public relations, to redefining perceptions of Africa, including the roles of women. This accolade is another way in which we are demonstrating the progress that has been made in this regard.”

This award follows the recent announcement of APO Group as Best PR Agency Africa 2024, Leading Communication Consultancy Africa 2024, and Leading Press Release Distribution Platform Africa 2024 by Brands Review Magazine, further demonstrating the company’s commitment to excellence in the PR and communications industry.

In January of this year, Rania, who hails from Egypt, became the first person to be promoted to VP of Public Relations and Strategic Communications from within APO Group, and the youngest person ever to hold this key role. Since joining APO Group in 2020, Rania has managed the company’s most prestigious accounts, heading up a team of PR and communications professionals who work with some of the continent’s most influential brands, including Canon, Nestlé, TikTok, Jack Ma Foundation, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Marriott, AstraZeneca, European Investment Bank, Afreximbank, Islamic Development Bank, Vertiv, NBA, Basketball Africa League, Siemens Gamesa, Siemens Energy, GITEX, KONE, Mercy Ships, MSD, Qatar African Business Forum, Western Union, and Rugby Africa.

Download the #Nzinga50 list: Nzinga50 – Edition 2023-2024 – Comms Of Africa (https://apo-opa.co/49QXqU4)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

Nigerian start-ups are leading an epic AI innovation race with innovative digital solutions solving cross-continental challenges, as the very best from Africa’s largest economy take centre stage at the rising Silicon Valley’s largest tech and start-up event in Morocco next month.

From AI-powered diabetic care, to SaaS (Software as a Service) platforms boosting agriculture profitability, Nigerian tech is shaping the future of Africa’s burgeoning digital economy, enticing global investors with tantalising venture opportunities at the AI Everything Expo by GITEX AFRICA 2024, the continent’s largest tech and start-up event, from 29-31 May in Marrakech. 

Nigeria’s bold initiatives establishing the country as a dominant force in AI and tech talent development will be amplified by strong venture capital demand and interest at GITEX AFRICA’s AI Everything showcase, the continent’s most progressive power forum for AI exploration and deep tech innovation.

That demand will be intensified by the incredible AI growth opportunity in Nigeria; according to analysts Statista, Nigeria’s AI market value will surpass the US$1 billion mark in 2024, growing 17 percent annually over the next seven years to reach US$3 billion by 2030.

Advancing African business and society

FundusAI, Africa’s first AI-powered diabetic care ecosystem, is an example of Nigerian-borne innovation allowing doctors to detect Diabetic Retinopathy early, and will be one of more than 60 of the most outstanding Nigerian start-ups among hundreds of global start-ups at GITEX AFRICA 2024.

“Our product stands out as Africa’s first AI-powered ecosystem for diabetic care,” said FundusAI’s CEO and Founder Abulmalik Adeyemo, who wants to diagnose more than five million patients annually by 2027, while expanding FundusAI’s scope to address additional eye health issues. 

“FundusAI offers automated diagnosis, appointment scheduling, treatment referrals, and community support. Additionally, our gamified data collection ensures personalised healthcare insights.”

Farmatrix is another Nigerian AI game changer at AI Everything Expo by GITEX AFRICA 2024, a SaaS platform that connects farmers with agro-commodity aggregators and buyers in real time using advanced AI algorithms, greatly reducing post-harvest loss and boosting profits.

“More than 60 percent of smallholder farmers in Nigeria lose nearly half of their post-harvest yield because they can’t readily access buyers for their products,” said Nyafamu Manzo, Founder of Farmatrix.

“Farmatrix democratises purchase orders, guaranteeing end-to-end market, secure storage facilities, and trusted logistics services for every farmer and agro-commodity aggregator in our network.”

Elevating African AI tech talent

While Africa is still in the early stages of AI adoption, there’s a growing interest in the transformational technology across the continent, as governments balance the fine act of AI innovation and regulation, while fast-tracking AI talent development plans. 

Tomiwa Aladekomo, CEO of Big Cabal Media, the Nigerian-based Pan-African media group that tells the great African start-up story to the world, said Nigeria sets an example of elevating tech talent to accelerate productivity and attract investment across the continent.

“In Nigeria, the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy is training three million tech talents over the next four years, and that’s the kind of thing we want to see across the continent,” said Aladekomo, a speaker at the Future of Finance Summit, one of more than ten powerful conference programmes at GITEX AFRICA 2024.

“Africa needs to build AI products, and we need to be thinking about regulation, not just from a safety perspective, but about regulation that encourages productivity, allowing us to be producers (of AI) rather than just consumers – and that’s going to require a ton of tech talent.”

Fast-tracking a burgeoning African digital valley

Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco, GITEX AFRICA is held under the authority of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform, supported by the Ministry of Health&Social Protection, and hosted by the Digital Development Agency. The 2nd blockbuster edition, organised by KAOUN International, follows its pioneering debut in 2023.

More than 30 high-level Nigerian-based speakers are set to partake at the power-packed GITEX AFRICA conference programme, fast forwarding cross-border collaboration and investment opportunities. Headline government dignitaries participating include Tunji Alausa, the Honourable Minister of State, Health and Social Welfare for the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Akin Abayomi, Honourable Commissioner for the Lagos State Ministry of Health; and Dauda Lawal, Honourable Governor of Zamfara State. 

Other headliners include Aminu Maida, CEO of Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC); Prasanna Burri, Group CISO of Dangote Group; Yewande Adewusi, COO of Altheia Capital, and Yau I. Garba, National Director of the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.

More information is available at www.GITEXAfrica.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX Africa.

Media Contact:
Gareth Wright
PR Director
Tel.: + 971 50 273 3832
Gareth.Wright@dwtc.com

Tayce Marchesi
PR Executive
Tel.: + 971 58 552 3994
Tayce.Marchesi@dwtc.com

On social media:
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Hashtag: #GITEXAFRICA
Website: www.GITEXAfrica.com

About KAOUN International:
KAOUN International is the independent events company and wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) established to organize and manage events internationally. Derived from the Arabic word ‘universe’, KAOUN International’s mission is to ‘Create Limitless Connections’ for the industries and markets in which it operates. Created to leverage the 40-year legacy of DWTC’s events management business and drive future MICE sector opportunity in the MENASA region. KAOUN International delivers game-changing live experiences that build robust business connections, create opportunity, and stimulate economic growth, building on DWTC’s extensive portfolio of business and consumer events spanning multiple sectors, including technology, food and hospitality, sustainability, broadcast and satellite, automotive, talent development and leisure marine.

Ambassador El Gayly Mohamed Abdelhamid, Sudanese Chargé d’Affaires to Cote d’Ivoire, recently paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Rufus N. Darkortey, Executive Director for Sudan at the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org).

The meeting, held on April 4, 2024, at the African Development Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan, focused on collaborative efforts by the Bank to address Sudan’s ongoing civil conflict and foster sustainable development in the country. Central to the dialogue was the Bank’s commitment to supporting Sudan during this challenging period.

Ambassador Abdelhamid provided insights into the ongoing negotiations between the Sudanese government and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, one of the factions in the country’s civil war since April last year.  He emphasized the imperative of achieving a ceasefire to restore peace and stability and expressed optimism for a peaceful resolution.

Mr. Darkortey, who also represents the Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone at the Bank, expressed solidarity with Sudan in recognition of the devastating impact of the conflict on peace and stability. He offered condolences to those affected by the crisis and commended Sudan’s recent decision to grant humanitarian aid access, particularly in the Darfur region. Mr. Darkortey further urged Sudanese authorities to grant development partners broader access across the country to enable them to extend the necessary humanitarian assistance.

Darkortey also outlined national and regional efforts to address the displacement of Sudanese and foster economic growth. The Bank is actively supporting emergency operations, including the Sudan Emergency Wheat Production project, valued at $74 million, to enhance food security and self-sufficiency in wheat production in the short- and medium-term to enable the country to become a major exporter.

Additionally, the Bank has allocated $1 million from its Special Relief Fund to support critical humanitarian and food security response activities that are being managed in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP). The funds will help provide internally displaced persons, refugees, and members of vulnerable host communities with life-saving food assistance.

At the regional level, the Bank in December 2023 approved the Emergency Project to Support the Stabilization and Recovery of Refugees and Host Communities in The Lake Chad Basin. The $36.4 million initiative, for which UNDP has provided $10 million in co-financing, adopts a holistic approach to regional stability to tackle socio-economic challenges in affected regions.  

The Bank is also working with other development partners to further reinforce regional support for the forced displacement crisis emanating from the war in Sudan.

Executive Director Dakortey also underscored the importance of safeguarding the investments of the Bank and of other development partners in the country amid the conflict. He also underscored the commitment of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the Bank, to supporting Sudan through its return to peace and prosperity.

The meeting between Ambassador Abdelhamid and Mr. Darkortey signifies a collaborative effort between the African Development Bank and Sudan to address challenges and pave the way for a more resilient future for the country.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contact:
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund, the concessional lending arm of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org), has approved a partial credit guarantee to support Rwanda’s mobilisation of financing to implement green and social initiatives.

The Partial credit guarantee for mobilisation of sustainable financing for Rwanda project will enable the country to raise up to €200 million competitively from international commercial banks, diversifying its funding sources.

It will allocate the proceeds to eligible renewable energy, climate adaptation and mitigation,  disaster risk reduction and management, biodiversity conservation, energy efficiency, forestry, food security, health and wellbeing, affordable housing, and access to social services projects among others.

This is in line with Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST-1) for 2017-2024 and Vision 2050, while establishing the country as a credible sustainable borrower by building a track-record in the international financial markets. The financing is also aligned with Rwanda’s Sustainable Finance Framework which sets  out how funds can be deployed, processes for selecting and evaluating green and sustainable projects, and project  reporting, in line with global best practice.

“This operation demonstrates how countries can leverage their African Development Fund resources innovatively to secure long-term financing for development. This guarantee will unlock sustainable financing for Rwanda while crowding in new capital providers to the country thereby contributing to the diversification of its funding sources,” said Ahmed Attout, Bank Group Acting Director for Financial Sector Development.

“The operation will help mobilize financing for investment in target sectors aligned with the objectives of the Bank Group’s Ten-Year Strategy (2024-2033) on accelerating inclusive green growth and driving prosperous and resilient economies in Africa, as well as with Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation and Vision 2050,” added Mrs. Aissa Touré, the Bank Group’s Country Manager for Rwanda.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media Contact:
Olufemi Terry,
Communications and External Relations
media@afdb.org

Technical Contacts:
Peter ONYANGO
Chief Investment Officer
Financial Sector Development Department
Albin KAKOU
Principal Investment Officer
Financial Sector Development Department

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 34 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org