The European Union in Partnership with ECOWAS shares the achievements of the EU-ECOWAS Scholarship for Sustainable Energy programme from scholars in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana during a visit on 19th September 2024.  

As part of effort to ensure sustainable access for the people of West Africa to clean electricity and other forms of sustainable energy, the European Union in partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is proud to share the achievements of its collaborative work, in sustainable energy sector, in West Africa.  

Through the partnership, the European Union offered fully funded Masters’ degrees scholarships in the sustainable energy sector to eligible candidates from ECOWAS member states at 9 specialised institutions in countries of West Africa, including Nigeria, Senegal, Cote D’Ivoire, Togo, Ghana, and Cape Verde. 

The programme aims to improve access to high-quality training in the sustainable energy sector in West Africa, enabling university graduates with a focus on young professionals (English, French and Portuguese speaking) in the ECOWAS member states, to acquire the profile required to meet the growing demand for specialists, at the highest level, in the field of sustainable energy and to promote good governance of the sector in the region.  

During this visit the representative of British Council stated that:  

“Since the launch of the scholarship programme in November 2022, the programme has successfully supported 15 students from Cote D’Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Benin who completed their study in Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte D’Ivoire, and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Ghana to advance the course of their careers in the energy sector”.  

The scholarship programme has benefitted eligible students from 11 ECOWAS member states with relevant background in sustainable energy. The target is for 75 young scholars from the subregion to benefit from the scholarship programme. 

The Director of Energy and Mines of ECOWAS Commission thanked the European Union for their effort in Energy Sector in West Africa through this programme and recalled that through the research work completed by these 15 programme scholars, the programme also aims to improve access of existing organisations in the sustainable energy space to quality research work that can help address the challenges, in the sector, in West Africa.    

The EU-ECOWAS scholarship programme will continue to enhance human capital development in sustainable energy in West Africa by supporting eligible scholars in the ECOWAS member countries to contribute to the development of the sustainable energy sector in the subregion.  

The European Union in partnership with ECOWAS are happy to share some of the programme’s success story from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, and encourage you to share the same with relevant stakeholders who you think might be interested in the programme and its objectives.  

To stay informed about this scholarship programme and other opportunities sign up here bit.ly/EU-ECOWAS-signup 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of British Council.

Media contact:
ayorinde.adebayo@ng.britishcouncil.org 

The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) (http://ICIEC.IsDB.org), a Shariah-based multilateral insurer and member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korea Overseas Infrastructure and Urban Development Corporation (KIND). This significant agreement, signed in Korea by Eng. Yasser Alaki, Director, Business Development Department at ICIEC, and by Mr. Byung Chul Won, Executive Vice President at KIND, aims to enhance collaboration on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects in ICIEC Member States and the Republic of Korea.

The MoU outlines the commitment of both parties to work together on various PPP projects, focusing on critical infrastructure, clean energy technologies, and the generation of renewable energy, as well as urban development initiatives within ICIEC Member States.

Eng. Yasser Alaki stated, “This partnership marks a pivotal step in strengthening the ties between our institutions and leveraging our collective expertise to address the pressing infrastructure and development needs of our Member States. By collaborating with KIND, we are committed to driving sustainable growth and innovation through public-private partnerships that can transform communities and economies.”

The collaboration under this MoU reflects ICIEC’s commitment to facilitating investment and promoting sustainable development in its Member States. Both organizations look forward to realizing impactful projects that align with their shared objectives.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC).

Media Contact: 
Rania Binhimd
Strategic Planning and Communications Division
Email:Rbinhimd@isdb.org

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About The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC):
ICIEC commenced operations in 1994 to strengthen economic relations between OIC Member States and promote intra-OIC trade and investments by providing risk mitigation tools and financial solutions. The Corporation is uniquely the only Islamic multilateral insurer in the world. It has led from the front in delivering a comprehensive suite of solutions to companies and parties in its 50 Member States. ICIEC, for the 16th consecutive year, maintained an “Aa3” insurance financial strength credit rating from Moody’s, ranking the Corporation among the top of the Credit and Political Risk Insurance (CPRI) Industry. Additionally, ICIEC has been assigned a First-Time AA- long-term Issuer Credit Rating by S&P with Stable Outlook.  ICIEC’s resilience is underpinned by its sound underwriting, reinsurance, and risk management policies. Cumulatively, ICIEC has insured more than US$ 114 billion in trade and investment. ICIEC activities are directed to specific sectors – energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture.

For more information, visit: http://ICIEC.IsDB.org

Leaders from Africa convening on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), have called for concerted effort  against a “Perfect Storm” of converging crises threatening to derail decades of progress in the fight against malaria in Africa. This high-level fireside chat, hosted by the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) (www.ALMA2030.org), emphasised the urgent need for an accelerated effort to overcome these challenges and accelerate towards malaria elimination.

The leaders identified key challenges contributing to this perfect storm, including significant financial shortfalls, the impact of climate change, the growing resistance to insecticides and antimalarials. and with climate-induced disasters leading to increased flooding and malaria upsurges. If malaria resources continue to stagnate between 2027 and 2029, there will be an estimated additional 112 million malaria cases and up to 280,700 more deaths.

“This financial gap poses a grave threat, and if these gaps are not filled, we risk seeing a significant increase in malaria deaths” said His Excellency President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, the outgoing chair of ALMA.

Furthermore, the leaders noted the importance of a successful Global Fund replenishment in 2025, and the continued prioritisation of malaria financing within global fund programmes, to avoid even bigger malaria upsurges. They emphasised the need for a multi-sectoral approach, including collaborations with sectors like agriculture, environment, mining, and tourism, for successful malaria elimination, pandemic preparedness and response.

“To secure $6.3 billion USD annually to achieve malaria elimination, accelerated action is necessary. This involves increasing domestic resource commitments, finding new partners, and integrating malaria efforts with broader initiatives such as combating climate change, strengthening health systems, expanding primary health care, and enhancing pandemic preparedness,” said His Excellency Abderaman Koulamallah, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, Republic of Chad.

The leaders highlighted the importance of embracing innovative financing mechanisms, including tapping into the private sector and enhancing public-private partnerships. The launch of multisectoral, high-level National End Malaria and NTD Councils and Funds has already mobilised over $72 million, particularly from the local private sector. These councils have facilitated national and community advocacy campaigns while keeping malaria and NTDs at the forefront of national development and financing agendas.

AU Member States were urged to prioritise health, with malaria serving as a pathfinder in securing World Bank International Development Association (IDA) funding to close immediate gaps. The leaders called for strong advocacy for sufficient global replenishments for IDA, Gavi, and the Global Fund. These resources are not only crucial for malaria elimination but also vital for strengthening overall health systems and addressing other health challenges such as neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and primary healthcare.

The session also called for strategic information to guide decisions and the adoption of accountability mechanisms, including through the use of scorecards, should be established to ensure that every dollar is spent effectively for maximum impact, reaching the communities most in need.

“Our efforts are not just about addressing malaria; they are about safeguarding the health and future of our entire continent. Ending this killer disease, alongside progress toward the HIV/AIDS and TB targets outlined in the Catalytic Framework to End AIDS, TB, and Eliminate Malaria in Africa by 2030, will lay the foundation for reducing Africa’s health burden and further propel the achievement of universal health goals,” said Her Excellency Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma, the African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA).

For inquiries, contact:
Tawanda Chisango
Chief of Communications
African Leaders Malaria Alliance
TChisango@alma2030.org