Latest news with #African-led
Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
US Africa Command beefs up military support to Angola and Namibia
Regional security threats include Isis 'franchises' and an 'emerging Mexican drug cartel issue' emanating out of South Africa, says the US military. The United States Africa Command (Africom) is helping Angola and Namibia to counter threats from Isis and Mexican drug cartels emanating from South Africa and elsewhere, says Africom's deputy commander. Deputy Commander Lieutenant General John W Brennan said this in an online media briefing about his recent visits to Angola and Namibia with Ambassador Robert Scott, deputy Africom commander for civil-military engagement. They were asked what the main focus of Africom's engagement with Angola and Namibia was, since these were 'two countries where jihadist groups don't currently seem to present much of a threat'. Brennan replied that Africom's security assistance was 'really preventative. 'There are jihadist groups that operate all along the periphery of both Angola and Namibia. Isis has franchises in Mozambique, South Africa, as well as an emerging Mexican drug cartel issue that we think is … getting worse over time, that's emanating from South Africa and from coastal West Africa. 'We want to keep Namibia and Angola free of those threats as well as to prepare them for any future threats' through training, exercises and equipment. In Angola, the two officials observed joint exercises between US and Angolan special forces, and held discussions there and in Namibia with their counterparts, 'underscoring US Africa Command's continued commitment to strengthening partnerships in Africa to promote stability and collective defence through cost-effective, African-led solutions that minimise direct US military involvement', said Africom. Scott said what struck him on the visit was how 'tightly interlocked … security is with prosperity, with economic development', especially with maritime and trade issues. They heard that Namibia was planning to turn Walvis Bay into a regional hub for the transhipment of goods, and Scott noted that the US was taking the lead in helping to develop the Lobito Corridor into a transformational corridor for trade, connecting eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to the Atlantic. He said the Lobito Corridor showed how security was leveraging economic development and vice versa. He noted that the upgrading of the railway line from eastern DRC to the Port of Lobito had cut the transport time for goods like copper and agricultural products from an average of 28 days to seven days. And so the military exercises which the US was conducting with Angola were helping to keep its coastline secure. Africom was also providing Angola with technology to increase its maritime domain awareness, helping its navy and coastguard to know exactly what ships are off its coastline and what they're doing. Joint military exercises Brennan said that apart from the small special forces exercises like the recent one with Angola, Africom was trying to include Angola and Namibia in the larger joint military exercises with the US, like African Lion and Obangame Express, which involved 30-50 countries and which were typically conducted several times a year. He said that the difference between the way the US operated in Africa and the way that Russia, China and some European countries operated was that African countries led the joint US-Africa exercises. Scott added that this year's Obangame Express exercise had been organised to support the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, the regional construct of rules of engagement for maritime security organised by its member states themselves, from Mauritania down to Namibia. He said Obangame also included an interesting tabletop exercise on how to combat IUUF — illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing — and stop foreign country fleets 'taking all of their fish out of the ocean'. The training included 'knowing who's out in your oceans, being able to intercept them and then having the legal ability to actually prosecute them on land'. Brennan said Africom wanted to increase the participation of other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries in joint military exercises. Africom was already hosting high-level discussions with their militaries, such as the annual Chiefs of Defense Conference. 'So the more African countries participating, the better,' he said, adding that the US was also adding partners and allies from across the world — for example, the last Cutlass Express exercise was partly hosted in East Africa and included India, Sri Lanka, South Korea and Brazil. He noted that holding the exercises in Africa helped to lower costs for both the US and the African countries. Africom had 'started the burgeoning relationship with SADC many years ago', said Brennan. Botswana was the hub of that, and Africom wanted to expand its security partners, who also provided troops to operations like those fighting violent extremist organisations in Somalia, as well as stopping illicit drug and human trafficking. Mozambique was also a partner, and Africom had recently given it boats to interdict drug shipments off its coast. He added that drug cartels making drugs in Africa and exporting them to Europe, the US and Australia, or for local consumption, were a growing problem. Brennan said that after the US and other Western countries had been forced (by pro-Russian juntas) to remove their militaries from some African countries, it had become more difficult for them to conduct counterterrorism operations when they were not on the ground. 'Which is why we're focusing on building our partners' capacities so that they can respond to terrorist activities … that we support from afar with our partners … with things like training and equipping.' DM
Zawya
2 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
Supply chain innovators are charting a new healthcare future for Africa
At this year's SAPICS Conference in Cape Town, a powerful healthcare-focused panel discussion spotlighted Africa's emergence as a creator of health supply chain innovations with global potential. The session brought together trailblazing African entrepreneurs who are transforming medicine access, patient safety and healthcare supply chain systems across the continent. It was moderated by Stella Kivila, a pharmacist, health technology consultant and strategic advisor with a deep commitment to advancing African-led healthcare solutions. Currently the Director of Healthtech Strategy & Impact at Salient Advisory, Kivila works alongside her colleagues to advance African-led healthtech and innovations through strategic partnerships with forward-thinking industry, foundations and governments. Kivila opened the session with insights drawn from Salient's work tracking more than 1 000 healthtech innovators across Africa. 'We are seeing a new generation of African entrepreneurs tackling one of the continent's most pressing problems: fragmented and inefficient medicine supply chains,' she said. The Cost of Fragmentation Across Africa, public sector healthcare distribution systems are overburdened. Most consumers rely on fragmented private sector supply chains that drive up costs and compromise quality. Kivila noted that this fragmentation often adds as much as 60% to the final price patients pay for medicines. A further concern is that patients are left with little guarantee of quality or availability and there is a significant risk of counterfeit and substandard products entering the system. But as she explained, African-led innovators are working to close these gaps through technology, data and new business models. Two standout examples - Dawa Mkononi from Tanzania and Meditect from Côte d'Ivoire - took centre stage at SAPICS 2025 to share their journeys. Dawa Mkononi: 'Medicine in the Palm of Your Hand' Dawa Mkononi means 'medicine in the palm of your hand'. For Dr. Joseph Paul, the business's founder, the road to innovation began with heartbreak. While assisting a mother during childbirth in a rural Tanzanian village, he found that the essential drug needed to accelerate labour was unavailable. Six hours later, the family returned with a medicine that sadly proved ineffective. It was likely a counterfeit. That moment sparked a mission. As a medical doctor with a passion for software engineering, Paul developed a digital platform and distribution model that delivers medicine within hours in urban areas, complete with inventory services and demand prediction. His business now supplies pharmacies, clinics and hospitals with safe, verified medicines and flexible credit financing. In just a few years, Dawa Mkononi has served over 500 000 patients, reached more than 1 000 pharmacies and facilitated over $1 million in credit to health facilities. 'Our mission is to make medicine accessible, affordable and safe, through data-driven supply chains,' Paul told the SAPICS audience. His company is growing fourfold annually, demonstrating both the magnitude of the problem and the scalability of African-born solutions when given the right support. Meditect: Restoring Trust in Medicines For Dr. Arnaud Pourredon, founder of Meditect and a former surgeon in Côte d'Ivoire, the decision to leave his clinical career was similarly rooted in a moment of despair. 'I couldn't buy malaria treatment for a three-year-old child. That's when I knew we had to fix the system,' he recalled. Meditect provides digital tools that support drug traceability, supply chain visibility and pharmacy management. With a focus on Francophone Africa, where populations are growing rapidly and infrastructure often lags, Meditect is helping to leapfrog traditional barriers through technology. 'By improving access to quality medicine and enhancing transparency, we can increase life expectancy in Africa by 10 years,' Pourredon said. His platform now supports thousands of healthcare professionals across the region and is a beacon for what's possible when innovation is rooted in local understanding. Investing in Innovation: The i3 Model Both Dawa Mkononi and Meditect are part of the Investing in Innovation (i3) programme, a value-creation network launched in 2022 to help scale commercial African supply chain innovations. Rather than acting as a traditional accelerator, i3 connects promising local innovators with donors, governments and the private sector to champion both economic and health outcomes. In its first 24 months, i3 has provided $3M in direct grant funding to 60 start-ups across 18 African countries. Sponsored by the Gates Foundation, MSD, Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen), Endless Foundation, HELP Logistics (a subsidiary of the Kühne Foundation) and Sanofi's Global Health Unit, i3 provides risk-tolerant funding, tailored market access support and opportunities to partner with governments, donors and major healthcare organisations. 'Africa doesn't lack ingenuity. It lacks systems to support and scale it,' Kivila emphasised. 'That's what we're fixing with i3.' Building Resilient, Locally-Led Health Systems Beyond numbers and technologies, the SAPICS panel discussion served as a rallying call for rethinking the role of African innovators in shaping the continent's future - and the global healthcare landscape more broadly. Whether it's Dawa Mkononi's last-mile delivery model or Meditect's traceability platforms, these companies are creating blueprints for responsive, transparent, efficient and scalable healthcare systems. They are also creating jobs, strengthening communities and demonstrating that sustainable transformation in patient care is possible. As Kivila concluded, 'Africa's healthcare future does not have to be imported. It is being built here - by Africans, for Africans, and increasingly, for the world.' More than 700 supply chain managers from across Africa and around the world convened in Cape Town for this year's 47th annual SAPICS Conference - to learn, share knowledge and network. This is the leading event in Africa for the supply chain profession. For more information: Email: info@ ABOUT SAPICS: Since 1966, SAPICS has worked to elevate, educate and empower the community of supply chain professionals in South Africa and across the continent. This is done via membership, events, the annual conference and education courses and workshops through Authorised Education Providers and others. SAPICS is registered in South Africa as a not-for-profit company. Its mandate is to ensure that any profits made are used towards the continual development and overall benefit of individuals and organisations in the supply chain management profession. The annual SAPICS Conference is the leading event in Africa for the supply chain profession.
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Roundup: Global leaders urge urgent action on food system challenges
ADDIS ABABA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Global leaders on Monday called for urgent collective action to address challenges facing food systems. They made the call during the second United Nations Food Systems Summit, which is underway in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, with political leaders from around the world, heads of UN agencies and regional organizations, as well as representatives from the private sector and civil society, convened to reaffirm their shared responsibilities. Addressing the official opening session on Monday, African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf emphasized the need to transform global food systems to address critical sustainable development challenges. "Food systems transformation is not just a moral imperative. It is a strategic necessity central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially ending hunger, reducing poverty, and building climate-resilient economies," he said. The AUC chief highlighted Africa's "bold steps" in food systems transformation, supported by collective continental commitments and investment targets to build resilient, inclusive, and climate-smart food systems. He further called on global partners to support African-led solutions. In a video message, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underscored the vital need to realize shared commitments in ensuring global food systems that are inclusive, sustainable, equitable, resilient, and rooted in human rights. "Global hunger is rising, trade shocks are pushing food prices out of reach, and one-third of the world's population cannot afford a healthy diet while one-third of the world's food is lost or wasted," Guterres said, warning that climate change and conflict are further driving hunger across the globe. For her part, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stressed the need to address the major drivers of global food insecurity. She noted that although food insecurity has drastically decreased over the past decades, the phenomenon still affects about 10 percent of the world's population. "This percentage is largely concentrated here in Africa, where one in five people suffer from hunger and do not have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to lead a healthy life. This situation, already complex, has been exacerbated by the crises the world is currently facing," Meloni said. Describing food insecurity as a critical global political and economic issue, she warned of the catastrophic consequences, including poverty and conflicts, as communities become more vulnerable to violence, terrorism, and forced migration. Echoing the sentiment, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed highlighted the importance of ensuring predictable financing to support investments in agriculture, rural transformation, infrastructure, and nutrition in Africa and beyond. Abiy, in particular, emphasized the need to put in place fair access to technology and finance for agricultural modernization in Africa. He further emphasized the importance of fair trade rules that create a level playing field and a strong global partnership that empowers local solutions. The summit, held on July 27-29, is expected to reflect on global progress in food systems transformation, strengthen collaboration, and unlock finance and investments to accelerate action toward the UN SDGs.
Daily News Egypt
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
London to Host Inaugural UK-Africa Business Summit to Boost Trade and Investment
London will host its first UK-Africa Business Summit in 2026, in a strategic push to enhance trade and investment ties with the African continent. The announcement was made by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who said the summit would position the British capital as a global hub for African businesses and investors. Set to take place next year, the summit aims to bring together African entrepreneurs, investors, government representatives, stock exchanges, and business networks from across the continent. Organisers say the event will promote London as a springboard for African companies looking to expand internationally. The initiative is backed by data from London & Partners, the city's official promotional agency, which projects that trade between the UK and Africa could reach £62 billion by 2030. The report, based on data from the Office for National Statistics and the IMF, highlights the rapid growth of Africa's tech ecosystem—up 40% since 2019—and names Lagos as the world's top emerging tech hub. London Builds Momentum as Gateway for African Investment London has long positioned itself as a key destination for African capital. Since 2013, it has remained the leading European city for African foreign direct investment, attracting 72 African-led investment projects. It is also ranked second globally among cities outside Africa in attracting such investment. Mayor Khan recently returned from a high-profile trade mission to African capitals including Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg and Cape Town, where he met with local officials and private sector leaders. The visit, he said, was aimed at 'building stronger bridges' with the continent and exploring new avenues for collaboration. He was accompanied by a delegation of 27 London-based companies looking to grow in African markets. 'London is uniquely positioned to benefit from Africa's fast-growing economies—whether through tech startups or financial services,' Khan said. 'This summit is a key part of our international strategy and will help generate thousands of high-quality jobs in the coming years.' The summit is expected to mark a turning point in UK-Africa relations, at a time when both sides are seeking to diversify economic partnerships. Organisers say it will not only boost bilateral trade but also strengthen London's role as a platform for global investment into Africa's innovation economy.
Daily News Egypt
17-07-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Ethiopia Engages Diplomats on Climate Finance Ahead of Africa Climate Summit
Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has held consultations with the diplomatic community in Addis Ababa ahead of the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), calling for stronger international financial and technical support to address the continent's climate challenges. The meeting, held this week, focused on mobilizing global climate finance for Africa's green development agenda, with particular attention to equitable support for African-led climate solutions. ACS2 is scheduled for September 8–10, 2025, at the Addis International Convention Centre under the theme 'Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa's Resilient and Green Development.' The consultations were opened by Foreign Minister Dr. Gedion Timothewos and moderated by Planning and Development Minister Fitsum Assefa. Officials emphasized that while Africa contributes minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, it remains one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change. The Ministry of Planning and Development presented the summit's concept note, outlining the summit's vision and objectives. Abas Mohammed, CEO at the Ministry, said ACS2 would seek to unlock grant-based climate finance and drive sustainable investment across Africa. Participants highlighted Ethiopia's own initiatives, such as the Green Legacy reforestation campaign, as examples of domestic climate leadership that require international support to scale. The Government of Ethiopia, in partnership with the African Union, has also launched the official ACS2 website. In a welcome message posted on the platform, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said the summit will be 'a vital opportunity to redefine Africa's aspirations for a climate-resilient and prosperous future.' Abiy said the summit would be guided by Agenda 2063 and Africa-led solutions, adding that 'African leadership must shape fair and practical global climate action.' ACS2 follows the first Africa Climate Summit (ACS1), which was held in Nairobi in September 2023. That summit resulted in more than $20 billion in pledged financing and the adoption of the Nairobi Declaration, which called for expanded investment in renewable energy and carbon markets. According to organizers, ACS2 aims to build momentum for Africa's unified climate finance position ahead of major global forums, including COP30, G20, and the UN General Assembly. Key expected outcomes include: The Addis Ababa Declaration on climate finance and resilient development; A push for scaling grant-based climate finance; Promotion of African-led climate solutions; Strengthening of country platforms and local systems to deliver climate finance; Strategic partnerships to support just transition and climate justice efforts across the continent
