Latest news with #Diaw
Daily News Egypt
25-05-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
AfDB commits $746M to Egypt in 2025, targeting private sector, pharma, and clean energy
The African Development Bank (AfDB) will provide Egypt with $746m in funding in 2025, matching the amount projected for 2026, according to Abdourahmane Diaw, AfDB's Country Manager in Egypt. This support encompasses both sovereign and non-sovereign operations, reinforcing Egypt's standing as the Bank's second-largest regional member country shareholder—after Nigeria—and the third-largest overall. Speaking to Daily News Egypt, Diaw revealed that AfDB's current portfolio in Egypt totals $2.045bn, with private sector operations accounting for $800m, or 39%. The Bank is currently involved in 13 active private sector projects: seven in the power sector, three in finance, and one each in healthcare, industry, and agribusiness. Key Projects in 2025 AfDB is advancing four major initiatives in Egypt for 2025: Minapharm Expansion and Renovation Program Approved in March 2025, this project aims to scale up Egypt's pharmaceutical capacity by producing biosimilar monoclonal antibodies for oncology and autoimmune diseases—addressing a critical gap in Africa's healthcare landscape. JELES Set for board approval in June, Jobs, Entrepreneurship, and Livelihood Enhancement Support (JELES) will promote youth employment by supporting startups, MSMEs, and inclusive value chains across Egypt. Partial Credit Guarantee for Samurai Bond Expected to go before the board in September 2025, this $400m equivalent guarantee (in Japanese yen) will back the issuance of a $500m sustainable Samurai bond, helping Egypt secure more favorable financing terms amid global economic uncertainty. Large-Scale Solar PV and Battery Storage Project A private sector-led initiative in southern Egypt, this project will combine solar generation with battery storage and a high-voltage substation to deliver dispatchable clean energy, strengthen grid reliability, and enhance frequency and voltage control. Sector Focus and Strategic Priorities Finance is now the largest segment of AfDB's Egypt portfolio, representing 31%, followed by energy (21%), multisector (19%), agriculture (10%), water and sanitation (9%), and transport (8%). The social and industrial sectors account for just 1% each. Highlighting Egypt's prominence in pharmaceuticals—MENA's largest market with revenues exceeding $56bn—Diaw emphasized AfDB's investment in critical health infrastructure. In March 2025, the Bank approved a €15m senior loan to Minapharm Pharmaceuticals. It is also conducting due diligence on what could become Africa's first facility for producing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for small molecules, with a board decision expected by year-end. Diaw added that the Bank is in discussions to support medium-sized pharmaceutical companies through local commercial banks. Over the past three years, AfDB has funneled $293m to Egyptian banks, mainly to finance SMEs, with future funding tied to performance evaluations. Looking ahead, AfDB is prepared to back Egypt's green hydrogen ambitions as part of its broader energy transition and regional hub strategy. Regional Development Vision Under its 2022–2026 Country Strategy Paper, AfDB prioritizes enhancing Egypt's competitiveness through private sector-led growth and job creation, especially for youth. Beyond Egypt, the Bank is a cornerstone of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), a joint initiative with the African Union Commission and NEPAD. AfDB is engaged in 56 PIDA projects spanning transport, energy, water, and ICT. As part of its 2024–2033 Ten-Year Strategy, AfDB aims to accelerate infrastructure connectivity, eliminate trade barriers, harmonize regulations, and bolster the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). 'Regional integration, regulatory reform, and labor mobility are essential to unlocking Africa's full economic potential—especially for its youth,' Diaw concluded.
South Wales Guardian
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Chris Brown says he will go from ‘the cage to the stage' after bail release
The US musician, 36, can continue with his scheduled international tour this year, including in the UK in June and July, as part of his bail conditions, Judge Tony Baumgartner told Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday. Brown must pay a £5 million security fee to the court, which is a financial guarantee to ensure a defendant returns to court and may be forfeited if they breach bail conditions. Shortly after being released from prison, Brown posted an Instagram story referencing his upcoming tour. In the post, he said: 'From the cage to the stage. Breezybowl.' The tour will see Brown travel to parts of Europe, the United States and Canada, with its UK leg set to see him perform in Manchester, Cardiff, London, Birmingham, and Glasgow. The Go Crazy singer is accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Abraham Diaw in February 2023. He did not appear in court for the bail application hearing. Brown must surrender his passport if he is not travelling, and must live at a specific address known to the court but is not allowed to visit the nightclub and he cannot contact Mr Diaw or apply for international travel documents. The singer must pay a £4 million security fee to secure his release from prison on Wednesday, and put forward a further £1 million security within a week, the court heard. He will next appear with his co-defendant, US national Omololu Akinlolu, 38, at the same court on June 20. Brown and Akinlolu have both been charged relating to the assault which allegedly took place at the Tape venue in Hanover Square in Mayfair on February 19 2023. Manchester Magistrates' Court heard last week that Mr Diaw was standing at the bar of the Tape nightclub when he was struck several times with a bottle, and was then pursued to a separate area of the nightclub where he was punched and kicked repeatedly. Brown was arrested at Manchester's Lowry Hotel at 2am on Thursday by detectives from the Metropolitan Police. He is said to have flown into Manchester Airport on a private jet last week in preparation for the UK tour dates. A case management hearing has been set for October 24. Brown was released from HMP Forest Bank in Salford, Greater Manchester, at 4.45pm. Shortly before then, the prison shutter gates opened to let a silver Mercedes van on to the site, which minutes later emerged with Brown inside the vehicle. A row of photographers captured the departure of the van, along with two members of Brown's entourage who filmed the moment. A small number of fans also gathered and cheered as the vehicle left the scene.
Rhyl Journal
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Chris Brown says he will go from ‘the cage to the stage' after bail release
The US musician, 36, can continue with his scheduled international tour this year, including in the UK in June and July, as part of his bail conditions, Judge Tony Baumgartner told Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday. Brown must pay a £5 million security fee to the court, which is a financial guarantee to ensure a defendant returns to court and may be forfeited if they breach bail conditions. Shortly after being released from prison, Brown posted an Instagram story referencing his upcoming tour. In the post, he said: 'From the cage to the stage. Breezybowl.' The tour will see Brown travel to parts of Europe, the United States and Canada, with its UK leg set to see him perform in Manchester, Cardiff, London, Birmingham, and Glasgow. The Go Crazy singer is accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Abraham Diaw in February 2023. He did not appear in court for the bail application hearing. Brown must surrender his passport if he is not travelling, and must live at a specific address known to the court but is not allowed to visit the nightclub and he cannot contact Mr Diaw or apply for international travel documents. The singer must pay a £4 million security fee to secure his release from prison on Wednesday, and put forward a further £1 million security within a week, the court heard. He will next appear with his co-defendant, US national Omololu Akinlolu, 38, at the same court on June 20. Brown and Akinlolu have both been charged relating to the assault which allegedly took place at the Tape venue in Hanover Square in Mayfair on February 19 2023. Manchester Magistrates' Court heard last week that Mr Diaw was standing at the bar of the Tape nightclub when he was struck several times with a bottle, and was then pursued to a separate area of the nightclub where he was punched and kicked repeatedly. Brown was arrested at Manchester's Lowry Hotel at 2am on Thursday by detectives from the Metropolitan Police. He is said to have flown into Manchester Airport on a private jet last week in preparation for the UK tour dates. A case management hearing has been set for October 24. Brown was released from HMP Forest Bank in Salford, Greater Manchester, at 4.45pm. Shortly before then, the prison shutter gates opened to let a silver Mercedes van on to the site, which minutes later emerged with Brown inside the vehicle. A row of photographers captured the departure of the van, along with two members of Brown's entourage who filmed the moment. A small number of fans also gathered and cheered as the vehicle left the scene.
Western Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Chris Brown says he will go from ‘the cage to the stage' after bail release
The US musician, 36, can continue with his scheduled international tour this year, including in the UK in June and July, as part of his bail conditions, Judge Tony Baumgartner told Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday. Brown must pay a £5 million security fee to the court, which is a financial guarantee to ensure a defendant returns to court and may be forfeited if they breach bail conditions. Shortly after being released from prison, Brown posted an Instagram story referencing his upcoming tour. In the post, he said: 'From the cage to the stage. Breezybowl.' The tour will see Brown travel to parts of Europe, the United States and Canada, with its UK leg set to see him perform in Manchester, Cardiff, London, Birmingham, and Glasgow. The Go Crazy singer is accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Abraham Diaw in February 2023. He did not appear in court for the bail application hearing. Brown must surrender his passport if he is not travelling, and must live at a specific address known to the court but is not allowed to visit the nightclub and he cannot contact Mr Diaw or apply for international travel documents. The singer must pay a £4 million security fee to secure his release from prison on Wednesday, and put forward a further £1 million security within a week, the court heard. He will next appear with his co-defendant, US national Omololu Akinlolu, 38, at the same court on June 20. Brown and Akinlolu have both been charged relating to the assault which allegedly took place at the Tape venue in Hanover Square in Mayfair on February 19 2023. A judge at Southwark Crown Court freed the singer on bail (Sean Dempsey/PA) Manchester Magistrates' Court heard last week that Mr Diaw was standing at the bar of the Tape nightclub when he was struck several times with a bottle, and was then pursued to a separate area of the nightclub where he was punched and kicked repeatedly. Brown was arrested at Manchester's Lowry Hotel at 2am on Thursday by detectives from the Metropolitan Police. He is said to have flown into Manchester Airport on a private jet last week in preparation for the UK tour dates. A case management hearing has been set for October 24. Brown was released from HMP Forest Bank in Salford, Greater Manchester, at 4.45pm. Shortly before then, the prison shutter gates opened to let a silver Mercedes van on to the site, which minutes later emerged with Brown inside the vehicle. A row of photographers captured the departure of the van, along with two members of Brown's entourage who filmed the moment. A small number of fans also gathered and cheered as the vehicle left the scene.
Powys County Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Chris Brown says he will go from ‘the cage to the stage' after bail release
R&B singer Chris Brown has said he will go 'from the cage to the stage' after he was freed on bail following a charge over an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub two years ago. The US musician, 36, can continue with his scheduled international tour this year, including in the UK in June and July, as part of his bail conditions, Judge Tony Baumgartner told Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday. Brown must pay a £5 million security fee to the court, which is a financial guarantee to ensure a defendant returns to court and may be forfeited if they breach bail conditions. Shortly after being released from prison, Brown posted an Instagram story referencing his upcoming tour. In the post, he said: 'From the cage to the stage. Breezybowl.' The tour will see Brown travel to parts of Europe, the United States and Canada, with its UK leg set to see him perform in Manchester, Cardiff, London, Birmingham, and Glasgow. The Go Crazy singer is accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Abraham Diaw in February 2023. He did not appear in court for the bail application hearing. Brown must surrender his passport if he is not travelling, and must live at a specific address known to the court but is not allowed to visit the nightclub and he cannot contact Mr Diaw or apply for international travel documents. The singer must pay a £4 million security fee to secure his release from prison on Wednesday, and put forward a further £1 million security within a week, the court heard. He will next appear with his co-defendant, US national Omololu Akinlolu, 38, at the same court on June 20. Brown and Akinlolu have both been charged relating to the assault which allegedly took place at the Tape venue in Hanover Square in Mayfair on February 19 2023. Manchester Magistrates' Court heard last week that Mr Diaw was standing at the bar of the Tape nightclub when he was struck several times with a bottle, and was then pursued to a separate area of the nightclub where he was punched and kicked repeatedly. Brown was arrested at Manchester's Lowry Hotel at 2am on Thursday by detectives from the Metropolitan Police. He is said to have flown into Manchester Airport on a private jet last week in preparation for the UK tour dates. A case management hearing has been set for October 24. Brown was released from HMP Forest Bank in Salford, Greater Manchester, at 4.45pm. Shortly before then, the prison shutter gates opened to let a silver Mercedes van on to the site, which minutes later emerged with Brown inside the vehicle. A row of photographers captured the departure of the van, along with two members of Brown's entourage who filmed the moment.
