NewzIntel.com

Category: Africa

  • MIL-OSI China: China, Botswana sign agreement on economic, technical cooperation

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    GABORONE, Feb. 27 — China and Botswana signed an agreement on economic and technical cooperation between the two governments on Thursday in Gaborone, the capital of the southern African country.

    Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Botswana Fan Yong said China and Botswana have long enjoyed a strong friendship, yielding fruitful results in practical cooperation. With the implementation of the agreement and other outcomes of the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, cooperation between the two countries in various fields will be further deepened.

    For his part, Botswanan Vice President and Minister of Finance Ndaba Gaolathe praised China’s remarkable achievements and expressed gratitude for China’s continuous support to Botswana, saying he hopes cooperation with China will contribute to Botswana’s economic growth and the well-being of its people.

    According to official statistics, in 2023, bilateral trade between China and Botswana reached 710 million U.S. dollars, marking a 15.7 percent year-on-year increase. In the first half of 2024, bilateral trade amounted to 419 million dollars, up 12.5 percent year on year.

    This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Botswana, which were established on Jan. 6, 1975. The two countries’ relations were upgraded to a strategic partnership in September 2024.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s video at the beginning of Ramadan [scroll down for French and Arabic versions]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Download the video: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+RAMADAN+31+JAN+25/3334567_MSG+SG+RAMADAN+31+JAN+25.mp4

    I send my warmest wishes as Muslims around the world begin observing the Holy Month of Ramadan.

    Ramadan embodies the values of compassion, empathy and generosity.

    It is an opportunity to reconnect with family and community.

    A chance to remember those less fortunate.

    To all those who will spend this sacred time amid displacement and violence, I wish to express a special message of support.

    I stand with all those who are suffering.

    From Gaza and the wider region, to Sudan, the Sahel and beyond.

    And I join those observing Ramadan to call for peace and mutual respect.

    Every Ramadan, I undertake a solidarity visit and fast with a Muslim community around the globe.

    These missions remind the world of the true face of Islam.

    And I always come away even more inspired by the remarkable sense of peace that fills this season.     

    In this Holy Month, let us all be uplifted by these values and embrace our common humanity to build a more just and peaceful world for all. 

    Ramadan Kareem.

    *****
    Je présente mes vœux les plus chaleureux aux millions de musulmans du monde entier qui entament le mois sacré du Ramadan.

    Le Ramadan incarne les valeurs de compassion, d’empathie et de générosité.

    Il est l’occasion de renouer avec sa famille et sa communauté.

    Il est aussi l’occasion de penser aux personnes moins bien loties.

    Je tiens à adresser à toutes celles et ceux qui passeront cette période sacrée au milieu des déplacements et de la violence un message particulier de soutien.

    Je suis aux côtés de tous ceux qui souffrent.

    Qu’ils soient de Gaza et de la région, du Soudan, du Sahel, et au-delà.

    Je me joins à tous ceux qui observent le Ramadan pour appeler à la paix et au respect mutuel.

    Chaque Ramadan, je rends visite à une communauté musulmane dans le monde pour témoigner ma solidarité et partager leur jeûne.

    Ces missions permettent de rappeler au monde le vrai visage de l’Islam.

    J’en reviens toujours plus inspiré par le remarquable sentiment de paix qui règne pendant cette saison.

    En ce mois sacré, puisons dans ces valeurs et dans notre humanité commune afin de bâtir un monde plus juste et pacifique pour tous.

    Ramadan karim.

    *****

    أبعث بأحر تمنياتي إلى المسلمين في العالم أجمع بمناسبة حلول شهر رمضان الفضيل.
          
         فشهر رمضان يجسد قيم التراحم والتعاطف والسخاء.
     
              وهو فرصة لإعادة التواصل مع العائلة والمجتمع.

               وفرصة لتذكر من هم أقل حظاً.
        
           وأود أن أبعث برسالة دعم خاصة إلى جميع أولئك الذين سيقضون هذه الأوقات المباركة وسط أجواء النزوح والعنف.

               وأعرب عن تضامني مع كل أولئك الذين يعانون.
            
       من غزة والمنطقة بأسرها، إلى السودان ومنطقة الساحل وما وراءها.
         
          وأضم صوتي إلى أصوات صائمي رمضان في الدعوة إلى السلام والاحترام المتبادل.
        
           وقد دأبتُ في كل رمضان على القيام بزيارة تضامن وعلى الصيام مع أحد التجمعات المسلمة في أنحاء مختلفة من العالم.
           
      وهي زيارات تذكر العالم بالوجه الحقيقي للإسلام.
             
      ودائما ما أعود محملا بالمزيد من الشعور الرائع بالسلام الذي يفيض به هذا الموسم الرمضاني.

               دعونا، في هذا الشهر الفضيل، نتخذ جميعا من هذه القيم وسيلة للتسامي ونتمسك كلُّنا بإنسانيتنا المشتركة لبناء عالم أكثر عدلاً وسلاما للجميع.

               رمضان كريم.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Allens advises on sale of Tasmania JackJumpers NBL Club

    Source: Allens Insights

    Allens is proud to have advised the LK Group on the sale of the National Basketball League’s (NBL) Tasmania JackJumpers to alternative asset manager, Altor Capital.

    Altor Capital will acquire 51% of the club in mid-2025 before assuming full ownership after a 24-month transition.

    A substantial proportion of the sale proceeds will be reinvested by the LK Group into the NBL and its clubs, as well as the development of the Wilkinsons Point precinct in Hobart.

    ‘We are pleased to have continued our work with the LK Group on the sale of this much-loved Tasmanian team, which will provide continued momentum for the sport of basketball in Tasmania and the wider community,’ said lead partner Mark Malinas.

    ‘We look forward to continuing to watch the NBL continue to grow its fan base and see the JackJumpers flourish under their new owners in Altor Capital.’

    The Allens team worked closely with Group General Counsel of the LK Group, Jeremy Zwaigoft.

    ‘We were delighted to partner with Allens once again on this important transaction. Allens delivered professional, timely and strategic advice throughout the negotiations, and kept us well ahead of the curve, even when working to an accelerated timeline,’ Zwaigoft said.

    ‘This deal secures the JackJumpers’ future with Altor Capital and supports the NBL’s commitment to growing the game of basketball across Australia and internationally.’

    The transaction continues Allens’ work with the NBL and LK Group, with the firm having also advised the NBL on its investment in the WNBL in 2024. 

    Allens legal team

    Mark Malinas (Partner), Nicholas Ng (Partner), Daniel Conti (Senior Associate), Eirene Vlahogiannis (Associate), Grace Vipen (Associate)

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Cross-Border Trade and Economic Immigration In Central Africa

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    Yaoundé — On February 25,2025, The International Relations Institute of Cameroon (IRIC) hosted a workshop on Migration and Trade, organized by the WTO Chair of IRIC and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This event, which had as theme “Cross-Border Trade and Economic Immigration in Central Africa,” aimed to strengthen participants’ capacities on the links between trade and migration. 

    With the overall objective of building a collaborative reflection between academics and practitioners on the correlation between cross-border trade and population immigration within the Central African sub-region, this workshop served as a genuine peer-learning platform. Participants could discover innovative initiatives and projects in different national contexts, thus promoting better integration of these concepts into their strategies and policies.

    In addition to the participation of representatives from public administrations responsible for trade issues in Central African countries, the workshop comprised four distinct sessions, was enriched by the contributions of Mr. Abdel Rahmane DIOP, Chief of Mission of IOM in Cameroon, and Professor Alain Didier OLINGA, holder of the WTO Chair.

    IOM Cameroon presented two critical tools for the monitoring of cross-border movements: the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) and the Flow Monitoring component of the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM). MIDAS is an innovative border management system that allows for the real-time collection and analysis of migration data. Furthermore, the Flow Monitoring component enables the tracking and analysis of mobility trends at strategic points, thereby enhancing the understanding of migration dynamics within the sub-region.

    During the first session of the workshop, participants established a shared understanding of the significant connections between trade and migration, along with the relevant consultation frameworks. The second session concentrated on identifying strategies that multilateral organizations can adopt to optimize the interrelationships between cross-border trade and immigration in Central Africa. The third session provided a comprehensive overview of the migration challenges impacting the economies of the sub-region. Lastly, the final session was dedicated to formulating policies addressing cross-border trade and migration.

    In addition to migration and economic issues, the gender dimension was emphasized through detailed presentations. These discussions highlighted the essential role of women in the economic sector, articulated the importance of their empowerment, and underscored the necessity of mitigating the vulnerabilities they encounter.

    Partners, including IOM and WTO, have reiterated their commitment to assisting the countries of Central Africa in the implementation of effective cross-border trade and migration strategies and policies. They aim to leverage innovative tools to foster more effective border management and to enhance the understanding of migration dynamics.

    Joëlle TSANGA, IOM Cameroon 2025
     

    ***

    For further information, please contact: 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 11 killed in explosions after rally in eastern DR Congo

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The screenshot from a video shows people transferring injured people after explosions in Bukavu, South Kivu Province, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on Feb. 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Several explosions killed at least 11 people and injured 65 others on Thursday in Bukavu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), shortly after a political rally in support of the rebel March 23 Movement (M23).

    The latest casualties were confirmed by Corneille Nangaa, the political leader of the Congo River Alliance, a politico-military group allied with M23.

    The blasts occurred shortly after the rally, where Nangaa spoke at Independence Square in the provincial capital of South Kivu.

    M23 blamed the explosions on the DRC government, saying that some of the attackers were injured or killed, and two suspects were arrested. Nangaa said that he and other senior members of the rebel group present at the rally were not wounded.

    DRC President Felix Tshisekedi condemned the attacks in a statement, extending his sincere condolences to the bereaved families of the victims.

    “We are not going to withdraw. We are at home,” Nangaa said earlier at the political rally, promising to appoint a provincial governor for South Kivu and a mayor for Bukavu.

    He also pledged to rehabilitate the roads between Bukavu and Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. M23 has claimed control of both cities. Earlier this month, the rebel group established a parallel administration in North Kivu.

    “If the banks in Bukavu and Goma do not reopen by next week, the AFC/M23 will take action against these institutions and begin granting licenses so that new banks can start serving the population,” Nangaa said.

    UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix has warned that the conflict in the DRC could escalate into a broader regional crisis. “The potential for regional spillover from the conflict in the DRC is a reality,” Lacroix said on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

    “A regional escalation must be avoided at all costs,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said recently at the 38th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. “There is no military solution. The deadlock must end, and dialogue must begin.”

    The mineral-rich eastern DRC remains a hotspot of conflict, with various groups vying for control over resources such as coltan, tin, tantalum and gold.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Negotiations on Gaza truce deal begin in Cairo

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    People welcome a released Palestinian prisoner in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Feb. 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Israeli and Qatari delegations arrived in the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Thursday for Gaza ceasefire talks, with the participation of U.S. representatives, according to Egypt’s State Information Service (SIS).

    The SIS said in a statement that the concerned parties have begun intensive discussions “on the next stages of the ongoing Gaza truce deal,” while addressing ways to ensure the implementation of the previously agreed-upon understandings.

    The negotiators also touched upon means to enhance the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, as part of the efforts to alleviate the suffering of its people and further support stability in the region, it added.

    Earlier in the day, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced that an Israeli negotiating delegation was sent to Cairo to continue the ceasefire talks, without providing further details.

    The announcement came after the final exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners under the first phase of the truce was completed overnight between Wednesday and Thursday. The 42-day initial phase of the three-stage agreement is set to expire on Saturday.

    In response to a question about whether the delegation heading to Cairo will discuss moving on to a second phase, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said, “Our delegation will go to Cairo and see whether we have common ground to negotiate.”

    “We said we are ready to extend the framework in return for the release of more hostages,” he added. Israeli media said the minister was referring to the framework of phase one.

    Earlier on Thursday, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen told Israeli media that 59 hostages remain in Gaza and securing their release remains a top priority.

    Hamas said on Thursday it was ready to begin talks on the second phase and that the only way the remaining hostages in Gaza would be freed is through commitment to the ceasefire.

    The ongoing Gaza ceasefire agreement, which took effect on Jan. 19, was brokered by Qatar and Egypt, with support from the United States.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Global: Failure to consult Indigenous Peoples on future pandemics will further harm children’s education – Amnesty International

    Source: Amnesty International

    The failure of governments around the world to consult Indigenous Peoples on Covid-19 school closures and other emergency pandemic responses violated their rights, as children continue to feel the effects five years after the first global lockdown, Amnesty International said in a new report today.

    Indigenous leaders interviewed by Amnesty International for its report What If Indigenous Consent Is Not Respected?, testified to sharp and sustained increases in post-pandemic absenteeism and school dropout rates, of more than 80 per cent in some cases, among Indigenous children in more than 10 countries. Indigenous leaders and activists also voiced concerns that the often discriminatory, desultory or non-existent response by authorities to the educational needs of Indigenous children during the pandemic worsened long-standing inequities faced by Indigenous communities – with Indigenous girls and children with disabilities particularly disadvantaged. Going forward, the organization is calling for Indigenous Peoples to be consulted during future pandemics.  (ref. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/pol40/8959/2025/en/ )

    “The Indigenous leaders and activists we spoke to felt completely ignored by governments during the pandemic, which had an enduring and damaging impact on their rights and prospects,” said Chris Chapman, Amnesty International’s Researcher on Indigenous Rights.

    “They said that remote learning solutions were often unavailable to Indigenous children. Those in rural areas, where Indigenous communities often lacked devices, internet connections, electricity and the technological knowledge or capacity to participate in virtual classes or remote learning, were worst affected.”

    When lower-tech solutions such as printed materials were distributed to other groups, Indigenous communities in several different countries said they were passed over, ignored, or asked to pay for them.

    Indigenous campaigner Sylvia Kokunda said: “For the most part these materials were distributed by the local government, since it can be easier for the village chairperson to identify the people in this community. However, local officials would not give the materials to these Batwa people, they would give only to their people.”

    Radio or television-based educational broadcasting during the pandemic was often unavailable in Indigenous languages. An Ogiek activist said that although Sogoot FM 97.1, an Ogiek language radio station, was used to reach the community to inform them about Covid-19 and its impacts, it was not used for school coursework.  

    The report is based on data and more than 80 interviews or collected responses that Amnesty International gathered to explore how Indigenous students around the world were impacted by pandemic-related school closures, including in Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Russia, Taiwan and Uganda. There are 476 million Indigenous people worldwide in more than 90 countries, belonging to 5,000 different Indigenous groups and speaking more than 4,000 languages.

    Technology, discrimination and dropout rates

    Where Indigenous families had limited access to technology for remote learning during the pandemic, boys were often prioritized.

    According to Indigenous women activists from Nepal, “If some families have a mobile, then only one or two will use it. And if there are more children in the house, one has to sacrifice their education. When it comes to the sacrifice, the girls are sacrificed more.”

    Even if Indigenous students had devices capable of being used for remote learning, their families were sometimes unable to afford sufficient data. In addition, remote teaching was rarely provided in Indigenous languages.

    Children with learning difficulties or disabilities which required specialist teaching, for instance through use of sign language or braille, were often excluded, including among Indigenous communities.

    Interviewees in many states said there was often little or no government monitoring, or consideration of the effectiveness of alternative learning initiatives for Indigenous communities. Information on how to access education when schools closed – and they stayed shut for more than 18 months in some countries – was rarely provided in Indigenous languages.

    Students with little or no access to education during the pandemic often worked instead, and never returned to schools when they reopened. Those who did return when schools reopened, often found that they had fallen behind their classmates. If they were unwilling to retake a year, or could not be supported financially, they too dropped out.

    In Kenya, the majority of dropouts of Ogiek students were girls, especially girls who got pregnant during Covid-19 or were subjected to early marriage. However, it affected boys too. An Indigenous activist from Kenya said: “Boys between the ages of 12 and 18 who had begun working in jobs such as motorcycle taxi drivers or farm workers to earn money for themselves and their families also dropped out.”

    Some schools across many states never reopened, further reducing access to education for Indigenous children, Indigenous activists reported.

    Asked to reply to Amnesty’s findings, the Mexican government stated that it responded to the “unprecedented challenge of Covid-19″ by working with Indigenous schools and teachers to roll out a set of measures including distributing materials in five Indigenous languages, sometimes in printed formats where access to internet or devices was restricted, developing new digital educational materials, and capacity-building for schools and parents to use digital platforms.

    Recommendations

    “Significantly more resources are now required to safeguard, restore and improve the educational opportunities and rights of Indigenous communities,” Chris Chapman said.

    “States must work with Indigenous communities to immediately restore and enhance the right to education for all Indigenous children including a focus on re-enrolling Indigenous girls, and Indigenous students with disabilities.”  

    Alongside the report, Amnesty International has shared a guide for researchers who wish to investigate the extent to which the human right to participate effectively in decision-making has been violated, especially when it comes to Indigenous communities. (ref. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/pol30/8958/2025/en/ )

    “Governments must consult with Indigenous Peoples on Covid-19 response measures and other pandemic and emergency response measures, otherwise they risk violating their right to consultation, and their right to give or withhold their consent to decisions affecting them. Our study highlights the risks of failing to take into account the realities, cultures and rights of Indigenous Peoples,” said Chris Chapman.

    “While our report sets out the devastating impact of this lack of inclusion, it’s hoped that Amnesty’s guide will ensure Indigenous people are included in discussions that affect them in the future. Every child has the right to free, high-quality primary education. States must therefore ensure that no child is left behind.”

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI China: European countries vow retaliation against Trump’s tariff threat

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Transatlantic trade tensions have escalated following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 25 percent tariff on European imports, with European countries warning that Europe will react “firmly and immediately” against unjustified barriers.

    The tariff plan announced by Trump on Wednesday covers various European imports, including cars and other goods. Speaking at a White House cabinet meeting, he claimed that the EU has “taken advantage of” the United States by blocking American cars and agricultural products.

    Flags of the European Union fly outside the Berlaymont Building, the European Commission headquarters, in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

    In response, European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said on Thursday at a press briefing that American businesses have reaped significant profits from investments in Europe.

    “By creating a large and integrated single market, the European Union (EU) has facilitated trade, reduced costs for EU exporters and harmonized standards and regulations across all our member states. As a result, U.S. investments in Europe are highly profitable,” he stressed.

    Regarding the tariffs, the European Commission said on Wednesday that the EU would react “firmly and immediately” against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade, including when tariffs are used to challenge legal and non-discriminatory policies.

    Speaking in Washington on Thursday, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola underscored that Europe and the United States have shared values and warned against isolation. She reaffirmed that the EU is ready to respond “firmly and immediately against unjust barriers to free and fair trade.”

    France and Spain shared the EU stance on retaliation, calling for unity to defend Europe’s interests.

    According to French media Le Figaro, French Economy Minister Eric Lombard, who is now participating in the G20 finance minister meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, said that the EU must protect its interests by doing the same as what the United States did.

    “We need to have a firm and proportionate reaction,” French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu told France Info in an interview on Thursday. “The EU must react in the firmest possible way, in the most immediate way and I insist in the most proportionate way, because that’s how it works,” he said.

    The EU will defend itself “against those who attack it with absolutely unjustified tariffs that threaten our economic sovereignty,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said at an event in the Basque Region of northern Spain. He stressed that the EU was “prepared” and the member states will “adopt measures proportionate” in response to the tariffs.

    He emphasized EU’s commitment to open trade and cooperation, in contrast to Trump’s promotion of “isolation.” “We will not abandon that route, because we will keep on looking for collaboration between countries, commercial openness and a multilateral system that is more important than ever,” Sanchez said.

    In addition, he rejected Trump’s statement made on Wednesday that the EU was “formed to screw the United States,” arguing that many of the rich in America are, in fact, “thanks to Europe.”

    On social media platform X, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk echoed Sanchez’s stance. He posted: “The EU was not formed to screw anyone. Quite the opposite. It was formed to maintain peace, to build respect among our nations, to create free and fair trade, and to strengthen our transatlantic friendship.”

    Adolfo Urso, Italian Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, expressed concern over escalating trade tensions with the United States, noting that Italy, with its export-driven economy, is “obviously worried.” Speaking to the media in Paris on Thursday, he stressed the need to avoid a trade war, emphasizing that the West should remain united rather than divided.

    However, Italian industrial leaders have called for a stronger response, blaming Trump’s policy for hindering Europe’s economic development. Emanuele Orsini, president of the Italian industry association Confindustria, warned that Trump’s tariffs disrupt trade dynamics and threaten European businesses and jobs.

    “The real goal of the U.S. is the deindustrialization of our continent,” he said in a statement. “Europe must change the gear: time is up. The measures announced today in Brussels are insufficient,” he added, calling it a “dark hour” for Europe. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Declares State of Emergency for Fires in Custer and Dawes Counties

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Pillen Declares State of Emergency for Fires in Custer and Dawes Counties

     

    LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has declared a state of emergency for fires that have been burning since earlier this week in two counties. The Custer Complex Fire started on Monday and now consists of three active fires. The Schaffer Road Fire started on Tuesday and is located southeast of Chadron. The fires have been fueled by a combination of high winds, low humidity and dry conditions. 

     

    Proclamations issued by the Governor authorize the state’s adjutant general to activate state emergency plans and resources necessary to manage the fires, preventing possible loss of life and property. 

      

    The proclamations are included with this release.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: First Vegas, then the world? Why the NRL is eyeing international markets

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Harcourt, Industry Professor and Chief Economist, University of Technology Sydney

    This weekend, Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL) continues to trumpet its now annual pilgrimage to open its season in Las Vegas.

    While it’s only the second year of a five-year arrangement, the NRL claims its Vegas experiment has been a great success at a time when the league has been in excellent health on and off the field.

    But why is the Australian league hosting games in Las Vegas? And has this experiment paid dividends?

    The NRL has made the bold decision to play games at Las Vegas.

    The NRL’s Vegas play

    There are a few reasons behind the NRL’s Vegas venture, with money at the heart of it.

    It’s partly about future TV revenue and trying to grab a slice of the US sports gambling market.

    And then there’s sponsors – it’s allowed the NRL to fish in the larger US pond in terms of corporate involvement in the game.

    According to NRL CEO Andrew Abdo:

    Outside of the benefit we get here domestically, in America we’ve now got sponsors that are incremental. We would not have had these sponsors had we not been growing in America. We’ve got a successful travel experience for fans, and we’ve got incremental subscriptions on Watch NRL, so you’ve got real revenue coming in which allows to us to now invest in expansion, and invest in a better product here.

    The move is also part of a grand vision to grow the game internationally.

    The NRL has announced a team from Papua New Guinea will join the league in 2028. It is also aiming for more integration with the Super League in England, perhaps one day eyeing franchises in the US and the Pacific.

    The NRL is also conscious of the US National Football League’s venture into Melbourne in 2026 and the competition that could bring for Pacific talent.



    Read more:
    It’s the most American of sports, so why is the NFL looking to Melbourne for international games?

    There may also be some football diplomacy at play. For example, some Sharks players visited the Los Angles firefighters who fought the recent wildfires for some lessons on leadership and crisis management.

    What happened last year?

    The Vegas venture started a year ago with the Sydney Roosters playing the Brisbane Broncos and the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles playing the South Sydney Rabbitohs in a groundbreaking double-header.

    These matches were the first NRL regular season games held outside Australia and New Zealand.

    The crowd at Allegiant Stadium, which holds 65,000 fans, surpassed all expectations, with 40,746 turning up when about 25,000 were expected.

    According to Steve Hill, CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, more than 14,000 fans flew from Australia for the games and many Aussie expats living in the US also made the trip.

    In terms of TV audiences in Australia, the experiment was a big hit.

    The Manly-South Sydney clash was the most-watched NRL game ever on Fox Sports, with 838,000 fans tuning in. The Roosters-Broncos contest drew a Fox Sports audience of 786,000.

    According to NRL chairman Peter V’Landys:

    There was a lot of success in Vegas last year that we didn’t even plan, and for me that was record viewership in Australia and […] record attendances at pubs and clubs.

    Stateside reaction

    Of course a lot of Aussies tuned in, but how about US viewers?

    Around 61,000 tuned into Manly-South Sydney while 44,000 watched the Roosters and Broncos, which is well below the threshold of 100,000 viewers for profitable sports broadcasting, according to TV ratings experts Sports Media Watch in the US.

    The NRL set up fan zones and other activities in the build-up to the games in Las Vegas to attract US fans and entertain the visting Aussie tourists.

    This year there will be even more on offer: there are four games instead of two, with the NRL bringing over the Canberra Raiders and the New Zealand Warriors, and reigning four-time premiers the Penrith Panthers and the Cronulla Sharks.

    In addition, there’s an English Super League game, with the Wigan Warriors taking on Warrington Wolves, as well as an Australia-England women’s Test match.

    Is it worth it?

    So, has it been worth all the expense for the NRL?

    According to V’Landys, the competition’s bottom line has been largely unaffected despite the significant costs of the games:

    This year there’s a possibility that we’ll actually return a profit on Vegas and if not, it’ll be a small loss.

    But he’s not leaving anything to chance. In fact, in a televised plea on US TV show Fox and Friends, V’Landys invited President Donald Trump to attend the game.

    Will the president attend? Unlike a major US event like the Superbowl, where Trump was the first sitting president to attend, there’s not a big domestic constituency for rugby league, so chances are he won’t join the revelry in Vegas.

    But it sounds like the NRL, on current projections, won’t need him.

    With the introduction of a new team in PNG in 2028 and a possible 19th outfit in Perth soon after, the NRL has showcased an impressive vision to take the game into new markets.

    Even if a tiny proportion of the US market jumps on board rugby league, it can only help take the game closer to to its goal of being the undisputed number one sport in Australia.

    Tim Harcourt does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. First Vegas, then the world? Why the NRL is eyeing international markets – https://theconversation.com/first-vegas-then-the-world-why-the-nrl-is-eyeing-international-markets-250622

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: From Protecting Civilians to Combating Crime, Preventing Conflict, United Nations Police Play Vital Role in Peacekeeping, Security Council Told

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Note: Complete coverage of this afternoon’s meeting of the Security Council will be available 28 February.

    United Nations police are a critical part of the Organization’s peacekeeping architecture and must be adequately prepared, equipped and resourced to meet current and future challenges, the Security Council heard today, as it met to discuss UN support to conflict-affected countries.

    Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, said that today’s meeting offers the opportunity to discuss a critical question:  “How can we position United Nations police to be prepared for the future and the challenges that, even as they evolve, retain many known aspects?”  Such challenges, he noted, include lack of adherence to the rule of law, corruption, disregard for international law, transnational organized crime and human-rights violations.  Further, he underlined the need to work collectively to ensure that United Nations police are properly prepared, equipped and resourced “to meet whatever tomorrow brings”.

    Gap between Mandates, Capacity to Deliver

    However, he emphasized that “the gap between peacekeeping mandates and what the missions can, in practice, actually deliver has become increasingly apparent”.  Yet, the Action for Peacekeeping agenda continues to help close this gap, as do the areas prioritized within the Action for Peacekeeping Plus agenda.  Detailing several of these, he added that “rigorous and transparent monitoring of the performance and impact of peacekeeping operations provides the foundation for improving our operations”.  Through such an agenda, he concluded, “we are better placed to address today’s challenges to peace and security and, ultimately, to improve the lives of the people we serve”.

    “Although our footprint may be smaller today”, said Faisal Shahkar, United Nations Police Adviser, the tasks and responsibilities of the United Nations police remain complex.  This includes support to develop host-State policing capacities and institutions that underpin long-term stability and the rule of law.  Noting the need to enhance trust between missions, host-State Government institutions and host populations, he said that it is vital to address mis- and disinformation.  He also called for investment in training, highlighting the United Nations Police Commanders Course — “the crown jewel in the United Nations Police Training Architecture”.

    He also pointed out that United Nations police help reinforce the capacities of their host-State policing counterparts and support their operations, detailing several examples of this — including in the Central African Republic.  There, United Nations police provided extensive training for internal security forces, with a particular emphasis on human rights, gender-based violence and security in preparation for upcoming elections. Underlining the importance of skilled and knowledgeable police commanders, he urged:  “We need your support in ensuring that such officers — including highly skilled women and Francophone officers — are made available.”

    Maintaining Security towards Elections in Central African Republic

    Providing further detail on the situation in that country, Christophe Bizimungu, Chief of the Police Component of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), said that the security situation there will undoubtedly be impacted by upcoming elections.  “In addition to physical security measures, we will contribute towards the prevention of election violence — particularly violence against women and hate speech,” he said.  Noting that United Nations police primarily focus on civilian protection, he said it is ready to support electoral security and ensure that civilians are not affected during this period.

    Ensuring Lasting Calm in Cyprus

    Mingzhu Xu, Senior Police Adviser, United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), also provided country-specific information on United Nations police activities.  She said that as one of the longest-running active missions UNFICYP has consistently upheld efforts to prevent the recurrence of conflict, contribute to the maintenance of law and order and facilitate a return to normal conditions.  While its role has expanded beyond monitoring and reporting in the last five years, she emphasized that the Force’s most-important role is conflict prevention: “Every day, UNPOL officers engage with a multitude of actors in the buffer zone, employing community-oriented policing to defuse tensions, broker compromises and generally keep the peace.”

    …

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pineville Man Sentenced to More than 27 Years in Prison for His Role in the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Production of Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALEXANDRIA, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Daniel Perryman Collins, 34, of Pineville, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell to 325 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, on child pornography charges.  

    This case is the result of an investigation into individuals using the dark web to communicate with others regarding exploiting children on the internet and causing them to produce child pornography. From January to November 2023, Collins and his co-defendant, Michael Bo Peacock, both together and individually, for their sexual gratification, caused minor children to produce child pornographic and sexually explicit images and videos of themselves by the use of threats and blackmail. Collins conducted all of this illegal activity in Pineville, Louisiana, while Peacock was located in the Dallas, Texas area. 

    According to information introduced in court, Collins and Peacock both participated in meeting children and coercing/blackmailing the children to engage in sexually explicit conduct and to produce videos of that conduct. Peacock would often contact a minor victim online and through various social media platforms, including SnapChat, and he and Collins would convince the minor victim to engage in sexually explicit activity and provide a video of that conduct. Collins and Peacock would then blackmail and threaten the victims to provide additional sexually explicit material. As part of the conspiracy, Collins utilized advanced security measures so that those images and materials could not be traced back to himself or Peacock. 

    Collins and Peacock gave each other access to all of the child pornography they had caused minor victims to produce by obtaining an account with an overseas cloud-based file hosting service, so they could post and share the child pornography images and videos that they had produced or obtained. Both defendants had an encryption key to use to access the material they had posted to the site. Through their investigation, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) Child Exploitation Operational Unit determined that Collins and Peacock exploited over 100 child victims and caused them to create child pornography. These images and videos were posted to their shared file hosting account.

    On November 16, 2023, a search warrant was executed at Collins’ residence in Pineville. During the search, law enforcement agents obtained access to the cloud-based file hosting account of Collins and Peacock and were able to download all of the child pornography images and videos which they had created and posted to the account. 

    Collins pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to produce child pornography and one count of enticing a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity on November 21, 2024. Peacock pleaded guilty to the same charges on December 23, 2024, and will be sentenced at a later date. 

    “The sexual exploitation of minor children and the activities that these men participated in is horrendous and sickening,” said Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. “These types of cases are becoming more prevalent in the United States and internationally and can happen in your own neighborhood. We encourage parents to be vigilant in keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity that your children could potentially be exposed to. We will continue to work to uncover this type of illegal activity and protect our minor children from offenders like this.”

    “Through relentless investigations and cutting-edge technology, the FBI works every day to uncover hidden networks, identify victims and bring perpetrators to justice,” said FBI Criminal Investigative Division Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough. “Today’s sentencing sends the message that the FBI is committed to protecting vulnerable lives and ensuring no predator can thrive at the expense of our children.”

    The case was investigated by the FBI’s Headquarter-based Child Exploitation Operation Unit, with assistance from the FBI’s New Orleans and Dallas Field Offices, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Danny Siefker.

    To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as “child pornography” – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678. 

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: US funding cuts confirmed, ending lifesaving support for women and girls

    Source: United Nations 2

    Humanitarian Aid

    The United States has cut $377 million worth of funding to the UN reproductive and sexual health agency, UNFPA, it was confirmed on Thursday, leading to potentially “devasting impacts”, on women and girls.

    “At 7pm on 26 February, UNFPA was informed that nearly all of our grants (48 as of now) with USAID and the US State Department have been terminated,” the UN agency said in a statement.

    “This decision will have devastating impacts on women and girls and the health and aid workers who serve them in the world’s worst humanitarian crises.”

    The USAID grants were designated to provide critical maternal healthcare, protection from violence, rape treatment and other lifesaving care in humanitarian settings.

    This includes UNFPA’s work to end maternal death, safely deliver babies and address horrific violence faced by women and girls in places like Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine.

    From Afghanistan to Ukraine

    The UN agency partners with 150 countries to provide access to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services.

    Its goal is ending unmet needs for family planning, preventable maternal death, gender-based violence and harmful practices, including child marriage and female genital mutilation, by 2030.

    “These termination notices include grants for which we had previously received humanitarian waivers, as they were considered lifesaving interventions for the world’s most vulnerable women and girls,” UNFPA said.

    The grants funded programmes in countries including Afghanistan, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Mali, Sudan, Syria and its neighbouring countries, as well as Ukraine.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Repeat Child Sex Offender Sentenced to More Than 22 Years in Federal Prison

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced Chad Allen Pease (49, Fort Pierce) to 22 years and 7 months in federal prison for attempting to entice or induce a minor to engage in sexual activity and committing a felony offense involving a minor when required to register as a sex offender. A federal jury found Pease guilty on November 20, 2024.

    According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on February 3, 2024, Pease began communicating with an undercover law enforcement officer (UC) whom Pease believed to be the father of a 13-year-old girl. Over the course of the conversation, Pease made plans to meet up with the UC and his “daughter” so that Pease could have sex with the child. Pease drove 18 miles to the meeting location and conducted counter-surveillance before fleeing the scene. Law enforcement identified Pease, reconstructed his activities that evening, and later arrested him at his residence.

    Pease was previously convicted of a sex offense in 2008, after sending explicit photographs and traveling to have sex with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. He has been required to register as a sex offender ever since. 

    “This predator intentionally singled out a child, devised a plan, and executed it with the sole purpose of harming the most vulnerable in our community” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Orlando Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Pezzutti. “HSI investigators, alongside our partners, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, have successfully removed another predator from the streets.”

    This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard Varadan and Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Police units need strong support says UN peacekeeping chief

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    By Vibhu Mishra

    Peace and Security

    The head of UN peacekeeping operations on Thursday called for more investment in the UN Police service, highlighting the mounting challenges officers face in conflict affected regions.

    Briefing ambassadors in the Security Council, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Peace Operations chief, emphasised that UN Police are critical to sustaining peace, operating in increasingly difficult conditions, in the face of organized crime, corruption, human rights violations and weak institutions.

    “Each of us here in this Chamber – Member States, Council members, host countries, and military, police and financial contributors – have a stake in the success of peacekeeping operations,” he said.

    “This is never truer than at times like these, when multilateralism is facing significant headwinds,” he added, urging sustained effort to ensure peacekeeping remains relevant and responsive to today’s challenges.

    Bridging the gap

    Mr. Lacroix noted that the gap between peacekeeping mandates and operational realities has grown, stating that efforts under the Action for Peacekeeping (A4P+) initiative have helped narrow it, improving the effectiveness of police components in UN missions.

    In the Central African Republic (CAR) for instance, UN Police are strengthening national security forces to protect civilians and uphold the rule of law, while in disputed Abyei, they have been instrumental in implementing a strategy to support rule of law to address governance challenges between Sudan and South Sudan.

    The UN is also enhancing police training and operations.  

    A revised UN Police Commanders Course was piloted recently in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, and a collaboration with the Elsie Initiative has improved gender-sensitive living areas in field missions, encouraging more women to serve.

    Technology and innovation

    Mr. Lacroix further highlighted the importance of technology and innovation in peacekeeping, which have enhanced situational awareness and coordination across missions.

    “Through A4P+, we are better placed to address today’s challenges and improve the lives of the people we serve,” he said, calling for greater investment in police training, capacity-building and resources.

    UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

    Jean-Pierre Lacroix (on screen), Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, briefs the Security Council.

    Making a difference

    UN Police Adviser Faisal Shahkar highlighted the work of UN Police in making a tangible difference in host countries by building local capacities and reinforcing the rule of law.

    “In South Sudan, UNMISS Police, with specialized support from the UN Standing Police Capacity, elaborated an integrated strategic election security support plan providing essential technical advice to enhance security preparations for future elections in the country,” he said.

    He noted also capacity building initiatives by UNMISS Police for South Sudanese women officers to enhance their skills to assume leadership positions.

    Mis- and disinformation risks

    Despite these successes, trust between UN missions, host governments, and local populations remains a challenge, particularly due to misinformation and disinformation, Mr. Shakhar said.

    “Although our footprint may be smaller today than when I last briefed you [in November 2023], the United Nations Police’s tasks and responsibilities remain complex,” he said, calling on Member States for sustained leadership and continued political engagement.

    UNMISS

    UNMISS women police officers provide support during a protection of civilian mission in Juba, South Sudan.

    Impact on the ground

    Ambassadors also heard briefings from the heads of police components of the UN peacekeeping missions in the Central African Republic – MINUSCA, and in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

    Commissioner Christophe Bizimungu highlighted MINUSCA’s police efforts in stepping up efforts to ensure security ahead of the 2025 elections, supporting local security forces in preventing electoral violence, particularly against women.  

    It is also tackling rising hate crimes against the Muslim community in Haut Mbomou, where armed Azande militias pose a growing threat, as well as addressing seasonal livestock farming-related violence, deploying specialised units to prevent conflicts.

    UNFICYP Senior Police Adviser Xu Mingzhu, informed Council members of the Mission’s police role in preventing conflict and building trust, particularly through enhanced cooperation between Republic of Cyprus Police and Turkish Cypriot Police.

    The Mission is supporting exchange of information through joint contacts, while also helping ensure the safety of the buffer zone and facilitating civilian activities.

    UN Photo/Nektarios Markogiannis

    MINUSCA police officers interact with community members.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: dLocal Reports 2024 Fourth Quarter Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Full Year 2024 results
    US$25.6 billion Total Payment Volume, up 45% year-over-year
    Revenue of US$746 million, up 15% year-over-year
    113% Net Revenue Retention Rate
    Gross Profit of US$295 million, up 6% year-over-year
    Adjusted EBITDA of US$189 million, down 7% year-over-year

    Fourth Quarter 2024
    US$7.7 billion Total Payment Volume, up 51% year-over-year and 18% quarter-over-quarter
    Revenue of US$204 million, up 9% year-over-year and 10% quarter-over-quarter
    106% Net Revenue Retention Rate
    Gross Profit of US$84 million, up 20% year-over-year and 7% quarter-over-quarter
    Adjusted EBITDA of US$57 million, up 16% year-over-year and 9% quarter-over-quarter

    • Record TPV of $26 billion, a strong growth to 45% YoY with mix continuing to move to newer more attractive markets, while core markets rebounded from Q3 softness;
    • Revenue and gross profits hitting record highs of $746 million and $295 million, respectively;
    • Adjusted EBITDA to GP margins closing out the year at 64%, but improving consistently as the year progressed.

    dLocal reports in US dollars and in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB

    MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DLocal Limited (“dLocal”, “we”, “us”, and “our”) (NASDAQ:DLO), a technology – first payments platform today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024..

    As we walk through a review of our performance over the past quarter and year, and as we have repeatedly mentioned, we think of five pillars underpinning dLocal’s investment thesis:

    • A massive addressable market, given the untapped potential of emerging and frontier markets as they digitize payments and merchants go to market throughout the Global South. 85% of the world’s population resides in emerging markets1, and two thirds of global growth by 2035 will come from there2.
    • Consistent high top line growth, driven by a proven track record of delivering value to the world’s most sophisticated global digital merchants that has allowed us to capture a market leading share of this expanding TAM.
    • Attractive margin business with potential to deliver operational leverage once we have laid the foundational blocks and further scale benefits kick in.
    • Strong cash generating financial model as Net Income converts well into FCF.
    • Investment in product development capabilities to drive growth through new categories, products, feature innovations, and potential M&A activity.

    Our FY 2024 results affirm the investment thesis, highlighted by a record TPV of $26 billion, a strong TPV growth of 45% year-over-year, driven by a shift towards newer, more attractive markets, while core markets rebounded from Q3 softness. Additionally, revenue and gross profits reached record highs of $746 million and $295 million, respectively, with an adjusted EBITDA to GP margins closing the year at 64%, showing consistent improvement throughout the year. Furthermore, Net Income to FCF of Own funds3 conversion exited the year at a rate above 100%.

    These strong 2024 results should be seen in the context of a weak first quarter followed by progressively stronger quarter-over-quarter performance, and the continuation of an investment cycle aimed at achieving greater scalability for our business.

    Building on last quarter’s positive trend, our TPV grew over 50% year-over-year, despite a strong Q4 2023 comparison. Quarter-over-quarter, TPV growth accelerated to nearly 20%, driven by commerce seasonality, and strength in remittances and ride-hailing. In constant currency3, given general weakness in Emerging Markets currencies, those growth rates are even more impressive, about 30 points higher year-over-year.

    Revenues surpassed the milestone of over $200 million in Q4, representing a 9% year-over-year growth. In constant currencies4, revenue growth for the period would have been around 40% year-over-year.

    Our growth continues to reinforce our position as a trusted partner for global companies seeking to do business across emerging markets, with performance coming from a well diversified list of countries, with notable contributions from Argentina, Egypt, Other LatAm and Other Africa and Asia markets. As a result of our expansion into more frontier markets, we also continue to see solid growth in our cross-border volumes.

    In terms of profitability, we reached a record gross profit of $84 million, with a net take rate at 1.1%, reflecting the market dynamic where higher volumes drive lower take rates, increase in the payouts share, and the depreciation of emerging market currencies. To offset this, we are driving cost efficiencies through processor and broker renegotiations and improvements in our hedging strategy. We also continue our push into higher take rate markets and verticals, which over the long term, should partially offset the take rate compression.

    Despite the ongoing step up in investments in our engineering team, operational capabilities, and license portfolio to support our long-term growth ambitions, our Adjusted EBITDA hit a record $57 million in the quarter, with an adjusted EBITDA over gross profit margin improving quarter-over-quarter to 68%.

    Cash generation was also solid, as we continue to increase free cash available to deploy behind our capital allocation strategy. This sustained cash generation increases our flexibility when thinking through M&A, buybacks or re-investing in a disciplined manner back into the business.

    In 2024, we added 9 licenses and registrations, including the UK FCA’s Authorised Payment Institution license, which enhances our competitive edge and demonstrates our commitment to compliant practices and regulatory oversight.

    To sum up, Q4 marked the successful end to 2024 in terms of consistent TPV growth, controlled take rate decline, and balance of investment for future growth with a healthy margin and free cash profile.

    Looking ahead to our 2025 guidance5, we expect a strong TPV growth of 35% – 45% year-over-year, with a revenue growth of 25% – 35% year-over-year that shows this sustained momentum of our top line. We see gross profit growth of 20% – 25% year-over-year, and Adjusted EBITDA growth between 20% and 30% year-over-year.

    Considering those assumptions, we should expect a net take rate compression while delivering high TPV growth even at our scale. Over the midterm, we will work to maintain strong TPV while recognizing that given the extremely strong levels of TPV retention we deliver, our larger merchants will continue to attain lower pricing tiers. We will strive to offset this effect through growth in higher take rate new verticals, natural mix shift towards higher take rate frontier markets, and new revenue streams through product launches.

    This guidance highlights that our combination of revenue growth, margin structure and free cash generation is not that common. There are not that many companies today who are as profitable as we are, growing revenues at the pace we are growing, and consistently generating free cash.

    As known, our business thrives in fast-growing, dynamic markets with massive opportunities in digital payments across emerging markets, driven by strong demand and long-term growth trends. However, these markets also bring volatility from macroeconomic shifts, regulatory changes, and currency fluctuations. While we are confident in our long-term high-growth potential, providing mid-term guidance may not accurately reflect the predictability over a multi-year timeframe. For this reason, we have made the decision to discontinue mid-term guidance. We will continue to focus on delivering strong operational execution so as to hit the annual targets we disclose.

    Looking ahead to 2025, we are confident in our ability to sustain momentum. Our investments in technology, product innovation, and market expansion position us well for growth. Despite the volatility of emerging markets, our disciplined scaling, local expertise, and commitment to delivering value to merchants will differentiate us. Our strategy focuses on capturing the potential of digital payments in high-growth regions, driving operational efficiencies, and reinforcing market leadership. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and committed to executing with the same rigor and discipline that have defined our success.

    1 Source: Euromonitor International: Reaching the emerging middle class beyond BRIC; 2 Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence. 3 Please see Reconciliation of TPV and Revenue constant currency measures to reported results of Q4 2024 Earnings Presentation; 4 Please see Reconciliation of TPV and Revenue constant currency measures to reported results of Q4 2024 Earnings Presentation; 5 please see Full year 2025 outlook on slide 23 of Q4 2024 Earnings Presentation.

    Fourth quarter 2024 financial highlights

    • Total Payment Volume (“TPV”) reached a record US$7.7 billion in the fourth quarter, up 51% year-over-year compared to US$5.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023 and up 18% compared to US$6.5 billion in the third quarter of 2024. In constant currencies1, TPV growth for the period would have been 81% year-over-year.
    • Revenues amounted to US$204.5 million, up 9% year-over-year compared to US$188.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and up 10% compared to US$185.8 million in the third quarter of 2024. This quarter-over-quarter increase was mostly driven by volume increase in Egypt, as well as positive results in Other LatAm and Other Africa and Asia, with notable performance in South Africa, Turkey, Colombia and Ecuador. In constant currencies1, revenue growth for the period would have been 42% year-over-year.
    • Gross profit was US$83.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, up 20% compared to US$69.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and up 7% compared to US$78.2 million in the third quarter of 2024. The improvement in gross profit quarter-over-quarter was primarily due to volume growth in Argentina, Egypt, Nigeria and Turkey. These positive factors were partially offset by (i) Mexico, given the higher growth of Tier 0 merchants coupled with a shift in the payment mix; (ii) Brazil, given the lower take rates from the new Payment Orchestration option launched in the third quarter of 2024 (which positively allowed for volume recovery versus the prior quarter) and shift in the payment mix; and (iii) Other LatAm markets, that despite delivering positive volume performance, on a quarter-over-quarter comparison was impacted by the strong growth in Q3 from wider FX spreads in certain smaller markets, as disclosed in the previous quarterly results.
    • As a result, gross profit margin was 41% in this quarter, compared to 37% in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 42% in the third quarter of 2024.
    • Gross profit over TPV was at 1.1% decreasing from 1.4% in the fourth quarter of 2023 and from 1.2% compared to the third quarter of 2024.
    • Operating income was US$42.3 million, up 3% compared to US$41.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and up 3% compared to US$41.1 million in the third quarter of 2024, as we resumed the pace of certain investments in building out our capabilities. In this context, operating expenses grew by 44% year-over-year, with most of the growth allocated to Product Development & IT capabilities, with these expenses increasing by 70% year-over-year while combined Sales and Marketing (S&M) and G&A expenses grew by 29%. On the sequential comparison, operating expenses increased 12% quarter-over-quarter, a reflection of (i) growth in combined S&M and G&A expenses, driven by continued investment in operating capabilities and marketing investments; and (ii) slightly down tech and development expenses as increases in headcount were offset by reductions in other IT expenditures.
    • As a result, Adjusted EBITDA was US$56.9 million, up 16% compared to US$49.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and up 9% compared to US$52.4 million in the third quarter of 2024.
    • Adjusted EBITDA margin was 28%, compared to the 26% recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 28% in the third quarter of 2024. On the annual comparison, the increase is explained by investments in core areas to drive efficiency and ensure future growth while maintaining our lean and disciplined structure. Adjusted EBITDA over gross profit of 68% decreased compared to 71% in the fourth quarter of 2023 and increased compared to 67% in the third quarter of 2024.
    • Net financial cost was US$1.1 million, compared to a finance income of US$1.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and a cost of US$10.1 million in the third quarter of 2024, as explained in the Net Income section.
    • Our effective income tax rate increased to 27% from 8% last quarter, and stands at 20% on a year-to-date basis. In the fourth quarter of 2024, effective income tax rate was impacted by an income tax settlement related to previous periods. Excluding this tax settlement, our effective income tax rate stood at 16% for the fourth quarter and 17% for the year compared to 16% in 2023, as a result of slightly higher local-to-local share of pre-tax income.
    • Net income for the fourth quarter of 2024 was US$29.7 million, or US$0.10 per diluted share, up 4% compared to a profit of US$28.5 million, or US$0.10 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2023 and up 11% compared to a profit of US$26.8 million, or US$0.09 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2024. During the current period, net income was mostly affected by the positive non-cash mark to market effect related to our Argentine bond investments, lower finance costs partially offset by higher taxes. Adjusted net income for the fourth quarter of 2024 was US$45.8 million, up 13% compared to US$40.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 and up 6% compared to US$43.4 million for the third quarter of 2024.
    • As of December 31, 2024, dLocal had US$425.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, including US$189.0 million of own funds and US$236.1 million of merchants’ funds. The consolidated cash position decreased by US$111.0 million from US$536.2 million as of December 31, 2023. When compared to the US$560.5 million cash position as of September 30, 2024, it decreased by US$135.4 million. The variation quarter-over-quarter is primarily explained by changes in merchant working capital, driven by: (i) increase in trade receivables due to temporary settlement delays before year-end; coupled with (ii) decrease in trade payables due to a shift in settlement periods with certain merchants and higher settlement of accumulated merchant balances.

    1Please see Reconciliation of TPV and Revenue constant currency measures to reported results of Q4 2024 Earnings Presentation.

    The following table summarizes our key performance metrics:

      Three months ended December 31 Twelve months ended December 31
      2024 2023 % change 2024 2023 % change
    Key Performance metrics (In millions of US$ except for %)
    TPV 7,714 5,111 51% 25,575 17,677 45%
    Revenue 204.5 188.0 9% 746.0 650.4 15%
    Gross Profit 83.7 69.7 20% 294.7 276.9 6%
    Gross Profit margin 41% 37% 4p.p 40% 43% -3p.p
    Adjusted EBITDA 56.9 49.2 16% 188.7 202.3 -7%
    Adjusted EBITDA margin 28% 26% 2p.p 25% 31% -6p.p
    Adjusted EBITDA/Gross Profit 68% 71% -3p.p 64% 73% -9p.p
    Profit 29.7 28.5 4% 120.5 149.1 -19%
    Profit margin 15% 15% -1p.p 16% 23% -7p.p
                 

    Fourth quarter 2024 business highlights

    • During the fourth quarter of 2024, pay-ins TPV increased 44% year-over-year and 15% quarter-over-quarter to US$5.3 billion, accounting for 69% of the TPV.
    • Pay-outs TPV increased by 68% year-over-year and 26% quarter-over-quarter to US$2.4 billion, accounting for the remaining 31% of the TPV.
    • Cross-border TPV increased by 67% year-over-year and 23% quarter-over-quarter to US$3.7 billion. Cross-border volume accounted for 48% of the TPV in the fourth quarter of 2024.
    • Local-to-local TPV increased by 38% year-over-year and 14% quarter-over-quarter to US$4.0 billion. Local-to-local volume accounted for 52% of the TPV in the fourth quarter of 2024.
    • LatAm revenue increased 16% year-over-year to US$152.9 million, accounting for 75% of total revenue. On the annual comparison, the growth was primarily driven by (i) volume growth in Argentina; and (ii) strong performance of Other LatAm, particularly in Colombia. This result was partially offset by Brazil due to (i) lower take rates from the new Payment Orchestration option launched in the third quarter of 2024; and (ii) shift in the payment mix. Sequentially, LatAm revenue grew by 5%, mainly driven by the performance of Other LatAm, especially in Colombia and Ecuador. The positive result was offset by (i) Argentina, impacted by the lower FX spreads; (ii) Brazil, as previously explained; and (iii) Mexico, due to higher growth of Tier 0 merchants coupled with a shift in the payment mix.
    • In the Africa and Asia region, revenue decreased by 9% year-over-year, primarily driven by Nigeria due to the Naira devaluation in February of 2024; partially offset by (i) the strong growth performance in Egypt; and (ii) in Other Africa and Asia, particularly the performance in South Africa in the commerce vertical. Those regions are also the main drivers of the sequential increase.
    • LatAm gross profit increased by 3% year-over-year and 1% quarter-over-quarter to US$56.4 million, accounting for 67% of total gross profit. Most of the year-over-year increase is explained by the volume growth in Argentina, Mexico, and other LatAm markets, which were mostly offset by Brazil as just explained, and currency devaluations. Sequentially, the growth was mainly driven by Argentina’s positive performance; offset by drivers in Mexico and Brazil, as explained previously. Other Latam markets, which continue to grow TPV, were negatively impacted quarter-over-quarter due to the strong Q3 growth from wider FX spreads in smaller markets, as previously disclosed.
    • Africa and Asia gross profit increased by 82% year-over-year to US$27.3 million, accounting for the remaining 33% of total gross profit. This annual comparison is explained by TPV growth in Egypt, ramp-up of commerce merchants in South Africa, and positive performance in Other Africa and Asia markets, including Turkey and Vietnam. Sequentially, gross profit increased by 21%, attributable to the positive performance in Egypt, Nigeria and Turkey in categories such as remittances, financial services, ads and streaming.
    • During the quarter, Revenue from Existing Merchants reached US$198.3 million compared to US$ 179.9 million in the third quarter of 2024. On the annual comparison, Revenue from Existing Merchants increased by 13% and the net revenue retention rate, or NRR, reached 106%.
    • Revenue from New Merchants accounted for US$6.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to US$11.8 million in the same quarter of the prior year.

    The tables below present the breakdown of dLocal’s TPV by product and type of flow:

    In millions of US$ except for % Three months ended December 31 Twelve months ended December 31
      2024 % share 2023 % share 2024 % share 2023 % share
    Pay-ins 5,340 69% 3,701 72% 17,902 70% 12,823 73%
    Pay-outs 2,373 31% 1,410 28% 7,673 30% 4,855 27%
    Total TPV 7,714 100% 5,111 100% 25,575 100% 17,677 100%
                     
    In millions of US$ except for % Three months ended December 31 Twelve months ended December 31
      2024 % share 2023 % share 2024 % share 2023 % share
    Cross-border 3,740 48% 2,235 44% 11,902 47% 8,670 49%
    Local-to-local 3,974 52% 2,876 56% 13,673 53% 9,007 51%
    Total TPV 7,714 100% 5,111 100% 25,575 100% 17,677 100%
                     

    The tables below present the breakdown of dLocal’s revenue by geography:

    In millions of US$ except for % Three months ended December 31 Twelve months ended December 31
      2024 % share 2023 % share 2024 % share 2023 % share
    Latin America 152.9 75% 131.5 70% 562.2 75% 492.7 76%
    Brazil 33.7 16% 50.2 27% 152.0 20% 159.0 24%
    Argentina 25.1 12% 10.5 6% 85.5 11% 75.1 12%
    Mexico 40.5 20% 35.6 19% 149.2 20% 116.8 18%
    Chile 13.5 7% 14.9 8% 51.2 7% 55.7 9%
    Other LatAm 40.1 20% 20.3 11% 124.4 17% 86.1 13%
                     
    Africa & Asia 51.6 25% 56.5 30% 183.8 25% 157.7 24%
    Nigeria 2.9 1% 28.4 15% 13.3 2% 84.0 13%
    Egypt 21.4 10% 18.4 10% 94.0 13% 36.7 6%
    Other Africa & Asia 27.4 13% 9.7 5% 76.5 10% 37.0 6%
                     
    Total Revenue 204.5 100% 188.0 100% 746.0 100% 650.4 100%
                     

    The tables below present the breakdown of dLocal’s gross profit by geography:

    In millions of US$ except for % Three months ended December 31 Twelve months ended December 31
      2024 % share 2023 % share 2024 % share 2023 % share
    Latin America 56.4 67% 54.7 79% 214.2 73% 228.7 83%
    Brazil 14.8 18% 25.5 37% 67.3 23% 78.8 28%
    Argentina 9.2 11% 4.0 6% 28.7 10% 48.7 18%
    Mexico 10.9 13% 9.3 13% 42.5 14% 34.7 13%
    Chile 9.2 11% 9.1 13% 33.1 11% 34.0 12%
    Other LatAm 12.4 15% 7.0 10% 42.6 14% 32.6 12%
                     
    Africa & Asia 27.3 33% 15.0 21% 80.5 27% 48.1 17%
    Nigeria 2.4 3% 1.5 2% 6.6 2% 5.8 2%
    Egypt 16.0 19% 9.6 14% 48.4 16% 26.1 9%
    Other Africa & Asia 8.9 11% 3.9 6% 25.5 9% 16.2 6%
                     
    Total Gross Profit 83.7 100% 69.7 100% 294.7 100% 276.9 100%
                     

    Special note regarding Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin

    dLocal has only one operating segment. dLocal measures its operating segment’s performance by Revenues, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin, and uses these metrics to make decisions about allocating resources.

    Adjusted EBITDA as used by dLocal is defined as the profit from operations before financing and taxation for the year or period, as applicable, before depreciation of property, plant and equipment, amortization of right-of-use assets and intangible assets, and further excluding the finance income and costs, impairment gains/(losses) on financial assets, transaction costs, share-based payment non-cash charges,other operating gain/loss,other non-recurring costs, and inflation adjustment. dLocal defines Adjusted EBITDA Margin as the Adjusted EBITDA divided by consolidated revenues.

    Although Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin may be commonly viewed as non-IFRS measures in other contexts, pursuant to IFRS 8, (“Operating Segments”), Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are treated by dLocal as IFRS measures based on the manner in which dLocal utilizes these measures. Nevertheless, dLocal’s Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin metrics should not be viewed in isolation or as a substitute for net income for the periods presented under IFRS. dLocal also believes that its Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin metrics are useful metrics used by analysts and investors, although these measures are not explicitly defined under IFRS. Additionally, the way dLocal calculates operating segment’s performance measures may be different from the calculations used by other entities, including competitors, and therefore, dLocal’s performance measures may not be comparable to those of other entities. Finally, dLocal is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking guidance for Adjusted EBITDA because dLocal cannot reliably predict certain of their necessary components, such as impairment gains/(losses) on financial assets, transaction costs, and inflation adjustment.

    The table below presents a reconciliation of dLocal’s Adjusted EBITDA to net income:

    $ in thousands Three months ended December 31 Twelve months ended December 31
      2024 2023 2024 2023
    Profit for the period 29,701 28,481 120,469 149,086
    Income tax expense 11,090 7,476 30,550 29,428
    Depreciation and amortization 4,888 3,604 17,177 12,225
    Finance income and costs, net 1,085 (996) (17,174) (11,394)
    Share-based payment non-cash charges 6,339 4,850 23,780 11,922
    Other operating loss¹ 1,307 – 5,257 –
    Impairment loss / (gain) on financial assets 533 (657) 440 (3,136)
    Inflation adjustment 392 6,040 6,655 12,537
    Other non-recurring costs² 1,571 434 1,571 1,663
    Adjusted EBITDA 56,906 49,232 188,725 202,332
             

    Note: 1 The company wrote-off certain amounts related to merchants/processors off-boarded by dLocal. 2 Other non-recurring costs consist of costs not directly associated with our core business activities, including costs associated with addressing the allegations made by a short-seller report and certain class action and other legal and regulatory expenses (which include fees from counsel, global expert services and a forensic accounting advisory firm) in 2023 and 2024.

    Special note regarding Adjusted Net Income

    Adjusted Net Income is a non-IFRS financial measure. As used by dLocal, Adjusted Net Income is defined as the profit for the period (net income) excluding impairment gains/(losses) on financial assets, transaction costs, share-based payment non-cash charges, and other operating (gain)/loss, in line with our Adjusted EBITDA calculation (see detailed methodology for Adjusted EBITDA on page 13). It further excludes the accounting non-cash charges related to the fair value gain from the Argentine dollar-linked bonds, the exchange difference loss from the intercompany loan denominated in USD that we granted to our Argentine subsidiary to purchase the bonds, and the hedging cost associated with the Argentina treasury notes. In addition, it excludes the inflation adjustment based on IFRS rules for hyperinflationary economies. We believe Adjusted Net Income is a useful measure for understanding our results of operations while excluding certain non-cash effects such as currency devaluation, inflation, and hedging costs. Our calculation for Adjusted Net Income may differ from similarly-titled measures presented by other companies and should not be considered in isolation or as a replacement for our measure of profit for the period as presented in accordance with IFRS.

    The table below presents a reconciliation of dLocal’s Adjusted net income:

    $ in thousands Three months ended December 31 Twelve months ended December 31
      2024 2023 2024 2023
    Net income as reported 29,701 28,481 120,469 149,086
    Inflation adjustment 392 6,040 6,655 12,537
    Loan – exchange difference 2,332 51,858 22,602 81,024
    Argentina Treasury Notes Hedging Costs 5,536 – 9,808 –
    Fair value loss / (gain) of financial assets at FVTPL (5,115) (50,754) (38,609) (78,640)
    Impairment loss / (gain) on financial assets 533 (657) 440 (3,135)
    Share-based payment non-cash charges 6,339 4,850 23,780 11,922
    Other operating loss¹ 1,307 – 5,257 –
    Other non-recurring costs³ 1,571 434 1,571 1,663
    Tax effect on adjustments (1,310) 386 (899) 834
    Adjusted net income 45,828 40,638 155,616 175,291
             

    Unaudited quarterly results.

    Note: 1 The company wrote-off certain amounts related to merchants/processors off-boarded by dLocal. 2 In Q4 2024, income tax was impacted by an income tax settlement related to previous periods, as disclosed in the Note 12 – Income Tax. 3 Other non-recurring costs consist of costs not directly associated with our core business activities, including costs associated with addressing the allegations made by a short-seller report and certain class action and other legal and regulatory expenses (which include fees from counsel, global expert services and a forensic accounting advisory firm) in 2023 and 2024.

    Earnings per share

    We calculate basic earnings per share by dividing the profit attributable to owners of the group by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the three-month and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

    Our diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to owners of the group of dLocal by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus the weighted average number of common shares that would be issued on conversion of all dilutive potential common shares into common shares.

    The following table presents the information used as a basis for the calculation of our earnings per share:

      Three months ended December 31 Twelve months ended December 31
      2024 2023 2024 2023
    Profit attributable to common shareholders (USD) 29,682,000 28,515,000 120,416,000 148,964,000
    Weighted average number of common shares 280,443,489 290,657,015 290,014,019 291,982,305
    Adjustments for calculation of diluted earnings per share 14,417,466 5,008,261 15,122,271 10,976,123
    Weighted average number of common shares for calculating diluted earnings per share 294,860,956 295,665,276 305,136,290 302,958,428
    Basic earnings per share 0.11 0.10 0.42 0.51
    Diluted earnings per share 0.10 0.10 0.39 0.49
             

    This press release does not contain sufficient information to constitute an interim financial report as defined in International Accounting Standards 34, “Interim Financial Reporting” nor a financial statement as defined by International Accounting Standards 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements”. The quarterly financial information in this press release has not been audited, whereas the annual results for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 are audited.

    Conference call and webcast
    dLocal’s management team will host a conference call and audio webcast on February 27, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Please click here to pre-register for the conference call and obtain your dial in number and passcode.

    The live conference call can be accessed via audio webcast at the investor relations section of dLocal’s website, at https://investor.dlocal.com/. An archive of the webcast will be available for a year following the conclusion of the conference call. The investor presentation will also be filed on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

    About dLocal
    dLocal powers local payments in emerging markets, connecting global enterprise merchants with billions of emerging market consumers in more than 40 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Through the “One dLocal” platform (one direct API, one platform, and one contract), global companies can accept payments, send pay-outs and settle funds globally without the need to manage separate pay-in and pay-out processors, set up numerous local entities, and integrate multiple acquirers and payment methods in each market.

    Definition of selected operational metrics
    “API” means application programming interface, which is a general term for programming techniques that are available for software developers when they integrate with a particular service or application. In the payments industry, APIs are usually provided by any party participating in the money flow (such as payment gateways, processors, and service providers) to facilitate the money transfer process.

    “Cross-border” means a payment transaction whereby dLocal is collecting in one currency and settling into a different currency and/or in a different geography.

    “Local payment methods” refers to any payment method that is processed in the country where the end user of the merchant sending or receiving payments is located, which include credit and debit cards, cash payments, bank transfers, mobile money, and digital wallets.

    “Local-to-local” means a payment transaction whereby dLocal is collecting and settling in the same currency.

    “Net Revenue Retention Rate” or “NRR” is a U.S. dollar-based measure of retention and growth of dLocal’s merchants. NRR is calculated for a period or year by dividing the Current Period/Year Revenue by the Prior Period/Year Revenue. The Prior Period/Year Revenue is the revenue billed by us to all our customers in the prior period. The Current Period/Year Revenue is the revenue billed by us in the current period to the same customers included in the Prior Period/Year Revenue. Current Period/Year Revenue includes revenues from any upselling and cross-selling across products, geographies, and payment methods to such merchant customers, and is net of any contractions or attrition, in respect of such merchant customers, and excludes revenue from new customers on-boarded in the preceding twelve months. As most of dLocal revenues come from existing merchants, the NRR rate is a key metric used by management, and we believe it is useful for investors in order to assess our retention of existing customers and growth in revenues from our existing customer base.

    “Pay-in” means a payment transaction whereby dLocal’s merchant customers receive payment from their customers.

    “Pay-out” means a payment transaction whereby dLocal disburses money in local currency to the business partners or customers of dLocal’s merchant customers.

    “Revenue from New Merchants” means the revenue billed by us to merchant customers that we did not bill revenues in the same quarter (or period) of the prior year.

    “Revenue from Existing Merchants” means the revenue billed by us in the last twelve months to the merchant customers that we billed revenue in the same quarter (or period) of the prior year.

    “TPV” dLocal presents total payment volume, or TPV, which is an operating metric of the aggregate value of all payments successfully processed through dLocal’s payments platform. Because revenue depends significantly on the total value of transactions processed through the dLocal platform, management believes that TPV is an indicator of the success of dLocal’s global merchants, the satisfaction of their end users, and the scale and growth of dLocal’s business.

    Rounding: We have made rounding adjustments to some of the figures included in this interim report. Accordingly, numerical figures shown as totals in some tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that preceded them.

    Forward-looking statements
    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements convey dLocal’s current expectations or forecasts of future events, including guidance in respect of total payment volume, revenue, gross profit and Adjusted EBITDA. Forward-looking statements regarding dLocal and amounts stated as guidance are based on current management expectations and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause dLocal’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are described in the “Risk Factors,” “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” sections of dLocal’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless required by law, dLocal undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events after the date hereof. In addition, dLocal is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking guidance for Adjusted EBITDA, because dLocal cannot reliably predict certain of their necessary components, such as impairment gains/(losses) on financial assets, transaction costs, and inflation adjustment.

    dLocal Limited
    Certain financial information
    Consolidated Condensed Interim Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three-month and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
    (All amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars except share data or as otherwise indicated)

      Three months ended December 31 Twelve months ended December 31
      2024 2023 2024 2023
    Continuing operations        
    Revenues 204,491 188,005 745,974 650,351
    Cost of services (120,780) (118,286) (451,301) (373,492)
    Gross profit 83,711 69,719 294,673 276,859
             
    Technology and development expenses (6,822) (4,024) (25,625) (12,650)
    Sales and marketing expenses (5,598) (4,710) (21,626) (17,120)
    General and administrative expenses (27,183) (20,641) (101,225) (70,568)
    Impairment (loss)/gain on financial assets (533) 657 (440) 3,136
    Other operating (loss)/gain (1,307) – (5,257) –
    Operating profit 42,268 41,001 140,500 179,657
    Finance income 12,036 57,913 66,875 128,228
    Finance costs (13,121) (56,917) (49,701) (116,834)
    Inflation adjustment (392) (6,040) (6,655) (12,537)
    Other results (1,477) (5,044) 10,519 (1,143)
    Profit before income tax 40,791 35,957 151,019 178,514
    Income tax expense (11,090) (7,476) (30,550) (29,428)
    Profit for the period 29,701 28,481 120,469 149,086
             
    Profit attributable to:        
    Owners of the Group 29,682 28,515 120,416 148,964
    Non-controlling interest 19 (34) 53 122
    Profit for the period 29,701 28,481 120,469 149,086
             
    Earnings per share (in USD)        
    Basic Earnings per share 0.11 0.10 0.42 0.51
    Diluted Earnings per share 0.10 0.10 0.39 0.49
             
    Other comprehensive income        
    Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss:        
    Exchange difference on translation on foreign operations (4,417) (9,054) (11,188) (7,713)
    Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax (4,417) (9,054) (11,188) (7,713)
    Total comprehensive income for the period, net of tax 25,284 19,427 109,281 141,373
             
    Total comprehensive income for the period        
    Owners of the Group 25,311 19,463 109,290 141,255
    Non-controlling interest (27) (36) (9) 118
    Total comprehensive income for the period 25,284 19,427 109,281 141,373
             

    dLocal Limited
    Certain financial information
    Consolidated Condensed Interim Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023
    (All amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

      December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
    ASSETS      
    Current Assets      
    Cash and cash equivalents 425,172   536,160
    Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 129,319   102,677
    Trade and other receivables 496,713   363,374
    Derivative financial instruments 2,874   2,040
    Other assets 18,805   11,782
    Total Current Assets 1,072,883   1,016,033
           
    Non-Current Assets      
    Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss –   1,710
    Trade and other receivables 18,044   –
    Deferred tax assets 5,367   2,217
    Property, plant and equipment 3,377   2,917
    Right-of-use assets 3,645   3,689
    Intangible assets 63,318   57,887
    Other assets 4,695   –
    Total Non-Current Assets 98,446   68,420
    TOTAL ASSETS 1,171,329   1,084,453
           
    LIABILITIES      
    Current Liabilities      
    Trade and other payables 597,787   602,493
    Lease liabilities 1,137   626
    Tax liabilities 21,515   20,800
    Derivative financial instruments 6,227   948
    Financial liabilities 50,455   –
    Provisions 500   362
    Total Current Liabilities 677,621   625,229
           
    Non-Current Liabilities      
    Deferred tax liabilities 1,858   753
    Lease liabilities 2,863   3,331
    Total Non-Current Liabilities 4,721   4,084
    TOTAL LIABILITIES 682,342   629,313
           
    EQUITY      
    Share Capital 570   591
    Share Premium 186,769   173,001
    Treasury Shares (200,980)   (99,936)
    Capital Reserve 33,438   21,575
    Other Reserves (20,934)   (9,808)
    Retained earnings 490,024   369,608
    Total Equity Attributable to owners of the Group 488,887   455,031
    Non-controlling interest 100   109
    TOTAL EQUITY 488,987   455,140
    TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 1,171,329   1,084,453
           

    dLocal Limited
    Certain interim financial information
    Consolidated Statements of Cash flows for the three-month and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
    (All amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

      Three months ended December 31 Twelve months ended December 31
      2024 2023 2024 2023
    Cash flows from operating activities        
    Profit before income tax 40,791 35,957 151,019 178,514
    Adjustments:        
    Interest Income from financial instruments (6,921) (7,159) (28,266) (49,588)
    Interest charges for lease liabilities 370 110 501 578
    Other interests charges 739 2,503 3,758 5,623
    Finance expense related to derivative financial instruments (627) 5,497 19,462 28,013
    Net exchange differences 5,914 50,100 24,787 82,620
    Fair value loss/(gain) on financial assets at FVPL (3,922) (50,754) (37,416) (78,640)
    Amortization of Intangible assets 4,364 3,251 15,511 10,816
    Depreciation and disposals of PP&E and right-of-use 652 353 1,884 1,409
    Share-based payment expense, net of forfeitures 6,339 4,850 23,780 11,922
    Other operating gain 786 – 4,736 –
    Net Impairment loss/(gain) on financial assets 533 2,796 440 318
    Inflation adjustment and other financial results (5,704) 9,041 (17,063) 9,041
      43,313 56,546 163,133 200,626
    Changes in working capital        
    Increase in Trade and other receivables (109,487) (51,154) (162,645) (123,246)
    Decrease / (Increase) in Other assets 4,128 13,258 5,427 45,007
    Increase / (Decrease) in Trade and Other payables (70,700) 52,654 (6,957) 194,619
    Increase / (Decrease) in Tax Liabilities (3,835) (6,591) (3,184) (10,967)
    Increase / (Decrease) in Provisions 222 (275) 138 (1,111)
    Cash (used) / generated from operating activities (136,359) 64,438 (4,088) 304,928
    Income tax paid (4,773) (2,996) (28,696) (11,475)
    Net cash (used) / generated from operating activities (141,132) 61,442 (32,784) 293,453
             
    Cash flows from investing activities        
    Acquisitions of Property, plant and equipment (427) 21 (1,705) (965)
    Additions of Intangible assets (5,699) (4,758) (20,942) (17,260)
    Acquisition of financial assets at FVPL (14,852) (15,847) (121,468) (117,517)
    Collections of financial assets at FVPL – 3,721 108,097 1,487
    Interest collected from financial instruments 6,921 7,159 28,266 49,588
    Payments for investments in other assets at FVPL (10,000) – (10,000) –
    Net cash (used in) / generated investing activities (24,057) (9,704) (17,752) (84,667)
             
    Cash flows from financing activities        
    Repurchase of shares – – (101,067) (97,929)
    Share-options exercise paid 358 – 1,853 153
    Interest payments on lease liability (370) (110) (501) (578)
    Principal payments on lease liability (112) (315) (552) (1,103)
    Finance expense paid related to derivative financial instruments (8) (7,640) (15,017) (28,443)
    Net proceeds from financial liabilities 33,653 – 50,428 –
    Interest payments on financial liabilities (1,633) – (2,281) –
    Other finance expense paid (327) (2,851) (1,450) (5,971)
    Net cash used in by financing activities 31,561 (10,916) (68,587) (133,871)
    Net increase in cash flow (133,628) 40,822 (119,123) 74,915
             
    Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 560,533 498,165 536,160 468,092
    Net (decrease)/increase in cash flow (133,628) 40,822 (119,123) 74,915
    Effects of exchange rate changes on inflation and cash and cash equivalents (1,732) (2,827) 8,135 (6,847)
    Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 425,172 536,160 425,172 536,160
             

    Investor Relations Contact:
    investor@dlocal.com

    Media Contact:
    media@dlocal.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Recidivist child predator, sex offender sentenced to more than 22 years

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    ORLANDO, Fla. – A Florida man was sentenced Feb. 20, 2025, to 22 years and 7 months in federal prison for attempting to entice or induce a minor to engage in sexual activity and committing a felony offense involving a minor when required to register as a sex offender following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Orlando.

    Chad Allen Pease, 49, of Fort Pierce, was found guilty by a federal jury on Nov. 20, 2024.

    “This predator intentionally singled out a child, devised a plan, and executed it with the sole purpose of harming the most vulnerable in our community,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Pezzutti. “HSI investigators, alongside our partners, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, have successfully removed another predator from the streets.”

    According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on Feb. 3, 2024, Pease began communicating with an undercover law enforcement officer whom Pease believed to be the father of a 13-year-old girl. Over the course of the conversation, Pease made plans to meet up with the undercover agent and his “daughter” so that Pease could have sex with the child. Pease drove 18 miles to the meeting location and conducted counter-surveillance before fleeing the scene. Law enforcement identified Pease, reconstructed his activities that evening, and later arrested him at his residence.

    Pease was previously convicted of a sex offense in 2008, after sending explicit photographs and traveling to have sex with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. He has been required to register as a sex offender ever since.

    This case was investigated by ICE Orlando and the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Varadan and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Del Mastro.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: At Hearing, Warren Warns Republican Cuts to Medicaid Would Harm Millions of Americans Struggling with Opioid Addiction

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    February 27, 2025

    One study found that the health care and criminal justice systems save up to $100,000 over the course of a person’s life when they are treated with medication for opioid addiction. 

    “If Republicans really wanted to save money, they’d be expanding treatment to folks they claim they want to represent here, rather than ripping it away so that we can bankroll tax cuts for billionaires.”

    Video of Exchange (YouTube)

    Washington, D.C. – At a hearing of the Senate Committee on Aging, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) slammed Republican proposals to cut Medicaid, which would harm the millions of Americans struggling with opioid addiction who rely on Medicaid to receive treatment. Medicaid is the single largest payer of substance use disorder services in the entire country. 

    Republicans’ plan would pay for more tax cuts for billionaires by slashing Medicaid funding by over $800 billion.

    Dr. Malik Burnett, Assistant Professor in Addiction Medicine at the University of Maryland Midtown Campus, testified that capping Medicaid funding would limit patients’ options for addiction treatment. It would also reduce access to in-network providers for Medicaid patients as more providers would disenroll from the Medicaid network, denying patients the ability to access treatment close to where they live. 

    Dr. Burnett also testified that receiving opioid addiction treatment allows people to return to work sooner and become productive members of society, ultimately reducing strain on the social safety net. As a result, cutting Medicaid funding would actually force states to spend more. 

    Senator Warren called on Republicans in Congress to deliver real solutions to the constituents they represent instead of pushing for tax cuts for billionaires and large corporations while ripping away people’s health care.

    Transcript: Hearing to Examine Combating the Opioid Epidemic
    U.S. Senate Committee On Aging
    February 26, 2025

    Senator Elizabeth Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you and Ranking Member Gillibrand for holding this hearing today. It’s a really important topic, and I appreciate the care with which you treat this issue. 

    Since 2017, the opioid epidemic has taken the lives of nearly half a million Americans. Their families—and so many more—need Congress to come up with real solutions. For example, I know Chairman Scott and I agree on the need to close a trade loophole that lets China ship fentanyl precursors into the country uninspected, and it’s time to put a stop to that.

    But, as we sit here today, President Trump and Congressional Republicans are working hard to advance budget legislation that would make the opioid epidemic worse, not better. They have proposals to cut over $800 billion from Medicaid, which is the largest single payer of substance use disorder services in the entire country. Why? So they can fund tax cuts for billionaires.

    Let’s be clear about this: slashing Medicaid funding either through per capita caps or back door cuts like work requirements in an area that already has work requirements would mean ripping away health care from millions of vulnerable Americans, including about a million people right now, who are getting treatment for their opioid addiction. 

    Dr. Burnett, you’ve worked on the front lines of the opioid crisis. You have helped countless people overcome addiction. I want to thank you for your work and express my admiration for that, but tell me, in this budget space, what percentage of your patients rely on Medicaid for their treatment?

    Dr. Malik Burnett, Assistant Professor in Addiction Medicine at the University of Maryland Midtown Campus: I would say, currently, about 80% of our patients rely on Medicaid for treatment. 

    Senator Warren: Wow. So, in other words, Medicaid, as I understand it, is not just one option for how people get treatment. It is the backbone of the entire system for treating opioid addiction. Is that fair? 

    Dr. Burnett: That’s a fair comment.

    Senator Warren: All right, and yet, Republicans are talking about gutting that system to the tune of nearly a trillion dollars. So, I’d like to look at just a little deeper level about what those cuts would actually mean for our country’s battle against the opioid crisis. Two of the policies proposed by House Republicans are capping Medicaid payments to states and imposing red tape like additional work requirements. 

    Dr. Burnett, can you just talk for a minute about how those changes would affect access to treatment if they were put into law? 

    Dr. Burnett: Absolutely. I think one, there was a recent Kaiser Family Foundation study that talks about the work requirements issue, and that actually almost 92% of people on Medicaid already are either working or involved in some sort of part-time or full-time work. So, the work requirements situation would just really add a lot of administrative burdens, ultimately resulting in people getting kicked off of Medicaid. 

    Senator Warren: So I just want to make sure we say that again: what proportion of people are now already subject to work requirements?

    Dr. Burnett: 92% 

    Senator Warren: 92%. All right, so adding more work requirements on top of this has what impact?

    Dr. Burnett: It would certainly increase the administrative burdens of keeping people on Medicaid. 

    Senator Warren: That’s right. And what’s the consequence of increasing those administrative burdens? 

    Dr. Burnett: They would lose access to their addiction.

    Senator Warren: That’s right. So, people just can’t get the paperwork filled out. More people fall by the wayside. I think that was the Arkansas experiment, as I recall. 

    Dr. Burnett: That’s correct. 

    Senator Warren: Yeah. But there’s another part to this as well. What about capping the funding?

    Dr. Burnett: Yeah, capping the funding would create two problems. One, it would definitely curtail the amount of choice that patients have relative to the types of addiction treatment that they would have, and then capping the funding would also create a network adequacy problem because more providers would disenroll from accepting patients on Medicaid, so patients would not have the ability to access treatment close to where they live.

    Senator Warren: Yeah, in fact, we don’t have to speculate on what the consequences would be. In states expanding Medicaid treatment for opioid addiction, it increased over four times faster than in states that refused the expansion. Meanwhile, Republican states that imposed so-called work requirements did not actually increase employment, because that was never the point. Instead, opioid overdoses went up and access to treatment actually went down. So look, there is no denying the critical role that Medicaid plays in fighting the opioid epidemic. Cutting that program is not just cruel, it’s totally backwards in what we’re trying to accomplish. 

    Might I ask one more question, Mr. Chairman? Thank you.

    Dr. Burnett, I want to ask about something you’ve done some scholarly work on and you’ve published. You’ve written extensively about the positive effects of investing in treatment and how that ultimately lowers costs down the line, so that if you cut the investments for treatment like cutting Medicaid, the question is, is that really going to save any money? 

    Dr. Burnett: No, I think, as I said in my testimony, people who experience treatment are much faster to return to work, be productive members of society, and ultimately not be a burden on the social safety net. So it would actually be more detrimental to cut Medicaid funding in terms of the amount of expenditure that states and public dollars would be needing to use.

    Senator Warren: So, this treatment gets people back to work, fewer trips to the emergency room?

    Dr. Burnett: Totally.

    Senator Warren: The long-term cost is that we save money by making these investments. One study found that for every patient treated with medication for opioid addiction, the government saves up to $100,000 over the course of that person’s lifetime. Let’s be clear: the budget cuts the Republicans are proposing are not about saving money. If Republicans really wanted to save money, they’d be expanding treatment to folks they claim they want to represent here, rather than ripping it away so that we can bankroll tax cuts for billionaires. 

    Families and communities across this country are counting on us to deliver real solutions to the opioid epidemic, not play politics, and I won’t stop fighting for that. Thank you very much. Thank you all for being here. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN chief calls for peace and justice as Ramadan begins

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI

    UN Affairs

    As Muslims around the world prepare to mark the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan, UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a call on Thursday for compassion, empathy and generosity, urging people everywhere to embrace their common humanity and work towards a more just and peaceful world.

    “In this Holy Month, let us all be uplifted by these values and embrace our common humanity to build a more just and peaceful world for all,” he said in a message.

    He also extended a special message of support to those experiencing hardship, displacement and violence.

    “I stand with all those who are suffering. From Gaza and the wider region, to Sudan, the Sahel and beyond,” he said, joining those observing Ramadan in calling for peace and mutual respect.

    The first day of fasting for the Holy Month in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, will be Saturday, March 1, or Sunday, March 2, depending on the sighting of the new moon, according to media reports.

    Other countries, especially in the western hemisphere, could see the Ramadan moon before Mecca due to alignments in the night sky.

    Ramadan is determined by the Islamic lunar calendar, which begins with the sighting of the crescent moon.

    Secretary-General Guterres’ video message for the begining of Ramadan.

    Solidarity visit to Bangladesh

    As part of his annual Ramadan solidarity visit, Mr. Guterres will travel to Bangladesh from 13 to 16 March, where he will meet Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, one of the world’s largest refugee settlements, his Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric announced at the regular news briefing at the UN Headquarters.

    Mr. Guterres will also take part in an Iftar meal with refugees and members of the Bangladeshi host community, recognising the generosity of Bangladesh in sheltering nearly one million Rohingya who fled persecution and violence in Myanmar.

    During his visit, he will also visit the capital, Dhaka, where he will meet Chief Adviser in the interim government, Professor Muhammed Yunus, as well as young representatives from civil society.

    An annual tradition

    The Secretary-General has made solidarity visits an annual tradition, beginning during his decade-long tenure as UN High Commissioner for Refugees, when he regularly observed Ramadan alongside displaced and marginalized communities.

    “Every Ramadan, I undertake a solidarity visit and fast with a Muslim community around the globe. These missions remind the world of the true face of Islam,” Mr. Guterres said in his message.

    “Ramadan embodies the values of compassion, empathy and generosity. It is an opportunity to reconnect with family and community…And I always come away even more inspired by the remarkable sense of peace that fills this season,” he added.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Diverse disaster risks in the Arab States have led to inspiring solutions

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    SRSG Kamal Kishore visited Kuwait in February 2025 for the Arab Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. In this article he reflects on the region’s challenges and successes.
     

    The Arab States region is known for its extremes: some of the world’s harshest conditions, but also the famous hospitality of its inhabitants. It is home to some of the wealthiest nations, but also many amongst the least-developed. It faces serious disaster risks – especially slow onset disasters like drought and desertification – but is also a source of innovative solutions.

    I spent the past week in Kuwait where disaster risk management policy makers and practitioners from 22 countries from the Arab States region came together for the 6th Arab Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. This multi-stakeholder forum was called to take stock of progress against the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and devise ways to accelerate implementation over the next five years. Much of the success can be attributed to the generosity and professionalism of the host country, the State of Kuwait. The excellent organization of the Platform was the result of a tight partnership between the Kuwait Fire Force, the League of Arab States, and UNDRR’s Regional Office for Arab States, lining up a programme that covered a wide array of important topics for the region.

    During the five intense days of deliberations, I learned many things. In a region that is beset by many challenges, disaster risk reduction issues do not always spring to mind as the most urgent. However the region has seen some of the worst disasters over the last few years – including floods in Libya (2023), Oman (2024) and UAE (2024); earthquakes in Syria and Morocco (2023); and a string of severe droughts across much of the region.

    To say that the Arab States region is highly diverse is to state the obvious. However, this diversity goes beyond the nature of disaster risk (varying hazards, exposure, and socio-economic vulnerability) to the diverse institutional approaches adopted by countries of the region to manage disaster risk. The United Arab Emirates, in particular, have shown great leadership in the region, as champions of urban resilience and hosts of the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference.

    During the Regional Platform I had so many enlightening conversations – formal and informal – and participated in numerous events and discussions. Considering all that I learned, I have the following reflections:

    The next leap

    Most of the countries in the region have established strong national level institutions for disaster risk management (these are variously named Disaster Management Agencies, or Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authorities, and so on) and many have developed multi-year strategies for disaster risk management (for example, Morocco has a strategy for 2020 to 2030).

    The next leap would be to pursue more integrative work with all development sectors. Interesting initiatives are already emanating from the region. For example: UNDRR’s Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies (ARISE) has helped develop and apply a resilience tool to aid the real estate sector in Dubai; and Libya and Iraq are modernizing the management of their irrigation dams.

    Play closer attention to compounding risks

    For example, sand and dust storms are getting more complex – in a region that has rapidly urbanized, not only are the impacts of these hazards evolving (such as the impacts on power transmission networks and renewable energy production), but these hazards are also combining with other threats such as soil and air pollution to create even bigger impacts.

    ABCD (Align Biodiversity, Climate Change and Desertification) of Comprehensive Risk Management 

    This is a region where on-the-ground integration of the three Rio Conventions – Biodiversity, Climate Change, and Desertification – really comes alive. However, taking such a comprehensive approach requires that we align all of these interests across regional, national and sub-national institutions.

    Blend tradition and innovation

    The region is home to centuries of traditional wisdom to deal with extreme conditions and natural hazards – for example, this can be seen in how traditional housing and clothing have evolved to combat extreme heat. Traditional systems of finance such as Islamic Finance (and the notion of Zakat) provide a solid foundation for society’s financial resilience, particularly for the poorest. At the same time, many countries in the region are at the forefront of cutting-edge innovation – from advances in water management to the application of AI.

    We can draw on both traditional wisdom and modern innovation to achieve disaster risk reduction objectives.

    The energy and enthusiasm I witnessed during this past week gives me a sense of optimism that if we stay the course, this region can not only demonstrate on-the-ground disaster risk reduction results, but can also inspire action across the world.

    The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, in June this year, will give an opportunity for all of the regions to share the outcomes of the Regional Platforms, and I look forward to the contributions arising from the Arab States Regional Platform.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Telephone conversation with President El-Sisi of Egypt

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    27 Febbraio 2025

    The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, had a telephone conversation today with the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

    The call provided an opportunity to review the main areas of bilateral cooperation, starting with the initiatives launched by Italy in the sectors of education, vocational training, renewable energy and sustainable agriculture within the framework of the Mattei Plan for Africa, as well as cooperation on the issue of migration in line with the memorandum of understanding between the EU and Egypt.

    The two leaders also discussed the situation in the Middle East, agreeing on the need to keep working for the stabilisation and reconstruction of Gaza with the aim of reviving a political dialogue for a just and lasting peace in the region

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Harrisburg Man Sentenced To 160 Months In Prison For Drug Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kyle Malik Jones, age 33, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on February 25, 2025, to 160 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for the distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine.

    According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on March 17, 2021, Susquehanna Township Police found a stolen vehicle parked in hotel parking lot. When the vehicle’s alarm was triggered, Jones came out of his hotel room and silenced the alarm. The police went to Jones’s hotel room to arrest him for the vehicle theft and discovered the following: 731 grams of methamphetamine; 221 grams of fentanyl; cocaine; a Ruger .40 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number; a Hi-Point .380 caliber firearm; approximately $7,635 in cash; one pack of 300 small rubber bands; one digital scale; and two cell phones.

    Jones pleaded guilty on March 11, 2024, to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results.

    The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Susquehanna Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David C. Williams and Jeffrey St. John prosecuted the case.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: February Federal Grand Jury 2024-B Indictments Announced

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    United States Attorney Clint Johnson today announced the results of the February Federal Grand Jury 2024-B Indictments.

    The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.

    Dylan Ray Alexander. Second Degree Murder in Indian Country; Carrying, Using, Brandishing, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. Alexander, 31, of Bartlesville and a member of the Cherokee Nation, is charged with unlawfully killing Kevin Holden and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. The FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Bartlesville Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Dunn and Tara Heign are prosecuting the case. 25-CR-052

    Jeremiah Jacob Drake. Production of Child Pornography; Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography. Drake, 44, of Tulsa, is charged with coercing a minor child to produce sexually explicit content. He is additionally charged with receiving, possessing, and distributing sexually explicit material that depicts the sexual abuse of a minor child. Homeland Security Investigations and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Robert is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-056

    Carl Anthony Epps, II. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition; Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country; Carrying, Using, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence in Indian Country (superseding).  Epps, 42, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition, knowing he was previously convicted of felonies. Further, he is charged with using a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Dowdell is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-007

    Anthony Wayne Jeremiah. Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country; Malicious Mischief in Indian Country; Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Jeremiah, 43, transient and a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, is charged with assaulting the victim with a dangerous weapon and maliciously destroying the victim’s property. He is further charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition after previously being convicted of felonies. The FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Muscogee Creek Nation Lighthorse Police, and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Dunn and Emily Dewhurst are prosecuting the case. 25-CR-055

    Blake Alan Miller. Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor Under 12 Years of Age in Indian Country. Miller, 41, of Forrest City, Arkansas, and a member of the Cherokee Nation, is charged with engaging in sexually explicit conduct with a child under 12 years old. The FBI is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Brandon is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-045

    Gabriel Urquiza-Urquiza; Daisy Villanueva; Javier Rodarte; Ricardo Plateado-Martinez; Rosa Maria Olmos; Rafael Gonzalez; Joel Rosales Pina. Drug Conspiracy (Count 1); Firearms Conspiracy (Count 2); Firearms Trafficking (Count 3); Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering (Count 4); Engaging in Monetary Transactions in Property Derived from Specified Unlawful Activity (Counts 5 & 6); Distribution of Methamphetamine (Count 7); Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises (Count 8); Alien Unlawfully in the United States in Possession of Firearms (Count 9); Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime (Count 10); Illegal Export of Firearms (Count 11); Smuggling Firearms from the United States (Count 12); Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien (Count 13); Conspiracy to Import a Controlled Substance (second superseding). Urquiza-Urquiza, 26, a Mexican National; Villanueva, 24, of Oklahoma City; Rodarte, 26, of Moore; Plateado-Martinez, 34, of Broken Arrow; Olmos, 35, of Broken Arrow; Gonzales, 31, of Beaumont; and Pina, 40, a Mexican National are charged with conspiring to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine. Urquiza-Urquiza, Villanueva, Rodarte, Plateado-Martinez, Olmos, Gonzalez, and Pina are charged with conspiring to conceal or disguise proceeds from the transactions of methamphetamine distribution. Urquiza-Urquiza is charged with two counts of knowingly engaging in monetary transactions that involved criminally derived property valued at more than $10,000. Villanueva is also charged with intentionally distributing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. Pina is further charged with maintaining a residence to distribute drugs. Urquiza-Urquiza, Gonzalez, and Pina are charged with conspiring to import more than 500 grams of methamphetamine from Mexico. Urquiza-Urquiza is also charged with possessing firearms, knowing he is an illegal alien unlawfully in the United States, and with possessing firearms in the furtherance of drug trafficking. He is additionally charged with willfully exporting and smuggling firearms from the United States to Mexico. The Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, Broken Arrow Police Department, and Oklahoma City Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. Nasar is prosecuting the case. 24-CR-131

    Adrian Marquez Rodriguez. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Rodriguez, 46, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been previously removed in Nov. 2005. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mandy Mackenzie is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-054

    Ronald Dewayne Thompson. Possession of Child Pornography; Abusive Sexual Contact with a Minor Under 12 Years of Age in Indian Country; Commission of Felony Sex Offense Involving a Minor by a Registered Sex Offender. Thompson, 33, of Claremore, is charged with possessing visual images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. He knowingly engaged in sexual conduct with a minor under 12 years of age. Additionally, Thompson knowingly is required to register and committed a felony involving a minor child. Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia Hockenbury is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-058

    Delawnsha Lemar Tiger. Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Tiger, 30, transient, is charged with knowingly failing to register as a sex offender in Dec. 2024. The U.S. Marshal Service is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michele Hulgaard is prosecuting the case. 25-CR-053

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Mozambique: Authorities must investigate reports of more than 300 unlawful killings during post-election protest crackdown 

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Mozambique’s Frelimo-led government must urgently launch investigations into reports of widespread human rights violations committed during the ongoing crackdown on protests following disputed national elections and commit to making the findings public, Amnesty International said.  

    Nationwide demonstrations erupted on 21 October 2024 following the killing of two prominent opposition-aligned figures. Since then, there have been credible reports of widespread human rights violations with more than 300 people reported killed, including children and bystanders, in an attempt to crush the protests, with the vast majority of deaths blamed on security forces, according to tallies by monitoring groups. Government forces have also shot and wounded more than 700 others and arbitrarily detained thousands, according to the same tallies, with reports of torture and other ill-treatment in custody. The authorities have also reportedly targeted journalists, restricted internet access and deployed the military. 

    “The crackdown on protests in Mozambique following last year’s election has been appalling. It is the bloodiest election cycle in Mozambique’s post-civil war history, yet the suspected perpetrators have enjoyed complete impunity,” said Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Khanyo Farisè. 

    President Daniel Chapo must prove his readiness to break this cycle of impunity by championing calls for urgent investigations.

    Khanyo Farisè, Amnesty International Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa

    “Mozambique’s new government must promptly open independent, effective and thorough investigations into all deaths, incidents of torture and other ill-treatment, and other reported human rights violations during the ongoing crackdown, with clear timelines to publicize results. President Daniel Chapo must prove his readiness to break this cycle of impunity by championing calls for urgent investigations and ensuring full cooperation with the investigative authorities. He must also ensure effective reparation to victims and survivors and use his authority to end human rights violations by security forces during protests.”  

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Human Rights Council: Türk calls out ‘dehumanizing’ narratives on Gaza

    Source: United Nations 2

    Mr. Türk – making his closing remarks during the session reporting on the Occupied Palestinian Territory at the Human Rights Council – said he was deeply troubled by the “dangerous manipulation of language” and disinformation that surrounds discussions over the Palestine-Israel conflict.

    “We need to make sure that we resist all efforts to spread fear or incite hatred, including abhorrent, dehumanizing narratives, whether they’re insidious or explicit,” he said.

    “My Office will continue to work for justice for every victim and survivor by establishing and documenting the facts and standing firmly for accountability and the rule of law without exception.”

    Eritrean troops continue grave violations in Ethiopia

    The rights body then turned its focus to Eritrea on Thursday, where despite some long-awaited progress in improving the lives of ordinary Eritreans, the country’s authorities remain responsible for widespread alleged serious crimes including inside neighbouring Ethiopia, the forum heard.

    Ilze Brands Kehris, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, said that the Eritrean Defence Forces have continued to carry out grave crimes in Ethiopia’s Tigray region and elsewhere with total impunity.

    “Our Office (OHCHR) has credible information that Eritrean Defence Forces remain in Tigray and are committing violations, including abductions, rape, property looting, and arbitrary arrests,” she told the Council, before calling for the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean soldiers.

    After a rapprochement between former enemies Eritrea and Ethiopia in 2018, Asmara sent troops to fight alongside Ethiopian federal troops against separatist rebels during the two-year conflict in Tigray, Amhara, Afar and Oromia.

    No justice in sight

    “In the current context, there is no likely prospect that the domestic judicial system will hold perpetrators accountable for the violations committed in the context of the Tigray conflict and in other cases,” the UN official told the Council, the world’s foremost human rights body.

    In a debate seeking to address the Council’s longstanding concerns about Eritrea’s human rights record, Ms. Brands Kehris acknowledged the efforts being made by the authorities in boosting essential health services to more than one million newborns, children and women last year with the help of the UN – and in ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in December.

    Conscription abuses continue

    However, “serious concerns remain” about Eritrea’s system of indefinite forced military conscription, the UN official continued.

    The practice has long been linked to abusive labour, torture and sexual violence which continues to compel young people to escape from the country, Ms. Brands-Kehris insisted.

    Furthermore, “the punishment of families of draft deserters remains very common – an inhumane practice, against which no steps have been taken”, she said.

    Echoing previous disturbing reports requested by the Human Rights on Eritrea’s rights record, the UN official said that detention without trial “remains the norm” – with many politicians, journalists, religious believers and draft deserters held incommunicado.

    There is no evidence that impunity will be tackled for well-documented past human rights violations, the senior UN official said.

    In response for Eritrea, Habtom Zerai Ghirmai, Chargé d’affaires a.i. to the UN in Geneva, denied the accusations, calling them exaggerated and misleading.

    Sudan: We are looking into the abyss, Türk warns

    Next in the spotlight was the plight of Sudan’s war-ravaged people who have been subjected to appalling crimes by all parties to the conflict – some possibly constituting war crimes and other atrocity crimes.

    Today, more than 600,000 Sudanese “are on the brink of starvation”, said rights chief Volker Türk. “Famine is reported to have taken hold in five areas, including Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur, where the World Food Programme has just been forced to suspend its lifesaving operations due to intense fighting.”

    Another five areas could face famine in the next three months and 17 more are at risk, he said, calling on all Member States to push urgently for a ceasefire and to ease the suffering of the Sudanese people.

    Presenting his Office’s annual report on the situation in Sudan, Mr. Türk noted that the armed conflict between rival militaries that erupted in April 2023 following the breakdown in a transfer to civilian rule had generated “the world’s largest humanitarian catastrophe”.

    The High Commissioner’s report details myriad violations and abuses committed in Sudan and underscores the need for accountability.

    ‘Utter impunity’

    “We are looking into the abyss. Humanitarian agencies warn that without action to end the war, deliver emergency aid, and get agriculture back on its feet, hundreds of thousands of people could die,” Mr. Türk insisted.

    He added that the spiralling situation in Sudan was “the result of grave and flagrant violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, and a culture of utter impunity”.

    “As the fighting has spread across the country, appalling levels of sexual violence have followed. More than half of reported rape incidents took the form of gang rape – an indication that sexual violence is being used as a weapon of war,” Mr. Türk explained.

    “Sudan is a powder keg, on the verge of a further explosion into chaos,” said the UN’s top human rights official.

    Responding on behalf of Sudan, Minister of Justice Moawia Osman Mohamed Khair Mohamed Ahmed, rejected allegations that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) were responsible for any of the rights violations detailed in the High Commissioner’s report.

    Indifferent to suffering

    Sudanese civil society representative Hanaa Eltigani described multiple mass killings of civilians attributed to the Rapid Support Forces paramilitaries including in Geneina, their shelling of Zamzan displacement camp in North Darfur and other extreme rights abuses including gang rape and the forced recruitment of children, including South Sudanese refugees.

    In addition, the SAF “launched airstrikes and ground assaults, attacking Meneigo and Al-Igibesh villages in West Kordofan, bombing civilian areas in Nyala, South Darfur,” continued Ms Eltigani, Assistant Secretary-General of Youth Citizens Observers Network (YCON), insisting that while the suffering of her country’s people was “met with indifference, the flow of weapons [from abroad] continues unchecked”.

    The SAF also carried out executions in Al-Jazira, Ms. Eltigani maintained, “where victims were slaughtered or thrown alive into the Nile”.

    Taliban oppression deepens in Afghanistan

    Turning to Afghanistan, the Council then heard that the de facto authorities’ oppression and persecution of women, girls and minorities has worsened, with no signs of improvement. 

    “Some 23 million people, almost half the population, are in need of humanitarian assistance, a situation drastically worsened by the pauses and cuts to international aid,” said Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan Richard Bennett.

    The independent rights expert, who is not a UN staff member, warned that left unchecked, the Taliban was likely to “intensify, expand and further entrench its rights-violating measures on the people of Afghanistan, in particular women and girls and likely religious and ethnic minorities”.

    “The lack of a strong, unified response from the international community has already emboldened the Taliban. We owe it to the people of Afghanistan to not embolden them still further through continued inaction.”

    The Taliban seized power in 2021 and since then have passed a raft of laws that have severely stifled the freedoms of women and girls.

    These include banning women and girls from most classrooms, singing or speaking outside their homes, as well as from travelling without a male guardian.

    Institutionalised oppression

    Women were also barred from studying medicine in December. Windows in residential buildings have also been banned on the grounds that women could be seen through them.

    “Afghanistan is now the epicentre of an institutionalised system of gender-based discrimination, oppression, and domination which amounts to crimes against humanity, including the crime of gender persecution,” Mr. Bennett said, presenting his report. 

    Mr. Bennett urged States to ensure that any normalization of diplomatic ties with the Taliban should be dependent on demonstrated improvements in human rights.  

    “We must not allow history to repeat itself,” Mr. Bennett said. “Doing so will have catastrophic consequences in and beyond Afghanistan.”

    Independent rights experts are not UN staff, receive no salary for their work and are independent of any organisation or government.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Effects of Climate Change on GDP in the 21st Century: Working Paper 2025-02

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    By Chad Shirley and William Swanson.

    This working paper provides an estimate of a probability distribution of changes in gross domestic product (GDP) in the year 2100 resulting from changes in temperature. To estimate that distribution, we perform a meta-analysis of the literature on the effects of climate change on GDP and combine those effects with forecast global temperature distributions for the year 2100. We fit Gaussian distributions to the underlying data and numerically estimate the joint distribution of GDP and temperature. Using that distribution, we project that, on average, future temperature increases will cause GDP to be 4 percent lower in 2100 than it would have been if temperatures remained unchanged after 2024. However, considerable uncertainty surrounds the long-run effects of temperature on output in the United States. There is a 5 percent chance that GDP in 2100 will be at least 21 percent lower than it would have been in the absence of additional changes in temperature. There is a similar chance that GDP will be at least 6 percent higher by 2100.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Human rights and democratic principles in Tunisia: the EU’s response to the imprisonment of Rached Ghannouchi and other political prisoners – E-000687/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000687/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Hana Jalloul Muro (S&D)

    Serious concerns persist regarding the increasing challenges faced by human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers and political figures in Tunisia. Since July 2021, judicial pressure on these individuals has intensified, casting doubt on whether Tunisia is committed to, and is safeguarding, fundamental freedoms.

    The most recent incident occurred on 5 February 2025, when several political figures, including former President of the Tunisian Parliament Rached Ghannouchi, and a number of journalists and bloggers were sentenced to long prison terms without a fair procedural trial. This gives rise to concerns about Tunisia’s adherence to democratic principles and its respect for human rights, especially as the 30th anniversary of the 1995 EU-Tunisia Association Agreement is approaching, and given that the new Pact for the Mediterranean is being prepared.

    • 1.How does the Commission assess the recent convictions of Tunisian political figures and journalists in the context of Tunisia’s commitments to democratic principles and human rights under Article 2 of the Association Agreement?
    • 2.What measures will the Commission take to address the alleged violations of the human rights of political prisoners and immigrants in Tunisia, considering the European Ombudsman’s investigation into the EU-Tunisia Memorandum of Understanding?
    • 3.Does the Commission plan to review Tunisia’s compliance with its commitments under the Association Agreement?

    Submitted: 13.2.2025

    Last updated: 27 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Update of the EU entry price system: protecting the citrus sector against unfair competition – E-000705/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000705/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Vicent Marzà Ibáñez (Verts/ALE)

    The EU entry price system was designed to protect European farmers from unfair competition. It has become obsolete, however, and urgently needs updating. Imports of citrus fruit from Egypt at lower than standard import prices are having a serious effect on profitability for European producers, particularly in Spain. Data shows that the price of imports of oranges from Egypt to Spain in 2024 was on average EUR 0.51/kg, well below the farm-gate price of Spanish citrus fruit producers. This situation is a point of serious vulnerability for the citrus sector, which is calling for entry prices to be updated and for the safeguard clause in trade agreements to be applied.

    In light of this:

    • 1.What measures is the Commission taking to ensure the entry price system is properly upheld and to prevent citrus fruit from being imported at prices that do not reflect European production costs?
    • 2.Is the Commission considering updating the minimum entry price, taking into account inflation and the current state of the market?
    • 3.Is the Commission assessing whether to apply the safeguard clause to imports of Egyptian oranges and protect EU market stability?

    Submitted: 17.2.2025

    Last updated: 27 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Discrimination against Baha’is in Egypt – E-000676/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000676/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Per Clausen (The Left)

    The Egyptian Government institutionalised its state-sponsored discrimination against the Baha’is by way of a decree issued in 1960 by President Gamal Abdel Nasser, which banned Baha’i activities, dissolved Baha’i institutions and confiscated Baha’i properties (Law 263/1960).

    This pervasive discrimination has intensified, with the Egyptian authorities denying Baha’is national identity cards, their burial rights and access to cemeteries, as well as carrying out family separations.

    Baha’is in Egypt are currently denied their ability to enjoy basic civil liberties and fundamental rights, including freedom of religion[1].

    In the light of Egypt’s undertaking to guarantee respect for human rights as a precondition for receiving macro-financial assistance from the Commission, what EU strategy is in place to urge the Egyptian authorities to repeal the 1960 decree, upon which their entire mechanism of discrimination rests?

    Submitted: 13.2.2025

    • [1] https://www.hrw.org/reports/2007/egypt1107/4.htm.
    Last updated: 27 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: European Investment Bank (EIB) backs Africa Finance Corporation $750 Million Climate Resilient Infrastructure Fund

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

    CAPE TOWN, South Africa, February 27, 2025/APO Group/ —

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) has committed to join Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org) in financing a $750 million Infrastructure Climate Resilient Fund (ICRF). This landmark initiative will accelerate climate adaptation and sustainable infrastructure across Africa.

    As part of this commitment, the EIB today confirmed it will invest $52.48 million in the Fund, which is managed by AFC Capital Partners (ACP), the asset management arm of AFC. ACP has already secured a $253 million commitment from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), marking GCF’s largest-ever equity investment in Africa. In addition, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and two private African pension funds have also committed to the Fund, demonstrating robust institutional backing on the continent and internationally.

    The Infrastructure Climate Resilient Fund aims to accelerate climate adaptation in Africa by embedding resilience measures at every stage of infrastructure development—from design and construction to operation. Using blended finance to de-risk private investment, the Fund also integrates innovative tools such as climate risk parametric insurance to enhance protection against climate-related risks and losses. In addition, the Fund will provide technical assistance to enhance the capacity of countries seeking climate risk assessment and adaptation, aligning with the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

    The EIB formally signed the agreement at the Finance in Common Summit (FICS) in Cape Town today, demonstrating the close collaboration between the EIB, AFC, and other strategic partners.

    “The EIB is committed to supporting private sector investment in climate-resilient infrastructure, especially in regions most vulnerable to climate change,” EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle stated at the ceremony today. “This partnership with the Africa Finance Corporation and the launch of ACP’s Infrastructure Climate Resilient Fund are a significant step towards accelerating Africa’s green and digital transition and ensuring a sustainable future for all. The EIB’s investment is not just about the initial capital injection; it is also intended to have a multiplier effect by attracting more investors, reducing risk, showcasing successful projects, and promoting best practices in climate finance.”

    ACP’s fund aims to demonstrate that Africa can pursue a climate-resilient and sustainable development path by addressing market failures, mitigating environmental risks, strengthening logistics, trade, and industrialization, and accelerating the continent’s digital and energy transition.

    “This Fund is crucial for bridging the funding gap for climate adaptation in Africa,” Samaila Zubairu, AFC’s President & CEO, said at the launch event today. “By focusing on climate-resilient infrastructure, we are not only securing our economic future but also creating opportunities for sustainable growth, and supporting job creation across the continent. We are glad to partner with the EIB and other investors who are committed to increasing the impact of climate finance.”

    Developing Climate-Resilient Infrastructure

    The ICRF focuses on Africa, the world’s most climate-vulnerable continent, by investing in infrastructure that can withstand the impacts of climate change while reducing carbon emissions. The Fund prioritizes resilient, low-carbon solutions across transport and logistics, clean energy, digital infrastructure, and industrial development, ensuring sustainable growth.

    ACP’s investment strategy evaluates climate risk across both physical and transition dimensions, including emissions and climate governance. The Fund is committed to ensuring that infrastructure assets are designed, built, and operated to withstand and adapt to evolving climate conditions. To achieve this, ACP will conduct rigorous climate risk screenings and assessments for every investment, establishing a new benchmark for selecting and implementing the most effective adaptation solutions.

    The Fund leverages a powerful partnership between three major institutions—EIB, AFC, and GCF—uniting their expertise, capital, and commitment to climate resilience. Aligned with the EIB’s Climate Bank Roadmap, ACP will draw on the proven track records and deep technical expertise of both EIB and AFC in infrastructure investment, creating a compelling platform to attract additional investors. Through this strategic collaboration, the $750 million fund is poised to unlock up to $3.7 billion in financing, accelerating the deployment of climate-resilient infrastructure across Africa.

    The GCF will play a critical role by providing technical assistance for due diligence and climate resilience monitoring while also covering the first-loss tranches on new investments, effectively de-risking projects and attracting private capital.

    Once operational, the Fund aims to invest in a diversified portfolio of 10 to 12 projects across Africa. It will also assist countries and entities in capacity building and deployment of climate risk assessment and adaptation solutions.

    Further Information

    Leveraging Partnerships

    The Fund is built on a powerful partnership between three major institutions: the European Investment Bank (EIB), Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), and the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Through its asset management arm, AFC Capital Partners (ACP), AFC is collaborating with the EIB to deploy the Fund, leveraging both institutions’ proven track records and technical expertise in infrastructure investment to attract additional investors. The partnership is further strengthened by the GCF’s critical role in providing first-loss protection and technical assistance, ensuring a robust framework for scaling climate-resilient infrastructure across Africa.

    Mobilizing Climate Finance

    The EIB’s $52.48 million commitment is a strategic step toward the Fund’s $750 million target, aimed at catalysing additional investments from both private and public sector partners into climate-resilient infrastructure. This commitment is expected to help mobilize approximately $3.7 billion in total financing, driving tangible, on-the-ground impact across Africa.

    Focusing on EIB’s core priorities agreed by ECOFIN

    The EIB investment will support the climate bank ambition to accelerate international action on adaptation and resilience. With an expected climate action and environmental sustainability contribution of about 80%, the operation will contribute to EIB’s objectives to dedicate (i) 50% of its financing toward climate action and environmental sustainability and (ii) 15% of its financing toward to climate adaptation by 2025. The Fund supports three of the five EU Global Gateway thematic priorities: i) climate and energy, ii) transport and iii) digital.

    Addressing Market Failures

    The EIB investment in ACP’s Infrastructure Climate Resilient Fund is intended to address the scarcity of equity capital for greenfield infrastructure projects, and to help overcome other market failures such as the lack of incentives for green energy solutions or market failures related to transport accessibility and digital connectivity. The Fund also aims to improve the efficiency of logistics and trade corridors and contribute to the digital and energy transition.

    Supporting the Green and Digital Transition

    By investing in clean energy and digital infrastructure, the Fund aims to support the broader green and digital transition in Africa and contribute to diversification and security of energy supply, as well as improved access to digital connectivity.

    Enhancing Capacity for Climate Risk Management

    ACP’s Infrastructure Climate Resilient Fund will provide technical assistance to build capacity for climate risk assessment and adaptation, with a focus on integrating climate risk considerations into project design and construction.

    Creating Jobs and Economic Opportunities

    Projects backed by ACP’s Infrastructure Climate Resilient Fund will contribute to job creation, economic growth, and improved quality of life in the target regions. These projects are expected to generate significant temporary employment during construction as well as permanent jobs during operation.

    Key projects in the ICRF pipeline, such as the Lobito Corridor, underscore AFC’s pivotal role in driving transformational and climate-resilient infrastructure investments across Africa. As the lead developer of the project, AFC is spearheading efforts to enhance regional connectivity and economic integration through the corridor, which is set to become a critical trade and logistics route linking Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Zambia.

    The Lobito Corridor is expected to unlock vast economic opportunities by facilitating efficient transportation of critical minerals, agricultural goods, and other commodities, reducing dependency on other congested export routes and fostering industrial development along the wider corridor. Alongside partners including the European Union, the United States Government, the African Development Bank and the governments of Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, AFC is working to ensure the corridor is developed with climate resilience in mind, integrating sustainable infrastructure solutions that can withstand environmental challenges while promoting long-term economic growth.

    Beyond Lobito, the ICRF pipeline includes other strategic projects across transport, clean energy, and digital infrastructure, all designed to attract institutional investment and address Africa’s pressing infrastructure gap. Through these initiatives, ACP continues to highlight its commitment to mobilizing capital for projects that deliver both financial returns and lasting developmental impact.

    The investments backed by the Fund will actively promote the adoption of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) best practices, including gender equality, protection, and anti-discrimination policies.

    De-risking Investments

    The Fund’s structure, with support from the EIB and other institutions like the Green Climate Fund (GCF), aims to de-risk climate investments.

    The GCF is providing grant funding to help with due diligence and monitoring of climate resilience, which can make the investments more attractive to other investors. Additionally, the Fund will integrate innovative climate risk insurance to complement traditional indemnity programs.

    Aligning with Global and Regional Objectives

    The EIB investment aligns with EU strategies, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and aims to support the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions.

    MIL OSI Africa –