On April 19, 2024, Special Representative for Human Rights of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China Yang Xiaokun and Director General of International Organizations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia Ayele Lire held a consultation on human rights in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, and they had an exchange of views on their respective human rights concepts, the international human rights situation, and multilateral human rights cooperation, among others.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.

World Malaria Day 2024 was observed at the regional level in Tsaeda Christian under the theme “Let’s Strengthen Our Efforts Against Malaria.”

At the event, reports were presented focusing on the efforts exerted to control the prevalence of the disease and the challenges encountered.

Mr. Kibreab Tesfamicael, head of malaria control at the Ministry of Health branch in the Central Region, stated that due to sustainable environmental sanitation activities and the distribution of impregnated bed nets, the prevalence of malaria, which was 0.4% in 2018, has been reduced to 0.08% in 2023. He also noted that strong efforts are being exerted to completely eradicate the disease from the region.

Mr. Tesfu Fesehatsion, administrator of Berik sub-zone, commended the efforts by the Ministry of Health and stakeholders, noting that the prevalence of the disease in the sub-zone has significantly reduced.

World Malaria Day is being observed for the 17th time at the international level and for the 6th time at the national level.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Independent upstream oil and gas company Invictus Energy Limited has signed an MoU with mine operator Dallaglio Investments and power generation firm Himoinsa Southern Africa Proprietary for a gas-to-power project in Zimbabwe. The project will generate electricity to power operations at the Eureka Gold Mine – one of the country’s largest. 

Under the partnership, gas extracted from the Cabora Bassa Project will fuel operations at Eureka – located 50km from the Mukuyu-2 wellsite. The African Energy Chamber (AEC) – representing the voice of the African energy sector – applauds this initiative, recognizing it as a stride towards bolstering energy access, efficiency and reliability in Zimbabwe’s mining sector.

Spearheaded by Himoinsa, the envisioned power generation facility is anticipated to commence with an initial capacity of 12MW, expandable to 50MW. As the Eureka mine currently relies on diesel-fired power as a back-up energy source, the transition towards gas-fired power promises a more dependable and environmentally friendly energy supply while also facilitating data collection crucial for optimizing full-field development planning and determining resource volumes and locations.

The MoU provides flexibility for incremental project growth and additional power off-take agreements, with feasibility studies underway to identify the most optimal power delivery method for Eureka. The study will explore whether on-site generation or utilizing the existing grid infrastructure located 5km away coupled with wellsite power generation is the most strategic method. Upon completion of the feasibility study, Invictus Energy and Himoinsa aim to formalize a binding Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement, ensuring the provision of natural gas for power generation and subsequent electricity supply to Dallaglio at Eureka under mutually beneficial terms.

Beyond Zimbabwe, the electricity generated from this project holds potential to serve other private off-takers through local grids or via the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP) – a regional integrated power network. As energy demand escalates across the continent, initiatives like this demonstrate the feasibility of leveraging indigenous energy resources to meet rising electricity needs. Invictus Energy has already signed a gas supply deal with Zimbabwe’s Mbuyu Energy, with a 500MW power project on the cards.

The recent confirmation of the Mukuyu gas-condensate discovery at the Cabora Bassa Project has further catalyzed Invictus Energy’s efforts towards early monetization strategies and expedited production timelines. The high-quality natural gas found at Mukuyu-2 is expected to facilitate a streamlined early production system, minimizing infrastructure requirements and paving the way for future full-field developments.

“This initiative represents a step forward for Zimbabwe’s energy sector and the gold mining industry, aligning with the country’s vision for sustainable energy development. It underscores the potential of African nations to leverage indigenous resources for sustainable development, unlocking new opportunities for economic growth and energy security in Zimbabwe and the broader African region,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.

Zimbabwe’s strides in gas-to-power initiatives can serve as a blueprint for other Southern African nations seeking to fortify energy security and drive economic growth through sustainable energy solutions. With gold being one of the country’s biggest export commodities, securing a sustainable supply of electricity will help bolster production and broader economic growth.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

In a strong call to stakeholders at the opening of the tenth Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-10) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General said urgent action is needed to increase capital flows into developing countries, particularly in Africa to make the SDGs stimulus a reality. She also urged the international community to support Africa in its efforts to deliver its vision for development through the SDGs 2030 agenda and Agenda 2063.

Ms. Mohammed told the multi-stakeholder forum of member states representatives, youth, civil society and private sector actors that African countries are facing significant challenges, including debt servicing, rising interest rates and limited fiscal space.

“Debt servicing in Africa is at an all-time high due to external shocks, leaving very little fiscal space or nothing to invest in sustainable development.” Furthermore, debt servicing “accounted for a staggering 47.5% of government revenue in Sub Saharan Africa last year. This is the primary expenditure on essential services, as well as investments in the continent’s future in areas of education and health,” she said.

According to Ms. Mohammed, at least $500 billion a year is needed to scale up affordable long-term financing for development, alongside structural reforms within the very institutions and rules that make up the international financial architecture.

Echoing the Deputy Secretary-General, Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of Uganda, stressed the need for reform of the global financial architecture to ensure favorable financing terms, stressing the need for long-term financing for developing countries to trigger sustainable economies. She said climate-smart agriculture, technology and innovation are the key drivers for sustainable development on the continent.

The 10th ARFSD is being held under the theme, “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063 and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions.”

Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) for his part stressed the need for “Innovative financing mechanisms, coupled with reforms in the global financial architecture”, to unlock new avenues for sustainable investment and inclusive growth in Africa.”

He underscored the need to leverage Africa’s vast natural resources, particularly critical minerals which are essential for the global transition to green economies. He also said renewable energy stands as a backbone for sustainable development, “with untapped opportunities to drive investments and promote energy security across the continent.”

Mr. Gatete touched on the six transition pathways that the UN system has identified as key investment pathways for SDGs delivery. These are: food systems; energy access and affordability; digital connectivity; education; jobs and social protection; and climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution-  he said, are key investment pathways for SDGs delivery.

The ECA Executive Secretary also noted that climate challenges in Africa are reducing budgets by up to 5% of GDP annually against the backdrop of high infrastructure and climate change needs that are estimated to cost between US$68 billion and US$108 billion annually.

“The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents a unique opportunity to boost agribusiness and enhance food security, a cornerstone of resilience in the face of multifaceted challenges,” said Mr. Gatete.

Deputy Chairperson, African Union Commission, Monique Nsanzabaganwa noted that African leaders adopted the second tier implementation of the Agenda 2063 which demonstrated their unwavering commitment to realizing the aspirations of Africans.

“Countries should innovate and create strong institutions, that are accountable and deliver to the citizens,” she added.

Ms. Msanzabaganwa also noted that domestic resource mobilization is the responsibility of governments and there is a need for a fair and inclusive global taxation regime.

Speaking on behalf of the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Sahle-work Zewde, Fitsum Assefa, Minister of Planning and Development urged countries to “encourage youth driven innovations as a powerful force in our match towards the SDGs to catalyze transformative change, accelerate progress and unlock new opportunities for inclusive development and poverty eradication.” She added that Ethiopia has made progress in mobilizing domestic and international resources for rapid and sustained economic growth and development. This experience could be benchmarked by other countries for accelerated implementation of the remaining goals of the strategic plan.

The Chair of the outgoing bureau of the ARFSD, Niger’s Hydraulics, Sanitation and Environment Minister, Maizama Abdoulaye stressed the importance of commitment by countries to implement inclusive sustainable development to turn the continent into one full of opportunities. Mr.Abdoulaye said that Africa should invest in blue and green bonds which require investment in infrastructure.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).