Latest news with #Senegal
The Guardian
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Jazz and blues through the camera lens
Skaine & Coopty, Palm Beach, Florida, 1992. Photograph: Frank Stewart Alfredo 'Chocolate' Armenteros, 1997. Photograph: Petra Richterova Photograph: Frank Stewart Felix 'Pupy' Insua and Ileana Santamaría, New York, 2005. Photograph: Petra Richterova Photograph: Frank Stewart Tyrell 'Rocka' Jamez, New York, 2020. Photograph: Petra Richterova Photograph: Frank Stewart Photograph: Petra Richterova Boy and Two Girls, Harlem 1974. Photograph: Frank Stewart Photograph: Petra Richterova Photograph: Petra Richterova Slave Castle Back Goree Senegal, 2005. Photograph: Frank Stewart Photograph: Petra Richterova Photograph: Frank Stewart Photograph: Frank Stewart
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
The race for AfDB president: How the bank elects its leader?
The African Development Bank (AfDB) will on Thursday vote in its new president for a five-year term. The winner will succeed Nigeria's Akinwumi Adesina, whose two five-year terms end in September. Here is what you need to know:Who are the candidates?Five experts are set to compete for the presidency of the AfDB, promising a tough contest. The candidates are Amadou Hott, former Senegalese Planning Minister; Samuel Munzele Maimbo, Zambian economist; Sidi Ould Tah, Mauritanian development banker; Abbas Mahamat Tolli, Chad's central banker; and Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala, a South African corporate captain who previously served as Vice-President of the AfDB. In February, the Steering Committee of the Board of Governors on the Election of the President of the AfDB selected these five candidates from those who had submitted their candidacy. What has the race been like so far?The five candidates have offered an interesting rivalry. The Zambian and South African candidates have faced an especially awkward contest because both countries belong to the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), a bloc which had previously endorsed the Zambian economist. In fact, Mr Maimbo has marketed himself as endorsed by both the SADC and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa), a trading bloc bringing together countries from eastern and southern Africa. South Africa would later endorse Ms Tshabalala to enter the race. If she wins, she will be the first woman to head the bank in its 60-year history. Meanwhile, the Mauritanian and Chadian candidates have mounted lacklustre campaigns, but have persisted, choosing to speak mostly at events where potential voters gather. Who are the past presidents?Although the AfDB's membership includes foreign nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and South Korea, bringing the total number of members to 87, it exclusively lends to African countries. And only nationals of African countries can become president. The bank's 60-year history has seen nine presidents, including Dr Adesina. Others include:Donald Kaberuka (Rwanda) 2005 to 2015Omar Kabbaj (Morocco) 1995 to 2005Babacar Ndiaye (Senegal) 1985 to 1995Wila D. Mung'omba (Zambia) 1980 to 1985Goodall Gondwe (Malawi) 1979 to 1980Kwame Donkor Fordwor (Ghana) 1976 to 1979Abdelwahab Labidi (Tunisia) 1970 to 1976Mamoun Beheiry: The first president of the AfDB from Sudan, served from 1967 to 1970. What are the geopolitical considerations at the bank?Although only Africans can become president, the race for the bank's top leadership position can elicit a geopolitical contest. In the past, the US tried to prevent Dr Adesina from serving a second term, accusing him of misgovernance. However, the African continent rallied behind him. The current election could see a different kind of contest emerge, such as rivalry between Zambia and South Africa, or debate on whether the presidency should return to West Africa. How can one win the presidency?Representatives of member states — usually central bank governors or finance ministers — cast their votes. Unlike the African Union Commission, where a two-thirds majority is required, the AfDB election is won by obtaining more than half of the votes from African member countries and more than half of the votes from non-African member countries. Article 9 of the Rules of Procedure Governing the Election of the President states that a candidate is elected if he or she obtains 'at least 50.01 percent of the total votes of the regional (African) member countries and at least of 50.01 percent of the votes of all member countries, (both regional and non-regional) of the bank". This principle is known as the 'double majority vote'. What voting powers do members have?Not all members have the same voting power. According to the rules, the voting power of each member country, to be used in computing votes, is determined by the Board of Directors 'as at close of business on the last working day in the month immediately preceding the month during which the election of the president shall be held.'This computation is based on the shareholding. This means that only members who had paid up their capital subscriptions by end of April are taken into account in determining the voting powers. How do members vote?At the AfDB, the elections are conducted using an electronic voting system or physical paper ballots, in accordance with the Election Rules. This makes countries' voting patterns known to the public. This is in contrast to the African Union, where ballots are secret. If, after five rounds of balloting, no candidate has obtained the requisite double majority, the Board of Governors can deliberate and decide whether or not to proceed with voting for the president. If this happens, the election is postponed for up to a year, and the outgoing president or vice-president of the Bank from an African country is nominated. © Copyright 2022 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Woodside Energy Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 with Focus on Driving Senegal's Offshore Expansion
African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies is proud to announce the participation of Terry Gebhardt, Vice President of Exploration at Woodside Energy, as a featured speaker at this year's event in Cape Town. With over two decades of global exploration experience and a leadership role at one of the world's most active independent energy companies, Gebhardt brings a timely and valuable perspective to the continent's evolving upstream landscape – particularly as Woodside delivers major milestones offshore West Africa. Woodside Energy's successful startup of the Sangomar Field Development Phase 1 in 2024 marked a transformative moment for Senegal's hydrocarbon sector. The company, in partnership with PETROSEN, brought the country's first offshore oil project online, establishing Senegal as a new oil-producing nation. This milestone not only affirms the resource potential of the MSGBC Basin, but also highlights Africa's ability to execute technically complex, deepwater projects with strong returns. As Gebhardt joins AEW 2025, attention turns to what's next. Phase 2 of the Sangomar development – currently under planning – aims to build on the momentum of Phase 1 by expanding production capacity, leveraging existing infrastructure and maximizing value creation. A defining feature of Woodside's approach in Africa is its emphasis on local content and capacity building. In Senegal, the company has worked closely with PETROSEN and other stakeholders to embed skills development, supplier participation and knowledge transfer into every stage of the project lifecycle. These efforts signal Woodside's commitment not just to accelerating project delivery, but embedding local expertise across its African operations and building sustainable, inclusive energy ecosystems. While Woodside continues to pursue high-impact opportunities in Africa, the company is also demonstrating strategic discipline. Its recent decision not to farm into PEL 87 in Namibia's Orange Basin reflects a measured, portfolio-based approach to exploration and capital deployment. At AEW 2025, Gebhardt is expected to share insights on how the company balances opportunity, risk and value across its African footprint. 'Woodside's success with the Sangomar project reflects Africa's readiness to execute large-scale, high-impact developments and signals a new era of upstream growth in the MSGBC Basin. Their leadership and commitment to local partnerships embody the kind of long-term investment Africa needs to unlock its full energy potential, and we look forward to welcoming them at AEW 2025,' says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. With its strategic success in Senegal, continued engagement in West Africa's LNG narrative and commitment to high-impact, high-value exploration, Woodside Energy remains a key player in Africa's energy future. Gebhardt's participation at AEW 2025 reinforces that commitment and promises to add depth to discussions around investment, partnership and unlocking Africa's full energy potential. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber. AEW: Invest in African Energies: AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit for more information about this exciting event.
Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Retired Russell in the mix to be crowned player of the year
Former Ireland striker Julie-Ann Russell, who retired from football recently, has been nominated for two gongs in the FAI International Awards. The Galway native is up against her ex-teammates Anna Patten and Kyra Carusa for the senior women's player of the year while she has also been shortlisted for Goal of the Year for her stunning strike against France in Páirc Uí Chaoimh last July. Russell will vie with Robbie Brady for Goal of the Year as the veteran left-back's winning goal in Helsinki was also nominated as was Evan Ferguson's finish against Bulgaria in March's Nations League promotion-relegation play-off second leg at Aviva Stadium. Julie-Ann Russell. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile Brady is also in contention for senior men's player of the year, going up against Caoimhín Kelleher and Nathan Collins. Meanwhile, Abbie Larkin, Jessie Stapleton and Tyler Toland are up for the Women's young player award, with Finn Azaz, Festy Ebosele and Jake O'Brien vying for the men's category. Taking in performances from June 2024 to May 2025, the eventual award winners will be presented with their trophies at Aviva Stadium ahead of the men's friendly between Ireland and Senegal on Friday, 6 June.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Amadou Hott outlines his vision for African economic transformation at the African Development Bank's Annual Meetings
At the African Development Bank's (AfDB) annual meeting in Abidjan this week, presidential candidate Amadou Hott ( al unveiled his comprehensive vision for Africa's economic transformation, emphasizing regional integration, private sector engagement, and affordable financing as the cornerstones of his agenda in several media engagements with African and international outlets. Hott, who served as AfDB Vice President for Energy, Green Growth and Climate Change and as Senegal's Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation, stressed the urgent need to accelerate Africa's transformation through bold yet pragmatic reforms. He highlighted the importance of regional integration and improved connectivity to foster economic growth, calling for enhanced trade infrastructure and mechanisms to unlock the continent's full potential. 'We are 1.4 billion people, but we are scattered across many countries, each with its own rules and regulations. To attract massive investment and create jobs, we must work on our integration and improve intra-African trade,' he said in an interview with CNBC ( A central pillar of Hott's agenda is the promotion of private sector engagement as a key driver of job creation and economic dynamism. He pledged to triple the Bank's private sector operations over the next decade, including the establishment of a dedicated vice presidency for private sector development. This new structure aims to streamline collaboration with businesses of all sizes, from SMEs to large conglomerates, and to expand tailored credit lines and guarantees for African banks. Addressing the challenge of Africa's high cost of capital, Hott called for urgent measures to reduce borrowing costs by improving credit ratings and lowering risk premiums. He argued that affordable financing is essential to accelerate development projects and support both public and private sector growth. In an interview with Bloomberg ( Hott dived into how he intends to leverage Africa's domestic wealth. 'We cannot afford to wait for others to lead us forward. Africa's future will be built not just on external support, but on our own wealth, our talent, and our ability to structure opportunities at scale. We must do it ourselves, and the Bank must be at the center of that transformation,' he said. Hott's vision also prioritizes education and skills development. In an interview with leading Nigerian newspaper Business Day ( Hott shared how his own story inspired his vision. 'I do not believe Africa's future should be built on exporting its talent out of necessity. Emigration must be a choice, not a development strategy. When our youth leave because they cannot find opportunity at home, that is not success—it is a sign that we must do more,' he explained. Positioning himself as a unifying leader, Hott emphasized on his intentions to foster an environment of institutional agility and increased impact and streamline the Bank's operations for speed, scale and impact. He further emphasized on the importance of collaboration among regional and non-regional stakeholders, development banks, the private sector, and African entrepreneurs and offered that the Bank serves as the bridge builder among all these stakeholders. He called for collective action to address the continent's pressing challenges, including youth unemployment, poverty, and inequality. 'My passion is Africa. I have always worked to mobilize resources, build partnerships, and deliver impact, not just for my country, but for the entire continent,' Hott affirmed. As Africa faces declining aid, geopolitical uncertainties, and the imperative for job creation, Amadou Hott's vision for the AfDB signals a transformative path toward self-reliance, dynamic growth, and shared prosperity. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amadou Hott, Candidate for the Presidency of the African Development Bank Group.
