As part of the ongoing development of the Energy sector in West Africa, the ECOWAS Commission’s Directorate of Energy and Mines from the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Digitisation, has began a four day training 12th to 15th August 2024, in Lome – Togo to present the functionalities of the tools in the ECOWAS Energy Information System (EIS-ECOWAS), in preparedness for the official launch of the Togo Computerised Energy Information System (SIE-Togo), at the end of the workshop on the 16th of August, 2024.

The workshop aims to familiarize the Togolese energy stakeholders and Togolese ministry charge of Energy and Mines with the computerised data collection tool. This tool is expected to strengthen Togo’s National Energy Information System (SIE-Togo), by dematerialise data collection, reduce input errors and eliminate data loss, improve data quality and energy planning, and improve the speed with which national statistics are published.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The Delegation of the European Union issues the following statement together with the diplomatic missions of the EU Member States in Libya:

The Delegation of the European Union, alongside the diplomatic missions of EU Member States in Libya, join UNSMIL expressing deep concern over the recent unilateral actions taken by Libyan political actors and institutions across the country.

Such actions exacerbate existing tensions, deepen institutional divisions, and impede progress toward national reconciliation. 

At this critical moment, we urge all Libyan stakeholders to prioritise the interests of Libya and its citizens over individual or factional agendas in full accordance with the Libyan Political Agreement, its amendments, and relevant UN Security Council resolutions. This is a time that demands dialogue, compromise, and de-escalation.

The EU reaffirms its steadfast support for the United Nations’ efforts to facilitate an inclusive Libyan-led political process. We call on UNSMIL to initiate a process that safeguards Libya’s sovereignty, unity, and stability, restoring legitimacy to its institutions through national elections.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Delegation of the European Union to Libya.

“Yesterday, five girls were reportedly killed and 20 children injured in attacks in El Obeid city in Kordofan state, during which shells hit Al-Khansa Secondary School for Girls, and a crowded marketplace.

“On Sunday, a shell struck a UNICEF-supported child-friendly space in Al Hattana, Khartoum state, killing two boys and injuring at least 8 eight others. These attacks come in the wake of strikes against health facilities elsewhere in the country.

“In Sudan, most schools remain closed for the second school year in a row. More than 17 million of the 19 million school-aged children are out of school. More than 110 schools and hospitals have been attacked since the beginning of the conflict, and hundreds of schools are used as shelters for the internally displaced, constraining access to education in areas where schools have been partially opened.

“Attacks on schools represent a grave violation against children. Such attacks disrupt and deprive children of their education. Schools provide a safe environment for learning, protecting vulnerable children from abuse and physical dangers.

“Since the war began in April 2023, thousands of children have been killed or injured. Many more have been exposed to other grave violations including sexual violence and recruitment or use in the conflict. A five-fold increase in grave violations against children was recorded from 2022 to 2023 and widespread grave violations continue to be verified in 2024.

“UNICEF continues to call on all parties to end attacks on civilian facilities and infrastructure, including schools, hospitals and health centres, and take all measures to protect children in line with their obligations under International Humanitarian Law.

“Schools give children in the war-torn country a chance to learn, play with their friends, and help them cope with trauma. Attacks on schools, health facilities and other civilian objects must stop immediately”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

On August 14, 2024, a landmark step towards reviving Africa’s leather industry was taken with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the African Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and the African Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI). The partnership, formalized during a ceremony at Nairobi’s Sarit Expo Centre, marks a critical advancement for the continent’s leather sector. This MoU follows the validation of the COMESA Leather Value Chain Strategy for 2025-2029, which seeks to tackle the key challenges faced by the leather industry in the region. The MoU aims to establish a solid foundation for coordinated efforts to enhance the sector, aligning closely with the goals of the strategy.

Supporting Value Chain Development and Livestock Strategy Implementation
The collaboration between AU-IBAR and ALLPI is a testament to their shared commitment to strengthening Africa’s leather value chain, which is integral to the broader Livestock Development Strategy for Africa (LiDeSA). By addressing gaps and promoting best practices across the value chain—from livestock production to finished leather products—the MoU is designed to foster growth, innovation, and sustainability in the sector. This alignment is crucial for realizing the objectives of LiDeSA, which include enhancing productivity, market access, and value addition within the livestock sector, thereby increasing incomes for smallholder farmers and contributing to the continent’s socioeconomic development.

The cooperation is outlined in the MoU in many areas, such as the development of animal health, the promotion of sustainable practices within the leather sector, and the adoption of current technologies in leather processing. The leather value chain, from the farm to the completed product, is something that ALLPI and AU-IBAR are dedicated to improving through joint activities.

Programme of the Signing Ceremony
The signing ceremony featured remarks from key stakeholders and the official signing of the MoU. Attendees included Dr. Huyam Salih, Director of AU-IBAR, Mr. Nicholas Mudungwe, Director of ALLPI, representatives of COMESA Member States, the African Regional Standards Organisation, development partners, media representatives, and distinguished guests.

Addressing delegates, Mr. Nicholas Mudungwe, Director of ALLPI, noted that the alliance represents a significant step forward in our efforts to enhance the quality and competitiveness of African leather products. He noted: “By combining our expertise and resources with those of AU-IBAR, we can address critical issues such as animal health, the quality of hides and skins, and sustainable production practices.”

In her address, Dr. Huyam Salih highlighted the MoU’s significance for Africa’s leather industry and its potential to drive value chain development. She emphasized that despite Africa’s abundant livestock resources, the continent’s share of the global leather market remains low. Strategic interventions are necessary to enhance competitiveness and sustainability within the sector.

“Our objectives are clear: to elevate product quality, broaden market access, and foster innovation and entrepreneurial development within the leather sector. By leveraging our collective expertise and resources, we can transform these challenges into opportunities for growth and resilience in Africa,” Dr. Salih stated.
She also called on development partners to support the initiatives arising from this collaboration, underscoring the importance of financial, technical, and knowledge-sharing contributions.

The signing of the MoU is a pivotal step in unlocking the full potential of Africa’s leather industry, with a strong focus on value chain development, innovation, and sustainability. It represents a significant milestone in the implementation of the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa (LiDeSA) and aligns with key African Union policies and initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Agenda 2063, and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).

This strategic alliance is expected to enhance the global competitiveness of African leather products, foster sustainable industrialization, and increase income for smallholder farmers. Moreover, it supports the AU’s broader goals of industrialization, economic diversification, and social inclusion, with a particular emphasis on innovation, entrepreneurial development, and gender equality. The MoU is anticipated to make a substantial contribution to Africa’s long-term development objectives, particularly in the context of advancing the continent’s livestock and leather value chains.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).