Category: Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Western Cape works around the clock to deal with extortion, says Premier

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Western Cape works around the clock to deal with extortion, says Premier

    Extortion hinders economic growth and job creation, posing daily threats to residents’ safety and livelihoods. It robs people of opportunities and their dignity. 

    This is according to Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, who was speaking during his regular digital conference on safety, where he hosted Hubert Paulse, chairperson of Business against Crime South Africa (BACSA). 

    “The only way we will eradicate ‘extortion mafias’ is if we all work together. We cannot fight crime alone. We stand a better chance by collaborating and sharing resources,” stressed Winde. 

    BACSA is a non-profit organisation that was established in 1996. It played a crucial role in fostering partnerships between the private sector and law enforcement agencies across South Africa to collaborate in the fight against crime.

    BACSA also participated in the Western Cape government’s Multi-Sectoral Anti-Extortion Summit this week. 

    This summit brought together various stakeholders, including Members of the Executive Council (MECs), the South African Police Service (SAPS), the City of Cape Town (CoCT), and academic experts, to discuss strategies for addressing the alarming increase in extortion, which has reached crisis levels nationwide.

    “This was about the whole of government and society coming together to coordinate ourselves better to confront this ‘cancer’ called extortion and to discuss how we are going to rid ourselves of this horrendous crime that impacts so many of our residents and businesses,” said Winde. 

    Paulse has described BACSA as a public-private partnership that exists to make South Africa safer. 

    “Our message is simple but powerful. We foster collaboration with all stakeholders to fight crime. When we work together, we do not just reduce crime – we restore hope. And with hope comes confidence. Businesses become more willing to invest, and that investment leads to the creation of more jobs.”

    The organisation operates several programmes addressing extortion, tourism safety, gender-based violence, infrastructure vandalism, and theft. 

    Paulse believes that technology is the “eyes and ears” of crime-fighting efforts, emphasising its initiative designed for an intelligence-gathering network.

    “We are using that geographical footprint to increase the operational response and awareness of the SAPS,” he said.

    In the meantime, the Premier stated that criminals are utilising technology and believes the government must stay ahead. 

    He also emphasised the essential role of neighbourhood watches (NHWs) and community policing forums (CPFs) in fighting and preventing crime.

    “That is exactly what our whole-of-society approach is about. There is no doubt that residents who form or join NHWs know more about what is going on in their areas than anyone else, and they form essential partnerships with SAPS and municipal law enforcement. This enables residents to play a more meaningful role.”

    He welcomed the recent proposal by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to give metro law enforcement bodies more powers to combat crime.

    “This is a positive step forward. It does not matter who you are, national government, provincial governments, or civil society, we must all be obsessed and driven by the same thing, to build a safer, prosperous province and country.”

    The Premier also condemned the recent minibus taxi-related violence in parts of Cape Town.

    “It is intolerable that disputes are ‘negotiated’ through the barrel of a gun. But on a day when we are also highlighting the power of partnerships, I want to commend all the role players, from provincial traffic and city law enforcement to SAPS and our officials, for the speed and coordination with which they responded to the violence and threats.” – SAnews.gov.za

    Gabisile

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: 2025 National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals Presented by YouTube TV: Indiana Pacers defeat Oklahoma City Thunder, 108-91 (Recap)

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    The Indiana Pacers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 108-91, in Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals (www.NBA.com). Pascal Siakam (Cameroon) led the Pacers with 16 points and 13 rebounds while Obi Toppin finished with 20 points (4 3PM), 6 rebounds, and 2 steals in the victory. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander totaled 21 points and 4 rebounds for the Thunder in the loss.

    The best-of-seven NBA Finals series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers is tied, 3-3. Game 7 will take place on Sunday, June 22 at 8:00 p.m. ET (Monday, June 23 at 2 a.m. CAT) on ESPN, Canal+ and NBA League Pass live from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

    – on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).

    Media files

    Download logo

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Derby City Council secures funding to create over 330 new childcare places

    Source: City of Derby

    Derby City Council is delighted to announce a significant boost to its early years childcare provision, following the allocation of childcare expansion capital grant funding from the Department for Education (DfE). This funding will support the creation of 337 new childcare places across the city by August 2025, addressing the increasing demand generated by the Government’s new expanded childcare offer.

    Derby City Council launched the Early Years Capital Grant application process in Spring 2024. The process was transparent, allowing childcare providers to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs). From these, 16 applications were advanced, representing various types of providers. An approval panel reviewed the applications and granted funding based on evidence of demand.

    The total cost of projects was £1,410,333 with the council’s contribution of £475,002. The investment will create additional places across the city, significantly enhancing accessibility to quality childcare for families.

    By 31 August, the following additional places will have been created across city wards: 

    • Darley: 86 places
    • Mickleover: 90 places
    • Alvaston South: 11 places
    • Sinfin & Osmaston: 6 places
    • Chaddesden East: 25 placesArboretum: 51 places
    • Normanton: 38 places
    • Chellaston & Shelton Lock: 30 places

    Examples of how these grants have been used include:

    The Early Years Academy: Utilised their grant to construct a ‘Hygge Hut,’ an outdoor retreat designed for comfort, calm, and connection. This space has improved accessibility and inclusion, particularly for a child with high sensory sensitivity whose confidence has transformed through calmer transitions into nursery life.

    Little Angels Nursery: Redeveloped an old dining room into a new six-place baby room, investing in high-quality furniture, bedding, resources, and staff training. The grant also funded a sectioned garden area with various play equipment, allowing parents with older children at the nursery to now access care for their baby siblings within the same setting.

    Whitecross Nursery: Used their grant to develop new provision for two-year-olds, creating eight places that accommodate 17 different children throughout the working week, complete with age-appropriate furnishings and facilities.

    Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills, said:

    With this vital funding, we’re building a stronger foundation for families in our city. We’re proud to be creating 337 much-needed new childcare places, demonstrating our commitment to meeting rising demand and making quality childcare accessible to everyone.

    More information about early learning childcare provision in Derby, eligibility criteria for funded places, and how to apply, is available on the Derby City Council website. Information on the Government’s new working parent entitlement offer is available on the Government’s Childcare Choices website.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Community support boosts Angola’s cholera response

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    Download logo

    In the heart of Boa Vista, a neighbourhood in Angola’s capital, Luanda, 48-year-old mother of three Maria Teresa da Silva is joining other community members to spread awareness of the ongoing cholera outbreak. When the first cases were reported in her community in mid-January 2025, she joined a group of concerned women eager to contribute to the response.

    With support from local authorities, they began educating neighbours, distributing hygiene products and promoting cholera prevention practices. “We live in a community,” she says. “We must find time and support each other to protect our health and save lives.”

    Community involvement in this low-income urban neighbourhood has helped to curb the outbreak: no new cholera cases have been reported for four consecutive weeks, since 19 May.

    “At first, many families didn’t seek health services. Lack of information was the biggest challenge,” says the municipal administrator of Ingombota, Mika Kaquesse. Local authorities organized 800 community awareness sessions, built water tanks, distributed hygiene products and implemented sanitation sensitization campaigns.

    “We know that prevention is key in cholera control ‒ clean water, sanitation and information,” says Dr Genoveva Mafu, clinical coordinator at the Boa Vista cholera treatment centre. “It was frightening at first, but teamwork and partner support made all the difference.”

    The Ministry of Health in Angola, with support from World Health Organization (WHO), has trained more than 8000 community mobilizers to support the response and around 4450 community leaders in early detection, oral rehydration solution preparation and household water treatment.

    Health authorities have conducted sensitization campaigns with community and religious leaders, community listening sessions, and engaged with multiple sectors such as environment, fisheries, water and energy, youth and the military to ensure a coordinated and culturally appropriate response. This has resulted in more than 8 million people reached with messages on cholera prevention.

    “Community-based activities have increased public trust in health services and strengthened local epidemiological surveillance,” says Mateus Mariano Miguel, president of the Boa Vista Residents Committee. “The community responded massively. We continue working, even without new cases, because we know prevention must never stop.”

    Health authorities have also trained 1000 health workers and activated almost 140 surveillance teams conducting case management, active case finding, and infection prevention and control. Nationwide, 166 rapid response teams have been deployed and 180 cholera treatment centres have been established to manage and treat cases.

    In just over five months, Angola has recorded over 26 000 cases and nearly 750 deaths. This marks the worst cholera outbreak in the country in almost two decades. Thanks to a multisectoral and multipronged approach, the past two weeks have shown encouraging trends. As of 14 June 2025, the number of new weekly cases has dropped to 826 – the lowest levels since March. Weekly deaths have decreased to the lowest levels since January and the weekly case fatality rate has declined to 1.5% from a high of 8.8% in January 2025.

    “While the situation remains serious, these improvements demonstrate the impact of the ongoing response and provide hope that the outbreak can be brought under control soon. We must continue to reinforce collaboration because when communities are empowered and engaged, lives can be saved and dignity restored,” says Dr Indrajit Hazarika, WHO Representative in Angola.

    – on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 Upstream E&P Track to Foster Dialogue and Deals Amid African Exploration Surge

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    Amid Africa’s ongoing exploration and production surge, this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference will host a dedicated Upstream E&P Track. The track – taking place as part of the main conference agenda from September 29 to October 3 – will tackle the most pressing challenges and opportunities across the upstream oil and gas sector, delving into topics such as deepwater development, onshore prospects, the role of independent firms and balancing African priorities with global supply dynamics. As the largest event of its kind on the continent, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 represents the platform of choice for Africa’s upstream sector.  

    Africa’s upstream oil and gas sector is on the precipice of significant growth, boosted by a $54 billion capital expenditure drive expected by 2030. Across the continent, both established oil and gas markets and frontier players are seeking capital to bolster production while unlocking new basins in deepwater and onshore basins. The continent’s exploration surge is further supported by growing demand in African markets as well as a rise in global gas imports. The AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 Upstream E&P Track will explore these shifting dynamics, offering a platform for new exploration and production deals to be signed.  

    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 http://www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event. 

    To entice greater spending across the upstream sector, many African countries are laying the foundation for new investments by both majors and independent energy companies. A string of licensing rounds is being launched in 2025, offering exploration opportunities across a variety of acreage. Licensing rounds are planned in Angola, the Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Mauritania and South Africa, while Libya, Nigeria, Algeria and Liberia have already launched their respective bid rounds. The Upstream E&P Track will explore the impact of these rounds. Sessions include What’s Next for African Upstream in 2026; Exploration Hotspots; and Basins Without Borders: Unlocking the Full Potential of Cross-Border Basins in the Transform Margin. Additionally, panel discussions will examine emerging prospects in frontier basins, with sessions taking place on Frontier Plays Within Africa’s Mature Basins; Offshore and Deepwater Plays; and Unlocking Africa’s Onshore and Shallow-Water Potential. 

    While global energy majors expand their portfolios in Africa, independent oil and gas firms are taking on a more prominent role in exploration and production. International oil company divestment has opened-up new pathways for African independents, and as such, more companies are taking the lead on asset development. AEW: Invest in African Energies will host panel discussions on The Making of an African Independent; Technology and Innovation: Rethinking Asset Development to Accelerate Upstream Success; as well as Crude Value Benchmarking with Ever-Changing Light, Heavy Balance, exploring opportunities for independents in Africa.  

    Meanwhile, with global gas demand projected to increase 10% between 2021 and 2030, African countries are strategically positioned to accelerate exploration and play a more central role in global supply chains. With over 620 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves on the continent – most of which remains under-developed – Africa has a unique opportunity to leverage its resources to produce low-carbon, cost-effective fuel. Panel discussions on Decarbonizing Pathways for African Oil and Gas; The Outlook for Global LNG; and The Role of African LNG in a Dynamic Export Market will address these opportunities, while a session on Beyond Exports: Developing Commercially Viable Domestic Gas Markets, will examine how the continent can leverage its resources for domestic growth.  

    The track will also feature panel discussions on strategic oil and gas markets in Africa, including Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, and more. These sessions are geared towards companies seeking growth opportunities in proven markets and are expected to unlock new deal-signing and partnerships prospects. Beyond panel discussions, the Upstream E&P Track will feature a series of fireside chats, with participating companies including Renaissance Africa Energy, Northern Ocean, Seplat Energy and more.  

    “Africa’s upstream oil and gas market is witnessing a surge of investment, as operators seek to expand their portfolios and governments target near-term production. Amid this growth, strategic financing gaps have emerged. The AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 Upstream E&P Track seeks to address these challenges by bringing together major players from the market to engage and sign deals,” says Oré Onagbesan, AEW: Invest in African Energies Program Director. 

    – on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

    Media files

    Download logo

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Mobile clinics enhance access to health care services in Niger

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    Download logo

    In Niger, West Africa’s largest country by land surface, access to health care services is a major challenge. Just one in two people has access to health services. One of the ways to bridge the gap is through mobile clinics in remote areas and deploying medical teams from health districts to villages. 

    Among the main beneficiaries of the initiative are pregnant women. They are now able to receive emergency assistance and care for timely detection of any complications. Mariama, 42, who suffered complications after a fall, is grateful to have received care thanks to a mobile clinic. Ordinarily, she would have had to travel for a whole day to the nearest district health facility in Dosso town from her home in the southwest of Niger. 

    “As I was preparing to make the trip, I was informed of a mobile clinic in our area, and I went there the very next day. The team midwife consulted me and discovered that I had premature rupture of membranes,” she recounts. 

    Under the initiative “mobile clinic teams visit villages that are hard to reach for health care in general and reproductive health services for women and children in particular,” says Nafissatou Salifou Panga, midwife and Reproductive Health Focal Point for Dosso health district. “It is a huge relief that pregnant women are able to benefit from care that detects risks in time and provides them with appropriate care.” 

    Thanks to the care and follow-up she received, Mariama gave birth safely. Like Mariama, 267 pregnant women in Dosso and Filingué districts benefited from mobile clinic consultations in 2024. In all, almost 28 000 people were consulted and 3767 women received reproductive health services. Around 16 000 women were sensitized by community outreach teams on reproductive, maternal and neonatal health in the two districts. In Mariama’s case, the community health teams shared awareness messages that enabled her to be informed in time of the arrival of the mobile clinic.

    By reaching populations far from health centres, the mobile clinic initiative also helps to improve health coverage at district and national levels. For example, the maternal mortality ratio fell from 441 per 100 000 live births in 2017 to 350 in 2023, according to World Bank data. 

    Dr Aissatou Laouali, in charge of the reproductive health programme with World Health Organization (WHO) in Niger, says the initiative helping to accelerate efforts towards health for all. “For vulnerable populations, rapid access to quality health care is vital. Through these initiatives, we hope to move forward in solving the challenges particularly faced by mothers and children living in remote areas.”
    To ensure service quality, the district, in collaboration with WHO, organizes planning meetings and field supervision trips and supports the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene in improving maternal and child health, in particular by providing technical guidelines, standards and protocols for reproductive, maternal and child health. 

    Other support includes training health workers and improving the facilities in mother-and-child health centres, regional and district hospitals, and integrated health centres. WHO also supports training of health providers to ensure quality of care and health surveillance to curb maternal mortality.  

    Niger has maintained the mobile clinics introduced earlier. In 2024, with support from WHO and donor financing, operational and medical equipment and supply needs of the mobile clinics were catered for. Additionally, 56 health workers and community outreach officers were trained in reproductive health in Dosso and Filingué districts.

    “I was very satisfied with the care provided … I encourage the women in my community to come to the mobile clinic for any health problem,” says Mariama. “If I hadn’t gone to the centre after the incident, I would have had an infection with the risk of losing my baby.”

    – on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Côte d’Ivoire Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé Opens 16th African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) General Assembly in Abidjan

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    Abidjan hosted the opening of the 16th General Assembly of the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) (http://www.UAR-AUB.org) on June 19, 2025. The ceremony, held under the high patronage of Mr. Robert Beugré Mambé, Prime Minister of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, brought together a plethora of distinguished guests, including ambassadors, directors-general, ministers, academics, media professionals, students, and civil society members from around the world.

    Under the impactful theme “Developing Media: Strategies for Financial and Technological Resilience, and Innovative Content, this assembly promises crucial discussions for the future of the African media landscape.

    In his inaugural speech, Prime Minister Mambé highlighted the essential role of media in societal transformation: “Media represents a true opportunity for our country. We are counting on you to preserve and strengthen this asset, through the consultation framework offered to you. It is from this dialogue that the right answers to our questions will emerge.” This was a clear call for collaboration and the search for collective solutions.

    For Cléophas Barore, President of the AUB Executive Council, the funding challenge is omnipresent: “The financing of production and broadcasting remains a daily struggle. These challenges are marked by resource scarcity, fierce competition from new media, information multinationals, and many others.” This observation underscores the urgent need for innovation in a constantly evolving media environment.

    Amadou Coulibaly, Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson, for his part, urged broadcasters to embrace new media to better capture the African audience. “With the AUB, your Union, I urge you to work tirelessly to sustainably retain the African audience, in its diversity, by notably taking into account new communication and broadcasting channels such as social media, streaming, OTT, and podcasts, by innovating and valuing local content, our historical, cultural, tourist, and socio-economic values. I commit you to this!” he affirmed, emphasizing the importance of innovation and the promotion of local content in the face of information globalization.

    The productive first day also featured a visit to the exhibition stands, offering participants the opportunity to discover the latest innovations in content creation and to forge partnerships.

    The 16th AUB General Assembly continues on June 20, 2025, with the Union’s statutory proceedings and the Awards ceremony.

    Grégoire NDJAKA
    Director General

    – on behalf of African Union of Broadcasting (AUB).

    Media files

    Download logo

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Ramaphosa addresses the 30th Anniversary of the Constitutional Court

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the keynote address at the 30th anniversary since the establishment of the Constitutional Court in South Africa.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJUel2hioRw

    MIL OSI Video

  • PM flags off first export locomotive from Marhowra Plant, Bihar

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off a state-of-the-art locomotive built at the Marhowra Plant for export to the Republic of Guinea, under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

    This marks the first export locomotive manufactured at the plant. These locomotives are equipped with high-horsepower engines, advanced AC propulsion systems, microprocessor-based control systems, and ergonomic cab designs, incorporating features such as regenerative braking technology.

    On the same day, the Prime Minister also flagged off the Vande Bharat Express between Patliputra and Gorakhpur, via Muzaffarpur and Bettiah.

    During a public meeting in Siwan, the Prime Minister was felicitated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects across the water, rail, and power sectors.

    To strengthen railway infrastructure in the region, he inaugurated the new Vaishali–Deoria railway line project, worth over ₹400 crore, and flagged off a new train service on this route.

    The Prime Minister also inaugurated six Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) under the Namami Gange programme, with a total outlay of over ₹1,800 crore. These plants aim to serve the population across the region.

    In addition, he laid the foundation stone for water supply, sanitation, and sewage treatment infrastructure worth over ₹3,000 crore in several towns across Bihar. These projects aim to provide clean and safe drinking water to residents.

    The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for a 500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Bihar. Standalone BESS units will be installed at 15 grid substations across the state, including in Muzaffarpur, Motihari, Bettiah, and Siwan. The capacity of each battery system will range from 20 to 80 MWh. These systems are expected to reduce electricity procurement costs for distribution companies by supplying stored energy to the grid during peak demand, ultimately benefiting consumers.

    The Prime Minister also released the first instalment to more than 53,600 beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) in Bihar. He handed over keys to a few beneficiaries as part of the Grih Pravesh ceremony for over 6,600 completed houses under the scheme.

  • PM flags off first export locomotive from Marhowra Plant, Bihar

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off a state-of-the-art locomotive built at the Marhowra Plant for export to the Republic of Guinea, under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

    This marks the first export locomotive manufactured at the plant. These locomotives are equipped with high-horsepower engines, advanced AC propulsion systems, microprocessor-based control systems, and ergonomic cab designs, incorporating features such as regenerative braking technology.

    On the same day, the Prime Minister also flagged off the Vande Bharat Express between Patliputra and Gorakhpur, via Muzaffarpur and Bettiah.

    During a public meeting in Siwan, the Prime Minister was felicitated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects across the water, rail, and power sectors.

    To strengthen railway infrastructure in the region, he inaugurated the new Vaishali–Deoria railway line project, worth over ₹400 crore, and flagged off a new train service on this route.

    The Prime Minister also inaugurated six Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) under the Namami Gange programme, with a total outlay of over ₹1,800 crore. These plants aim to serve the population across the region.

    In addition, he laid the foundation stone for water supply, sanitation, and sewage treatment infrastructure worth over ₹3,000 crore in several towns across Bihar. These projects aim to provide clean and safe drinking water to residents.

    The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for a 500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Bihar. Standalone BESS units will be installed at 15 grid substations across the state, including in Muzaffarpur, Motihari, Bettiah, and Siwan. The capacity of each battery system will range from 20 to 80 MWh. These systems are expected to reduce electricity procurement costs for distribution companies by supplying stored energy to the grid during peak demand, ultimately benefiting consumers.

    The Prime Minister also released the first instalment to more than 53,600 beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) in Bihar. He handed over keys to a few beneficiaries as part of the Grih Pravesh ceremony for over 6,600 completed houses under the scheme.

  • MIL-OSI Russia: SPbPU discussed the creation of mirror laboratories to assess the damage to African countries from colonialism

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The Polytechnic University and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education held a meeting dedicated to the activities of the Russian-African Network University (RAFU) and the creation of mirror laboratories to assess the damage caused to African countries during colonialism. Representatives of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science and leading Russian universities, including the Saint Petersburg State University of Economics (SPbSEU), the Russian State Geological Prospecting University (MGRI), and the Institute of the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences, took part in the discussion.

    The main topic of the meeting was the development of a methodology for calculating damage, including economic, environmental and cultural losses. As noted by the Vice-Rector for International Affairs of SPbPU Dmitry Arsenyev, this project has not only scientific but also important political significance: We must unite the efforts of universities with expertise in this area and offer African countries a tool for an objective assessment of the consequences of colonialism.

    Saint Petersburg State University of Economics, by agreement with the Ministry of Education and Science, will head the working group to create the laboratory. Vice-Rector for International Work at Saint Petersburg State University of Economics Elena Gorbashko emphasized: We will have to develop a comprehensive methodology that takes into account not only direct economic losses, but also indirect factors – lost profits, environmental damage, consequences for human capital.

    Rector of MGRI Yuri Panov shared preliminary calculations: We have already estimated the damage to Zimbabwe and Mozambique – 52 and 74 billion dollars respectively. At the same time, direct export of resources gave only 3-4% of the total amount, the main part is lost profits and environmental consequences.

    The Institute of the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences proposed to include digital archives of cultural heritage in the study. Deputy Director Natalia Sokolova noted: Digital twins of monuments will help to record the destruction and prove the scale of the damage. We already have successful experience of such work in Syria, and we are ready to replicate it in Africa.

    The next steps are to form a working group, prepare a concept and select countries for pilot projects. The final proposals will be presented to the Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov in July.

    This project is not only a scientific task, but also an important step in strengthening cooperation between Russia and African countries, said Stepan Sokolov, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, summing up the meeting.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Phase 2 of transport programme for job seekers launches in Western Cape

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Western Cape Government has initiated Phase 2 of the “Getting You to Work” Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme, which aims to address one of the biggest barriers faced by unemployed residents, which is the cost of transport.

    The provincial government launched the initiative at the Mitchells Plain Town Centre Library, where over 300 unemployed job seekers attended and registered for Gold Cards. 

    These cards will enable them to travel free of charge using Golden Arrow Bus Services across the Cape Metro to access job opportunities.

    The Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme was launched in February 2024, and since then, over 3 700 unemployed residents have registered through more than 150 employer partners.

    “The programme is rooted in a simple but powerful goal – removing the barrier created by the cost of public transport for residents to get jobs,” said the provincial government in a statement.

    It further reported that Phase 1 showed a particularly high uptake in communities such as Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Delft, Gugulethu, and Philippi, highlighting the significant demand for this type of intervention.

    Expanding reach

    The Western Cape Mobility Department has noted that many capable and willing residents remain unemployed, not due to a lack of skills or motivation, but because they cannot afford to attend interviews, training centres, or even their first day of work.

    “Transport becomes the obstacle to residents achieving their full potential. This programme is about opening doors and restoring dignity. It is about recognising that every person deserves a fair shot at opportunity. Phase 2 aims to expand our reach, making it easier for more job seekers to register, access support, and get to where they need to be,” said the provincial department. 

    According to the department, job seekers can now register online directly, removing the previous requirement to go through a registered employer. 

    The vouchers now include six free trips, which can be used between 9 am and 3 pm, Monday to Friday, until 31 March 2026. 
    The department has encouraged employers in Cape Town to register as partners and offer these travel vouchers to prospective employees. 

    This initiative is part of the Western Cape Government’s Growth for Jobs Strategy, which aims to foster an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economy.

    “By assisting job seekers with free transport, the programme not only helps individuals and families, but strengthens the provincial economy by connecting people to opportunities.”

    Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku said: “We know from our data that those who received vouchers had a greater chance of attending interviews, securing work, and participating in skills development. That is the pathway from unemployment to opportunity. That is the Growth for Jobs agenda in action.”

    Sileku said no one should be left behind because they cannot afford to get to an interview. 

    “We will continue to innovate, to listen, and to work together to create a mobility system that serves all the people of the Western Cape.”

    The Western Cape Mobility Department and Golden Arrow Bus Services are dedicated to ongoing collaboration and enhancing access to employment.

    How to apply:

    Job seekers can register online by filling out the registration prompts on the portal at Your FREE RIDE to opportunity | Western Cape Government .

    After completing the registration, they must present their identity document (ID) at Golden Arrow kiosks to collect their Gold Card. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Nyhontso calls for bold action to reverse Native Land Act legacy

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Land Reform and Rural Development Minister, Mzwanele Nyhontso, has called for bold and decisive steps to reverse the legacy of the Native Land Act of 1913.

    Reflecting on the 112th anniversary of the enactment of the Natives Land Act of 1913 in South Africa, which came into effect on June 19, 1913 (Act No. 27 of 1913), Minister Nyhontso said the legislation left an indelible mark on the country’s history.

    “This legislation had a profound and devastating impact on the lives of Black people. It was a calculated, cruel instrument and strategy of mass dispossession, that successfully entrenched racial segregation and economic inequality,” Nyhontso said.

    The Native Land Act restricted Black South Africans to only 7% of the land, forcing them into designated “native reserves”, while reserving the rest of the country’s land for white ownership.

    Crucially, it prohibited Black citizens from owning land outside these areas, stripping millions of their ability to farm and sustain their families.

    The Minister said through the prohibition of Black South Africans, from owning land outside the designated so called native reserves, the act “stripped millions of their ability to sustain themselves, their families, and communities, through farming which was the main economic activity”.

    “The immediate aftermath of the passing of the Native Land Act was the violent and merciless eviction of people from their land, their cattle and crops were confiscated, and their homes were destroyed. Up until that point in history, the African had led a lifestyle of self- sufficiency.  

    “Black people were stripped of their dignity, effectively forcing them into exploitative farm labour contracts. The act laid the foundation for the migrant system that provided a constant supply of cheap labour for the mines and industries,” the Minister said.

    Nyhontso reaffirmed the department’s commitment to reversing this legacy through the implementation of appropriate legislation, policies and land reform programmes.

    He said the department will intensify its efforts to restore land rights to the historically dispossessed and the equitable redistribution of land.  – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: AI model developed to unlock the potential of satellite imagery for land cover mapping A research team led by the University of Aberdeen has developed a pioneering AI model to improve accuracy and reduce computational time in land cover mapping, particularly for vegetation.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Dr Anshuman Bhardwaj (left), Baoling Gui (centre) and Dr Lydia Sam

    A research team led by the University of Aberdeen has developed a pioneering AI model to improve accuracy and reduce computational time in land cover mapping, particularly for vegetation.
    Detailed understanding of land cover, topographical features, and how land is used is central to tackling climate change impacts, food security, and sustainability.
    Traditional vegetation mapping methods analyse satellite images pixel by pixel, which can be inefficient and prone to error – especially in diverse or complex terrains.
    The new model developed by the research team, SAGRNet (Sampling and Attention-based Graph Convolutional Residual Network), uses advanced deep learning techniques to classify vegetation types with greater speed and accuracy. It can analyse entire landscape objects—such as fields and forests—providing better understanding of the shape, context, and relationships within the landscape, leading to more reliable and scalable mapping.
    The study is published in the ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, the official journal of International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing.
    SAGRNet was developed using satellite images covering the diverse landscape of north-east Scotland to sufficiently facilitate result validation.
    The study focuses on areas comprising woodlands, farmlands, and grasslands situated adjacent to other landcover classes such as built-up areas and water, located in and around Aberdeen, Dundee, and the Highlands.
    To further evaluate the generalisation capability of the proposed SAGRNet model, the team conducted additional experiments across five globally distributed urban fringe areas: Guangzhou (China), Durban (South Africa), Sydney (Australia), New York City (United States), and Porto Alegre (Brazil). These areas were carefully selected to represent diverse ecological backgrounds, vegetation structures, urbanisation intensities, and land cover complexities, providing a robust basis for assessing the transferability of the model.
    SAGRNet, which has been made openly available, could help decision-makers to quickly visualise and understand the impact of major events such as floods, forest fires, drought or heavy rainfall on large areas of land as well as the crops they produce.
    Project lead Dr Lydia Sam, Lecturer in Geosciences at the University of Aberdeen, said: “Accurate dimensional and topographic information on arable land is the foundation for further developing sustainable land management strategies. We have a multitude of earth observation satellites in orbit today providing images of our planet at very high resolutions. Models like SAGRNet provide a comprehensive vegetation mapping and characterisation framework, allowing users to unlock the true potential of their imagery data.
    “Our system of deep learning algorithms can immediately and accurately recognise the different types of land cover, vegetation or crops in an area.
    “This method addresses the inefficiencies of current systems by improving accuracy and reducing computational time, which is critical in responding to global challenges like climate change, deforestation, and food scarcity.”
    Dr Anshuman Bhardwaj, Senior Lecturer in Geosciences at the University and co-lead of the project, added: “Our model is quite transferrable and can even provide rapid and accurate answers to questions about how the landscape has changed.
    “This is vital for further understanding the impact of climate change from coastal erosions and landslips to shifts in plant or crop distribution.
    “It can also be used to monitor crop growth to facilitate more accurate harvest predictions or to look at how crops grown in a particular area have changed over time and to make better informed decisions of the sustainability of land use.
    “Our study lays a solid foundation for real-world applications in land monitoring, agriculture, and environmental management.”
    PhD student and research assistant on the project Baoling Gui added: “SAGRNet is suitable for integration into large-scale applications such as land resource surveys, ecological monitoring platforms, national land cover mapping programs, and environmental change analysis frameworks.”
    The project was funded by the BBSRC International Institutional Award scheme, in which the Aberdeen team worked in collaboration with international partners including Dr Diego Soto Gómez, University of Burgos (Spain), Dr Félix González Peñaloza, Evenor-Tech (Spain) and Professor Manfred F. Buchroithner, Technische Universität Dresden (Germany). Dr. David R. Green, Reader in Geosciences at the University of Aberdeen was also involved in the development of the published research article.
    The project was funded by the BBSRC International Institutional Award (BB/Y514172/1)

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Living as a humanitarian and refugee in Lebanon

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    My name is Muhammad Sunallah, and I am a Palestinian refugee in Lebanon.

    Mohammad Sunallah has been working with MSF in Lebanon since 2011. Lebanon, June 2025.
    © Salam Daoud/MSF

    I was born and raised in the Ain El-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp located in Saida, southern Lebanon. Established following the Nakba in 1948, it’s one of 12 Palestinian refugee camps in the country. It might be the largest one, but it always felt too small. The concrete walls surrounding it block the view of the ‘outside world’.

    Like millions of refugees around the world, I did not choose to become a refugee. In 1948, my grandparents were forced to leave Deir El-Asad in Acre, heading for an unknown destination. My father was a young child, and my mother was just an infant. “In three days, the situation will improve, and you will return,” my great grandmother told my grandfather. Why have those three days turned into 77 years?

    I, like other Palestinian refugees, have gone through identity crises morphed by accumulating traumas, the first of which stems from growing up away from our homeland. From a young age I knew I was Palestinian, but I didn’t know what that actually meant. I have never seen Palestine, I have never stepped on its soil, I have never played in its neighbourhoods. My internal wounds grew bigger when I realised that every “I have never” in these statements was realistically “I will never”. What is a refugee who does not have a homeland to return to?

    Growing up, I wanted to become a doctor and help people who needed medical care. But I soon faced the harsh reality that as a refugee I could not practice medicine in this country. Choosing that path would mean I had leave Lebanon, which I was not willing to do. So, I decided to become a nurse.

    When I joined Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in 2011, my appreciation for nursing as a profession doubled.

    I initially worked with MSF inside Ain El-Hilweh camp for many years, during which our activities took many shapes. Much like other Palestinian camps in the country, Ain El-Hilweh hosts Syrian refugees who fled the war that started in 2011. In 2015, I moved to MSF’s project in south Beirut, where we ran two clinics in the Shatila and Bourj El-Barajneh Palestinian refugee camps.

    In 2017 and 2023, several armed clashes broke out in Ain El-Hilweh camp. MSF launched emergency responses in both years, which I joined to support my community. I’ve also taken part in several emergency vaccination campaigns supporting Ministry of Health efforts.

    In 2020, we also witnessed the Beirut Port explosion, yet another trauma in the country that shook me just as it shook the city. MSF’s emergency response included providing essential healthcare, dressing wounds, ensuring people with non-communicable diseases had their medication, mental health services, and donating clean water, drinking water and hygiene kits. At that point, I was no longer just a refugee supporting refugees.

    In September 2024, Israel escalated its war in Lebanon, which required an emergency response yet again. But this response was not like prior ones; it was much larger as the deadly war retraumatised many Lebanese people, migrants, and refugees alike. MSF went from operating one mobile medical team to 22 teams across Lebanon. We worked hard to provide health care and medication to the displaced wherever they were, in shelters, overcrowded apartments, or even on the streets.

    This latest emergency response lasted for two months, but the war did not stop with the declaration of a ceasefire. We are still witnessing Israel bombing in south Lebanon and the southern suburb of Beirut, and Israeli forces are still in Lebanon. We are still supporting people who were displaced and have not found homes or even villages to return to. It pains me greatly for Lebanon to suffer from Israel’s war that steals lives, hope, and memories, just as is happening in Palestine.

    I may not know who I am to Lebanon, but I’m certain of what Lebanon is to me. After spending 39 years in this country, it is no longer the closest thing to home: it has become home. It is a homeland I sing for; a homeland I feel a sense of belonging and loyalty to.

    My family members who emmigrated from Lebanon always ask me why I don’t leave it like they did, and I always answer them that this country needs me just as I need it. My mission is to serve the Lebanese society, which includes Lebanese people, migrants, and refugees—the Palestinian and Syrian.

    I am raising my 7-year-old son as though he’s a dual citizen, Palestinian on his father’s side and Lebanese on his mother’s side. But the bitter reality is that my son lacks both citizenships because his mother can’t pass it down to him. No matter how much I try to protect him from the traumas that are passed down through Palestinian generations, trauma is inevitable. But we find ways to cope, in search of belonging. We persevere, and we thrive.

    On World Refugee Day, I say: my name is Muhammad Sunallah, and I am a husband, a father, a nurse, and a humanitarian worker. But I am who I am today because I am a refugee.

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Living as a humanitarian and refugee in Lebanon

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    My name is Muhammad Sunallah, and I am a Palestinian refugee in Lebanon.

    Mohammad Sunallah has been working with MSF in Lebanon since 2011. Lebanon, June 2025.
    © Salam Daoud/MSF

    I was born and raised in the Ain El-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp located in Saida, southern Lebanon. Established following the Nakba in 1948, it’s one of 12 Palestinian refugee camps in the country. It might be the largest one, but it always felt too small. The concrete walls surrounding it block the view of the ‘outside world’.

    Like millions of refugees around the world, I did not choose to become a refugee. In 1948, my grandparents were forced to leave Deir El-Asad in Acre, heading for an unknown destination. My father was a young child, and my mother was just an infant. “In three days, the situation will improve, and you will return,” my great grandmother told my grandfather. Why have those three days turned into 77 years?

    I, like other Palestinian refugees, have gone through identity crises morphed by accumulating traumas, the first of which stems from growing up away from our homeland. From a young age I knew I was Palestinian, but I didn’t know what that actually meant. I have never seen Palestine, I have never stepped on its soil, I have never played in its neighbourhoods. My internal wounds grew bigger when I realised that every “I have never” in these statements was realistically “I will never”. What is a refugee who does not have a homeland to return to?

    Growing up, I wanted to become a doctor and help people who needed medical care. But I soon faced the harsh reality that as a refugee I could not practice medicine in this country. Choosing that path would mean I had leave Lebanon, which I was not willing to do. So, I decided to become a nurse.

    When I joined Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in 2011, my appreciation for nursing as a profession doubled.

    I initially worked with MSF inside Ain El-Hilweh camp for many years, during which our activities took many shapes. Much like other Palestinian camps in the country, Ain El-Hilweh hosts Syrian refugees who fled the war that started in 2011. In 2015, I moved to MSF’s project in south Beirut, where we ran two clinics in the Shatila and Bourj El-Barajneh Palestinian refugee camps.

    In 2017 and 2023, several armed clashes broke out in Ain El-Hilweh camp. MSF launched emergency responses in both years, which I joined to support my community. I’ve also taken part in several emergency vaccination campaigns supporting Ministry of Health efforts.

    In 2020, we also witnessed the Beirut Port explosion, yet another trauma in the country that shook me just as it shook the city. MSF’s emergency response included providing essential healthcare, dressing wounds, ensuring people with non-communicable diseases had their medication, mental health services, and donating clean water, drinking water and hygiene kits. At that point, I was no longer just a refugee supporting refugees.

    In September 2024, Israel escalated its war in Lebanon, which required an emergency response yet again. But this response was not like prior ones; it was much larger as the deadly war retraumatised many Lebanese people, migrants, and refugees alike. MSF went from operating one mobile medical team to 22 teams across Lebanon. We worked hard to provide health care and medication to the displaced wherever they were, in shelters, overcrowded apartments, or even on the streets.

    This latest emergency response lasted for two months, but the war did not stop with the declaration of a ceasefire. We are still witnessing Israel bombing in south Lebanon and the southern suburb of Beirut, and Israeli forces are still in Lebanon. We are still supporting people who were displaced and have not found homes or even villages to return to. It pains me greatly for Lebanon to suffer from Israel’s war that steals lives, hope, and memories, just as is happening in Palestine.

    I may not know who I am to Lebanon, but I’m certain of what Lebanon is to me. After spending 39 years in this country, it is no longer the closest thing to home: it has become home. It is a homeland I sing for; a homeland I feel a sense of belonging and loyalty to.

    My family members who emmigrated from Lebanon always ask me why I don’t leave it like they did, and I always answer them that this country needs me just as I need it. My mission is to serve the Lebanese society, which includes Lebanese people, migrants, and refugees—the Palestinian and Syrian.

    I am raising my 7-year-old son as though he’s a dual citizen, Palestinian on his father’s side and Lebanese on his mother’s side. But the bitter reality is that my son lacks both citizenships because his mother can’t pass it down to him. No matter how much I try to protect him from the traumas that are passed down through Palestinian generations, trauma is inevitable. But we find ways to cope, in search of belonging. We persevere, and we thrive.

    On World Refugee Day, I say: my name is Muhammad Sunallah, and I am a husband, a father, a nurse, and a humanitarian worker. But I am who I am today because I am a refugee.

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South African Post Office’s (SAPO) Turnaround Strategy Raises More Questions Than Answers, Says Committee Chair

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    Download logo

    The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade, Ms Sonja Boshoff, has expressed concern regarding the work of the business rescue practitioners (BRPs) on the South African Post Office’s (SAPO) turnaround strategy.

    The BRPs presented the plan on Wednesday, stating that progress Is being made and that, in the long term, their vision is to transform the Post Office into an e-commerce hub and a multipurpose service centre.

    However, Ms Boshoff said troubling realities remain. Chief among these is the retrenchment of over 4 000 employees, with no clarity as to whether further retrenchments have been halted.

    “Service delivery at the Post Office has significantly deteriorated, and the entity continues to survive on state bailouts. Public confidence has been completely eroded, and the long-term sustainability of SAPO remains in serious jeopardy,” Ms Boshoff said.

    She further raised concern about the request to present substantial portions of the turnaround strategy in a closed session. “SAPO is a state-owned enterprise funded by public money. The use of in-camera briefings must remain the exception, not the rule. Such briefings should only be permitted in instances of legitimate commercial sensitivity – not as a tool to shield institutional failures from public scrutiny and parliamentary oversight.”

    The strategy, as presented, offers limited detail in terms of innovation and measurable outcomes. While it references digitisation, a revised branch footprint, and hybrid financing models, these aspects remain vague, lacking clear implementation timelines and funding clarity.

    Ms Boshoff said it is troubling that no investor has yet shown serious interest in supporting the turnaround of the Post Office. “Meanwhile, key questions remain unanswered:

    • How many of the retrenched employees have actually received support through the TERS fund?
    • What efforts have been made to engage the private sector in restoring core service functions?
    • On what basis is SAPO still classified as a “strategic national asset” while continuing to rely on repeated state bailouts?
    • How will the proposed hybrid funding model work in practice, and who will ultimately bear the financial risk?”

    “It is imperative that public institutions – particularly those under business rescue and funded by taxpayers – operate with transparency, accountability, and defined performance indicators. A turnaround plan cannot rely on slogans or structural tinkering. It must restore credibility, modernise operations and rebuild trust with the South African public who depend on these services.”

    Ms Boshoff emphasised that as the committee continues its oversight work, it will insist on greater clarity, stronger accountability and full transparency from all parties involved in the business rescue process.

    “The relevance of the Post Office in the broader communications and logistics sector is fast diminishing. This can only be reversed through genuine diversification of its service offering and complete modernisation of its operations,” she concluded.

    – on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: First Quantum Minerals’ Zambian Country Manager Joins African Mining Week (AMW) 2025

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    Download logo

    Godwin Beene, Country Manager for Zambia at mining firm First Quantum Minerals, will speak at the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) conference – Africa’s premier event for the mining sector. During the event, Beene will join a high-level panel discussion titled Zambia: Accelerating Exploration and Development Through License Allocation and Global Partnerships, where he is expected to share insights into the company’s Zambian strategy.

    Beene’s participation at AMW 2025 comes as Zambia intensifies efforts to attract global investment and scale-up copper production to three million tons per annum by 2031. As a key player in the market, First Quantum Minerals plays a pivotal role in driving Zambia’s mining sector forward. Beene’s participation at AMW 2025 presents an opportunity for the company to engage with potential partners, investors and service providers aligned with the company’s long-term strategy.

    AMW serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

    First Quantum Minerals continues to advance several impactful mining operations in Zambia. At the Kansanshi Mine, the company produced 46,544 tons of copper in Q1, 2025 alone, with a full-year target of 190,000 tons of copper and 110,000 ounces of gold. The Kansanshi S3 Expansion Project is also on track to begin production this year, setting the stage for increased output in the coming years. The S3 Expansion Project comprises an expanded mining fleet and smelter as well as the development of the South East Dome pit and a new processing plant. This will increase the life of mine until 2040.

    Meanwhile, Sentinel Mine reported 46,361 tons of copper production in Q1, 2025, with aims to reach 230,000 tons by year-end. At the Enterprise Nickel Mine – situated 12 km from the Sentinel copper mine – the company produced 4,649 tons of nickel during Q1, 2025, increasing output by 25% compared to the previous quarter. The company plans to produce 25,000 tons of nickel in 2025 at the mine, with a focus on ore quality and grade control.

    At AMW 2025, Beene’s insights will provide greater understanding of these projects, including their impact on Zambia’s mining industry. Held under the theme From Extraction to Beneficiation: Unlocking Africa’s Mineral Wealth, the event will serve as a key platform for forging global partnerships, accelerating exploration and promoting sustainable growth across the continent’s mining sector. With a session focused on Zambia, industry leaders such as Beene will engage with government officials, financiers and technology providers to shape the future of mining in the country.

    – on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Angola Strengthens United States (US) Energy, Mineral Ties with Sonangol-Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Cooperation Agreements

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    Angola’s national oil company Sonangol has signed two agreements with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – a private university based in Boston, United States (US) – aimed at strengthening cooperation and knowledge-transfer in the fields of oil, gas and critical minerals. The agreements – dubbed the MIT Industrial Liaison Program (MIT-ILP) and MIT Africa – seek to strengthen US-Africa ties by facilitating greater collaboration and skills development opportunities.

    The African Energy Chamber (AEC) – the voice of the African energy sector – commends Angola and Sonangol for forging this strategic alliance with one of the world’s leading innovation institutions. The AEC believes partnerships of this nature are vital to accelerating Africa’s energy transition while equipping the next generation of African professionals with the skills and knowledge required to drive industrial growth, energy security and sustainable resource development.

    The agreements were signed by Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins and MIT Executive Vice President Glan Shor during a meeting presided over by Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas Diamantino Azevedo. A core focus of the meeting and the subsequent agreements was to explore opportunities to support Angolan resource development by leveraging global research, innovation and technology. With goals to increase oil production, diversify the industry through innovative gas projects and advance the development of alternative energy sources such as green hydrogen, Angola has committed to working with global partners to transform ideas into solutions. The agreements serve as catalyst for these objectives by laying the foundation for bilateral research and development.

    Under MIT-ILP, Sonangol and MIT will work together to develop strategic industries such as energy, mining, engineering, construction and infrastructure. According to Minister Azevedo, this program will enable Sonangol to directly interact with MIT research centers in key areas, thereby accelerating innovation in the oil sector while facilitating a just energy transition. Minister Azevedo shared that visiting MIT showed the Angolan delegation how applied research is closely linked with humanity’s real challenges – notably, clean energy, artificial intelligence, resilient infrastructure and digital transformation. MIT-ILP will support the development of Angolan expertise and innovation.

    Meanwhile, MIT Africa features two programs – Global Classroom and Global Teaching Labs – aimed at facilitating knowledge-exchange, staff training, joint research and academic mentoring. Both the Global Classroom program and Global Teaching Labs program allow Angolan educational institutions to tap into US expertise, with the aim of supporting skills development in Angola. Among the Angolan institutions that will directly benefit from this cooperation are the Instituto Superior Politécnico de Tecnologias e Ciências and the Sonangol Research and Development Center. These institutions will be at the forefront of implementing these innovative programs.

    “Through these mechanisms, Angola will be able to benefit from innovative teaching methodologies and collaborative experiences that value national talent and promote the internationalization of our higher education,” Minister Azevedo shared. “These agreements are more than protocols: they are commitments with concrete impact in the short, medium and long term, in the fields of advanced training, scientific research, technological development, energy transition, decarbonization and industrial innovation. I believe that Angola’s future is built on knowledge, serious partnerships and strategic vision.”

    The agreements come as Angola and the US take concrete steps to deepen strategic partnerships within the oil, gas, critical mineral and renewable energy sectors. Meetings held by Minister Azevedo and the US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright this week highlighted areas of cooperation, with the parties committing to working together to achieve a balanced energy transition. Future cooperation will be largely built on the success American companies have had in Angola as well as cooperation in new industries such as critical minerals, renewable energy and infrastructure.

    In the oil and gas space, companies such as ExxonMobil and Chevron continue to make significant strides towards unlocking greater exploration and production opportunities. ExxonMobil has recently extended its license for Angola’s Block 17 – one of the country’s longest-producing assets – in partnership with TotalEnergies. The company is also seeking play-opening discoveries in the offshore Namibe basin while drilling new wells under the country’s Incremental Production Initiative. Chevron is making in-roads in the natural gas sector with its stakes in the Angola LNG plant and upstream gas projects. In late-2024, the company started production at the Sanha Lean Gas Connection project, which increases feedstock for Angola LNG – supporting exports. Chevron also has stakes in the New Gas Consortium, the operator of Angola’s first non-associated project, coming online in late-2025. Leveraging the expertise of these players and strengthened cooperation in research and development, Angola is well-positioned to realize its industry goals. 

    – on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

    Media files

    Download logo

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Monetary Policy Committee Decision – June 2025

    Source: Bank of Botswana

    At the meeting held on 19 June 2025, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of Botswana maintained the Monetary Policy Rate (MoPR) at 1.9 percent, while it increased the repurchase agreement (repo) tenure from up to 7 days to up to one month.

    Monetary Policy Decision -June 2025.pdf

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Monetary Policy Committee Decision – June 2025

    Source: Bank of Botswana

    At the meeting held on 19 June 2025, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of Botswana maintained the Monetary Policy Rate (MoPR) at 1.9 percent, while it increased the repurchase agreement (repo) tenure from up to 7 days to up to one month.

    Monetary Policy Decision -June 2025.pdf

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Africa: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Mediation and Security Council at the ministerial level holds 54th ordinary session in Nigeria

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    Download logo

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Mediation and Security Council (MSC) at the Ministerial Level is holding its 54th Ordinary Session today,18th of June 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria.

    During the meeting, Ministers will consider the report of the 42nd Session of the MSC at the Ambassadorial Level, along with memoranda on the political, security, and humanitarian situations in the Region. Key updates will include the transition process in the Republic of Guinea, negotiations with Burkina Faso, Republics of Mali, and Niger, as well as maritime security, counterterrorism and organised crime, among other pressing matters.

    In his welcome address, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, highlighted that the 54th Ordinary Session of MSC convenes at a defining moment as ECOWAS marks its 50th anniversary. President Touray commended Member States for their unwavering commitment to peace, security and regional stability, noting that despite persistent challenges, the Community remains resilient and unified.

    He emphasised the Council’s enduring contribution to maintaining security over the past 25 years and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to strengthening the regional peace and security architecture, improving communication to counter misinformation, and preserving the achievements of the Community amidst growing geopolitical complexities.

    “For over 25 years, the Mediation and Security Council has contributed immensely to the security and stability of our region, through its numerous sessions. Therefore, in celebrating the Golden Jubilee, we must recognise the contribution of this august body to the Community,” President Touray added.

    H.E. Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairman of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial Level, welcomed delegates to Abuja and acknowledged their continued dedication to strengthening peace, security, and democratic governance in West Africa. He outlined the Council’s focus on key regional priorities, including political transitions, upcoming elections, maritime security, terrorism, organised crime and financial transparency.

    Ambassador Tuggar also highlighted progress on the Early Warning and Response Centres, the launch of the Regional Partnership for Democracy, and the completion of the Lungi Military Logistics Depot, a milestone in operationalising the ECOWAS Standby Force.

    He further underscored the need for collective ownership of regional initiatives and cautioned against restrictive policies that could hinder trade and investment opportunities vital to the region’s prosperity.

    “In these challenging times, our ability to come together to consult, collaborate and take decisive action remains vital to advancing peace, security and good governance across our region,” he added.

    A report will be adopted by the Ministers at the end of the MSC Session and presented to the Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, scheduled to take place in Abuja from the 19th to 20th of June 2025.

    – on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: King Mswati III of Eswatini in Ghana for a State Visit next week

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    Download logo

    The Presidency has announced that President John Dramani Mahama will host His Majesty King Mswati III, Ingwenyama of the Kingdom of Eswatini, for a state visit to Ghana next week. The visit is scheduled for Tuesday, 24 June to Saturday, 28 June 2025, spanning four days of official engagements.

    King Mswati III is expected to arrive in Accra on Tuesday, 24th June. Upon his arrival, he will be welcomed at the Presidency for bilateral discussions with President Mahama and a high-level Ghanaian delegation. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries is anticipated to be signed during this meeting.

    On Tuesday afternoon, the King is scheduled to meet with officials at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in Accra before departing for Kumasi later in the day.

    In Kumasi, His Majesty will be the distinguished guest of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. The itinerary in the Asante capital includes official visits to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and a tour of the historic Manhyia Palace Museum. King Mswati III is also scheduled to address the National House of Chiefs and attend a grand durbar of chiefs organised in his honour at Manhyia Palace.

    A Royal Banquet will be held in Kumasi on Friday evening. On Saturday, the final day of the visit, King Mswati III will join the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at a ceremony at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) before departing from Ghana.

    King Mswati III’s visit is expected to significantly strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between Ghana and the Kingdom of Eswatini and deepen the historical and cultural links between the Asante Kingdom and the southern African nation.

    – on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Community leaders call on United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to support demilitarization of Tripoli

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    Download logo

    Deputy Special Representative for the Secretary-General and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Aeneas Chuma chaired a meeting with the Tripoli Center Outreach Committee Monday to discuss de-escalation efforts in Tripoli. These leaders, who has contributed to brokering and sustaining the truce since the May crisis, have been pivotal in preventing violence through community engagement. The Mission has facilitated targeted mediation meetings to reinforce their peacebuilding capacities, encourage coordination with official security institutions, and amplify local ownership in sustaining stability.

    During the same week, UNSMIL’s SIS met with notables and community leaders from across the western region as part of ongoing efforts to support local peacebuilding. The meeting followed up on previous engagements and recognized their critical role in sustaining the truce. Participants discussed ways to further contribute to the implementation of local security arrangements and enhance coordination with official institutions. UNSMIL reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive dialogue and community-driven stabilization. “UNSMIL and IC need to urge all parties to refrain from provocative speech and actions,” one of the notables said. 

    During the meetings, the leaders shared their efforts and presented recommendations for peace initiatives. Participants stressed the need for a disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration program, warning of the risks of military presence in residential areas. “We share the demands of Tripoli’s people and aim to demilitarize the capital,” stated the participants. UNSMIL expressed its intention to increase collaboration and ensure that local voices continue to shape both local and national peace processes.

    – on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: “Don’t Lose This Golden Chance”- President Museveni Advises Ugandans on the Parish Development Model (PDM)

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    Download logo

    He said he began the fight against poverty in the 1960s and he has been able to come up with various poverty alleviation programs to ensure that his dream is realized.

    “Don’t lose this chance because it’s a big support to you. Wako, who was poor, is now a rich man. He is blessed now with three cows and a milling machine because his family embraced the PDM program. I know that we are all not equal but when you embrace the PDM program you will eradicate poverty in your households,” he said.

    President Museveni made the remarks today during his PDM assessment tour at Mr. Muwereza Wako ‘s farm situated at Buyego cell, Buvuma sub-county in Buvuma district.

    Mr. Wako, a PDM beneficiary, owns three cows and a milling machine.

    The President, who was pleased to visit Mr. Wako’s farm, said that the government has for years been sending resources to the public to curb poverty but in one way or the other some government officials have been mismanaging it.

    President Museveni however narrated that the government now gives each parish Shs.100m annually and in his next five years’ term in office, each parish will have received Shs.500m.

    He revealed that the first batch which received Shs.1m PDM money each, two years back will return it to their parishes with an interest of Shs.120,000, to give chance to other adults to benefit.

    The President supported Mr. Wako with Shs.12m to purchase an acre of land at Shs.10m and use the Shs.2m to buy livestock like goats and pigs.

    In response, Mr. Wako commended the President for initiating the PDM program that has enabled a section of Ugandans to improve their standard of living through wealth creation. He asserted that he was so poor to an extent that he couldn’t afford food for his family but currently he is called a rich man.

    Mr. Wako and his wife Mirembe Eseza together with their eight children live on half an acre of land and according to the farmer, the PDM money has enabled him to add value to his family through wealth creation.

    He said on 21st June 2023, he received Shs. 1 million PDM cash and after the bank charges, he remained with Shs. 980,000.

    Mr. Wako noted that using the PDM money, he added some of his savings to buy a bull and a cow which conceived and gave birth to a calf in May 2024.

    During the same month, he sold a bull at Shs.1m and used it to purchase an old milling machine at Shs.2.5m.  

    Mr. Wako explained that the machine seller allowed him to clear his remaining balance of Shs.1.5m in installments. He asserted that he started using the machine which fetched him money to clear the balance.

    The PDM beneficiary revealed that the milling machine earns him Shs. 15,000 every day, after deducting Shs. 5,000 for fuel, thus remaining with Shs. 10,000 and he earns a total of 300,000 per month. The dairy cow gives him 3 litres of milk. He sells two litres at Shs.1000 each and earns a total of Shs. 60,000 per month. The cow dung and urine is used as fertilizers in his garden.

    – on behalf of State House Uganda.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Case Backlog at Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) Contributing to Lack of Consequences within South African Police Service (SAPS)

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    Download logo

    The Portfolio Committee on Police is concerned that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) continues to face a huge case backlog, which negatively impacts on its ability to deliver on its mandate. The committee met with both IPID and the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) on the revised annual performance plan and strategic plan.

    “IPID plays a critical role in ensuring accountability from the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the backlog directly undermines this drive. While the committee has noted various interventions to clear the backlog, the reality is that victims of police abuse of authority remain without recourse,” said Mr Ian Cameron, the Chairperson of the committee. The committee is concerned that there is a backlog of 14 469 cases carried over to this financial year and has called for urgent strategies to remedy the concern.

    While the committee welcomes the R126.3 million additional funding over the medium term and is hopeful that it will significantly contribute to reducing the case backlog, it is concerned that the additional allocation without clear plans to overcome some of the internal systematic challenges will not resolve the problem. A major impediment for the IPID is the proportionally high case per investigator ratio, and the nominal increase of employees from 387 in the 2025/26 financial year to 421 in the 2027/28 financial year will not adequately resolve the challenge.

    In the context of the increasing cases reported to IPID, it is necessary to ensure that the directorate is adequately capacitated to increasing demand.

    Meanwhile, the committee acknowledged IPID’s intentions to implement a new digital case management system that will enable the entity to monitor cases and ensure better tracking and communication with victims. Notwithstanding the plan, the committee has urged IPID to effectively implement the plan, as a functional system might have a positive impact on the case backlog.

    The committee also welcomes the establishment of the internal investigation, Forensic Services, quality assurance and research units. The committee is of the view that the envisioned capacity will ensure that IPID will have the skills set it needs to investigate complex reported corruption cases.

    The implementation of the recommendations made by IPID to SAPS is also a point of concern for the committee. The meeting today highlighted a concerning trend of SAPS seemingly ignoring strong recommendations made by IPID. “This phenomenon erodes the effectiveness of IPID and its mandate and the committee resolved that there is a need for a laser focus on the rate of implementation of the recommendations,” Mr Cameron said.

    Meanwhile, the committee agreed with the Minister of Police that there must be a general improvement in the conduct of SAPS members. “The bottom line is that there is no place in the SAPS for rogue police officers who engage in criminal activity. While the IPID provides the necessary checks and balances, the SAPS members must always be fit and proper for the service they must render to the people,” Mr Cameron emphasised.

    With regard to PSiRA, the committee has acknowledged the intention to implement a digital strategy that will ensure a seamless interaction process with users. Of major importance is functionality, such as verifying the training of private security officers through the digital platform.

    The committee also welcomes the intention to increase PSiRA’s footprint to ensure that private security companies in Limpopo, Northern Cape, North West are able to access its services more easily. Also, the intention to increase monitoring operations will be critical in ensuring that private security companies are legally registered and compliant with legal prescripts. The committee has always emphasised the importance of the private security industry in efforts to combat crime in the country.

    – on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Employment and Labour Committee Welcomes Presentations on 2025-2030 Strategic Plans for Department and Entities

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    Download logo

    The Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour has welcomed presentations on the 2025-2030 strategic plans, 2025/26 annual performance plans and budget estimates of the Department of Employment and Labour, Supported Employment Enterprises (SEE), Productivity South Africa (PSA), the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC).

    The committee is of the view that more resources are needed to adequately fund the department and its entities. More resources are needed to increase the department’s inspection and enforcement capacity, to fund SEE’s procurement initiatives and the employment of persons living with disabilities in line with United Nations’ conventions, to address the CCMA’s case backlog, and to fund NEDLAC’s mandate of facilitating national dialogue, among other things.

    The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Boyce Maneli, said that the contribution of SEE, CCMA and NEDLAC to the country’s economic growth cannot be overstated. “An inclusive growth of the economy requires that there be a harmonious work environment, and the CCMA is best placed as an arbiter. Greater participation of everyone in the economy [is also required], including persons living with disabilities, and SEE is best placed to facilitate that aspect; and continuous facilitation of national dialogue, which is a mandate of NEDLAC,” said Mr Maneli.

    To this end, the committee has called on the department to provide in writing the various creative measures that will be implemented to cover budget shortfalls.

    Mr Maneli said that while legislative review may be needed to motivate budget increases for some aspects, the committee will work within the current legislative framework around budget process to get possible increases through the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters process in future financial years.

    – on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: IOM Sounds Alarm Over Suspension of Life-Saving Transport in South Sudan

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    Geneva/Juba, 20 June 2025 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is deeply alarmed by the suspension of its life-saving transport services for thousands of displaced people in South Sudan due to critical funding shortfalls. With humanitarian needs on the rise and more people fleeing violence in neighbouring Sudan, IOM is urgently appealing for USD 6.5 million to resume this vital support and prevent vulnerable people from being left stranded.

    “The people arriving in South Sudan have already endured unimaginable trauma – conflict, displacement, and profound loss,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. “It is unconscionable that, after surviving so much, they are now left stranded at the border without the means to reach safety or rebuild their lives. We cannot allow financial constraints to determine whether people live with dignity or languish in desperation. The time to act is now. This lifeline must be restored – urgently.”

    Onward transport assistance (OTA) is a critical lifeline for those undertaking long and dangerous journeys as a result of the war in Sudan. It allows people to move safely and with dignity from border entry points to their destinations of choice within South Sudan, where they can reconnect with their families, find protection, and access services and opportunities for recovery.

    Following the depletion of available funding, OTA operations were drastically reduced and temporarily suspended on 1 June 2025. This suspension has put further strain on host communities, increased the risk of tensions and disease outbreaks, and limited access to already scarce resources such as water, health services, land, and livelihoods. Currently, only one bus and one truck are departing daily from the Joda border to Renk – far below what is needed to meet the scale of the emergency.

    IOM operates OTA through a multi-modal transport network, using barges, buses, and aircraft, depending on the security and accessibility of specific routes. Travel from border areas like Renk to destinations such as Wau, Juba, or Bentiu can take more than five days.

    Since May 2023, IOM has supported over 570,000 new arrivals in South Sudan with transportation from entry points to transit centers, and more than 250,000 people to their final destination. The need for this service is now greater than ever as people continue to flee Sudan’s warzone and arrive in South Sudan’s fragile northern regions.

    As the crisis continues, population movements are shifting, with new waves of arrivals from other areas placing additional strain on already overstretched border communities and services. These new arrivals are compounding South Sudan’s already dire humanitarian crisis, marked by years of conflict, disease outbreaks, and climate shocks.

    Since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan in April 2023, nearly 1.2 million people have crossed into South Sudan, which continues to maintain an open-door policy for those fleeing violence. Of these arrivals, 32 per cent have been identified as Sudanese refugees and 68 per cent are South Sudanese returnees.

    Thousands continue to cross into South Sudan each week. However, since April 2025, approximately 85,000 people have crossed from South Sudan into Sudan. This includes South Sudanese refugees and Sudanese nationals returning home, primarily due to insecurity and the lack of essential services in South Sudan.

    Many of those arriving at border areas like Renk are exhausted, malnourished, and without the financial or physical means to continue their journeys. They face urgent medical needs or serious protection risks, including unaccompanied or separated children, older people, persons with disabilities, and those requiring referral to specialized care.

    With 125,000 new arrivals expected between July and the end of the year and 43,000 people in urgent need of transport assistance, IOM warns that the crisis will only deepen in the absence of immediate funding. IOM calls on donors and partners to urgently step in and restore this critical service, ensuring safe, dignified onward movement for those fleeing conflict and seeking protection in South Sudan.

    For more information, please visit IOM’s Media Centre.

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI: BW Energy: Update on Fixed Income Investor Meetings  

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Update on Fixed Income Investor Meetings  

    Reference is made to the stock exchange release dated 6 June 2025, regarding fixed income investor meetings. Following engagement with potential investors, BW Energy has decided to not proceed with the issue of a USD 300 million denominated senior unsecured bond. The indicative terms offered under the current market conditions were unfavourable compared to the other funding sources available to the Company. 

    For further information, please contact:  
    Brice Morlot, CFO BW Energy  
    +33.7.81.11.41.16  
    ir@bwenergy.no  

    About BW Energy:  

    BW Energy is a growth E&P company with a differentiated strategy targeting proven offshore oil and gas reservoirs through low risk phased developments. The Company has access to existing production facilities to reduce time to first oil and cashflow with lower investments than traditional offshore developments. The Company’s assets are 73.5% of the producing Dussafu Marine licence offshore Gabon, 100% interest in the Golfinho and Camarupim fields, a 76.5% interest in the BM-ES-23 block, a 95% interest in the Maromba field in Brazil, a 95% interest in the Kudu field in Namibia, all operated by BW Energy. In addition, BW Energy holds approximately 6.6% of the common shares in Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. and a 20% non-operating interest in the onshore Petroleum Exploration License 73 (“PEL 73”) in Namibia. Total net 2P+2C reserves and resources were 599 million barrels of oil equivalent at the start of 2025.  

    This information is considered inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock exchange release was published by Regine Andersen, 20 June 2025.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: BW Energy: Update on Fixed Income Investor Meetings  

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Update on Fixed Income Investor Meetings  

    Reference is made to the stock exchange release dated 6 June 2025, regarding fixed income investor meetings. Following engagement with potential investors, BW Energy has decided to not proceed with the issue of a USD 300 million denominated senior unsecured bond. The indicative terms offered under the current market conditions were unfavourable compared to the other funding sources available to the Company. 

    For further information, please contact:  
    Brice Morlot, CFO BW Energy  
    +33.7.81.11.41.16  
    ir@bwenergy.no  

    About BW Energy:  

    BW Energy is a growth E&P company with a differentiated strategy targeting proven offshore oil and gas reservoirs through low risk phased developments. The Company has access to existing production facilities to reduce time to first oil and cashflow with lower investments than traditional offshore developments. The Company’s assets are 73.5% of the producing Dussafu Marine licence offshore Gabon, 100% interest in the Golfinho and Camarupim fields, a 76.5% interest in the BM-ES-23 block, a 95% interest in the Maromba field in Brazil, a 95% interest in the Kudu field in Namibia, all operated by BW Energy. In addition, BW Energy holds approximately 6.6% of the common shares in Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. and a 20% non-operating interest in the onshore Petroleum Exploration License 73 (“PEL 73”) in Namibia. Total net 2P+2C reserves and resources were 599 million barrels of oil equivalent at the start of 2025.  

    This information is considered inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock exchange release was published by Regine Andersen, 20 June 2025.

    The MIL Network