Eritrean nationals, both within the country and abroad, have extended monetary contributions to augment the National Martyrs Trust Fund and support the families of martyrs, according to a report by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare.

Accordingly, Mr. Goitom Tesfay Hailu contributed 100,000 Nakfa; the cooperative association of Core491 in Sweden contributed 47,144 Kroner; and Eritrean communities in various cities across Sweden contributed a total of 108,560 Kroner, 3,000 Dollars, and 11,139 Nakfa. Additionally, the Eritrean community in Norway contributed 5,000 Kroner, the Lideta Mariam Tewahdo Orthodox Church in Mannheim contributed 300 Euros, and the Eritrean National Committee contributed 8,412 Nakfa towards augmenting the National Martyrs Trust Fund.

Similarly, the Eritrean community in Germany contributed 13,700 Euros, nationals in the Netherlands contributed 6,120 Euros, Mr. Temesgen Kifletsion from Angola contributed 720 Dollars, and Mr. Mehari Tekle and Ms. Genet Kahsai contributed 3,500 Kroner in support of the families of martyrs.

In the same vein, Eritrean nationals in Jeddah and its surrounding areas contributed 20,670 Riyals in support of the National Association of Eritrean War Disabled Veterans.

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

 H.E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai. Sr., has signed Executive Order No. 135, extending Executive Order No. 119 which institutes measures to protect and stimulate local manufacturing.

The aim is to continue to solidify the gains and stimulate economic growth in the Liberian economy.

The extension of this Executive Order comes as a recognition of the need to promote sustainable job creation by improving commerce and trade, in line with the goals outlined in the A.R.R.E.S.T. Agenda.

The Executive Order seeks to protect local businesses from unfair competition from international brands of locally manufactured goods, thereby fostering a conducive environment for the growth of local industries.

The Executive Order will ensure local industry development, and that surcharge will be imposed on the importation of certain goods and/or raw materials that are imported in quantities and manner that may injure or undermine the survival of local manufacturers.

The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning is expected to publish the list of the affected products and their corresponding rates.

The issuance of Executive Order No. 135 underscores the commitment of the Liberian government to safeguard the interests of local manufacturers and ensure the sustainable growth of the country’s economy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of Liberia: Executive Mansion.

In alignment with the National Malaria Strategic Plan (2021-2025), which emphasizes the urgent need for timely diagnosis and treatment of malaria, the Kigoma region is making significant strides in improving healthcare access. Despite this plan, about 10% of Tanzanians face challenges in accessing quality healthcare due to remote locations and geographical barriers.

To address these issues, the launch of malaria community case management (mCCM) in 2022 marked a pivotal step towards early detection and effective treatment of malaria. Building on this success, the transition to integrated Community Case Management (iCCM) now includes crucial services for diarrhea and pneumonia, addressing a broader spectrum of childhood illnesses.

With funding from the SDG fund, the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has empowered over 80 Community-Owned Resource Persons (CORPs) and Health Facility Officers in Charge in Kigoma. This training initiative is enhancing the skills of local health workers, equipping them with the necessary expertise to manage malaria and control other significant childhood illnesses.

Dr. Jovin Kitau, WHO Technical Officer for Malaria, emphasized the importance of the iCCM initiative, stating, “This program is vital for delivering lifesaving services to underserved and hard-to-reach communities. WHO is committed to supporting this region with technical guidance, monitoring progress, and documenting best practices to ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against malaria.”

The comprehensive training program, held in Kigoma, included participants from Buhigwe, Kakonko, and Uvinza districts. Facilitated by a team of nine experts from regional, district, and national health management teams, the sessions were both informative and hands-on. They covered the technical aspects of managing malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia, as well as the effective use of the Unified Community System (UCS) for data management.

Dr. Jesca Leba, Kigoma Regional Medical Officer, highlighted the significance of the training, noting, “By equipping iCCM providers with essential skills, we are significantly improving access to healthcare services in remote areas, ensuring early diagnosis and treatment of malaria and timely referrals for diarrhea and pneumonia.”

One of the trainees, Ms. Neema Naftali, expressed her gratitude, saying, “The knowledge and skills gained from this training will create a ripple effect, enhancing healthcare delivery not only in Kigoma but across other regions as well.”

This initiative extends the reach of public health services, aligning with the strategic goals of the Ministry of Health and the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP). It underscores a significant commitment to building local healthcare capacity and improving health outcomes for vulnerable communities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization – United Republic of Tanzania.

With the Africa Energy Bank recently signed into implementation by the African Petroleum Producers Organization and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Africa is poised to bridge its infrastructure funding gap and accelerate the development of energy projects across the continent – signalling a new era of hydrocarbon growth and financing. The upcoming African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy 2024 conference will host a dedicated Energy Finance Summit in partnership with Afreximbank, led by its President and Chairman Benedict Oramah and market intelligence firm S&P Global Commodity Insights, focused on securing new investments among a shifting energy landscape.

During the forum, a series of sessions will outline the latest commitments from major financial institutions. Earlier this month, the African Development Bank (AfDB) approved a $500-million loan to support the development of 250 GW of installed electricity capacity in Nigeria by 2050, as well as a $135-million package for the Union of the Comoros to finance a major maritime and regional trade project. Together with the World Bank, the AfDB also recently announced plans to invest $30 billion over the next five years to boost electricity supply for 300 million Africans. A session on Financing Energy Infrastructure will focus on mobilizing additional public and private finance for large-scale energy infrastructure projects, with a view to improving energy access and supporting the continent’s sustainable development goals.

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 Energy Finance Summit will also feature a session on Financing New Energy in Africa, addressing the opportunities and challenges associated with renewable energy projects amid high interest rates and regulatory hurdles. Last month, Guinea-Bissau bagged a $35-million grant for its first solar power plants, set to produce 30 MW of solar power with battery energy storage systems, as well as a transmission grid enhancement. The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credits and British multinational bank Standard Chartered recently partnered to develop a $111-million, off-grid solar street light project in Senegal, showcasing the role of joint financing models in driving sustainable energy solutions. Key speakers on the session include Olumide Ogunfowora, Managing Partner of Argentil Capital Management and Kevin Rodrigues, Regional Managing Director, Europe and Africa at bp Ventures.

Despite the global lending shift toward clean energy sources, African oil and gas projects have still been able to mobilize private capital. Last month, independent upstream company Invictus Energy secured $10 million for the development of the Cabora Bassa oil and gas project in Zimbabwe from private equity firm Mangwana Capital and Zimbabwean sovereign wealth fund Mutapa Investment Fund. Additionally, Nigerian integrated energy solutions provider Oando PLC secured an $800-million loan from Afreximbank to acquire Eni’s local subsidiary Nigerian Agip Oil Company, allowing Oando to increase its participating interests in the Northern Niger Delta and accelerate oil and gas activities across the region. At AEW: Invest in African Energy, a Financing Upstream Oil&Gas in the Age of Transition session will explore trends, investment strategies and innovative financing models for upstream projects.

The Energy Finance Summit will also feature dedicated sessions on Developing a Sustainable Finance Strategy for African Downstream; Spotlight on African M&A and ESG Financing in the African Energy and Oil&Gas Sector. These sessions will explore the roles of non-traditional financing tools, strategic partnerships and the integration of ESG criteria in unlocking foreign investment across Africa’s energy value chain.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.