Merck Foundation SONG Awards (www.Merck-Foundation.com) “Diabetes and Hypertension” to raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension; Last date for Entry Submission: 30th October 2024. Apply now at submit@merck-foundation.com.

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, in partnership with the First ladies of Africa, who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, announced the Call for Applications for their “Diabetes and Hypertension” Song Awards 2024. Entries for these awards are invited from African Singers, Musical Artists, and upcoming potential talents. The theme of “Diabetes and Hypertension” SONG Awards is to raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “More Than a Mother” emphasized, “I strongly believe that music has the power to touch the hearts and souls of people, bind communities, and bring about a cultural shift in society. Music and art can influence to make the problem felt, which further stimulates emotions and leads to engagement and action.

Music is a strong tool that is very critical in raising awareness on important critical issues prevalent in African countries, in an entertaining and innovative way. Therefore, together with my dear sisters, African First Ladies, we invite creative entries from our African talents to create songs about diabetes&hypertension awareness and promoting healthy lifestyle.”

Merck Foundation has also released ‘No More Diabetes, Sugar Free’ song in three languages, sung by Cwesi from Ghana, Portuguese version ‘Chega de Diabete’ sung by Hot Blaze of Mozambique, French version ‘Dites non au Diabète’ sung by Laura Beg from Mauritius to raise awareness on Diabetes and Hypertension and promote a healthy lifestyle.

You can listen to the remix of the three songs here:

https://apo-opa.co/3Y3C6YM 

Moreover, as part of their Community Awareness Program, Merck Foundation has released more than 30 songs in English, French, Portuguese and local languages, with the aim to address important issues like Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Diabetes Awareness, Promoting Healthy Lifestyle, and more. Some of the other artists Merck Foundation has partnered with include – Adina from Ghana, Wezi from Zambia, Kenneth from Uganda, Sean K from Namibia, Sunita from Gambia, Tom Close from Rwanda, Suzanna Owiyo&Octopizzo from Kenya, Rozzy from Sierra Leone, Dan Lu from Malawi, Irene Logan from Liberia, to name a few.

The details of the Merck Foundation “Diabetes and Hypertension” Song Awards are as below:

Who can apply?

All African Singers, Musical Artists and students in the field

Last Date of Submission

30th October 2024

How to Apply?

Please share the song file along with the lyrics on:

submit@merck-foundation.com

The subject line of the mail should mention: Merck Foundation SONG AWARDS “Diabetes and Hypertension” 2024

Please specify your name, country, and contact details in the mail.

For more information, please visit:

www.Merck-Foundation.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Contact details:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
+91 9310087613 / +91 9319606669
mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard:
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3Y3uJk1
X: https://apo-opa.co/3TSno4b
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/3zH8Cqc
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4dw8A2h
Threads: https://apo-opa.co/3zDGBzS
Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/3TRBa7k
Website: www.Merck-Foundation.co

About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality&equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/3Y3uJk1), X (http://apo-opa.co/3TSno4b), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/4dw8A2h), YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/3zH8Cqc) and Flickr (http://apo-opa.co/3TRBa7k).

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group (www.AfDB.org) has approved financing of 9.51 million euros to the Comoros for implementation of the Project to Support the Digitization of the Comorian Economy. With a total cost of 22.53 million euros, the Bank’s financing consists of 4.02 million euros provided by the African Development Fund, the Bank’s concessional loan agency, and a further 5.49 million euros provided by the Bank’s Transition Support Facility.

The project will improve the governance, quality, affordability and accessibility of relevant public services offered to users. It will set up a digital administration through the construction and operationalization of a new data centre and the existing secondary data centre, and an incubator. The intention is to recruit a private Operator for the operation, marketing, maintenance and expansion of the data centres as part of a PPP to mobilize private expertise and additional financing over time to relieve public expenditures.

The project also includes the establishment of a comprehensive digital administration platform, e-services development, and a digital public payment system, interoperability and data exchange platform. The Incubator enhances conditions for digital innovation and entrepreneurship.

Of course, the digitization is built on the availability of data, and it is critical that this data is properly protected. To this end, the project provides funds to establish and operationalize a National Authority for the Protection of Personal Data and Access to Information. The project will improve local digital training offered through financing to the University of Comoros.

Completion of the project should ensure the emergence of a comprehensive and coherent range of digital services capable of meeting the needs of the population and leave the Comoros even better able to compete and operate in the digital world.

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

Media contact:
Alexis Adélé
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org

À propos du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement :
Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement est la principale institution du financement du développement en Afrique. Il comprend trois entités distinctes : la Banque africaine de développement (BAD), le Fonds africain de développement (FAD) et le Fonds spécial du Nigeria (FSN). Représentée dans 41 pays africains, avec un bureau extérieur au Japon, la Banque contribue au développement économique et au progrès social de ses 54 Etats membres régionaux. Pour plus d’informations: www.AfDB.org

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has approved a trade finance facility of EUR 70 million for Bank of Africa Morocco (BOA).

“The African Development Bank, which is rated AAA by the largest  rating agencies, is joining forces with the Bank of Africa Morocco to promote access to trade finance on the continent, in particular providing support for SMEs operating in transition States” said Ahmed Attout, director of the Bank’s Financial Sector Development Department.

The facility comprises a Risk Participation Agreement (RPA) of EUR 50 million and a Trade Finance Line of Credit (TFLOC) of EUR 20 million.

“We are delighted with this first partnership with BOA, a leading player in Africa. Together, in Morocco and across the continent, we are strengthening financial inclusion for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in foreign trade, to help them to operate more widely,” added Achraf Hassan Tarsim, head of the African Development Bank’s Country Office in Morocco.

The RPA will offer Bank of Africa Morocco the opportunity to provide more support to local banks on the continent in their international operations, as they increasingly face a decline in financing and confirmation lines with their foreign counterparts.

In addition, the TFLOC will facilitate access to finance for Moroccan SMEs working in the key sectors of health, agriculture, the pharmaceutical and automotive industries, and transport.

The facility should catalyse almost EUR 300 million in trade over a 3.5-year period.

More broadly, the aim of the cooperation is to strengthen countries’ diversification of production and competitiveness, raise additional tax revenues and create new job opportunities.

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

Media contact:
Communication and External Relations Department
African Development Bank
media@afdb.org

Professional contact: 
Mohamed Aloui
Principal Investment Officer
African Development Bank
m.aloui@afdb.org

About Bank of Africa (BOA):
BOA is a leading, multi-activity global banking group. Operating in 32 countries, including 20 in Africa, it is actively involved in financing intra-African and international trade and is a leader in impact finance in Morocco.

Network International (Network) (www.Network.global), a leading enabler of digital commerce in the Middle East and Africa, has extended its strategic partnership with Orabank Group, the largest banking group in Francophone Africa, to transform the bank’s prepaid and agent banking solutions.

The partnership is a significant milestone in enhancing the banking experience for Orabank Group customers and enabling the bank’s digital transformation with innovative solutions. It will leverage Network’s expertise in enhancing Orabank’s competitiveness in the Francophone markets. It also strengthens Network’s existing partnership with Orabank Group by introducing innovative payment technology and solutions to enhance consumer trust and convenience. 

Ferdinand Ngon Kemoum, Group CEO, Orabank Group, said: “We are thrilled to enter a new phase of growth through the strategic partnership with Network International. Using Network’s expertise, we are shaping the future of the digital payment market in Francophone Africa with new products and services that will facilitate our digital payment transformation. This offers an elevated experience for our customers and emphasises our pivotal role in the financial market.”

Dr. Reda Helal, Group Managing Director – Processing, Africa and Co-Head Group Processing, Network International, said: “We are excited to extend our strategic partnership with Orabank Group to transform digital payments for their customers in the prepaid and agent banking space. Implementing Network’s innovative solutions underlines the bank’s impact in the Francophone market by providing superior payment experiences. We look forward to capturing the opportunities that lie ahead and achieving new heights of success by working together.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Network International.

Media Contacts:
Corporate Communications
Network International
Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 4 303 2431
Email: lambert.espedido@network.global

Srishti Soni
Burson; Dubai, UAE
Tel: 971-4-4507600; Fax: 971-4-4358040
Email: Srishti.Soni@bursonglobal.com

Oragroup
Direction de la Communication
Email : komi.ahawo@orabank.net
Tél : +228 90 06 83 92 

About Network International:
Network International is the Middle East and Africa’s largest and leading digital payments company. Our purpose is to help businesses and economies grow by simplifying payments and commerce. We operate in 50+ countries serving governments, banks, fintechs, merchants and public sector companies. We have 2,000+ employees based in our markets serving over 250 financial institutions and 130,000+ merchants. 

About Oragroup:
Oragroup is present in 12 countries in West and Central Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Chad, Gabon, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, and Togo) and in four monetary zones (WAEMU, ECCAS, Guinea Conakry and Mauritania). With 152 banking branches and 1,857 employees, Oragroup offers more than 500,000 customers (large national and international companies, SMEs and individuals) a wide range of banking products and services based on the principles of being local and responsive.

By striving for financial inclusion through the deployment of innovative solutions, Oragroup focuses on previously neglected segments of the population. This commitment is reflected in its CSR policy, which is an integral part of its strategy and a priority for its management bodies, focusing on energy transition, environmental and social risk management, and the well-being of the public and its employees.

For more information, please visit www.Orabank.net or LinkedIn, @ GroupOrabank on X (https://apo-opa.co/4gLD6Ia), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Also explore KEAZ, Oragroup’s  digital platform.