The African Development Bank-supported (www.AfDB.org) AfriCircular Innovators Programme has selected 30 small and medium enterprises to receive financing and technical assistance to scale up circular economy (https://apo-opa.co/3SZxikc) initiatives. This inaugural cohort, drawn from Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Rwanda, participated in an online onboarding event on August 9, 2024.

The AfriCircular Innovators Programme, funded by the African Development Bank’s Africa Circular Economy Facility (ACEF) and being implemented in partnership with the African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA), aims to support innovative circular economy solutions that foster sustainable and inclusive growth. MSMEs represent 80 percent of Africa’s businesses, while the circular economy in Africa has the potential to generate 11 million jobs.

The 30 selected enterprises will receive support to scale their circular initiatives within the five “big bets”, the sectors identified by ACEA for their high potential in job creation and economic growth: packaging, food systems, built environment, electronics, fashion and textile.

Among the beneficiaries are enterprises developing smart energy metering, reimagining the construction industry using coconut husks, transforming plastic waste into durable construction blocks, and digitalizing the collection and processing of e-waste.

Ndintambwe Feeds Limited, a Rwandan company that produces affordable animal feeds using insects and maggots as an environmentally-friendly alternative to soybean and fishmeal, is one of the selected businesses. Speaking at the event, the founder, Jean Bosco Nshutiyimana said, “As an SME, we face numerous challenges. The biggest ones include limited financial capacity to fully implement our project, and the lack of required skills to sustain a profitable recycling business without harming the environment.”

Koumbem Fatou Emilienne, representative of Siboré Luxury Hair, another beneficiary, said, “Joining AfriCircular’s Innovators Program offers a valuable opportunity for Siboré Luxury Hair, aligned with our commitment to sustainability. Through this program, we will benefit from the expertise and resources needed to optimize our production processes, and reduce waste and improve energy efficiency. Financial support and access to cutting-edge technologies will strengthen our production capacity and positive environmental impact.”  

The AfriCircular Innovators Programme aligns with the African Development Bank’s Jobs for Youth in Africa (JfYA) Strategy. With Africa’s youth population set to double to over 830 million by 2050, harnessing this demographic dividend is vital for economic growth, against a backdrop of persisting high unemployment and underemployment.

ACEF, as the sole Multi-Donor Trust Fund dedicated to mainstreaming the circular economy in Africa, strategically finances initiatives that drive inclusive and green growth, optimize resource efficiency, foster innovation, and create sustainable job opportunities.

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

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

Angola will finalize the partial privatization of its national oil company (NOC) Sonangol by 2026 with an initial public offering (IPO) expected to draw in investors. The government is divesting a 30% stake in the NOC in line with efforts to support Sonangol’s ambition to become a competitive operator, thereby transforming its role from a functioning arm of the government into a more proactive upstream player.

As Sonangol gradually transforms into a vertically integrated oil and gas company, the company has joined Africa’s largest energy event – the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference – as a diamond sponsor. This sponsorship not only reflects Sonangol’s commitment to developing the Angolan oil and gas industry even further but showcases an intention to engage with global investors and regional partners alike to usher in a new era of energy security in Africa.

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

The government is privatizing Sonangol by offering 11 of its processes to the public through public tenders, limited tenders and IPOs. The company’s privatization is part of the country’s broader Propriv initiative, which aims to drive economic reform by promoting free markets, increased competition between companies and the reduction of barriers to entry. For Sonangol, privatization is expected to affirm the company’s role as an internationally-recognized oil and gas operator by mobilizing private sector financing and enabling the company to focus on its role as an operator. In turn, this will enhance investor confidence in the market while positioning Sonangol as a catalyst for production growth in Angola.

As the NOC, Sonangol already combines its expertise with international oil companies to accelerate exploration and drive oil projects forward in Angola. In 2024, Sonangol and its project partners TotalEnergies and Petronas achieved FID for the Kaminho deepwater development in Block 20/11. Comprising the Cameia and Golfinho fields, the $6 billion development represents the first large deepwater project in the Kwanza basin and will produce 70,000 barrels per day (bpd) once operational by 2028. The company also expects the Agogo Integrated West Hub Development – situated in Block 15/06 and featuring the development of 36 new wells – to start operations by late-2025. Developed in partnership with international energy company Azule Energy, the project will utilize an FPSO with a capacity of 120,000 bpd. In Block 17, Sonangol and TotalEnergies are working towards first production at the CLOV Phase 3 project. Comprising a five-well expansion, the project aims to increase production by 30,000 bpd

In the natural gas sector, Sonangol inaugurated the Falcão Phase 2 gas project in December 2023. The project delivers gas from the Angola LNG facility to the Soyo I combined cycle power plant. With a capacity of 125 million cubic feet, the project generates power to support industry and petrochemical plants in Angola. Meanwhile, development is progressing at the Quiluma and Maboqueiro fields – Angola’s first non-associated gas project. Achieving FID in 2022, the project comprises two onshore platforms, an onshore gas processing plant and a connection to the Angola LNG facility. First gas is planned for 2026 with an expected production of 330 million cubic feet per day.

Beyond oil and gas, Sonangol is advancing low-carbon solutions in Angola. The company signed a deal with Azule Energy in 2024 to develop a biorefinery at the Luanda refining facility. The deal follows an agreement signed between the companies in 2023 for collaboration in the fields of decarbonization. Additionally, in December 2023, Sonangol and TotalEnergies inked a cooperation agreement to support the detection and reduction of methane emissions in Angola’s oil and gas industry. The agreement enables Sonangol to utilize TotalEnergies’ Airborne Ultralight Spectrometer for Environmental Applications technology.  

“Committed to steering production growth in Angola, Sonangol sets a strong example for other NOCs in Africa. The company’s transformation stands to not only strengthen Angola’s project portfolio but creates newfound opportunities for collaboration with other project developers in Africa. Sonangol recognizes the value in investing in oil and gas while accelerating the uptake of low-carbon solutions. This should be replicated in other markets across the region as countries move to make energy poverty history by 2030,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

During AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024, Sonangol will draw insight into the company’s project portfolio and how privatization has strengthened its capacity as an operator. Participating in panel discussions and engaging with regional counterparts, Sonangol’s presence at the event will serve to promote collaboration in African oil and gas. Sonangol’s CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins is also speaking at the event this November.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Global media outlet CNBC Africa has once again partnered with African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy 2024 as its official media partner. Taking place in Cape Town from November 4-8, this year’s conference will see a number of major announcements, deal-signings and industry updates. CNBC Africa will provide real-time coverage of the event, bringing the latest news and insights to a global audience. 

CNBC Africa represents one of the world’s largest business news outlets, boasting a global audience of over 355 million people a month across various platforms. The media house offers a comprehensive portfolio with a suite of digital products and disseminates news and information to the global economy. As such, CNBC Africa’s partnership with AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 is poised to enhance the global reach of the event, which unites African governments and policymakers with global financiers and technology providers and represents the official deal-signing platform for the African energy sector. 

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECweek.com for more information about this exciting event. 

Taking place under the theme, Energy Growth through an Enabling Environment, AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 covers every segment of Africa’s energy value chain, including upstream exploration and production, midstream transportation and storage, downstream refining and processing, and much more. Experts from across every level of the energy industry will lead discussions and deals, including in oil and gas, coal and mining, renewables and green hydrogen and more. Meanwhile though-leaders and innovators from the mining, power, finance, policy, technology, climate and infrastructure sectors will also spearhead discussions at this year’s expanded event. 

As a media partner, CNBC Africa is well-positioned to ensure Africa’s energy message reaches a global audience. CNBC Africa’s live coverage of the event will not only showcase numerous deals and agreements set to be inked this November but will promote future engagement and investment during Africa’s biggest energy event. At AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024, the media outlet will cover panel discussions, ministerial forums, presentations, networking events and investors summits. All major deals and announcements will be shared via CNBC Africa’s digital products. 

“As a global business news outlet, CNBC Africa is a valuable partner for AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 in Cape Town. The event aims to provide a platform for African voices to both engage in and lead global energy dialogue. The partnership will only further this objective. By distributing news and information about the event, CNBC Africa will provide global stakeholders with critical information on AEW’s objectives and value for Africa and the world’s energy future. The African Energy Chamber is committed to making AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 a world-class event, and this partnership with CNBC Africa will only serve to enhance this trend,” states African Energy Chamber Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk. 

During AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024, CNBC Africa will be at the forefront of all discussions, capturing exciting news and developments that will be announced during the continent’s premier energy event. With a focus on networking and deals, this year’s edition will represent the biggest opportunity for securing newsworthy information about Africa’s energy future. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Dr. Owen Laws Kaluwa, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Ethiopia, recently led a senior delegation on a crucial mission to assess health activities and strengthen partnerships across the Dire Dawa City Administration and the Harari and Somali regional states. Conducted from July 2 to July 4, 2024, this marked Dr. Kaluwa’s first field mission since assuming his role in April 2024.

The mission aimed to provide a firsthand evaluation of WHO’s ongoing operations and enhance relationships with regional health, administrative, and political leaders, as well as other key stakeholders. The delegation reviewed various health initiatives, including disease prevention programs, maternal and child health services, and emergency response activities, among others.

Engagements in Dire Dawa

In Dire Dawa City, the delegation received a warm welcome from Mayor Kedir Juhar, who discussed the city’s rapid urban growth and its associated challenges, including inadequate water, sanitation, and healthcare services. The mayor also shared his administration’s plans to build a modern hospital to address some of these health issues

Discussions with the Dire Dawa City Health Bureau focused on the influx of healthcare seekers, the strain on existing facilities, and the lack of health insurance for many daily laborers—an issue WHO aims to address through its Universal Health Coverage (UHC) initiatives.

The delegation also toured key health facilities, including Sabian General Hospital, Dire Dawa Trauma Center, and Goro Health Center. These visits allowed the team to observe efforts to enhance healthcare delivery despite limited resources and to engage with healthcare workers about their challenges and needs.

Strengthening Ties in Harari Regional State

In the Harari Regional State, Dr. Kaluwa and his team met with President Ordin Badri and his cabinet, who expressed deep appreciation for WHO’s contributions to regional health interventions.

A symbolic tree-planting ceremony at Harar Health Science College highlighted WHO’s commitment to combating deforestation and addressing climate change—factors increasingly recognized as vital to public health.

Addressing Health Challenges in the Somali Region

In the Somali region, the delegation engaged with WHO staff, UN partners, and NGOs to assess severe health challenges, including ongoing cholera and malaria outbreaks. At the Karamara General Hospital’s malnutrition stabilization center in Jigjiga, the team observed the treatment of malnutrition cases following WHO guidelines. They noted the use of digital systems to enhance communication and coordination among healthcare providers, which has been crucial in managing health data and responding to emergencies.

The expansive pastoralist areas of the Somali region present significant healthcare access challenges, which WHO is addressing through the deployment of Mobile Health Teams. These teams have effectively reached remote, underserved communities near the borders, providing essential services such as vaccinations, maternal care, and disease prevention.

Commitment to Long-Term Health Initiatives

Despite the significant challenges, the regions have demonstrated a strong commitment to improving health services. Dr. Kaluwa reaffirmed WHO’s support through its 14th General Program of Work (GPW14), which emphasizes Health Security, Health Promotion, and Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This program aims to assist national health authorities in ensuring that essential health services are accessible without causing financial hardship.

“WHO is dedicated to strengthening global health security by developing robust systems to prevent, detect, and respond to public health emergencies. We also prioritize health promotion initiatives to foster healthier lifestyles and environments,” Dr. Kaluwa stated. He highlighted the importance of sustainable health programs that address both immediate and long-term needs, reflecting WHO’s commitment to improving health outcomes across Ethiopia.

Future Directions and Partnerships

The mission concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening partnerships and enhancing collaboration with regional stakeholders. Follow-up actions will involve developing joint strategies to address the identified challenges, especially in resource-limited settings like the Somali region. Dr. Kaluwa’s visit underscored WHO’s ongoing dedication to supporting Ethiopia’s health sector through targeted interventions and collaborative efforts, ensuring that the most vulnerable populations receive the care they need.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Ethiopia.