Latest news with #selfreliance
Russia Today
15 hours ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Fair trade is critical for Africa
Fair trade is essential for Africa's future, according to Irada Zeynalova, Russia's ambassador to Mauritius. She stressed that African nations must be empowered to build self-reliant economies instead of remaining dependent on foreign aid. In an interview with local weekly Bizweek on Sunday, Zeynalova stated that 'fair trade is critical,' as Africans should have the freedom to shape their own development, free from the constraints of post-colonial economic patterns. Reflecting on Africa's historical challenges, the ambassador said the legacy of colonialism continues to cast a shadow across the continent, adding that colonial rule stripped Africa of its people and natural wealth, and that today's generation deserves a chance at a better, sovereign life. 'The time of colonialism must end,' she went on to say. Zeynalova noted that poverty in Africa is not merely financial but deeply rooted in the lack of access to essential services such as education, clean water, and healthcare. Drawing on her experience in Sudan, where her son worked prior to the outbreak of conflict, she said sanctions crippled the agricultural sector despite the presence of the Nile, adding that 'People there survive on $2 a week.' People in Sudan, according to Zeynalova, have a clear demand: 'Leave us alone. Give us safety, medicine, education. We can develop our country ourselves.' The ambassador pointed to the role of the BRICS group as a platform for empowering the Global South. Unlike Western-led alliances such as NATO or the EU, BRICS promotes inclusivity and mutual respect without imposing strict conditions on its members. She characterized the group, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, among other nations, as 'an open platform where countries are equal and respected.' Zeynalova also stressed that Russia has always viewed African nations as valuable partners rather than countries to exploit. Turning to Mauritius, the ambassador affirmed Russia's enduring commitment to the island nation's sovereignty and independence. 'Russia was one of the first countries to recognize Mauritius' independence and freedom,' she said, adding, 'In Russia, we remember everything.'
TechCrunch
a day ago
- General
- TechCrunch
Coop is a smart chicken coop for beginners
It could be the rise of the trad wife or maybe self-reliance is just having a moment. Either way, it seems like Coop, the smart chicken coop company, is right on time. This high-tech coop is for people who don't have space for a whole farm. It has cameras, automatic door openers, rogue egg detection, and of course an app to keep the urban farmer up to date.
Times of Oman
4 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
India's defence exports top ₹21,000 crore
India's defence manufacturing sector has surged to unprecedented heights, posting a record production figure of ₹1.27 lakh crore in the fiscal year 2023–24, the Ministry of Defence announced on Tuesday. This remarkable milestone underscores a decade of concerted effort to wean the armed forces off foreign suppliers and build a homegrown arsenal of cutting-edge platforms. In parallel with production gains, defence exports have rocketed to ₹21,083 crore in 2023–24—a thirty-fold rise over ten years—reaching customers in more than a hundred countries. Driven by the government's 'Make in India' initiative, a suite of indigenously developed systems has taken shape, from the Dhanush artillery gun and the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) to the Arjun main battle tank and the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. Naval capabilities have also been bolstered by a flotilla of domestically built vessels: destroyers, frigates, corvettes, fast patrol and attack craft, offshore patrol vessels—and even India's first fully indigenous aircraft carrier. Rotary-wing assets like the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), alongside missile and radar systems such as Akash surface-to-air missiles, weapon-locating radars, and 3D tactical control radars, reflect a breadth of innovation. The shift to self-reliance is stark: once import-dependent for upwards of 65–70 percent of its requirements, India now sources roughly 65 percent of its defence hardware locally. A defence industrial base encompassing 16 public sector undertakings, over 430 license-holding private firms and some 16,000 micro, small and medium enterprises has emerged as the backbone of this transformation. The private sector alone accounted for 21 percent of total production last year, bringing fresh efficiencies and entrepreneurial drive to an ecosystem long dominated by state entities. The government's sustained investment—evidenced by the defence budget climbing from ₹2.53 lakh crore in 2013–14 to a projected ₹6.81 lakh crore for 2025–26—has provided the financial muscle for research, development and large-scale manufacturing. Building on this momentum, officials have set an ambitious target: reaching ₹3 lakh crore in annual production by 2029, cementing India's status as a global defence manufacturing hub. As strategic partnerships deepen and technology transfers accelerate, New Delhi's vision of an autonomous, innovation-driven defence sector is rapidly taking shape—signaling a new era in which India supplies the world, rather than the other way around.
South China Morning Post
20-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China's Xi doubles down on self-reliance, rallying officials to bolster manufacturing
President Xi Jinping says self-reliance in advanced manufacturing is the right path for China and the bedrock for its future economic development, sending a clear message on Beijing's commitment to extending made-in-China advantages as external uncertainties weigh on the economy. Advertisement His comments came on Monday while visiting a state-owned producer of bearings in Luoyang city, Henan province, where he rallied officials to dial up efforts to develop the manufacturing sector. 'China has always adhered to the path of developing the real economy. From the past reliance on imported matches, soap and iron, to now becoming the world's largest manufacturing country with the most complete industrial categories,' Xi was quoted by Xinhua as saying. 'We have taken the right path,' he told workers at the factory of the state-owned Luoyang Bearing Group, whose history dates back to the 1950s and whose products were used in key national projects such as the Three Gorges Hydropower Station and manned spaceships. 'We must continue to empower manufacturing sectors, insist on self-reliance and try to grasp core technologies.' Xi added that China also needs to promote production-education-research integration, as well as the cultivation of a high-calibre labour force. 01:22 China rolls out world's largest fleet of driverless mining trucks powered by Huawei tech China rolls out world's largest fleet of driverless mining trucks powered by Huawei tech The reinforced emphasis on manufacturing and tech upgrades comes at a time when China is locked in a trade and tech rivalry with the United States, and against the backdrop of intensifying geopolitical complexities.
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
African healthcare stakeholders to convene in Ghana to accelerate manufacturing self-reliance
The recent global cuts in funding are a painful but decisive warning that Africa must accelerate its drive for healthcare and medicines manufacturing self-reliance, the Federation of African Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations (FAPMA) says. FAPMA director Skhumbuzo Ngozwana notes that many African health departments are struggling to access to their own health product data which was previously managed by internationally funded agencies. While foreign aid has always played an important role in improving healthcare outcomes across the continent, these funding cuts have exposed a dangerous overreliance on external support. This, combined with tariffs, will have a catastrophic impact on global healthcare supply chains,' Ngozwana asserts. 'Since most active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) come from China and India. Africa could be sheltered from the impact if we had the capabilities ourselves,' he stresses. 'Africa must be self-reliant, even for our API needs. There have been previous burning platforms, like the Covid-19 pandemic, but this is now a desperate wake up call. Africa must procure from African manufacturers, even if it is initially at a higher unit cost. We must never forget that healthcare is a significant driver of economic growth and in the long run, procurement from local companies will lead to economic growth, employment and contribute to making Africa less reliant on aid.' To drive this imperative, the second annual African Healthcare Manufacturing Trade Exhibition and Conference (AHMTEC) has been announced. It will take place in Accra, Ghana, from 7 to 9 October 2025. Co-hosted by FAPMA and Vizuri Health Dynamics, an African non-profit organisation created to foster a competitive African pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, the event will be a vital gathering for all African healthcare role players. Health 4 Development (H4D), a strategic advisor operating across the African healthcare value chain, is powering the conference. Ngozwana explains that African healthcare stakeholders have been striving to accelerate self-reliance for over a decade, but progress has been slow. Last year's inaugural African medicines manufacturing trade exhibition and conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, marked a turning point for the the African pharmaceutical manufacturing sector. The timing of this year's second event could not be more opportune, he states. In 2024, the gathering laid the foundation for healthcare transformation in Africa. Over 30 African manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, vaccines and APIs convened. They represented 11 countries: Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. A total of 200 attendees from 26 countries engaged at the event, sharing knowledge, learning and networking. There were 111 organisations in attendance and 46 expert speakers shared their insights and expertise. This year's event will build on that momentum. 'At this critical junction for African healthcare, all manufacturers, regulators, financiers, policymakers, distributors and other stakeholders are urged to get involved,' states Dr Mariatou Tala Jallow, Council Chair of Vizuri Health Dynamics. 'In today's rapidly shifting global political landscape, Africa must prioritise building resilient, self-sufficient health systems capable of withstanding foreign policy changes that can threaten the lives of millions.' To support and facilitate investment into local manufacturing, AHMTEC will feature a 'Deal Room' focused on bringing together mission-aligned investors with African healthcare product and medicines manufacturers. Its aim is to drive meaningful partnerships. AHMTEC 2025 will be held under the theme, "Collaborate to Compete: Strengthening Partnerships for Sustainable Growth'. Jallow explains that it underscores the importance of collaboration in enhancing African healthcare manufacturing. 'Building a self-sufficient healthcare system requires a collaborative, multi-pronged approach, starting with the expansion of local pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity. At present, Africa produces less than 30% of the medicines it consumes. The continent imports most of its vaccines, essential medicines and medical equipment - often at high costs and with long supply chains vulnerable to global disruptions.' 'Investing in local manufacturing would not only secure Africa's healthcare supply chains but also create jobs, foster skills development and stimulate economic growth. Governments, private sector players and development partners must work together. Beyond manufacturing, investment in research and development is critical, too. African scientists can lead the charge in studying the continent's specific health challenges. Strengthening health infrastructure is equally vital. In AHMTEC, we have created an essential platform to enable collaboration and address the challenges in securing a stronger future for medicine and healthcare manufacturing across the continent,' Ngozwana concludes. To find out more about sponsorship opportunities at AHMTEC 2025 or to register to attend, visit the website, or contact the Conference Event Secretariat at Upavon Management by calling +27 (0) 11 023 6701 or emailing info@ or info@ For more information: Email: info@ ABOUT AHMTEC: The African Healthcare Manufacturing Trade Exhibition and Conference (AHMTEC) will be held at the Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana, from 7 to 9 October 2025. Africa's health security demands local solutions. This is the premier conference and trade exhibition dedicated to accelerating the growth of African healthcare manufacturing. AHMTEC 2025 (rebranded from AMMTEC to reflect our dedication to nurturing a more diverse and inclusive healthcare manufacturing sector in Africa) is a leading event for the African health product manufacturing ecosystem. This year's theme, "Collaborate to Compete: Strengthening Partnerships for Sustainable Growth" underscores the importance of collaboration in enhancing African healthcare manufacturing. AHMTEC is more than a conference – it's a mission to build a self-reliant African healthcare industry that empowers our continent and secures the health of our people. For too long, our continent has relied on external sources.
