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Mail & Guardian
17 hours ago
- General
- Mail & Guardian
African values under threat: African Commission must defend them
Organisations such as CitizenGo, Family Watch International, Family Policy Institute and Christian Council International promote opposition to abortion, LGBTI rights, reproductive healthcare and comprehensive sexuality education. A poster featuring an all-white male panel of speakers from Europe, the US and other regions circulated online, promoting a pan-African conference on African Family Values. The line-up was a tell-tale sign of yet another event underwritten by Global North actors with a clear anti-rights agenda. The organisers were The main speakers were from organisations such as CitizenGo, Family Watch International, Family Policy Institute and Christian Council International, as well as churches and parliamentarians. These were also among the supporters and sponsors for the event. These organisations are known for conservative family and societal values advocating for what they call 'traditional family values'. The event organisers, African Christian Professionals Forum, has deep ties with these organisations including some of its board members At its Event participants not only advocate in their countries on these topics but also at regional forums, including the African Union, and at the international level. Civil society has The 2025 Convention on Eliminating Violence against Women and Girls is thought to be their next advocacy target. They will probably argue that this treaty This conference comes at a time of The conference was attended by MPs from Uganda and Malawi and Kenyan lawyers. This is unsurprising since there have long been reports that US groups have The language of 'African values' emerged at the regional level in 2018 when the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR), the continent's highest human rights body, at the instruction of the African Union, In 2022 the ACHPR, this time on its own accord, then But what does it mean to be African? What are African values? The African Charter empowers the ACHPR to undertake studies and research to address such questions. The ACHPR then uses these studies as a basis for principles and rules to guide African governments. In this vein, in 2023 the African Commission In answering this question, there are three key areas the ACHPR should consider. First is a recognition that African families are incredibly diverse. The drafters of the African Charter acknowledged that African society is far too complex to be neatly compartmentalised. It was for this reason that the charter deliberately fails to define the notion of 'peoples', in clear recognition of the diversity of African families, societies and communities. The ACHPR must likewise not confine African identities to cis-gender and heterosexual, nor restrict the concept of the African family to a nuclear model. Second is that the principle of non-discrimination permeates the charter and provides the touchstone of the African concept of human rights. The charter affirms that 'every individual shall respect and consider his fellow beings without discrimination and to maintain relations aimed at promoting, safeguarding and reinforcing mutual respect and tolerance'. The charter's drafters entrenched the idea of non-discrimination because, at the time, African leaders were focused on liberation from colonialism and racism. Indeed, the document broke new ground by prohibiting ethnic discrimination, a prohibition not found in other international agreements at the time. Non-discrimination against LGBTI people is firmly within both the letter and spirit of the African Charter's values. And finally that LGBTI identities are firmly ensconced in African values historically. Same-sex sexualities and gender diversity were With anti-rights actors co-opting African values using neo-colonial tactics, there is greater urgency for the ACHPR to reclaim African values and redefine them in accordance with the African Charter. Drawing on the wisdom of our forebears, the ACHPR must affirm that discrimination has no place in African societies. It should root its approach in both our pre-colonial histories and the present reality of millions of LGBTI Africans who are entitled to the same human rights as anyone else, no matter what opportunistic western anti-rights actors might say. African values must be used to advance inclusion, non-discrimination and equality, not exclusion and discrimination. Khanyo Faris is a senior researcher on civic space at Amnesty International, East and Southern Africa.
bnok24
19-05-2025
- Business
- bnok24
EFG Finance Approves Acquisition of Fatura by MaxAB-Wasoko Accelerating Pan-African B2B and Fintech Services Rollout and Ambitious Expansion
EFG Finance, an EFG Holding company, proudly announces it has reached an agreement for MaxAB-Wasoko, the region's leading e-commerce and supply chain super app, to acquire Fatura, its Egypt-based B2B e-marketplace. This multifaceted partnership results in EFG Finance becoming a significant shareholder in MaxAB-Wasoko and securing a seat on its board This acquisition marks a pivotal step in MaxAB's broader strategy to consolidate the B2B e-commerce and fintech space across Africa. Following last year's transformative merger with Wasoko, which expanded their footprint into Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania, MaxAB-Wasoko continues to execute on its vision to create a truly pan-African platform that delivers comprehensive, tech-enabled solutions tailored to local market needs 'The acquisition of Fatura is more than a growth play; it's the realization of our ambition to become the go-to, one-stop-shop for retailers throughout Africa,' said Belal El-Megharbel, CEO of MaxAB-Wasoko. 'By bringing together operational strength, product depth, and innovative fintech offerings, we're setting a new standard for retail across the region With Fatura fully integrated into the MaxAB-Wasoko platform and unified under the company's brand, retailers will immediately benefit from a broader, more comprehensive product assortment, critical in a fragmented supply chain environment where no single distributor can meet all retailer needs. Fatura's impressive reach, having onboarded over 626 wholesalers in 16 cities (including five new cities for the platform, ensures greater flexibility and convenience for small and medium-sized retailers Aladdin ElAfifi, CEO of EFG Finance, stated: 'We are thrilled to partner with MaxAB-Wasoko as they reshape the retail and supply chain sectors. Integrating Fatura will drive meaningful business growth, and our role as a significant shareholder and board member supported by EFG Holding reinforces our commitment to fostering innovation in the fintech space Additionally, MaxAB's embedded financial services will unlock expanded credit access for purchases made by its expanding merchant network. This innovative, tech-driven approach empowers retailers with the working capital needed to stock more, sell more, and grow their businesses sustainably Fatura, founded in 2019 and acquired by Tanmeyah (an EFG Holding subsidiary) in 2022, brings a scalable, asset-light marketplace model that perfectly complements MaxAB's robust end-to-end supply chain from procurement to last-mile delivery. This combination unlocks access to a broader range of suppliers and products, delivering unmatched value through choice and convenience The integration is expected to drive significant topline growth and operational efficiency over the next 12–18 months. In the near term, the Fatura marketplace is projected to contribute approximately 25% of MaxAB's Egypt revenue by year-end, with strong momentum and exponential growth anticipated as the model is rolled out across the company's other African markets Since the merger of Wasoko and MaxAB, the combined entity has achieved remarkable growth across its fintech and e-commerce verticals. The company's fintech business has doubled in Egypt, expanded to Morocco, and now provides credit solutions that finance over 9% of e-commerce sales, underscoring strong demand from retailers for digital financial services. Operational enhancements and improved supplier terms have further strengthened the company's regional supply chain capabilities, setting the stage for scalable expansion Together, MaxAB-Wasoko and EFG Finance are building the future of African retail an integrated, tech-enabled ecosystem that empowers retailers, improves supply chain efficiency, and propels economic growth across the continent Google News تابعونا على تابعونا على تطبيق نبض
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vooglam Unveils Bold Rebrand, Launches Ambassador Program
AUSTIN, Texas, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Vooglam, an innovative and culturally inspired eyewear brand known for its boundary-pushing frame designs, has recently unveiled a comprehensive rebrand that repositions the brand at the intersection of today's hottest style tribes and mainstream style. At the core of this rebrand is the launch of seven distinct product lines and a brand new ambassador program, "The Style Underground." The new Vooglam aims to position eyewear as the ultimate accessory for personal expression, offering a curated pool of frames inspired by iconic cultural moments and movements. Using a two-pronged approach, the brand translates radical and expressive style tribes from Ravers to Afropunks into masterfully curated collections while inviting members of these subcultures to join Vooglam's global community in The Style Underground. Each product line from Retro Radio and Pan Africa to Cyberpunk and Rave Culture transposes faithfully authentic motifs, details, and vocabulary into eyewear that allow wearers to "Show off their vision" no matter how loud or subdued. Each line interprets and subverts tropes and themes associated with a distinct subculture to ensure both accuracy and innovation are at the forefront of every product. Meanwhile, The Style Underground, an exclusive ambassador program, connects influential insiders immersed in the latest creative currents with each other and with the brand based around a shared passion for true expression. The program demonstrates Vooglam's dedication to authenticity and representation while offering ambassadors early access to products, exclusive events, and co-design opportunities, bucking the unwelcome tendency of brands to exploit creative communities without credit. This further reflects the brand's vision of cultivating a global community by translating subcultural authenticity into personal style. Meeting aesthetic needs may be a top priority; however, beyond aesthetics, Vooglam has ensured every frame is crafted with cutting-edge materials and techniques. The brand's premium prescription lenses and functional eyewear including UV protection, blue light filtering, and specialized driving glasses show that while style may be the brand's virtue par excellence, functionality has not been thrown to the wayside. The rebrand is live now across all Vooglam platforms including web, mobile, and app. New styles and collections drop monthly. Fashion enthusiasts, subculture devotees, and eyewear collectors are invited to explore the collections and join Vooglam's mission to redefine eyewear as the ultimate accessory for fearless self-expression. For more information about Vooglam and The Style Underground ambassador program, visit or follow @Vooglam on social media platforms. About Vooglam Established in 2017, Vooglam creates high-quality eyewear inspired by today's style tribes, transforming the functional into tools for self-expression. With a catalog of almost 2,000 unique frame designs available in over 170 countries, serving more than one million customers, Vooglam delivers eyewear for every look and need. The brand combines functional vision solutions with meticulously researched and authentic subcultural design elements, offering fully customizable eyewear that includes prescription lenses and lens types. Organized into seven distinctive product lines, Vooglam's offerings range from the audacious to the subtly creative. Through cutting-edge manufacturing techniques, premium materials, and rigorous quality control, Vooglam continues to transform how consumers express themselves through eyewear. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Vooglam
