HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met in the Amiri Diwan on Wednesday with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt Dr. Badr Abdelatty, who is visiting the country.

The meeting discussed bilateral cooperation relations and ways to enhance and develop them. It also discussed the ramifications of the assassination of the Head of the Political Bureau of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) Dr. Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital, Tehran, the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, and ways to eliminate the obstacles hindering the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, along with a number of topics of common interest.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.

1. Japan will dispatch 23 Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) personnel and 1 liaison and coordinator from the Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters, Cabinet Office to train engineering personnel in Africa for the operation of heavy engineering equipment (HEE) in the training of trainers course to be conducted in the Republic of Kenya from Augst 5 to September 13 under the UN Triangular Partnership Programme (TPP), a framework to support capacity building of UN peacekeepers, organized by the UN Department of Operational Support.

2. This training is intended to enable engineering personnel in Kenya and the surrounding regions as trainers to acquire knowledge and skills necessary to develop infrastructure and camps, etc. in UN peacekeeping operations. The graduates of this training are expected to contribute to the swift and smooth implementation of missions’ activities in their countries by training their own engineering personnel who will be deployed to PKO missions.

(Reference1)UN Triangular Partnership Programme (TPP)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania – Tokyo, Japan.

After receiving ~20,000 applications from all 54 African countries, the Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) (www.AfricaBusinessHeroes.org) Prize Competition has revealed the Top 50 Finalists for its 2024 edition. The competition is a philanthropic program supported by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy to honor and elevate African entrepreneurs. This year’s competition reflects an increasingly diverse applicant pool cementing the competition’s reputation as Africa’s largest and most inclusive competition.

Since its inception in 2019, ABH has dedicated itself to identifying, supporting and spotlighting talented African entrepreneurs. Annually, this sector-agnostic competition awards a total grant of $1.5 million to 10 deserving entrepreneurs. Beyond financial support, ABH provides its Finalists and the broader entrepreneurial community with significant exposure, training, mentorship and networking opportunities.

“Over the past five years, the ABH Prize Competition has seen growth and increased participation from critical demographics, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity. This year, we are thrilled to recognize the exceptional talent and potential of the top 50 Finalists, who embody the diverse entrepreneurial spirit of our continent.  As these entrepreneurs lead the way toward a brighter future for Africa and beyond, we’re proud to highlight their innovative achievements. At the same time, we look forward to the continued impact of ABH in empowering African entrepreneurs and driving positive change across the continent,” said Zahra Baitie- Boateng, Managing Director, Africa, Africa’s Business Heroes Initiative.

Expanding Reach and Inclusivity

The 2024 call for applications received submissions from all corners of Africa, demonstrating the continent’s vibrant entrepreneurial spirit. Notably, female applicants reached 39%, surpassing the five-year average of 30% and North African representation increased from the five-year average of 5% to 9%.

Building on this momentum, the 2024 ABH top 50 represents a diverse spectrum, encompassing 14 sectors across 18 countries, with 40% female and 20% francophone representation. Agriculture remains the most prominent sector, alongside strong showings in Education and Healthcare, continuing trends from previous years. This diversity among finalists mirrors the broad range of applicants, underscoring ABH’s commitment to inclusivity. Increased participation across regions and demographics reflects a growing cadre of changemakers making significant local and global impacts.

Benefits for the Top 50 Finalists

The top 50 Finalists will receive a range of benefits enhancing their entrepreneurial journey as they advance to the next stages of the competition. They will become members of the global ABH community, gaining access to a network of like-minded innovators. Additionally, they will benefit from ABH programs, designed to further develop their skills and business acumen. One of the first of these activities is the ABH Top 50 Virtual Bootcamp, where Finalists will participate in capacity-building workshops delivered by African business leaders and members of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, including ABH partners, judges, and Heroes.

The workshop sessions cover a range of essential topics. Dorcas Rutunda (https://apo-opa.co/3A5UhU8), Head of Expansion at ITM Africa Ltd. (www.ITM-Rwanda.com), will lead a session on building a winning team. Ozan Sonmez (https://apo-opa.co/3WrZv3Z), an ABH Judge, will discuss leveraging AI for business productivity. There will be a session offering insights on hacking growth through digital marketing. Business planning will be covered by Guillaume Darnaudet (https://apo-opa.co/4ftVipo), an entrepreneur and coach with GD Consulting. Additionally, there will be a session on investment readiness conducted by Founders Factory Africa (www.FoundersFactory.Africa).

Finalists will also receive extensive media exposure through press releases, articles, and media interviews which will amplify their business stories and successes.

2024: Highlighting Innovators and Enhancing Community

Over the years, ABH has showcased outstanding participants through traditional media and social media channels. This has included providing significant exposure to the top 10 Finalists via the ABH Show, which recounts their ABH journey and entrepreneurial stories through the pitch competition. This year, ABH continues to highlight the inspirational narratives behind past Finalists’ entrepreneurial journeys through its ‘Hero Stories’ series on social media.

ABH has also announced an upcoming community-building initiative, in recognition of the continent’s emergence as a hub of entrepreneurial excellence. In addition to its grant and other programs, ABH is set to further support trailblazing entrepreneurs reshaping industries and creating global impacts by launching hubs in major African cities, which will be announced soon.

The Top 50 Finalists will now advance to Round 2 of the ABH evaluation process. In August, the Top 20 Finalists will be announced and proceed to Cairo for the Semi-Finale after a rigorous due diligence process by PlusVC (https://Plus.VC). The Top 10 Finalists will then be revealed in September and pitch at the Grand Finale in Kigali, Rwanda in early December.

For details about this year’s 2024 ABH top 50 participants, please visit: www.AfricaBusinessHeroes.org.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH).

For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
English:
Tracy Walakira
tracy.walakira@apo-opa.com

French/Arabic:
Malika Bouayad
Malika.Bouayad@apo-opa.com

About Africa’s Business Heroes:
The Africa’s Business Heroes prize competition is the flagship philanthropic initiative spearheaded by the Jack Ma Foundation aimed at supporting and inspiring the next generation of African entrepreneurs across all sectors who are building a more sustainable and inclusive economy for the future of the continent. Over a 10-year period, ABH will recognize 100 African entrepreneurs and commit to allocating grant funding, training programs, and support for the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Each year, the ABH prize competition and show features 10 Finalists as they pitch their business to win a share of US$1.5 million in grant money. Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba Group and the Jack Ma Foundation, created the prize after he made his first trip to Africa in 2017 and was inspired by the energy and entrepreneurial potential of the young people he met with there.

By J.S. Held Africa Advisory

At the heart of Africa’s Great Lakes region, Uganda boasts a rich landscape of plateaus, mountains, and abundant water resources. The nation is a tapestry of natural beauty, serving as home to three of the continent’s largest water bodies – Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, and Lake Edward. Along with smaller lakes and Uganda’s own section of the White Nile, they cover one fifth of the country’s surface in water. Among Uganda’s numerous natural endowments, its potential for hydropower unsurprisingly stands out as a significant opportunity for sustainable development. 

Despite having vast energy resources, including biomass, solar, geothermal, peat, and fossil fuels, Uganda’s electricity access and consumption remain low. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (2019), only about 50% of the population has access to electricity, with per capita consumption at a mere 215 kWh annually, significantly lower than the Sub-Saharan African average of 552 kWh. This low consumption underscores the critical need for enhanced energy infrastructure to support economic growth and improve living standards. 

Hydropower is a cornerstone of Uganda’s energy strategy. Uganda’s hydropower journey began in the mid-20th century with the construction of the Owen Falls Hydropower Station, which developers have upgraded and expanded over the years. By 2023, Uganda’s electricity generation reached 3,874 GWh, with hydropower contributing 87% of the total mix. This dominance is expected to rise to 92% with the commissioning of the Karuma Hydropower Plant, a 600 MW facility set to significantly boost the nation’s energy capacity by the end of 2024. 

Yet developers have only exploited around 15 percent of Uganda’s hydroelectric capacity, with a technically feasible potential of 20,833 GWh per year and an economically feasible potential of 12,500 GWh per year. This clearly indicates ample room for growth.  

Uganda’s approach to hydropower is two-pronged, consisting of large-scale hydropower projects along the Nile and numerous small and medium-sized hydro sites in the western and eastern regions. These small hydropower (SHP) projects have an installed capacity of no more than 20 MW and, given their size, play a crucial role in meeting local energy demands and supporting isolated grids. There are currently 20 SHP facilities in operation, mostly privately owned and operated by independent power producers (IPPs), highlighting the growing trend of private sector involvement in Uganda’s energy sector. 

Among the notable hydropower projects is Nyagak III, a 6.6 MW plant in West Nile. Developed through a public-private partnership, this project exemplifies the collaborative efforts driving Uganda’s renewable energy sector. Genmax Nyagak Limited, a special purpose vehicle (SPV), developed Nyagak III. The Government of Uganda and a strategic consortium comprising DOTT SERVICES LIMITED and Hydromax Limited formed the SPV, in which they respectively own a 30% and 70% share. 

Genmax Nyagak is set to commission the plant by the end of 2024. DOTT SERVICES LIMITED led the project’s construction. The company’s clients know it for its expertise in civil works, the management of electromechanical works, and of hydromechanical works executed under EPC contracts. Tata Consulting Engineers serves as the engineer for the project construction. The project’s unique features include a concrete dam with a desilting basin, a 1.3 km steel water conduit system, and a powerhouse accessible through challenging terrain, ensuring efficient and reliable power supply to the grid.  

Once commissioned, Nyagak III will supply the entire West Nile region along with Nyagak 1 and will eliminate any need for thermal power generation. Producing power at USD 5.74 cents per kWh, electricity from Nyagak III is also the cheapest among mini hydropower projects.  

Uganda’s commitment to expand its hydropower capacity is evident in the identification of 59 mini hydropower sites with a potential of about 210 MW. These sites present opportunities for isolated grids and grid-connected projects, further promoting energy access across the country. The government’s Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariffs (REFiT) policy encourages private investment in SHP and other renewable energy projects. This fosters a favourable environment for sustainable development, aligned with the National Development Plan’s emphasis on the critical role of renewable energy in achieving economic transformation and improving living standards for all Ugandans. 

The sector is therefore poised for significant growth, driven by strategic investments, public-private partnerships, and a commitment to harnessing renewable energy resources. The development of hydropower projects like Nyagak III highlights the potential for local and regional energy solutions, contributing to Uganda’s vision of a sustainable and energy-secure future. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of DOTT Services Ltd.

Media contact: 
africaadvisory@jsheld.com 

About Africa Matters Limited, a part of J.S. Held:
Established with the aim of supporting investors and companies operating in Africa, internationally, Africa Matters Limited is a strategic advisory firm at the forefront of promoting the continent as a place in which commercial activity could result in both attractive financial returns and a positive development impact.