Latest news with #CEMAC
Zawya
7 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
New Roadmap to Strengthen Health Security in Central Africa
Africa CDC and strategic health partners operating in Central Africa have drawn up an outline of a joint 2026–2027 roadmap to strengthen health security in the Central African region. Central Africa, like the rest of the continent, is deeply affected by recurrent or prolonged health crises, with the emergence and re-emergence of infectious threats. These threats challenge the resilience of healthcare systems and underline the need for an integrated, multi-sectoral and proactive approach. These public health emergencies are a powerful reminder that no country can effectively and sustainably deal with cross-border health threats on its own. 'This joint planning process is much more than a technical exercise. It is a key moment to strengthen our regional public health architecture, foster the interoperability of our alert systems, promote data sharing and expertise, and facilitate more effective mobilisation of available resources,' said Dr Brice Wilfried Bicaba, Director of Africa CDC's Regional Coordinating Centre for Central Africa (CA RCC). Africa CDC, through its CA RCC, brought together technical and institutional representatives from regional bodies including the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Organisation for Coordination in the Fight Against Endemic Diseases in Central Africa (OCEAC) of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), from 16 to 18 June 2025 in Equatorial Guinea. The inaugural strategic joint planning workshop was aimed at strengthening collaboration and coordination between Africa CDC, Regional Economic Communities and health institutions to improve prevention, preparedness and response to health emergencies in Central Africa. Africa CDC and its partners also came up with a consolidated 2025 plan. 'The 2025 joint action plan will serve as an operational guide for the coming months, focusing on concrete actions to strengthen regional coordination and governance, reinforce integrated health systems and the control of high-burden diseases, enhance surveillance, data collection and early warning, as well as build national capacity in terms of networks and laboratory systems,' added Dr Bicaba. The joint roadmap 2026–2027 lays the foundations for a structured response that is more effective, efficient, sustainable and aligned with continental and regional frameworks such as the New Public Health Order for Africa, the Africa CDC Strategic Plan 2023–2027, the Regional Strategic Plans for Preparedness and Response to Public Health Emergencies, cross-border surveillance of diseases with epidemic potential under the 'One Health' approach, and the ECCAS 'One Health' Platform for the period 2025–2029, as well as the 2023–2027 Five-Year Strategic Plan of the OCEAC. 'This roadmap reflects our collective commitment to building a community that is better prepared, more resilient and more responsive to health threats. Coordination with Africa CDC and other regional health organisations is essential if we are to achieve genuine health security in Central Africa,' said Dr Peggy Raymonde Conjugo-Batoma, Head of the Health Department of the Commission of ECCAS. The various stakeholders have also defined a coordination and monitoring framework for the joint implementation of health initiatives in the Central African region over the period 2025–2027. The main aim of this framework is to establish an effective coordination and accountability mechanism for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of joint regional health security activities in Central Africa, while ensuring optimum synergy between the key players. 'I welcome this initiative, which strengthens regional solidarity around our shared priorities,' said Mr Mitoha Ondo'o Ayekaba, Equatorial Guinea's Minister of Health. 'The results of your work reflect not only the richness of your contributions but also the collective commitment and strong desire to face cross-border health threats together. They are also an illustration of strengthened regional cooperation between national institutions, regional economic communities and technical partners in the interests of our populations,' said Mr Ayekaba, who is also a member of the steering committee of the Central African RCC. 'I am personally committed to overseeing the implementation of the joint roadmap and to advocating vigorously with my colleagues to secure the necessary political support,' he said. This inaugural workshop has been hailed by the Minister of Health and Africa CDC's partners as a model of multi-sector collaboration, mobilising the technical expertise, political priorities and resources of the various stakeholders around a common vision. 'It marks an important step in Africa CDC's ambition to build a more robust, integrated and inclusive continental public health system that is better prepared to deal with future health emergencies,' said Dr Bicaba. The representatives present in Malabo also recommended co-developing collaboration protocols between the various institutions, integrating Africa CDC's Regional Coordinating Centre for Central Africa as an observer or technical member at decision-making and technical meetings of the RECs relating to public health, health emergency management and health security, and strengthening the capacities of Member States in health planning and coordination. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
Ya Biladi
22-06-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Morocco and CEMAC sign cooperation pact to boost economic ties and regional integration
A cooperation agreement was signed on Friday in Laayoune between the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) and the business associations of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) countries. This took place on the sidelines of the Parliamentary Forum on economic cooperation between Morocco and the regional bloc's Parliament. Signed by CGEM President Chakib Alj and representatives of the CEMAC business associations, the agreement establishes a Morocco-CEMAC Task Force as a joint platform for dialogue, coordination, and economic cooperation. Its mission is to structure collaboration, encourage information exchange, share best practices and business opportunities, support joint projects between companies from both regions, and serve as a proactive interface between Moroccan and CEMAC business communities. The agreement also creates a Steering Committee, co-chaired by a CGEM representative and one from each CEMAC business association. This committee will set up sectoral working groups, bringing together business leaders, experts, and institutional partners around priority themes. The parties commit to cooperating on identifying high-potential sectors of complementarity such as agro-industry, infrastructure, renewable energy, manufacturing industries, and digital services. They also pledged to facilitate business partnerships through matchmaking programs and B2B meetings, organize regular economic forums, and promote cross-investment, regional integration, and support for technology and skills transfer via training, expertise exchange, and industrial co-development projects. In a statement to MAP during the ceremony, Chakib Alj highlighted the complementarities between Morocco's and CEMAC economies, emphasizing the agreement to identify practical actions to boost economic ties. «Our goal is to create momentum between Moroccan companies and their CEMAC counterparts, fostering synergy and knowledge exchange», said the CGEM president. Similarly, Jean Daniel Ovaga, Chairman of the Congolese National Union of Economic Operators (UNOC), stressed that the agreement enables the private sector—a key driver of economic growth and value creation—to fully contribute to identifying priority cooperation sectors benefiting Morocco and CEMAC populations. «This is a strong commitment to move forward together, rebuild Africa, and bring growth and expertise to local communities», he stated. The Parliamentary Forum on economic cooperation between Morocco and the CEMAC Parliament aims to promote joint development projects and contribute to Africa's economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
Maroc
18-06-2025
- Business
- Maroc
CEMAC Parliament Reaffirms Support for Morocco's Sovereignty over Sahara
The President of the Parliament of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), Évariste Ngamana, reiterated on Tuesday in Rabat the unwavering support of CEMAC member states for Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara. 'The countries of Central Africa—namely Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Chad—reaffirm their support for Morocco's sovereignty over all its territory, including the Sahara,' Ngamana said following talks with Speaker of the House of Councillors, Mohamed Ould Errachid. Leading a high-level parliamentary delegation to Morocco, Ngamana also praised the enlightened vision of HM King Mohammed VI for a 'strong and developed' Africa. He highlighted several major development projects launched under HM the King's leadership, including the Atlantic port of Dakhla, a flagship project under Morocco's development strategy for the southern provinces, and the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, which reflects the Kingdom's commitment to South-South cooperation. On parliamentary diplomacy, Ngamana recalled the memorandum of understanding signed in Rabat last January between the House of Councillors and CEMAC to enhance dialogue and strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation. Ngamana also welcomed his participation in the upcoming Morocco-CEMAC Parliamentary Forum on Economic Cooperation, set to take place this Friday under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI. Jointly organized by the House of Councillors and the CEMAC Parliament, in partnership with the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), the Forum aims to establish a structured platform for dialogue to boost economic cooperation and expand trade between Morocco and CEMAC countries. MAP: 18 June 2025
Maroc
17-06-2025
- Business
- Maroc
Morocco, CEMAC to Host Parliamentary Forum on Economic Cooperation in Laayoune
Laayoune is hosting, on Friday, the Parliamentary Forum on Economic Cooperation between Morocco and the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Organized by the House of Councillors and the CEMAC Parliament, in partnership with the General Confederation of Moroccan enterprises (CGEM), this Forum aims to establish an institutional platform for dialogue and exchange on the means of strengthening economic cooperation and developing trade exchange between the Kingdom and CEMAC member countries, the Upper House said in a press release. It also aims to promote the implementation of joint development projects and to contribute to Africa's economic integration momentum, as part of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA), the same source added. This forum reflects the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI for an effective and balanced South-South partnership, and for promising cooperation between the Kingdom and the countries of Central Africa, based on mutual interest and respect, and on economic complementarity. The event will be attended by high-level parliamentary delegations, private sector actors and employers' organizations from CEMAC member countries, alongside Moroccan officials and experts in economics, energy, climate and sustainable development. MAP: 16 June 2025
Zawya
16-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Banque de Développement des États de l'Afrique Centrale secures EUR 100mln trade finance facility from Afreximbank
ABUJA, Nigeria -- African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) ( has signed an agreement to provide the Banque de Développement des États de l'Afrique Centrale (BDEAC) with EUR 100-million trade finance facility to support critical regional integration projects in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). The facility would also support the upgrading of trade-enabling infrastructure in the CEMAC region. The agreement was signed in Abuja, Nigeria, on June 5, 2025 on the sidelines of the official launch of the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE). Prof. Benedict Oramah, Afreximbank's President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, signed for the Bank, while Dieudonné Evou Mekou, President of BDEAC, signed for his organization. Speaking after the signing, Prof. Oramah highlighted the significance of the facility in strengthening regional integration, saying, 'This facility marks another significant milestone in Afreximbank's efforts to deepen trade and investment, as well as close the trade-enabling infrastructure gap in the CEMAC region. With this line of credit, Afreximbank and BDEAC are sending a strong message to our people that it is through strong partnerships and by pooling our resources that we can collectively transform the economic fortunes of our people.' On his part, BDEAC President, Dieudonné Evou Mekou welcomed the signing of the new facility, noting that: 'It confirms the excellent quality of the partnership between BDEAC and Afreximbank - two institutions at the forefront of financing African economies. The establishment of this credit line will enable BDEAC to strengthen and diversify its interventions in the CEMAC zone, thereby contributing more significantly to regional economic integration, sustainable development, and the improvement of living conditions for the populations, in accordance with Strategic Orientation N°1 of the AZOBE 2023-2027 Strategic Plan.' The advent of this new facility confirms the excellent quality of the partnership relations that exist between the two financial institutions dedicated to African economies.' BDEAC is the regional development finance institution for the CEMAC regional block and has had a long-standing partnership with Afreximbank. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank. Media Contact: Vincent Musumba Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations) Email: press@ Follow us on: X: Facebook: LinkedIn: Instagram: About Afreximbank: African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa's trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank's total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody's (Baa1), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, "the Group"). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt. For more information, visit: SOURCE: Afreximbank
