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Category: Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Sudan: United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) condemns weekend attacks that killed 35 children

    Source: APO

    At least 24 boys, 11 girls and two pregnant women reportedly were among the victims of the violence, which occurred over the weekend in communities around the city of Bara, including the villages of Shag Alnom and Hilat Hamid. 

    UNICEF fears that with dozens more injured and many still missing, the number of child casualties could rise further.

    ‘A complete disregard for human life’

    “These attacks are an outrage,” Executive Director Catherine Russell said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

    “They represent a terrifying escalation of violence, and a complete disregard for human life, international humanitarian law, and the most basic principles of humanity.”

    Former allies turned rivals – the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – have been battling for control of the country since April 2023 and fighting has intensified recently in the Kordofan region which encompasses three states.

    End the violence now

    “UNICEF condemns the attacks in the strongest possible terms,” said Ms. Russell.

    She called on all parties to end the violence immediately and to uphold their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, as well as the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution.

    The UNICEF chief stressed that civilians – particularly children – must never be targeted. Furthermore, all alleged violations must be independently investigated, and those responsible held to account.

    “Impunity cannot be tolerated for violations of international law, especially when children’s lives are at stake,” she said.

    Ms. Russell extended the agency’s deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and to anyone impacted by this heinous violence.

    “No child should ever experience such horrors,” she said. “Violence against children is unconscionable and must end now.”

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

    Media files

    .

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: From diamonds to dirt: Sierra Leone youth bring land back to life

    Source: APO


    .

    Craters filled with muddy water pocket the landscape of the Kono district in Sierra Leone – the result of past diamond mining ventures which sparked a vicious local battle over resources.

    But now, parts of the land have been restored. Crops are beginning to flourish and bees are buzzing around once again.

    The people responsible for this change are a hodgepodge group – former taxi drivers and miners, people who barely finished secondary school and some with higher education degrees. The unifying factor? Most have youth on their side.

    “There is life beyond mining [but] we all grew up with the mentality that diamond is the only solution,” said Sahr Fallah, chairman of the Youth Council in Kono.

    Over 44 percent of the 1.3 billion people aged 15-24 are employed in agrifood systems. However, this group often does not have the same access to resources as older generations. Moreover, they are sidelined in the conversations which might change this systemic exclusion.

    “A lot of the time, what we find is that young people are included in policy processes but it is a little bit tokenistic. They don’t feel like their voice really matters,” said Lauren Phillips, a deputy director at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

    Decent work = economic growth

    The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York has been convened this week and next, to discuss progress – or lack thereof – towards the globally agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), one of which guarantees decent work for all.

    Despite this commitment, over half of the global workforce remains in informal employment, according to the Secretary-General’s report on the SDGs released Monday. This means that they do not have adequate social or legal protections.

    “Decent work must be at the heart of macroeconomic planning, climate and diesel transitions and social recovery strategies,” said Sangheon Lee, director of employment policy at the International Labor Organization (ILO).

    Don’t ignore youth

    Like other vulnerable groups, young people face unique challenges in the agrifood sector. Specifically, they often lack land rights and will struggle to act collectively to protect their interests.

    “If you are not looking at data with a lens of age or gender, you are actually missing part of the story,” Ms. Phillips said.

    Among these assets are land titles – which the elderly may be reluctant to pass down because of insufficient social protections. Youth also are less able to access credit so they can invest in themselves and their families.

    Betty Seray Sam, one of the young farmers in Kono, said that her family never used to come to her when they were going through a crisis – they knew that she had no money and a child to support.

    But now, through an agricultural job in Kono, she can support her family during times of crisis.

    “This project has had a rippling effect for the youth in terms of not only improving their livelihoods but also the livelihoods of their families,” said Abdul Munu, president of Mabunduku, a community-based farmer’s organization in Kono.

    Bee a farmer

    Providing training to young people in agrifood systems is absolutely essential to ensure that they can practice sustainable agriculture.

    In Chegutu, Zimbabwe, FAO has helped establish Bee Farmers Schools where young people are taught how to support apiaries through hands-on training activities.

    “The idea is that one of the apiaries can be turned into a classroom where youth from different parts of a district can come just like a school,” said Barnabas Mawire, a natural resource specialist at FAO.

    This training has helped support local youth beekeepers to move beyond local and small-scale honey production to a fully-fledged business model that has the potential to not just fight poverty but actually create local wealth.

    Evelyn Mutuda, the young entrepreneurs representative in Chegutu, aspires to plant Jacaranda trees which she says will improve the quality of the bees’ honey and enable the beekeepers to export beyond local markets.

    “We want to maximize all the profits so we can become better and bigger,” Ms. Mutuda said.

    From Facebook to TikTok

    Being able to form labour associations is one of the key factors of decent work. This sort of collective action is even more important for youth in agrifood who often lack the social capital to enact real policy change.

    “Young people are just starting out, making bonds within their group but also with people outside of their group. Those bonds are important…because there is power in numbers,” Ms. Phillips said.

    She also noted that young people are forming these bonds across geographic distances, often by using technology. Agrifood influencers on Instagram and TikTok, for example, are increasingly shaping conversations about the sector.

    Ms. Phillips also noted that it is important to think of collective action for youth as intergenerational.

    “While the report is focused on young people, it’s not ignorant of the fact that young people live in families…There is a lot which talks about the need for solidarity between generations,” Ms. Phillips said.

    Youth optimism

    The next generation will be the stewards of the food we eat, so integrating them into that system now is essential for future food security and sustainability.

    “Many youth integrate tradition with innovation, creating sustainability and community resilience,” said Venedio Nala Ardisa, a youth representative at the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact, at an online side event during the high-level forum.

    Angeline Manhanzva, one of the beekeepers in Chegutu, said that the opportunity to become a beekeeper changed her life. One day, she dreams of owning her own bee farm.

    “I will be an old person who has so much wealth and is able to buy her own big land to keep my hives and process my own honey.”

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: B.C. fast-tracks recruitment of international doctors as U.S. campaign delivers results

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    In just two months, B.C. has received almost 780 job applications from qualified health professionals across the United States, reflecting strong momentum from the Province’s co-ordinated U.S. recruitment campaign.

    Building on this success, new strategies are underway to further attract internationally trained doctors.

    “When we began recruiting in the U.S. in March, we were confident it would yield strong results, and this success confirms that British Columbia’s universal health-care system and vibrant communities continue to stand out,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “With the support of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C., we’re now making it easier than ever for internationally trained doctors to bring their skills to our province.”

    Since the campaign began, more than 2,250 doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals have signed up for webinars and expressed interest in working in B.C. This includes 827 physicians, 851 nurses, 254 nurse practitioners and 256 allied health professionals.

    To further improve recruitment, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. (CPSBC) implemented bylaw changes on July 7, 2025, that benefit doctors trained outside of Canada. Since then, CPSBC has received 29 registration applications from U.S. doctors.

    “CPSBC is always looking to evolve its bylaws, processes and procedures as health-care needs evolve,” said Dr. Patrick Rowe, CPSBC registrar and CEO. “These bylaw amendments are part of our work with government to find opportunities that will help British Columbians receive more accessible and timely care.”

    The bylaw changes implemented by CPSBC are:

    • U.S.-trained doctors can now become fully licensed in B.C., without the need for further assessment, examination or training if they hold certification from the American Board of Medical Specialties, American Board of Family Medicine or the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians. It means that U.S.-trained and certified doctors can often be registered in a matter of weeks.
    • Doctors trained outside of Canada and the U.S. who are applying for registration and licensure in B.C. are no longer required to hold the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada. This change saves applicants approximately $1,500, which is the cost of the Medical Council of Canada Qualify Examination Part 1, and shortens the licensing process by several weeks.

    Additionally, CPSBC is doing public consultations on a proposed bylaw change to further streamline the registration and licensure process for certain specialties from jurisdictions where training is recognized and approved by the Canadian national certification bodies, the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

    Internationally trained physicians wishing to practise in B.C. would have a direct pathway to full licensure if they completed a minimum of two years of accredited postgraduate training in family medicine in the U.S., Australia, United Kingdom or Ireland, or if they have completed postgraduate training and received a completion of training certificate and certification in certain specialties from Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, United Kingdom or Ireland.

    Quotes:

    Dr. Avi Kopstick, Canadian doctor in Texas who will move to Kelowna soon –

    “I am joining the team at Kelowna General Hospital in mid-August. I have taken the decision to relocate, together with my husband and my two Maine coons, Rummy and Bella, because I’m drawn by B.C.’s values-driven health-care system and the opportunity to help expand local access to higher levels of care.”

    Dr. Kyle McIver, Canadian doctor previously based in Massachusetts who is now practising in Terrace –

    “Originally from Ontario, I fell in love with B.C. on a ski trip to Whistler at 10 years old. I did medical school in Ireland, my residency in Kelowna and Fort St. John, and then my return of service in Terrace. I went to Massachusetts to be closer to my wife who was doing her residency as an obstetrician gynecologist. With hopes and dreams we moved back to B.C. to raise our family in the place we wanted to be. We are involved with our community, we love our jobs and happy to help our colleagues from the U.S. make the jump.”

    Dr. Adam Hoverman, a U.S. East Coast doctor now practising in Nanaimo –

    “I chose to move from the U.S. to practise family medicine in B.C. as I can see the future of health care being born here, with improvement science and co-production of health and social care at the core of a system with the spirit, energy, optimism and cultural humility needed to improve. It is deeply inspiring and joyful to work in a system that values asking and meaningfully answering the question, ‘What matters to you?’ ”

    Dismus Irungu, Los Angeles nurse now practising in Vancouver –

    “I was drawn to B.C. mainly by the technologically advanced Blusson Spinal Cord Centre at Vancouver General Hospital, where I now work in Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. It’s one of the best in North America. The team is cohesive and supportive, and I go home from work each day feeling very fulfilled. When I calculated my costs, I am now able to save more and keep more money in my bank account than before my move. The transition was seamless and with this beautiful B.C. scenery, it has been a really great lifestyle choice.”

    Quick Facts:

    • The changes to the bylaws follow similar changes recently adopted in Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
    • Between May and June 2025, B.C. has received nearly 780 job applications spanning all health regions: 181 for Interior Health, 154 for Fraser Health, 121 for Vancouver Coastal Health, 112 for Island Health, 70 for Providence Health Care, 66 for Provincial Health Services Authority and 63 for Northern Health (some applicants may have applied to more than one health authority).
    • The Province is taking a Team B.C. approach to recruiting health-care workers from the U.S., and is working in collaboration with health authorities, regulatory colleges and other partners.
    • The Province launched a targeted U.S. marketing campaign on June 2, 2025, in Washington, Oregon and select cities in California.

    Learn More:

    To learn about B.C.’s measures to attract doctors, nurses and other health professionals from the U.S., visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025HLTH0013-000194

    To learn more about health career opportunities in B.C., visit: https://bchealthcareers.ca/

    To learn more about B.C.’s actions to strengthen health care, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/health-care/

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Cancellation of VPAs and replacement by Forest Partnerships – E-001647/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission proposal for termination of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with Liberia is based on a decade of dialogue and close monitoring through joint EU-Liberia management structures and five independent audits. These assessments consistently found deep-rooted issues in Liberia’s implementation of the VPA, especially the lack of a functional Legality Assurance System, weak institutional capacity, and limited law enforcement.

    While the Boakai administration has renewed efforts to advance the VPA — reactivating joint committees, imposing a moratorium on carbon concessions, and resuming logging revenue payments — these steps have not addressed the deep-rooted structural and implementation issues.

    As a result, the limited likelihood of Forest Law Enforcement Governance Trade licenses combined with low timber trade flows, reduce the relevance of the VPA. The Commission has explained the reasons behind this proposal, notably at the Joint Implementation Committee meeting in November 2024[1].

    The termination of the VPA and the possible transition to a Forest Partnership (FP) open the door to a new phase of cooperation which will support Liberia in aligning with the EU Deforestation Regulation[2] and advancing broader forest governance reforms through more flexible support mechanisms.

    The governance structures under the FPs build on those under the VPA, with participation of all stakeholders, including civil society. The EU Council and the European Parliament exercise scrutiny and provide consent on the conclusion and termination of VPAs. Whilst FPs are a more flexible agreement, they also require scrutiny.

    • [1] https://loggingoff.info/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/EU-GoL2024-AideMemoire-12thVPA-JIC-28-Nov-24-NoAnnexes.pdf.
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32023R1115.
    Last updated: 16 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Cancellation of VPAs and replacement by Forest Partnerships – E-001647/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission proposal for termination of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with Liberia is based on a decade of dialogue and close monitoring through joint EU-Liberia management structures and five independent audits. These assessments consistently found deep-rooted issues in Liberia’s implementation of the VPA, especially the lack of a functional Legality Assurance System, weak institutional capacity, and limited law enforcement.

    While the Boakai administration has renewed efforts to advance the VPA — reactivating joint committees, imposing a moratorium on carbon concessions, and resuming logging revenue payments — these steps have not addressed the deep-rooted structural and implementation issues.

    As a result, the limited likelihood of Forest Law Enforcement Governance Trade licenses combined with low timber trade flows, reduce the relevance of the VPA. The Commission has explained the reasons behind this proposal, notably at the Joint Implementation Committee meeting in November 2024[1].

    The termination of the VPA and the possible transition to a Forest Partnership (FP) open the door to a new phase of cooperation which will support Liberia in aligning with the EU Deforestation Regulation[2] and advancing broader forest governance reforms through more flexible support mechanisms.

    The governance structures under the FPs build on those under the VPA, with participation of all stakeholders, including civil society. The EU Council and the European Parliament exercise scrutiny and provide consent on the conclusion and termination of VPAs. Whilst FPs are a more flexible agreement, they also require scrutiny.

    • [1] https://loggingoff.info/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/EU-GoL2024-AideMemoire-12thVPA-JIC-28-Nov-24-NoAnnexes.pdf.
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32023R1115.
    Last updated: 16 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) and Al Baraka Islamic Bank BSC Bahrain Sign Documentary Credit Insurance Policy to Boost Shariah-Compliant Trade

    Source: APO

    The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) (https://ICIEC.IsDB.org), a Shariah-based multilateral insurer and member of the Islamic Development Bank Group, and Al Baraka Islamic Bank BSC Bahrain signed a Documentary Credit Insurance Policy (DCIP). The policy aims to strengthen support for Shariah-compliant trade finance, enabling greater security and confidence in the international trade ecosystem.

    The agreement was signed by Dr. Khalid Khalafalla, Chief Executive Officer of ICIEC, and Dr. Adel Salem, Chief Executive Officer of Al Baraka Islamic Bank BSC Bahrain, in a joint effort to enhance the capacity of Islamic financial institutions to manage trade-related risks more effectively.

    Under this partnership, ICIEC will provide insurance coverage for the confirmation of Letters of Credit (LCs) issued by Al Baraka Islamic Bank in connection with the import and export of eligible Shariah-compliant goods and services. This solution will help mitigate payment risks associated with cross-border trade while promoting sustainable growth in ICIEC’s member states.

    Dr. Khalid Khalafalla, CEO of ICIEC, stated: “This strategic collaboration with Al Baraka Islamic Bank reflects ICIEC’s unwavering commitment to advancing intra-OIC trade and investment. By supporting Shariah-compliant trade finance through our Documentary Credit Insurance Policy, we are facilitating secure trade flows while empowering Islamic banks to broaden their offerings to clients. This partnership demonstrates the power of multilateral cooperation in achieving shared development goals.”

    For his part, Dr. Adel Salem, CEO of Al Baraka Islamic Bank BSC Bahrain, stated: “We are delighted to partner with ICIEC on this pioneering Credit Insurance Policy, which empowers us to extend Shariah‑compliant trade finance to our clients, bolster Bahrain’s role as a regional hub for Islamic banking, and stimulate sustainable economic growth across member states worldwide. This collaboration underscores our unwavering commitment to innovation and robust risk management, giving the businesses we serve greater confidence to expand in global markets.”

    The DCIP serves as a vital tool for Islamic banks, enhancing their ability to expand trade finance operations with reduced exposure to commercial and political risks. The policy also complements ICIEC’s broader mandate to promote economic resilience, financial inclusion, and private sector development in member countries.

    Both institutions reaffirmed their shared dedication to expanding the reach of Islamic finance, strengthening risk mitigation tools, and contributing to inclusive and sustainable economic development.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC).

    Media Contacts:
    ICIEC
    Email: ICIEC-Communication@isdb.org

    Al Baraka Islamic Bank BSC
    Email: marketing@albaraka.bh

    Follow ICIEC on: 
    X: https://apo-opa.co/44Qre2B
    Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3Iv2bL3
    LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/44JYv0J
    YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4eRJkG9
    Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/44LpCak

    About The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC):
    As a member of ‘AAA’ rated Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), ICIEC commenced operations in 1994 to strengthen economic relations between OIC Member States and promote intra-OIC trade and investments by providing risk mitigation tools and financial solutions. The Corporation is the only Islamic multilateral insurer in the world. It has led from the front in delivering a comprehensive suite of solutions to companies and parties in its 50 Member States. ICIEC, for the 17th consecutive year, maintained an “Aa3” insurance financial strength credit rating from Moody’s, ranking the Corporation among the top of the Credit and Political Risk Insurance (CPRI) Industry. Additionally, S&P has reaffirmed ICIEC “AA-“ long-term Issuer Credit and Financial Strength Rating for the second year with Stable Outlook.  ICIEC’s resilience is underpinned by its sound underwriting, global reinsurance network, and strong risk management policies. Cumulatively, ICIEC has insured more than USD 121 billion in trade and investment. ICIEC activities are directed to several sectors – energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture.

    Website: https://ICIEC.IsDB.org

    About Al Baraka Islamic Bank BSC:
    Al Baraka Islamic Bank (AIB) is one of leading financial institutions in the Islamic banking sector within Bahrain. Throughout its history of more than four decades (since its establishment in 1984), the Bank has played a prominent role in building the infrastructure of the Islamic finance industry. The Bank also played a significant role in promoting the Islamic finance industry and publicizing its merits.

    AIB offers innovative financial products, including investments, international trading, management of short-term liquidity and consumer financing, all of which are all based on Islamic financing modes. Such financing includes Murabaha, Wakala, Istisna, Musharaka, Mudarabah, Salam, and Ijara Muntahia Bittamleek.

    Website: https://www.AlBaraka.bh

    Media files

    .

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray Slams Republicans’ Rescissions Package on Senate Floor

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    FACT SHEET: Trump’s Rescission Package Would Shutter Local Public Radio, TV Stations Across America

    FACT SHEET: Trump’s Rescission Package Would Gut Bipartisan Foreign Policy Investments

    ICYMI: Vought Refuses to Rule Out More Illegal End-Runs Around Congress & Refuses to Detail How Trump Will Execute Cuts If Rescissions Bill Passes

    ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s floor remarks***

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor slamming Senate Republicans for moving forward with President Trump’s devastating rescissions package and continuing to urge a no vote on final passage:

    [LAUGHABLE CLAIMS OF “FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY”]

    “Two weeks ago, Republicans were jamming through the most expensive bill in the history of the country. And now, they say they are worried about the debt.

    “Two weeks ago, Republicans said four trillion bucks in tax cuts for the richest people in the world was nothing—literally. And now, they are saying a truly tiny fraction of that for rural radio is just too much.

    “So, I have to ask: Is this a joke? Are they really that bad at math?

    “First, Republicans were saying trillions in tax cuts were free. Get real.

    “And now, they are pretending to be fiscal hawks by shutting down local news, and letting epidemics go unchecked around the world.

    “Well, here’s another math lesson for my colleagues, Republicans could cut every dollar ever spent on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting since it was created—down to the last dime—and it still would not cover the cost of the bill Republicans just jammed through.

    “Republicans could actually cut every dollar we have spent on foreign aid since World War II—and that would still fall short compared to the cost of the Republican tax cuts.

    “Republicans could even cut the amount in this first rescissions bill—every single day for a year—and it still would not equal their tax cuts to help their rich donors.

    “So, make no mistake, if Republicans choose to do Trump’s bidding, if they push through this package to rip away funding for emergency alerts and global health programs, it is not because they take the debt seriously.

    [MORE REQUESTS COMING]

    “And that will be just as true for the next package, because let’s be clear, if Republicans go along with this package, despite the fact they clearly have issues with it, and despite the fact Russ Vought has refused to answer the most basic questions—even from the Republican Chair of the Appropriations Committee—about which programs he is going to cut.

    “If all of that is not enough to give Republicans just some pause, and they let Russ Vought steamroll them through this package, don’t be surprised when he sends more cuts down the pike.

    “It could be medical research, and after school programs, maybe heating assistance, workplace safety, road maintenance. Everything is going to be on the chopping block. And all of our time here in the Senate is going to be spent on those requests.

    [SPENDING PRIORITIES]

    “And here’s the kicker—no matter how many rescissions Russ Vought sends, no matter how many rescissions Republicans roll over and let pass, they will never offset the trillions in tax cuts they just passed without blinking an eye.

    “Because you could rescind the entire FY25 spending bill—twice over—and it still would not cover the four trillion in tax cuts Republicans just showered on the richest people in this country.

    “So, however this vote goes, expect to hear more from me on this every time Republicans try to pretend we don’t have money for child care, or medical research, or other programs that our families rely on.

    “Now, M. President. I’ve said a lot about how patently absurd it is for Republicans to pretend they are passing these cuts because they care about the debt. But I do not want to lose sight of the larger issues. It’s not just that Republicans’ play acting about the debt is absurd, the bigger problem here is that these cuts would be devastating for our communities and for American interests around the globe.

    [SHUTTING DOWN LOCAL STATIONS]

    “When it comes to local news, these cuts could force local stations that people know and trust—know and trust—off the air. This isn’t just about a program or two taking a haircut. Trump wants to slash every penny of federal funding that supports over 1,500 local TV and radio stations.

    “Those stations, and those funds, reach 98% of all Americans. And they are especially crucial for serving our rural areas and Tribal communities. Dozens of these stations rely on these investments for half of their funding, some rely on it for as much as 99 percent!

    “If these cuts go through, these stations go dark. Weather forecasters communities have turned to for years, news anchors that are trusted voices, local reporters who track down answers their communities need and hold their officials to account, will be sent packing. And those stations will go silent.

    “Do we want our farmers to have good local coverage of weather, and market conditions? Do we want our tribal communities to know what is going on at the state capitol? Do we want families to have updates about the local school board, or community events?

    “Because this package of cuts throws all of that in jeopardy.

    “To say nothing of emergency alerts. These stations can be a lifeline when disaster strikes. They are a trusted source of information, and sometimes the only source people have access to.

    “When the devastating wildfires hit southern California earlier this year, public radio broadcasts let millions of people know how to stay safe. When Hurricane Helene battered North Carolina, a local public radio station was the only source of information for many people.

    “And, in fact, many stations use their towers to actually deliver emergency alerts to people’s cell phones when cell towers go down. This funding supports stations who play an integral role in many states’ emergency planning.

    “Do you think our communities should have less warning in an emergency? Do you want to leave folks back home with less information when they are in harm’s way?

    Well, I guess you vote for this bill if that’s how you feel. Want you to know, I’m a hard no.

    [SIDE DEAL TO ROB PETER TO PAY PAUL]

    “And let’s not pretend a secret deal from Trump and Vought, to reallocate $10 million dollars, is somehow a serious fix to this. It is a tiny drop in the bucket compared to the massive cuts being pushed through here. In fact, it’s less than 1% of the overall funding that this package would rip away for public broadcasting and those alerts.

    [KIDS PROGRAMMING]

    “And don’t forget, these cuts are going to impact some of our kids’ and parents’ favorite educational shows. Sesame Street, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Daniel Tiger, PBS Kids has a long track record of creating shows that are beloved.  

    “Not just because they keep kids entertained, but because they are thoughtfully crafted to help them learn and grow, to stoke their curiosity, to teach them caring and empathy. Any parent will tell you that is a worthwhile investment.

    “And any parent will also warn you, if you take away shows like this that gets kids engaged and gets them thinking, take that away, then there is an avalanche of brain-rot television that’s waiting to fill that void. Content that is crafted, not to get kids thinking, but to keep them watching at all costs.

    “We have to save Sesame Street. We have to tell Trump and Vought, Big Bird is not on the chopping block in this country. And we have to send this rescissions package to Oscar’s place—AKA the trash can.

    [AMERICAN INTERESTS ABROAD]

    “And M. President, I want to talk as well about the devastating cuts this package proposes to foreign assistance. I thought America’s leadership was important to Republicans?

    “But apparently, they want to penny pinch when it comes to keeping our commitments across the world, apparently, they want to save money by letting families starve, and kids die of preventable diseases. Because that is what this package will do.

    “And this isn’t some thought exercise—we have already seen how the first round of reckless DOGE cuts are working out.

    “There’s already a growing death toll and a huge leadership void that our competitors are racing to fill, people who needed health care—but Elon Musk shut down the only clinic for miles, kids contracting diseases like HIV and Malaria—because Trump totally upended our global health response, and let’s not forget, they’re going to destroy contraceptives we’ve already purchased rather than distribute them.

    “And people are starving to death while food supplies from American companies are sitting rotting in ports. That’s another part of why America’s farmers are coming out in opposition to this bill by the way.

    “This week, 500 tons of high energy biscuits expired. Food that we already paid for. Food that was meant to save lives. And because Trump and Elon Musk blasted USAID to smithereens and couldn’t be bothered to fix the mess that they caused, this food is now going to be incinerated—even as people we promised to help watch their kids starve.

    “That is outrageous, and it is infuriating.

    “Is that what Republicans think of as world leadership? Is it leadership to Republicans when Trump fires thousands of State Department workers who keep our nation safe, and make our voice heard in the world?

    “Is it leadership to Republicans when we pull investments out of international organizations, and create a void that our adversaries like China will be all too happy to fill?

    “We already know the DOGE cuts were devastating. We know that! What I don’t know is why on earth Republicans are getting ready today to double down and codify them by passing this bill. And no—‘because Trump said so’—is not a good answer.

    “Especially when it’s clear Russ Vought is the one steering this particular ship. I’m not even sure Trump knows what a rescission is! But I’m sure Republicans know better than to think these cuts will make our nation strong.

    “I know that because we passed these investments in a bipartisan way. And because I have heard them speak out about how much they hate these cuts. You can go back and watch our hearing on this, many of our colleagues across the aisle during that hearing voiced deep concern with these cuts, that they now intend to pass today.  

    “Because we all know these investments benefit American businesses who help feed the world.

    “They help stop outbreak, they stop diseases abroad before they spread and threaten us here at home. They help promote stability and avoid chaos and conflict that can put our interests—and our servicemembers—in harm’s way.

    “They help us advance America’s interests and keep our country safe and prosperous.

    “That’s the smart thing to do. It’s the smart thing to do. And of course, it is also the right thing to do.

    “So, it’s worth saying, cutting these investments is just down right wrong.

    “We should not be voting to let children starve or die from preventable diseases. We should not be voting to go back on our word to the world.

    Saving a couple pennies is not worth losing our credibility or causing millions of needless deaths across the globe.

    “It is not even close.

    [DOESN’T NEED TO BE THIS WAY]

    “And M. President. I want to impress upon one final point. And that’s this, it did not have to be this way, and it still does not have to be this way.

    “In fact, if Republicans come to their senses, and vote this thing down, we still can go a different route. We can do what we have always done and consider bipartisan rescissions as part of our annual appropriations process. That offer has always been on the table. And it still is.
    “I’ve heard Republicans say they don’t like this package, in fact they are trying to dial it back the tiniest bit. I’ve also heard that they don’t want to spend the next several months processing these requests out here on the floor, instead of focusing on our annual funding bills—or any number of other pressing priorities.

    “So: don’t vote for it!

    “Work with us to write bills that make targeted rescissions on a bipartisan basis. You don’t work for Donald Trump. You don’t work for Russ Vought. You actually work for your constituents. You can put them first. And you can vote this package down.

    “That has some real benefits compared to going down the path of this unprecedented—unprecedented— partisan rescissions.

    “I am serious—I want my Republican colleagues to think about that. And I mean really think about it.

    “For one thing, if we do things the normal, bipartisan way, you get to assert your say as a Senator about what is getting targeted, it’s not just ‘this is what Russ Vought says—take it or leave it.’ You can actually be a part of the discussion and speak out for what is important to you.

    “For another thing: If we go the bipartisan route, you don’t have to get jammed by this deadline. 

    “Instead of rushing through cuts this week without fully getting to consider and debate them, instead of being told ‘No, you can’t change this, we don’t have time.’ We can all sit down, make thoughtful decisions, and maybe even worthwhile changes as we go.

    “And here’s an important point, if we do rescissions together through our appropriations bills, instead of just letting Trump and Russ Vought jam through whatever they want, my colleagues would actually know what in the world they are voting for.

    [NO INFORMATION ON WHAT WILL BE CUT]

    “Because let’s get one thing straight, Republicans don’t actually know what programs are going to get cut if they pass this package.

    “We don’t know! It’s one of the great outrages of this package. Russ Vought is just outright refusing to tell us what programs he is going to cut if this package passes.

    “At our hearing with him, he refused to go into detail. He stonewalled us. We asked and we asked. The Chair, the Republican Chair, even asked him about this.

    “But OMB would not tell us! The question is: What will you cut? The answer has been: Pass it, we’ll see.

    “That is why the Republicans decided to protect just a handful of programs without actually reducing the funding associated with them, because they do not know the impact.

    “So, they preserve funding for Jordan, Egypt, and a few university partnerships. What about our allies in the Indo-Pacific? What about the implementers of these programs in our states?

    “None of us should accept not having those answers. And I’m sure my colleagues were told their priorities won’t be impacted, but Director Vought cannot keep that promise given the scale of these cuts. The math simply does not add up!

    “Even if you believe we should make cuts, you should be joining us to demand we actually know what is being cut. And, if we do this the right way, the bipartisan way, we would know. Because we would be writing the bill.

    “Now, doesn’t that sound a lot better, than just passing this pandora’s box, and finding out later what got cut?

    [IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SENATE]

    “Finally, I have said this before, several times, but I want to warn my colleagues once again, if you keep going down this path you are going to further undermine our bipartisan process. 

    “We have never, never before seen bipartisan investments, slashed through a partisan rescissions package. Do not start now. Not when we are working, at this very moment, in a bipartisan way to pass our spending bills.

    “As I said earlier, bipartisanship doesn’t end with any one line being crossed, it erodes, it breaks down bit by bit, until one day there is nothing left.

    Sure, a few members may be willing to stick it out and work as hard as they can to get a result.

    “But this Senate doesn’t work off a few members—it works off consensus building. And the more bridges you burn, the fewer paths you leave to get things done.

    “So, M. President, why go down this partisan path? Why vote to spend the next many weeks considering more of these packages? And why do it for a set of cuts that are so damaging? A set of cuts, many of you have serious concerns with?

    “We are at the table right now, the Appropriations Committee, writing bipartisan spending bills. And we can and absolutely discuss bipartisan rescissions.

    “Why don’t you join us and make that work easier, instead of making that work harder by passing this bill and setting a very painful new precedent.

    “I urge my colleagues to join me in voting NO.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: In Burkina Faso, cashew cultivation is a lever for sustainable and inclusive rural development

    Source: APO

    Launched in 2017 and completed in 2024, the Cashew Development Support Project in the Comoé Basin for REDD+ (PADA/REDD+) exemplified sustainable development. The project combined poverty reduction, ecological transition and the empowerment of women and young people, achieving a remarkable implementation rate of 95 percent.  It has revitalised the cashew nut industry, Burkina Faso’s third largest agricultural export after cotton and sesame.

    The PADA/REDD+ project received support from the African Development Bank, which granted a loan of $4 million, and the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional funding window, with a grant of $1.39 million, representing 61 percent of the total project cost of $8.82 million. The government of Burkina Faso and the beneficiaries provided the remaining funding.

    The project mobilised the necessary resources to contribute to the sustainable transformation of the Cascades, Hauts Bassins and South-West regions, with significant participation from women. It enabled producers to reduce maintenance costs, improve soil fertility and structure, and increase cashew productivity and incomes in a sustainable manner.

    Climate action combined with agricultural production

    The first component of the PADA/REDD+ focused on carbon sequestration. This resulted in the creation of seven tree parks, the production of more than 1.6 million improved seedlings and the development of approximately 27,000 hectares of agroforestry plantations. One-third of these plantations are maintained by women, underlining the project’s commitment to promoting social inclusion. A total of 35,340 producers, including 6,047 women, were trained in good agricultural and organic practices.

    This capacity-building approach for producers and processors equipped each stakeholder with the skills required to meet their needs and expectations, particularly in mastering technical production and processing methods.

    Adama Patrick Sombié, a cashew nut processor in Bérégadougou, confirms his satisfaction: “Before the project, there were no cashew tree parks in the village, only forest and a few orchards. When the project offered plots to promoters, I signed up and received two hectares.”

    Access to finance and modernization of processing

    The second component of the project focused on strengthening value chains. Long hampered by limited access to finance, the sector’s development has benefited from an innovative partnership with the umbrella organisation of Burkina Faso’s Caisses populaires banks, alongside savings and loan cooperatives.

    This mechanism enabled investment loans to be granted based on a sliding scale of interest rates, financing 103 microprojects for a total of 888 million CFA francs, or approximately $500,000. The project also created 9,580 additional “green” jobs, 92.66 percent of which were for women, by financing micro-investment projects.

    Thanks to the funding provided, seven processing units were modernised. A new unit called “Tensya” was established in the commune of Toussiana, and three warehouses were built, one of which is reserved for women. The project also enabled the purchase of 12 trucks and 45 tricycles, training in good practices for 631 people, strengthening the environmental skills of 477 stakeholders, and the construction and equipping of infrastructure such as a cooking and shelling centre for women in Diéri, entirely subsidised by the African Development Bank.

    An inclusive and sustainable impact

    These microprojects reached nearly 18,000 people, 61 percent of whom were women, further strengthening the inclusive approach of PADA/REDD+. “This project is a blessing for us. Thanks to the income generated, we can send our children to school and keep them healthy. Before, we used to sell our products at rock-bottom prices, but now, with our own processing units, we control the entire value chain,” says Aramatou Barro, a processor in Diéri.

    Christiane Koné, a processor in Toussiana, confirms this postive impact: “Thanks to the project, we have been able to purchase six automatic shelling machines, which are twice as fast as our 25 manual shelling tables.”

    At the same time, the project structured supply networks, ensured that 96 cooperatives complied with OHADA (Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa) standards and implemented an environmental management plan. Working conditions have improved significantly. Isso Kindo, a trader in Bobo-Dioulasso, says: “Transport was our main obstacle. Today, thanks to the truck financed by the project, I can transport up to 60 tonnes of nuts from the towns of Banfora and Mangodara.”

    The impact of PADA/REDD+ can also be measured in terms of job creation for young people and rural entrepreneurs. In Orodara, Arzouma Zougouri, a producer and business owner, explains that “the project’s support has enabled me to better equip my processing unit. I’ve gone from 200 to 300 employees,” he says proudly.

    By structuring the cashew nut sector sustainably, increasing productivity and strengthening local processing, PADA/REDD+ achieved its objectives whilst laying the foundations for more resilient rural development. Its contribution to carbon sequestration through agroforestry plantations strengthens its environmental impact. Perennial plantations, modernised agricultural practices, a strengthened local processing network and better access to finance were the pillars of this success.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Diene Keita Designated Acting Executive Director of UNFPA

    Source: United Nations Population Fund

    Effective 16 July 2025, the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has designated Ms. Diene Keita as Acting Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

    Ms. Keita, who has served as UNFPA’s Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director (Programme) since August 2020, will serve as Acting Executive Director of UNFPA until a new Executive Director is appointed. This designation follows the retirement of Dr. Natalia Kanem after her distinguished tenure of more than eight years at the helm of the organization.

    Ms. Keita brings to the role over three decades of leadership in international development and public service. Her career includes service as Minister for Cooperation and African Integration for the Republic of Guinea, alongside extensive experience within the United Nations. She has held senior leadership positions within UNFPA, including as Representative in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo—two of the organization’s largest programmes. She has acted as United Nations Resident Coordinator in Mauritania, Benin, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ms. Keita began her United Nations career in 1990 with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

    Throughout her career, Ms. Keita has worked extensively on the empowerment of women and youth, inclusive growth, demographic issues, and sustainable human development. She has focused on addressing sexual and reproductive health, as well as on ending gender-based violence in humanitarian settings.

    Ms. Keita holds a doctorate in Law and advanced degrees in International Economics and Development Law and International Relations from the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. She is fluent in English, French and Italian. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Casten, 16 House Democrats FOIA Request EPA for Info on Employee Firings, Rollbacks

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

    July 16, 2025

    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) led 16 House Democrats in submitting a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for details of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin’s efforts to slow-walk the promulgation and enforcement of public health standards.

    “At your January 16 confirmation hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, you pledged to be ‘transparent and accountable to Congress and the public,’” the lawmakers wrote. “In keeping with that commitment, please provide us with copies of the records requested below. Your response will help address our concerns about the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) implementation of the President’s various executive orders and other actions.”

    In their FOIA request, the lawmakers have demanded information on, among other things:

    • The interest groups that Zeldin and other senior officials have met with and the lobbying documents they have provided;

    • EPA’s current pace of inspections and enforcement, key metrics in assessing how the agency is fulfilling its responsibility of enforcing environmental laws and regulations;

    • Any actual or proposed actions to expedite certain permits pursuant to the “emergency authority” of an executive order;

    • The number of EPA’s public servants who have left or are leaving;

    • The job classifications of the individuals installed in Zeldin’s front office; and

    • The specific statutory provisions that authorize EPA to waive or modify otherwise-applicable requirements under existing federal laws, in following the president’s executive orders. 

    In addition to Rep. Casten, the request was signed by Reps. Jamie Raskin, Summer Lee, Lloyd Doggett, Delia Ramirez, Cleo Fields, Rashida Tlaib, Jan Schakowsky, Pramila Jayapal, Jesús G. “Chuy” García, Mike Quigley, Mark Takano, Sarah Elfreth, Troy Carter, Steve Cohen, and Jim McGovern.

    A copy of the FOIA request can be found here. Text of the request is below.

    Dear Administrator Zeldin,

    At your January 16 confirmation hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, you pledged to be “transparent and accountable to Congress and the public.” In keeping with that commitment, please provide us with copies of the records requested below. Your response will help address our concerns about the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) implementation of the President’s various executive orders and other actions. Freedom of Information Act Request Our specific requests for EPA records listed below are submitted pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 USC 552. For purposes of this request, “records” include reports, memoranda, power points, correspondence, or other responsive documents. At this time, we are not seeking copies of (a) emails that transmit, discuss or acknowledge receipt of the records requested; (b) draft or marked up versions of any document; (c) press clippings or any record of media coverage; or (d) any information that is exempt from disclosure under 42 USC 552(b), provided that EPA identifies the specific exemptions in that paragraph that justify withholding records responsive to this request. 

    We expect EPA to waive any fees associated with your response to our request, as disclosure will contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations and activities of a government agency and does not serve any private commercial interest. 

    A. Calendar for EPA Administrator and Other Political Appointees

    Former EPA Administrator William Ruckelshaus released the so-called “fishbowl” memo in May 1983, which included a promise to make the meeting calendars for the Administrator, Deputy Administrator, Assistant, Associate and Regional Administrators, and Staff Office Directors publicly available by the end of each week.

    1. EPA provides online access to “simplified meeting calendars” for the Administrator, Regional Administrators, and other high-ranking officials at https://www.epa.gov/senior-leaders-calendars, but advises that a FOIA request is required to obtain the “official record” of such meetings. Please provide copies of the official record of all meetings between January 20 and July 15, 2025, for the Administrator, all Regional Administrators, and for Barry Breen, Kimberly Patrick, Maureen Gwinn, Chad McIntosh, Sarah Dunham, Gregg Tremi, Rick Keigwin, Jeffrey A. Hall, James Payne, Rafael DeLeon, and Peggy Browne.

    2. Please provide a copy of any analyses, power point presentations, charts, reports, letters, or other documents provided to the Office of the Administrator that were prepared by, or on behalf of, any individual or organization identified in the official record of your meeting calendar. You may exclude any confidential briefing materials prepared by any EPA employee.

    B. EPA Workforce

    The numerous announcements regarding the number of EPA employees terminated, rehired, retiring, accepting buyouts, or subject to actual or planned reductions in staffing have left Congress and the public confused about the actual size of EPA’s workforce and its capacity to carry out its mission.

    1. For each office, program or region that appears on EPA’s website at https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-organization-chart, please provide records that identify the total number of full time-equivalents (FTE) on EPA’s payroll as of July 15, 2025.

    2. For each office, program or region, please provide records that identify the number of FTE’s who:

      1. are on administrative leave because they have accepted buyouts and are expected to leave EPA on or before September 30, 2025;

      2. have been placed on administrative for any other reason; 

      3. are still employed but have notified EPA of their intention to retire on or before September 30, 2025;

      4. are still employed, but will be terminated on or before September 30, 2025, due to planned reductions in enforce or the elimination of specific functions or programs; and

      5. have been hired since January 20, 2025, excluding any employees who were rehired after they were mistakenly terminated.

    Please provide records that identify the number, name, and job classifications of individuals hired by the Office of the Administrator since January 20, 2025.

    C. EPA Enforcement Actions

    Federal environmental law directs EPA to notify sources violating permit or pollution control standards, as well as the relevant state agencies, and authorizes (and in some cases requires) EPA enforcement actions if needed to bring violators into compliance. 

    Please provide copies of the following records:

    1. Notices of noncompliance issued by EPA from January 1, 2024, to the present, including notices of violation, findings of violation, or warning letters;

    2. Civil complaints filed in federal court since January 1, 2023, for any cases that have not yet been resolved through litigation or an appropriate consent decree;

    3. Inspection reports completed since January 1, 2024;

    4. Information requests issued since January 1, 2024; and

    5. Administrative penalty orders that are still pending, i.e., have not been resolved through consent orders.

    D. EPA Reports Required By Executive Order

    The EPA and other federal agencies are required to report regularly on the actions they have taken to implement President Trump’s various executive orders. We request copies of the reports or records itemized below, along with any records of the analyses that EPA relied upon to prepare them. 

    Executive Order 14156: The Clean Water Act authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite the permitting of projects that may pollute wetlands or other waters during emergency situations that result in “…an unacceptable hazard to life, a significant loss of property, or an immediate, unforeseen, and significant economic hardship…” (33 C.F.R. 325.2(e)). Executive Order (EO) 14156, “Declaring a National Energy Emergency,” directs the EPA and other agencies to exercise this emergency permitting authority “…to the fullest extent possible…to facilitate the Nation’s energy supply”; to identify actual, planned or potential actions to implement this directive within 30 days (by February 19), and every thirty days thereafter to report on their status as well as any new opportunities to exercise this emergency authority.

    Please provide a copy of:

    1. all reports that EPA has prepared and submitted in response to EO 14156; and

    2.  any actual or potential actions to expedite permits pursuant to the emergency authority cited in EO 14156.

    Executive Order 14154: EO 14154, “Unleashing American Energy,” requires EPA and other Agencies to suspend, revise, or rescind “…all existing regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies, settlements, consent orders and any other actions…” that impose an undue burden on the “development and use” of fossil fuels, critical minerals, and other energy sources that do not include wind, solar power, or electric vehicles. Agencies must notify the Attorney General of any actions taken to implement this directive and within 30 days report to OMB as to whether reducing or eliminating enforcement could help to implement the President’s policy goals.

    Please provide a copy of any record of:

    1. the EPA actions reported to the Attorney General under EO 14154;

    2. any report or other document provided to OMB regarding the actual or potential exercise of its enforcement authority under EO 14154; and

    3. for any federal law implemented in whole or in part by EPA, any records that interpret the specific statutory provisions that authorize the EPA to waive or modify otherwise applicable requirements.

    4. any guidance, memoranda, or policy issued by EPA that establish or explain the criteria for determing when a regulation, order, guidance, policy, settlement, consent order or “any other action” will pose an “undue burden” on the development or use of fossil fuels or critical minerals.

    Please feel free to contact me directly if you have questions about the scope of this request or wish to discuss a schedule for response. Alternatively, your staff may contact Nikki Roy in my office (Nikki.Roy@mail.house.gov). Thank you for your attention to our request. We look forward to your reply.

    Sincerely,

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung EEIP Calls for Eligible ICT Enterprises to Apply for the ED Programme

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung in collaboration with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) has opened its third call, inviting all suitable, black-owned ICT and Service Centre SMMEs to apply for participation in this year’s Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP) for Enterprise Development (ED).
     
    Samsung’s R280-million worth EEIP, which was launched in 2019, has managed to demonstrate considerable success since its inception. In its six years of sustained success, this year represents the 3rd edition of the programme and seeks to continue making a measurable difference to the socio-economic development of black South Africans. This year’s call follows two successful cycles and forms part of Samsung’s broader commitment to the ICT sector, SMME development and the government’s Vision 2030.
     

     
    Nicky Beukes, Samsung EEIP Project Manager said: “This programme has in the last few years seen great success and has also had a positive impact in the lives of entrepreneurs in the ICT space. As part of our transformation objectives, our EEIP programme continues to contribute to the sustainable development goals of the National Development Plan (NDP).”
     
    Importantly, through Samsung’s collaboration with the DTIC – these partners remain committed to making a positive contribution to broader economic growth and, to continue playing a significant role in both job creation as well as sustainable entrepreneurship opportunities within South Africa.
     

     
    Beukes added: “And together with the DTIC, we have in the last few years re-affirmed our commitment to ICT development and economic transformation which are aligned to South Africa’s Vision 2030. This third edition of EEIP and its success to date, is a clear indication that Samsung’s significant investment in SMME development is yielding tangible results.”
     
    This third, consecutive call to all black-owned SMEs in the ICT and Service Centre space across South Africa is a great opportunity for the country’s ICT SMMEs to grow and shape the future of their businesses through this Samsung ED Programme.
     

     
    For more information on how to respond to the call and apply, please see link: www.samsung.com/za/local-programme/ed-programme/
     

    Main Page:  Samsung EEIP | Enterprise Development | Samsung South Africa
    Application form: Samsung EEIP Application for Enterprises | Samsung South Africa

    MIL OSI Economics –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Improving climate governance in West Africa: Three calls for inclusive climate action in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal

    Source: APO

    Climate change is a growing threat across Africa, with West Africa feeling its effects especially intensely. According to the ND-GAIN index, Burkina Faso (162nd out of 182), Senegal (144th), and Côte d’Ivoire (134th) rank among the most vulnerable countries. They face a dangerous mix of low capacity to adapt and high exposure to climate hazards.

    This vulnerability shows up in more extreme weather, worsening food insecurity, and growing precarity—particularly harming women and young people.

    To tackle this urgent challenge, the Union of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions of Africa (UCESA), supported by the African Development Bank, has developed three national advocacy papers. These papers promote participatory climate governance that reflects citizens’ real needs. They also aim to strengthen the role of Economic and Social Councils in shaping national climate policies.

    “These advocacy plans put citizens back at the centre of climate action,” said Arona Soumare, Principal Climate Change and Green Growth Officer at the African Development Bank. “By giving them full backing, the African Development Bank is reiterating its commitment to inclusive, equitable climate governance rooted in local realities. These initiatives lay the foundations for sustainable and resilient development in Africa.”

    According to Abdelkader Amara, current head of UCESA and President of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) of Morocco, “UCESA is aware of these challenges and consequently intends to promote and support actions taken by African Economic and Social Councils and similar institutions that help to integrate sustainability and resilience into the frameworks for defining, implementing, and evaluating relevant institutional and policy mechanisms.”

    Burkina Faso: 

    Building resilience in a Sahelian setting

    Located in the middle of the Sahel belt, Burkina Faso is one of the countries that is most vulnerable to climate change. This fragility is exacerbated by a limited ability to adapt, which is particularly pronounced among women and young people. The advocacy effort developed by the Economic and Social Council of Burkina Faso, aided by technical support from UCESA, reflects citizens’ perceptions of the real effects of climate change. It proposes responses rooted in local realities, with a view to steering public policies towards a more inclusive, participatory and community resilience-oriented approach.

    Côte d’Ivoire:

    Towards citizen-centred climate governance

    Côte d’Ivoire lies in a region highly vulnerable to climate shocks. This vulnerability is compounded by the limited involvement of women, especially in rural areas, and the still marginal role of civil society. The national advocacy paper, developed through extensive consultation, captures citizens’ expectations and offers clear recommendations for more equitable climate governance. It underscores the importance of fully including people’s voices in decision-making processes—an essential element for effective climate action.

    Senegal:

    Citizen participation and climate resilience

    Senegal, a country in the Sahel-Sudan region, is already bearing the brunt of climate change. The national advocacy campaign draws on a citizen perception survey to inform a participatory discussion on future policy directions. Led by Senegal’s Economic, Social and Environmental Council, in partnership with UCESA and the African Development Bank, the resulting document calls for a unified effort from civil society, researchers, NGOs, and policymakers to create climate strategies that are inclusive, locally grounded, and capable of sustainably strengthening national resilience.

    A regional dynamic

    These three advocacy papers are part of a regional dynamic propelled by UCESA, with the support of the African Development Bank. They demonstrate a shared commitment to rooting climate action in citizen participation, stakeholder synergy, and regional solidarity. Through this initiative, the Economic and Social Councils are re-asserting their role as a strategic interface between civil society and public authorities in responding to the continent’s climate challenges.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: From Mine Shafts to Classrooms: How a Cobalt Mining Town is Reclaiming Childhood and Rebuilding Hope

    Source: APO

    Thirteen-year-old Beni Cial Yumba Musoya used to spend her days scavenging for cobalt under the scorching sun in the artisanal mines of Kolwezi. Today, she dreams of donning a white coat and saving lives. “I want to be a doctor,” she says, smiling shyly from her wooden desk at Kasanda Primary School in Kasulo, a neighbourhood nestled in Congo’s mining heartland of south-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. “I will build schools and health centres to help people, just as I was helped before,” she continues.

    Beni is one of thousands of Congolese children whose lives have been transformed by the Support Project for Alternative Welfare of Children and Young People Involved in the Cobalt Supply Chain (PABEA-COBALT) (https://apo-opa.co/4l0Hwfv), a bold $82 million initiative funded by the African Development Bank.

    The project aims to eliminate child labour in the cobalt sector – an industry vital to the global tech economy, yet plagued by poverty, informally and exploitation.

    The atmosphere here has changed dramatically. Just a few years ago, the soundscape of Kasulo was dominated by the roar of rudimentary mining machinery and the shuffle of children burdened by sacks of ore. Today, those echoes have been replaced by the buzz of classrooms, the chatter of pupils at recess, and the laughter of children rediscovering play and learning.

    In early 2022, PABEA-COBALT identified more than 16,800 Congolese children working in artisanal cobalt mines in the provinces of Haut-Katanga and Lualaba. Since then, 13,587 of them – including Beni – have been enrolled in schools. Many attend newly constructed or rehabilitated facilities like Kasanda Primary School, where education, healthcare, psychological support and civil registry services are provided at no cost.

    “Before, I used to collect minerals in artisanal mines. That was all I knew,” recalls Beni, her expression briefly clouded by painful memories.

    A few steps away, Marie Samba tends to her hens and quails, her hand dusted with feed rather than cobalt residue. A former mine worker, Marie once spent her days sorting and washing cobalt to survive. Today, she’s a trained poultry farmer. “I used to collect and wash minerals to sell them,” she sighs.

    Marie is one of over 10,500 parents and guardians supported by the project – well above the initial target of 6,250. They have received training in agriculture and livestock farming, as well as materials to start-up kits to launch small businesses. Additionally, 8,200 young people formerly working in the mines are being supported to integrate into school, vocational training, or income-generating activities.

    “We have been educated and trained in livestock farming and agriculture. We have also been given supplies to start our activities. I didn’t think I could change my life like this,” says Marie Samba, who is delighted with the excellent results she is achieving with her poultry farm

    PABEA-COBALT has also helped establish two entrepreneurship centres in Haut-Katanga and Lualaba, equipped with modern equipment for agriculture, livestock farming and food processing. These centres serve as anchors for change, empowering young people and parents to build livelihoods away from the mines.

    “One of the project’s greatest successes is that it has anchored change from within the communities,” says project coordinator Alice Mirimo Kabetsi. “Solutions don’t just come from outside: they are now driven by parents, teachers and young people themselves. This model proves that by focusing on education and local entrepreneurship, we can break the cycle of child labour in the mines for good,” she said.

    Across the region, this shift is tangible. Nearly 1,000 agricultural cooperatives have been reorganized, strengthening local agricultural and livestock value chains and offering new economic opportunities. The transformation has drawn international attention. A recent report from the DRC’s National Human Rights Commission titled Child labour in artisanal cobalt mining sites (https://apo-opa.co/4lU5lGn), produced in collaboration with the UN Human Rights Council, commended the project’s “tangible results” and urged replication in other mining-affected region across the Great Lakes.

    Back in Kasulo, children like Beni are rediscovering their childhood dreams and the power of innocence. Mothers like Marie are holding their heads high, proud to be building a future free from the cobalt mines.

    For partners such as the African Development Bank, this project has not only changed lives. It has paved the way for a whole generation growing up far from the mines and building, day after day, a stronger, fairer and resolutely forward-looking society.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

    About the African Development Bank Group: 
    The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: The golden oyster mushroom craze unleashed an invasive species – and a worrying new study shows it’s harming native fungi

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Aishwarya Veerabahu, Ph.D. Candidate in Botany, University of Wisconsin-Madison

    Golden oyster mushrooms can be cultivated, but they can also escape into the wild. DDukang/iStock/Getty Images Plus

    Golden oyster mushrooms, with their sunny yellow caps and nutty flavor, have become wildly popular for being healthy, delicious and easy to grow at home from mushroom kits.

    But this food craze has also unleashed an invasive species into the wild, and new research shows it’s pushing out native fungi.

    In a study we believe is the first of its kind, fellow mycologists and I demonstrate that an invasive fungus can cause environmental harm, just as invasive plants and animals can when they take over ecosystems.

    A scientist documents golden oyster mushrooms growing wild in a Wisconsin forest, where these invasive fungi don’t belong. DNA tests showed the species had pushed out other native fungi.
    Aishwarya Veerabahu

    Native mushrooms and other fungi are important for the health of many ecosystems. They break down dead wood and other plant material, helping it decay. They cycle nutrients such as carbon and nitrogen from the dead tissues of plants and animals, turning it into usable forms that enter the soil, atmosphere or their own bodies. Fungi also play a role in managing climate change by sequestering carbon in soil and mediating carbon emissions from soil and wood.

    Their symbiotic relationships with other organisms also help other organisms thrive. Mycorrhizal fungi on roots, for example, help plants absorb water and nutrients. And wood decay fungi help create wooded habitats for birds, mammals and plant seedlings.

    However, we found that invasive golden oyster mushrooms, a wood decay fungus, can threaten forests’ fungal biodiversity and harm the health of ecosystems that are already vulnerable to climate change and habitat destruction.

    The dark side of the mushroom trade

    Golden oyster mushrooms, native to Asia, were brought to North America around the early 2000s. They’re part of an international mushroom culinary craze that has been feeding into one of the world’s leading drivers of biodiversity loss: invasive species.

    As fungi are moved around the world in global trade, either intentionally as products, such as kits people buy for growing mushrooms at home, or unintentionally as microbial stowaways along with soil, plants, timber and even shipping pallets, they can establish themselves in new environments.

    Where golden oyster mushrooms, an invasive species in North America, have been reported in the wild, including in forests, parks and neighborhoods. Red dots indicate new reports each year. States in yellow have had a report at some point. Aishwarya Veerabahu

    Many mushroom species have been cultivated in North America for decades without becoming invasive species threats. However, golden oyster mushrooms have been different.

    No one knows exactly how golden oyster mushrooms escaped into the wild, whether from a grow kit, a commercial mushroom farm or outdoor logs inoculated with golden oysters – a home-cultivation technique where mushroom mycelium is placed into logs to colonize the wood and produce mushrooms.

    As grow kits increased in popularity, many people began buying golden oyster kits and watching them blossom into beautiful yellow mushrooms in their backyards. Their spores or composted kits could have spread into nearby forests.

    Evidence from a pioneering study by Andrea Reisdorf (née Bruce) suggests golden oyster mushrooms were introduced into the wild in multiple U.S. states around the early 2010s.

    Species the golden oysters pushed out

    In our study, designed by Michelle Jusino and Mark Banik, research scientists with the U.S. Forest Service, our team went into forests around Madison, Wisconsin, and drilled into dead trees to collect wood shavings containing the natural fungal community within each tree. Some of the trees had golden oyster mushrooms on them, and some did not.

    We then extracted DNA to identify and compare which fungi, and how many fungi, were in trees that had been invaded by golden oyster mushrooms compared with those that had not been.

    We were startled to find that trees with golden oyster mushrooms housed only half as many fungal species as trees without golden oyster mushrooms, sometimes even less. We also found that the composition of fungi in trees with golden oyster mushrooms was different from trees without golden oyster mushrooms.

    For example, the gentle green “mossy maze polypore” and the “elm oyster” mushroom were pushed out of trees invaded by golden oyster mushrooms.

    Mossy maze polypore growing on a stump. This is one of the native species that disappeared from trees when the golden oyster mushroom moved in.
    mauriziobiso/iStock/Getty Images Plus

    Another ousted fungus, Nemania serpens, is known for producing diverse arrays of chemicals that differ even between individuals of the same species. Fungi are sources of revolutionary medicines, including antibiotics like penicillin, cholesterol medication and organ transplant stabilizers. The value of undiscovered, potentially useful chemicals can be lost when invasive species push others out.

    The invasive species problem includes fungi

    Given what my colleagues and I discovered, we believe it is time to include invasive fungi in the global conversation about invasive species and examine their role as a cause of biodiversity loss.

    That conversation includes the idea of fungal “endemism” – that each place has a native fungal community that can be thrown out of balance. Native fungal communities tend to be diverse, having evolved together over thousands of years to coexist. Our research shows how invasive species can change the makeup of fungal communities by outcompeting native species, thus changing the fungal processes that have shaped native ecosystems.

    There are many other invasive fungi. For example, the deadly poisonous “death cap” Amanita phalloides and the “orange ping-pong bat” Favolaschia calocera are invasive in North America. The classic red and white “fly agaric” Amanita muscaria is native to North America but invasive elsewhere.

    The orange ping-pong bat mushroom is invasive in North America. These were photographed in New Zealand.
    Bernard Spragg. NZ/Flickr Creative Commons

    The golden oyster mushrooms’ invasion of North America should serve as a bright yellow warning that nonnative fungi are capable of rapid invasion and should be cultivated with caution, if at all.

    Golden oyster mushrooms are now recognized as invasive in Switzerland and can be found in forests in Italy, Hungary, Serbia and Germany. I have been hearing about people attempting to cultivate them around the world, including in Turkey, India, Ecuador, Kenya, Italy and Portugal. It’s possible that golden oyster mushrooms may not be able to establish invasive populations in some regions. Continued research will help us understand the full scope of impacts invasive fungi can have.

    What you can do to help

    Mushroom growers, businesses and foragers around the world may be asking themselves, “What can we do about it?”

    For the time being, I recommend that people consider refraining from using golden oyster mushroom grow kits to prevent any new introductions. For people who make a living selling these mushrooms, consider adding a note that this species is invasive and should be cultivated indoors and not composted.

    If you enjoy growing mushrooms at home, try cultivating safe, native species that you have collected in your region.

    Most mushrooms you see in the grocery store are grown indoors.

    There is no single right answer. In some places, golden oyster mushrooms are being cultivated as a food source for impoverished communities, for income, or to process agricultural waste and produce food at the same time. Positives like these will have to be considered alongside the mushrooms’ negative impacts when developing management plans or legislation.

    In the future, some ideas for solutions could involve sporeless strains of golden oysters for home kits that can’t spread, or a targeted mycovirus that could control the population. Increased awareness about responsible cultivation practices is important, because when invasive species move in and disrupt the native biodiversity, we all stand to lose the beautiful, colorful, weird fungi we see on walks in the forest.

    Aishwarya Veerabahu receives funding from UW-Madison Dept. of Botany, the UW Arboretum, the Society of Ecological Restoration, and the Garden Club of America. Aishwarya Veerabahu was an employee of the USDA Forest Service.

    – ref. The golden oyster mushroom craze unleashed an invasive species – and a worrying new study shows it’s harming native fungi – https://theconversation.com/the-golden-oyster-mushroom-craze-unleashed-an-invasive-species-and-a-worrying-new-study-shows-its-harming-native-fungi-259006

    MIL OSI –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Sudan: UNICEF condemns weekend attacks that killed 35 children

    Source: United Nations 2

    At least 24 boys, 11 girls and two pregnant women reportedly were among the victims of the violence, which occurred over the weekend in communities around the city of Bara, including the villages of Shag Alnom and Hilat Hamid. 

    UNICEF fears that with dozens more injured and many still missing, the number of child casualties could rise further.

    ‘A complete disregard for human life’

    “These attacks are an outrage,” Executive Director Catherine Russell said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

    “They represent a terrifying escalation of violence, and a complete disregard for human life, international humanitarian law, and the most basic principles of humanity.”

    Former allies turned rivals – the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – have been battling for control of the country since April 2023 and fighting has intensified recently in the Kordofan region which encompasses three states.

    End the violence now

    “UNICEF condemns the attacks in the strongest possible terms,” said Ms. Russell.

    She called on all parties to end the violence immediately and to uphold their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, as well as the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution.

    The UNICEF chief stressed that civilians – particularly children – must never be targeted. Furthermore, all alleged violations must be independently investigated, and those responsible held to account.

    “Impunity cannot be tolerated for violations of international law, especially when children’s lives are at stake,” she said.

    Ms. Russell extended the agency’s deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and to anyone impacted by this heinous violence.

    “No child should ever experience such horrors,” she said. “Violence against children is unconscionable and must end now.” 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Muhammadu Buhari: Nigeria’s military leader turned democratic president leaves a mixed legacy

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Kester Onor, Senior Research Fellow, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs

    Nigeria’s former president, Muhammadu Buhari, who died in London on 13 July aged 82, was one of two former military heads of state who were later elected as civilian presidents. Buhari was the military head of state of Nigeria from 31 December 1983 to 27 August 1985 and president from 2015 to 2023.

    The other Nigerian politician to have been in both roles is former president Olusegun Obasanjo . He was a military ruler between 1976 and 1979 and elected president between 1999 and 2007.

    Buhari led Nigeria cumulatively for nearly a decade. His time as military head of state was marked with a war against corruption but he couldn’t do as much during his time as president under democratic rule.

    As a political scientist who once served in the Nigerian Army, I believe that former president Buhari’s government’s war on terrorism was largely underwhelming, despite promises and early gains.

    In his elected role, Buhari maintained a modest personal lifestyle and upheld electoral transitions. Nevertheless his presidency was marred by economic mismanagement, a failure to implement bold structural reforms, ethnic favouritism, and an unfulfilled promise of change.

    He did leave tangible infrastructural footprints, a focus on agriculture, and foundational efforts in transparency and anti-corruption.

    So his mark on Nigeria’s development trajectory was mixed.

    Early years

    Buhari was born on 17 December 1942, to Adamu and Zulaiha Buhari in Daura, Katsina State, north-west Nigeria. He was four years old when his father died. He attended Quranic school in Katsina. He was a Fulani, one of the major ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.

    After completing his schooling, Buhari joined the army in 1961. He had military training in the UK, India and the United States as well as Nigeria.

    In 1975 he was appointed military governor of North Eastern State (now Borno State), after being involved in ousting Yakubu Gowon in a coup that same year. He served as governor for a year.

    Buhari later became federal commissioner for petroleum resources, overseeing Nigeria’s petroleum industry under Obasanjo. Obasanjo had become head of state in 1976 when Gowon’s successor, Murtala Muhammed, was assassinated in a failed coup that year.

    In September 1979, he returned to regular army duties and commanded the 3rd Armoured division based in Jos, Plateau State, north central. Nigeria’s Second Republic commenced that year after the election of Shehu Shagari as president.

    The coup that truncated the Shagari government on 31 December 1983 saw the emergence of Buhari as Nigeria’s head of state.

    Buhari’s junta years

    Buhari headed the military government for just under two years. He was ousted in another coup on 27 August 1985.

    While at the helm he vowed that the government would not tolerate kick-backs, inflation of contracts and over-invoicing of imports. Nor would it condone forgery, fraud, embezzlement, misuse and abuse of office and illegal dealings in foreign exchange and smuggling.

    Eighteen state governors were tried by military tribunals. Some of the accused received lengthy prison sentences, while others were acquitted or had their sentences commuted.

    His government also enacted the notorious Decree 4 under which two journalists, Nduka Irabor and Dele Thompson, were jailed. The charges stemmed from three articles published on the reorganisation of Nigeria’s diplomatic service.

    Buhari also instituted austerity measures and started a “War Against Indiscipline” which sought to promote positive values in the country. Authoritarian methods were sometimes used in its implementation. Soldiers forced Nigerians to queue, to be punctual and to obey traffic laws.

    He also instituted restrictions on press and political freedoms. Labour unions were not spared either. Mass retrenchment of Nigerians in the public service was carried out with impunity.

    While citizens initially welcomed some of these measures, growing discontent on the economic front made things tougher for the regime.



    Read more:
    Why Buhari won even though he had little to show for first term

    Buhari, the democrat

    Buhari’s dream to lead Nigeria again through the ballot box failed in 2003, 2007 and 2011. To his credit, he didn’t give up. An alliance of opposition parties succeeded in getting him elected in 2015.

    The legacy he left is mixed.

    Buhari’s government deepened national disunity.

    His appointments, often skewed in favour of the northern region and his Fulani kinsmen, fuelled accusations of tribalism and marginalisation. His perceived affinity with Fulani herdsmen, despite widespread violence linked to some of them, further eroded public trust in his leadership.

    His anti-corruption mantra largely did not succeed. While some high-profile recoveries were made, critics argue that his anti-corruption war was selective and heavily politicised.

    Currently, his Central Bank governor is on trial for corruption charges.

    The performance of the economy was also dismal under his tenure. Not all these problems could be laid at his feet. Nevertheless his inability to tackle the country’s underlying problems, such as insecurity, inflation and rising unemployment, all contributed. He presided over two recessions, rising unemployment, inflation, and a weakened naira.

    He did, however, succeed on some fronts.

    He tried with infrastructure. The Lagos-Ibadan expressway, a major road, was almost completed and he got the railways working again, completing the Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan lines. He also completed the Second Niger Bridge.

    There was an airport revitalisation programme which led to improvements in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt airports.

    Buhari signed the Petroleum Industry Act after nearly 20 years’ delay. This is now attracting more investments into the oil industry.

    He also initiated some social investment schemes like N-Power, N-Teach and a school feeding programme. They provided temporary jobs for some and gave some poor people more money in their pockets. N-Power is a youth empowerment programme designed to combat unemployment, improve social development and provide people with relevant skills.

    These programmes later became mired in corruption which only became known after he left office.

    There was also an Anchor Borrowers Scheme to make the country more sufficient in rice production. Again, it got enmeshed in corruption and some of its officials are currently standing trial.

    In the fight against corruption, the Buhari administration made some progress through the Treasury Single Account, which improved financial transparency in public institutions. The Whistle Blower Policy also led to the recovery of looted funds.



    Read more:
    Why Buhari’s government is losing the anti-corruption war

    Security failures

    Buhari oversaw a deterioration of Nigeria’s security landscape. Banditry, farmer-herder clashes, kidnapping and separatist agitations escalated.

    In 2015 Buhari campaigned on a promise to defeat Boko Haram and restore territorial integrity in the north-east. Initially, his administration made some progress. Boko Haram was driven out of several local government areas it once controlled, and major military operations such as Operation Lafiya Dole were launched to reclaim territory.

    However, these initial successes were not sustained. Boko Haram splintered, giving rise to more brutal factions like the Islamic State West Africa Province. This group continued to launch deadly attacks.

    Buhari’s counter-terrorism strategy was often reactive, lacking a clear long-term doctrine. The military was overstretched and under-equipped. Morale issues and allegations of corruption in the defence sector undermined operations.

    Intelligence coordination remained poor, while civil-military relations suffered due to frequent human rights abuses by security forces. Community trust in the government’s ability to provide security dwindled.

    Buhari’s second coming as Nigeria’s leader carried high expectations, but he under-delivered.

    Kester Onor 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. Muhammadu Buhari: Nigeria’s military leader turned democratic president leaves a mixed legacy – https://theconversation.com/muhammadu-buhari-nigerias-military-leader-turned-democratic-president-leaves-a-mixed-legacy-261079

    MIL OSI –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Sudan’s war is an economic disaster: here’s how bad it could get

    Source: The Conversation – Africa (2) – By Khalid Siddig, Senior Research Fellow and Program Leader for the Sudan Strategy Support Program, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

    Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a devastating war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. What began as a struggle for power has turned into a national catastrophe. More than 14 million people have been displaced. Health and education systems have collapsed and food insecurity threatens over half the population of about 50 million.

    The war has disrupted key sectors, triggering severe economic contractions, and worsening poverty and unemployment levels.

    Sudan’s finance minister reported in November 2023 that the war had resulted in economic losses exceeding US$26 billion – or more than half the value of the country’s economy a year earlier. The industrial sector, which includes manufacturing and oil refining, has lost over 50% of its value. Employment has fallen by 4.6 million jobs over the period of the conflict. More than 7 million more people have been pushed into poverty. The agrifood system alone has shrunk by 33.6%. These estimates exclude informal economy losses.

    My research applies economy-wide models to understand how conflict affects national development. In a recent study, my colleagues and I used this approach to answer the question: what will happen to Sudan’s economy and poverty levels if the war continues through 2025?

    To assess the economic impact of the conflict, we used a Social Accounting Matrix multiplier model. This is a tool that captures how shocks affect different sectors and other agents of the economy, such as firms, government and households.

    Based on our modelling, the answer is devastating: the conflict could shrink the size of Sudan’s economy by over 40% from 2022 levels, plunging millions more into poverty.

    We modelled two scenarios to capture the potential trajectories of Sudan’s economy.

    The extreme scenario assumes a sharp initial collapse, with a 29.5% contraction in the size of the economy in 2023 and 12.2% in 2024, followed by a 7% decline in 2025, reflecting some stabilisation over time.

    The moderate scenario, based on World Bank projections, applies a 20.1% contraction in 2023 and a 15.1% drop in 2024, also followed by a 7% reduction in 2025, indicating a slower but more prolonged deterioration.

    We estimated the annual figures and report only the aggregate impacts through 2025 for clarity.

    We found that if the conflict endures, the value of Sudan’s economy will contract by up to 42% from US$56.3 billion in 2022 (pre-conflict) to US$32.4 billion by the end of 2025. The backbone of livelihoods – agriculture – will be crippled. And the social fabric of the country will continue to fray.

    How we did it

    Our Social Accounting Matrix multiplier model used data from various national and international sources to show the impact of conflict on the value of the economy, its sectors and household welfare.

    We connected this to government and World Bank data to reflect Sudan’s current conditions.

    This allowed us to simulate how conflict-driven disruptions affect the value of the economy, its sectors and household welfare.

    What we found

    Under the extreme scenario, we found:

    • Gross domestic product collapse: Gross domestic product (GDP) measures the total value of all goods and services produced in a country within a year. It’s a key indicator of economic health. We found that the value of Sudan’s economy could contract by up to 42%. This means the country would be producing less than 60% of what it did before the conflict. This would affect incomes, jobs, government revenues and public services. The industrial sector – heavily concentrated in Khartoum – would be hardest hit, with output shrinking by over 50%. The value of services like education, health, transport and trade would fall by 40%, and agriculture by more than 35%.

    • Job losses: nearly 4.6 million jobs – about half of all employment – could disappear. Urban areas and non-farm sectors would be worst affected, with over 700,000 farming jobs at risk.

    • Incomes plummet: household incomes would decline across all groups – rich and poor, rural and urban – by up to 42%. Rural and less-educated households suffer the most.

    • Poverty spikes: up to 7.5 million more people could fall into poverty, adding to the 61.1% poverty level in 2022. In rural areas, the poverty rate could jump by 32.5 percentage points from the already high rural poverty rate pre-conflict (67.6% of the rural population). Women, especially in rural communities, are hit particularly hard. Urban poverty, which was at 48.8% pre-conflict, increases by 11.6 percentage points.

    • The agrifood system – which includes farming, food processing, trade and food services – would lose a third of its value under the extreme scenario.

    Why these findings matter

    Sudan was already in a fragile state before the war. It was reeling from decades of underinvestment, international sanctions and institutional breakdown.

    The war has reversed hard-won gains in poverty reduction. It is also dismantling key productive sectors – from agriculture to manufacturing – which will be essential for recovery once the conflict ends. Every month of continued fighting adds to the damage and raises the cost of rebuilding.

    Our projections already show major economic collapse, yet they don’t include the full extent of the damage. This includes losses in the informal economy or the strain on household coping strategies. The real situation could be even worse than what the data suggests.

    What needs to be done

    First and foremost, peace is essential. Without an end to the fighting, recovery will be impossible.

    Second, even as conflict continues, urgent action is needed to stabilise livelihoods. This means:

    • supporting agriculture in areas that remain relatively safe. Food production must be sustained to prevent famine.

    • restoring critical services where possible – particularly transport, trade and retail – to keep local economies functioning

    • protecting the most vulnerable, such as women in rural areas and the elderly, through expanded social protection and targeted cash assistance.

    Third, prepare for recovery. The international community – donors, development banks and NGOs – must begin laying the groundwork for post-conflict reconstruction now. This includes investment in public infrastructure, rebuilding institutions and re-integrating displaced populations.

    The bottom line

    Sudan’s war is more than a political crisis. It is an economic catastrophe unfolding in real time. One that is deepening poverty, destroying livelihoods and erasing years of progress.

    Our research provides hard numbers to describe what Sudanese families are already experiencing every day.

    The country’s economy is bleeding. Without a shift in the trajectory of the conflict, recovery could take decades – if it happens at all.

    Khalid Siddig 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. Sudan’s war is an economic disaster: here’s how bad it could get – https://theconversation.com/sudans-war-is-an-economic-disaster-heres-how-bad-it-could-get-260609

    MIL OSI Analysis –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Member Frankel Statement at the Subcommittee Markup of the 2026 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Funding Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21)

    Congresswoman Lois Frankel (D-FL-22), Ranking Member of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks at the Subcommittee’s markup of the fiscal year 2026 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs funding bill:

    -As Prepared For Delivery-

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    Let me start by recognizing the collegiality of Chairman Diaz-Balart and the thoughtful members on both sides of the aisle. I also want to thank the dedicated committee staff—and my own team—for their hard work and guidance. But above all, I want to express my deep gratitude to the public servants who bring American values to life around the world—diplomats, development professionals, and humanitarian workers. They serve and served in some of the most dangerous and difficult places on earth. Many have recently been forced out of their jobs, dismissed without cause or ceremony. To those who’ve served and those still standing: You are patriots. You represent the best of who we are. And we owe you more than thanks—we owe you the tools to do your job.

    With the right allocation and a White House that actually valued diplomacy, development, and humanitarianism, I believe we could have crafted a strong, bipartisan measure worthy of our nation’s leadership.

    Instead, I rise in fierce opposition to the Republican FY26 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs bill—a reckless, shortsighted blueprint for American retreat.

    It follows a deeply troubling pattern. The White House has illegally impounded foreign aid, dismantled USAID, gutted the State Department—all without input from Congress. More than ten thousand USAID staff were dismissed. Over 5,000 aid programs have been axed. Just last week, 1,300 State Department employees were let go. Entire offices eliminated.

    And all of this in the middle of a global convergence of crises: armed conflicts, climate disasters, health emergencies, famine, mass migration, and rising authoritarianism.

    This is not theoretical. These crises are slamming into us. When fragile states collapse, migration surges. When we cancel trade support, American farmers and manufacturers lose customers. When we fail to build climate resilience, homes and crops are washed away. When global health systems fail, disease reaches our shores. And when the U.S. pulls back, China and Russia are right there to take our place.

    Worse still, our closest allies—pressured to increase military spending—are also cutting their foreign aid. So as global needs explode, the soft power of democratic nations is vanishing. And the vacuum left behind? It’s being filled by regimes that don’t share our values—or our interests.

    This bill slashes international affairs funding by 22 percent—$13 billion in deep, devastating cuts.

    It guts development and economic support: children pulled from classrooms and left without clean water; farmers cut off from tools that feed communities; young entrepreneurs abandoned, fueling extremism and instability; conflict prevention programs eliminated—so violence erupts unchecked; local organizations, our most trusted partners, shut down.

    It cuts humanitarian assistance by 42 percent. That’s not just unwise—it’s inhumane: women and girls in conflict zones left without care after suffering horrific sexual violence; refugees denied shelter, medicine, hope; food rations slashed below survival levels in places like Syria, Sudan, Bangladesh; and millions of children dying from malnutrition.

    This bill is cruel. It is cold. And it is not who we are.

    And of course, Republicans couldn’t resist another attack on women—reviving the Global Gag Rule, gutting funding for the UN Population Fund, and shortchanging family planning programs that save lives and lift up communities.

    This bill also abandons multilateral institutions like the United Nations and World Health Organization; it sidelines the U.S. from global decision-making; weakens our ability to promote peace and defend allies; forces partners into the arms of authoritarian regimes; and forfeits the power of burden-sharing through institutions like UNICEF, the World Bank, and the UN.

    It’s putting China in charge of the world.

    Let me be blunt: These cuts are not abstract. They are deadly.

    In Nigeria, malnourished infants are dying because therapeutic food deliveries have stopped. In Myanmar, hospitals are shutting their doors in the middle of conflict. In The Gambia, programs to support survivors of female genital mutilation have been halted just as the country debates re-legalizing the practice. In Ukraine, wounded soldiers are going without care. In Afghanistan, pregnant women are being turned away from clinics. In Ecuador, women entrepreneurs—stripped of support—are being pushed toward our border.

    This isn’t just a loss of aid. It’s a loss of American credibility. A loss of moral authority. A loss of global influence.

    And it will cost us dearly.

    Why should the American people care? Because when we fail to lead with compassion and common sense, the world becomes less stable, our troops face more danger, and we pay the price—again and again.

    When we cut aid, we increase the risk of war. When we defund development, we undercut diplomacy. And when we turn our back on the world, we endanger our own.

    I speak as the proud mother of a U.S. Marine veteran. I know what happens when diplomacy fails. When we fail to prevent conflict with education, aid, and engagement, the burden falls on the Pentagon—and on families whose loved ones serve our military.

    Let’s remember: The entire international affairs budget has typically been less than one percent of federal spending. But it delivers exponential returns for our safety, prosperity, and moral standing.

    These programs give youth an alternative to violence. They build markets for American goods. They prevent wars. They reduce migration pressures. They keep our troops home.

    This bill—sadly—is a missed opportunity. A failure to lead. A failure to invest in the power of peace, progress, and partnership.

    But let me end with this: Democrats are not giving up. We stand ready to work with our Republican colleagues—to fight for a bill that reflects our values, honors our commitments, and protects American lives.

    A sustained path to a safer, stronger, and more prosperous nation cannot be built on isolation and threats.

    Because we cannot bomb our way to peace. We cannot drone our way to stability. And we cannot retreat our way to safety.

    A strong America leads—not with fear, but with courage. 

    Not by pulling back, but by reaching out.

    And that’s the bill we should all fight for.

    Thank you. I yield back.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sun Prairie Man Sentenced to 2 ½ Years for Illegally Possessing Firearm and Ammunition

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    MADISON, WIS. – Chadwick M. Elgersma, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Cashius Carter, 21, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty and was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 2 ½ years in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The prison term will be followed by 3 years of supervised release.

    On September 25, 2024, a Fitchburg police officer stopped a vehicle that Carter was driving. The vehicle smelled of marijuana and the officer asked Carter to exit the vehicle so it could be searched. Carter fled from the scene but was ultimately caught. In the vehicle, the officer found a loaded Glock 19 9mm with an extended magazine between the driver’s seat and center console. In the back seat, officers recovered almost 700 grams of marijuana. The Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory later recovered Carter’s DNA on the firearm. Carter is prohibited from legally possessing a firearm or ammunitions because of a prior felony conviction for eluding an officer.

    At sentencing, Judge Peterson found that Carter’s possession of a loaded firearm with a large quantity of marijuana was dangerous. Judge Peterson also noted that Carter had an aggravated criminal history, which included a violent battery and a high-speed police chase. Judge Peterson explained that he was imposing the sentence to protect the public and deter Carter from further criminal conduct.

    The charge against Carter was the result of an investigation conducted by the Fitchburg Police Department and the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force, which consists of federal agents from ATF and Task Force Officers from state and local agencies throughout the Western District of Wisconsin. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan prosecuted this case.

    This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.

    MIL Security OSI –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Sudan’s war is an economic disaster: here’s how bad it could get

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Khalid Siddig, Senior Research Fellow and Program Leader for the Sudan Strategy Support Program, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

    Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a devastating war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. What began as a struggle for power has turned into a national catastrophe. More than 14 million people have been displaced. Health and education systems have collapsed and food insecurity threatens over half the population of about 50 million.

    The war has disrupted key sectors, triggering severe economic contractions, and worsening poverty and unemployment levels.

    Sudan’s finance minister reported in November 2023 that the war had resulted in economic losses exceeding US$26 billion – or more than half the value of the country’s economy a year earlier. The industrial sector, which includes manufacturing and oil refining, has lost over 50% of its value. Employment has fallen by 4.6 million jobs over the period of the conflict. More than 7 million more people have been pushed into poverty. The agrifood system alone has shrunk by 33.6%. These estimates exclude informal economy losses.

    My research applies economy-wide models to understand how conflict affects national development. In a recent study, my colleagues and I used this approach to answer the question: what will happen to Sudan’s economy and poverty levels if the war continues through 2025?

    To assess the economic impact of the conflict, we used a Social Accounting Matrix multiplier model. This is a tool that captures how shocks affect different sectors and other agents of the economy, such as firms, government and households.

    Based on our modelling, the answer is devastating: the conflict could shrink the size of Sudan’s economy by over 40% from 2022 levels, plunging millions more into poverty.

    We modelled two scenarios to capture the potential trajectories of Sudan’s economy.

    The extreme scenario assumes a sharp initial collapse, with a 29.5% contraction in the size of the economy in 2023 and 12.2% in 2024, followed by a 7% decline in 2025, reflecting some stabilisation over time.

    The moderate scenario, based on World Bank projections, applies a 20.1% contraction in 2023 and a 15.1% drop in 2024, also followed by a 7% reduction in 2025, indicating a slower but more prolonged deterioration.

    We estimated the annual figures and report only the aggregate impacts through 2025 for clarity.

    We found that if the conflict endures, the value of Sudan’s economy will contract by up to 42% from US$56.3 billion in 2022 (pre-conflict) to US$32.4 billion by the end of 2025. The backbone of livelihoods – agriculture – will be crippled. And the social fabric of the country will continue to fray.

    How we did it

    Our Social Accounting Matrix multiplier model used data from various national and international sources to show the impact of conflict on the value of the economy, its sectors and household welfare.

    We connected this to government and World Bank data to reflect Sudan’s current conditions.

    This allowed us to simulate how conflict-driven disruptions affect the value of the economy, its sectors and household welfare.

    What we found

    Under the extreme scenario, we found:

    • Gross domestic product collapse: Gross domestic product (GDP) measures the total value of all goods and services produced in a country within a year. It’s a key indicator of economic health. We found that the value of Sudan’s economy could contract by up to 42%. This means the country would be producing less than 60% of what it did before the conflict. This would affect incomes, jobs, government revenues and public services. The industrial sector – heavily concentrated in Khartoum – would be hardest hit, with output shrinking by over 50%. The value of services like education, health, transport and trade would fall by 40%, and agriculture by more than 35%.

    • Job losses: nearly 4.6 million jobs – about half of all employment – could disappear. Urban areas and non-farm sectors would be worst affected, with over 700,000 farming jobs at risk.

    • Incomes plummet: household incomes would decline across all groups – rich and poor, rural and urban – by up to 42%. Rural and less-educated households suffer the most.

    • Poverty spikes: up to 7.5 million more people could fall into poverty, adding to the 61.1% poverty level in 2022. In rural areas, the poverty rate could jump by 32.5 percentage points from the already high rural poverty rate pre-conflict (67.6% of the rural population). Women, especially in rural communities, are hit particularly hard. Urban poverty, which was at 48.8% pre-conflict, increases by 11.6 percentage points.

    • The agrifood system – which includes farming, food processing, trade and food services – would lose a third of its value under the extreme scenario.

    Why these findings matter

    Sudan was already in a fragile state before the war. It was reeling from decades of underinvestment, international sanctions and institutional breakdown.

    The war has reversed hard-won gains in poverty reduction. It is also dismantling key productive sectors – from agriculture to manufacturing – which will be essential for recovery once the conflict ends. Every month of continued fighting adds to the damage and raises the cost of rebuilding.

    Our projections already show major economic collapse, yet they don’t include the full extent of the damage. This includes losses in the informal economy or the strain on household coping strategies. The real situation could be even worse than what the data suggests.

    What needs to be done

    First and foremost, peace is essential. Without an end to the fighting, recovery will be impossible.

    Second, even as conflict continues, urgent action is needed to stabilise livelihoods. This means:

    • supporting agriculture in areas that remain relatively safe. Food production must be sustained to prevent famine.

    • restoring critical services where possible – particularly transport, trade and retail – to keep local economies functioning

    • protecting the most vulnerable, such as women in rural areas and the elderly, through expanded social protection and targeted cash assistance.

    Third, prepare for recovery. The international community – donors, development banks and NGOs – must begin laying the groundwork for post-conflict reconstruction now. This includes investment in public infrastructure, rebuilding institutions and re-integrating displaced populations.

    The bottom line

    Sudan’s war is more than a political crisis. It is an economic catastrophe unfolding in real time. One that is deepening poverty, destroying livelihoods and erasing years of progress.

    Our research provides hard numbers to describe what Sudanese families are already experiencing every day.

    The country’s economy is bleeding. Without a shift in the trajectory of the conflict, recovery could take decades – if it happens at all.

    – Sudan’s war is an economic disaster: here’s how bad it could get
    – https://theconversation.com/sudans-war-is-an-economic-disaster-heres-how-bad-it-could-get-260609

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President Ramaphosa explains position on commissions of inquiry

    Source: Government of South Africa

    President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended the establishment of commissions of inquiry as a necessary tool to uphold integrity and accountability in South Africa’s criminal justice system.

    Delivering the Presidency Budget Vote for 2025/26 in Parliament on Wednesday, the President cautioned against premature calls for punitive action based on untested claims.

    This as he addressed the recent uproar surrounding allegations made by the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. 

    In an address to the nation last Sunday, President Ramaphosa placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on leave of absence with immediate effect. 

    The President outlined the scope of a judicial commission of inquiry that will focus on investigating “allegations relating to the infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence and associated institutions within the criminal justice system by criminal syndicates”.

    READ | Mkhwanazi allegations: What the judicial commission of inquiry will probe

    Among the allegations that the commission may investigate are the facilitation of organised crime; suppression or manipulation of investigations; inducement into criminal actions by law enforcement leadership; commission of any other criminal offences and intimidation, victimisation or targeted removal of whistleblowers or officials resisting criminal influence. 

    “These allegations are serious. They are also untested. It is therefore necessary that we establish the facts through an independent, credible and thorough process so that we can ensure accountability and safeguard public confidence in the police service,” the President said.

    The President told Parliament that he recently established two commissions. The second commission of inquiry which he announced last Sunday, chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, follows another established in May, led by Judge Sisi Khampepe into apartheid-era crimes.

    “It is therefore strange that some people have voiced strong opposition to the establishment of this commission of inquiry. Some have said that I should take immediate punitive steps against the Minister on the basis of untested allegations. Not only would this be unfair, but it would create a dangerous precedent. The commission should be allowed to do its work,” the President explained.

    Rejecting the narrative that such commissions yield no real outcomes, the President highlighted key examples including the South African Revenue Service Commission, the Commission into the Public Investment Corporation, and the implementation of recommendations from the High-Level Panel on the State Security Agency and the Expert Panel into the July 2021 unrest.

    “Some people have resurrected the tired line that the commissions and panels that we have established have not produced any meaningful results. This view is wrong. It is not borne out by evidence. 

    “These commissions resulted in disciplinary actions and the cancellation of unlawful contracts. The implementation of the recommendations of the High-Level Panel on the State Security Agency (SSA) have contributed significantly to SSA’s stabilisation and recovery, improved oversight and accountability, and the structural reforms contained in the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Act,” he said. 

    Following the recommendations of the Expert Panel into the 2021 Civil Unrest, the President explained that government has taken steps to ensure better intelligence coordination, capacitating public order policing, strengthening community policing forums and streamlining the functioning of the National Security Council.

    In the three years since the final report of the State Capture Commission was presented to the President, government has undertaken major reforms based on its recommendations.

    The President noted that eight new laws have been enacted to strengthen the country’s anti-corruption institutions, enhance the procurement system, reform the intelligence services, and improve corporate accountability and public administration.
    He emphasised that government continues to act on the outcomes of the State Capture Commission, with more than R11 billion in assets recovered, an additional R10.6 billion frozen, and dozens of high-profile criminal cases enrolled.

    “These commissions and panels show a government that takes responsibility, that is committed to transparency and accountability, that does not fear independent scrutiny, and that is determined to take corrective action where lapses have taken place.

    “Each of these commissions and panels unearthed information and made findings that were critical to understanding the events that took place. They were essential in ensuring accountability and providing recommendations on strengthening our institutions and processes,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power Conference & Exhibition Returns to Senegal in December 2025

    Source: APO – Report:

    The MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power Conference & Event returns to Dakar, Senegal in December at the Centre International de Conférences Abdou Diouf. The pre-conference will take place on December 8 and the main event will take place on December 9 -10 under the theme Energy, Petroleum and Mining in Africa: Synergy for Inclusive Economic Development.

    The conference & exhibition aims to unite the MSGBC region through energy cooperation, supporting cross-border collaboration and shared development strategies to drive sustainable growth and long-term economic integration across the Basin.

    For four years, MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power has established itself as the premier platform for industry leaders, innovators and policymakers in the MSGBC region. Each edition has played a crucial role in determining the region’s energy future, driving investment and advancing project development. By connecting governments, energy companies, global operators and financiers, MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power facilitates strategic partnerships and regional cooperation.

    The MSGBC Basin is home to upstream acreage, integrated infrastructure projects and forward-looking development plans. As large-scale projects in Mauritania and Senegal have moved into production and exploration expands across The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea-Conakry, the region requires continued technical and financial engagement to meet its energy goals.

    Join MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 in Dakar this December and be part of the region’s leading energy and mining investment platform. Register now at www.MSGBCOilGasAndPower.com.

    The event is organized with the support of Senegal’s Ministry of Energy, Petroleum and Mines, Senegal’s national oil company Petrosen E&P, COS-Petrogaz and the African Energy Chamber.

    Recent developments across the MSGBC region include the shipment of the first LNG cargo from bp and Kosmos Energy’s Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project offshore Senegal and Mauritania in April 2025. In Senegal, under the leadership of Birame Souleye Diop, Minister of Energy, Petroleum and Mines and Talla Gueye, Director General, Petrosen E&P, oil production at Woodside’s Sangomar field is ongoing, with 3.11 million barrels produced and exported in January 2025 alone and a projected output of 30.5 million barrels for the year at a plateau rate of 100,000 barrels per day.

    In Guinea-Conakry, the first locomotive for the Trans-Guinean railway, part of the Simandou iron ore development, arrived in May 2025. In The Gambia, the government announced that national electricity access is expected to reach 90% by the end of 2025. Meanwhile, Guinea-Bissau signed an oil and gas cooperation agreement with Azerbaijan in June 2025 to support technical and investment partnerships.

    Building on past successes, MSGBC 2025 will be the most impactful edition to date, offering unmatched opportunities for investors and project developers, as well as international operators and service providers.

    “Our objective is to facilitate investment and partnerships across the MSGBC region by providing direct access to decision-makers and financiers,” says Sandra Jeque, Event and Project Director at Energy Capital & Power. “This event is a platform for governments and the private sector to align on shared priorities and promote energy and mining as drivers of economic development.”

    – on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The Africa Debate: Foreign Secretary speech

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    The Africa Debate: Foreign Secretary speech

    The Foreign Secretary gave a speech at The Africa Debate on 2 July 2025.

    Ladies and Gentleman, Friends.

    It’s a great, great pleasure to be here today. Thank you to Sumaila and the team behind the Africa Debate, for bringing us all together.

    This week, it’s 25 years since I was first elected the Member of Parliament for Tottenham and therefore began my journey in public life. So I want to start by looking back for just a moment in time.

    I was a Member of Parliament and then a Junior Minister in the governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. And they were both very, very focused on Africa and the continent of Africa.

    However, when I look back on that period, it was most definitely  principally through the lens of development and aid. This was the era of the Jubilee debt campaign. It was absolutely the era of the Millennium Development Goals. Make Poverty History was the theme of the day and the G8 Summit in Gleneagles in 2005, implementing many of the recommendations of Blair’s Commission for Africa.

    These efforts left of course a legacy. In 2000, almost two-thirds of all sub-Saharan Africans lived on under three dollars a day, by 2010, when Gordon Brown left office, the figure was under half.

    But when I became Foreign Secretary last year, I wanted to modernise our approach to Africa, modernise our approach to development.

    I of course had been travelling to the continent for many, many years, the first country I ever visited was Kenya. But I’d seen the transformation of cities and communities, all brimming with huge potential.

    And I suppose I also benefited from my own heritage in the Global South. My parents hailed from Guyana. And so I understood some of the frustrations of countries and communities when it felt like the West was ignoring people or not listening to people, not understanding what they really needed.

    I wanted to change that. And to reset relations then with the Global South, and particularly with Africa. And to implement a new approach, partnership, not paternalism.

    Genuine partnership is, by definition, between two equals each respecting the other. So in this job, I have tried to show that respect. And in the past year, I have visited eight African countries. The first Foreign Secretary to visit South Africa or Morocco since William Hague. And the first Foreign Secretary ever to visit the great country of Chad.

    And on my first visit to the continent as Foreign Secretary, I launched consultations on our new Africa Approach. A five-month listening exercise, hearing from governments, from civil society and diaspora communities, from businesses and universities, from Cape Town to Cairo, from Dakar to Djibouti, what they valued, what they wanted to see from Britain.

    We needed to listen. And I thank you all for your engagement over the course of this process and for what you told us, what we needed to hear.

    The message actually didn’t surprise me. Because what African people want from Britain is exactly what British people want from Africa. You want, we want, growth.

    And not just any form of growth, a jump in numbers on a spreadsheet for a year or two.

    But a secure, sustainable growth for everyone, high-quality jobs, affordable prices, citizens living better lives than those of their ancestors.

    You want, we want, opportunity.

    Opportunity arising from our respective strengths, like the British education system, like of course the City of London, the incredible natural assets and energised young people across Africa, and our collective commitment to multilateralism.

    And you want, and we want partnerships. Partnerships that harness our deep historic ties, and the array of personal connections that exist between us.

    But partnerships that also continue to grow and deepen, as we both invest in them. That’s just a snapshot of a detailed piece of work.

    But of course, the work can only be beginning. The real test of our Africa Approach, and this was clear in the consultation as well, is how we put it into practice.

    Because talk is cheap. It’s actions in the end that count. I am excited by the deals driving growth that we have been delivering so far.

    A new Strategic Partnership with Nigeria, a new growth plan with South Africa, a new partnership with Morocco, joint work on a new AI strategy in Ghana, and new investments in Tanzania and of course in Kenya, announced in the first East Africa Trade and Investment Forum here in London in May.

    And thanks to our Developing Countries Trading Scheme, and free trade agreements with many African countries, almost £15 billion of goods were exported from Africa to Britain tariff-free last year.

    And following the publication of the British Government’s new Trade Strategy, we will further simplify the rules of the DCTS scheme which benefits thirty-eight African countries, and review our tariffs with South Africa, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.

    The Trade Strategy reinforces Britain’s belief in the power of free trade. And the largest free trade area in the world is Africa’s.

    And that’s why we back the rollout of the African Continent Free Trade Agreement, reducing barriers to intra-African trade through support in areas like digital trade and custom cooperation.

    And we will increase opportunities for British firms to play their part, just as it will increase prosperity in Africa. The British businesses and investors in this room have a big part to play. And I want our Ambassadors, our High Commissioners working closely with you, so that together, we can play a confident role in investing more, and supporting the growth of the African market.

    So, more trade, more investment, this is the best path to prosperity for all.

    And there is a role of course for development as well. But this has to be a modernised approach to development, recognising that fundamentally development is about growth, development is about jobs, development is about business.

    The modern development expert needs to have a mindset of an investor, not a donor. Looking for the best return, not offering the biggest handout.

    And it’s in that spirit that British International Investment recently signed an MoU with South Africa’s Public Investment Corporation, one of Africa’s largest asset managers.

    And this week agreed to support Wave Money Mobile, an exciting African fintech unicorn.

    And it’s also in that spirit that Britain is co-hosting the next Global Fund replenishment summit in South Africa.

    And just last week I made a £1.25 billion pledge to the recent Gavi replenishment in Brussels, the largest of any sovereign donor.

    That work will save lives – many, many millions. But it will also unlock economic value -every pound given to Gavi drives £54 in wider economic benefit.

    And, crucially, it unlocks value in Britain and Africa. Gavi works closely with cutting-edge British pharmaceutical firms like GSK. And it’s also designed the first African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator, which is using industry partnerships to deliver vaccines for Africa.

    Vaccines, and this is very important, because people talked about that during the COVID pandemic, they asked the question, why, why are we failing, the West failing to vaccinate the African continent, and that was an important question.

    But there was a second question – why has the African continent not got its own manufacturing capability, and that is what we now need to deliver in Africa.

    Working with partners like Nigeria, we are pushing for organisations like Gavi and the Global Fund to work together and reform, so that their work has national ownership at its heart.

    National ownership is similarly important when it comes to reforming wider international finance, especially for climate and nature.

    And thank you, President Ruto, for your leadership on the climate issue particularly. The theme of your conference is precisely the right framing, Africa has Natural Capital. But it cannot unlock this if we make it impossibly challenging for states to access the finance that they need.

    At the recent Development Finance Summit in Seville, we were again pushing for reforms of the multilateral development banks and the IMF. We have to mobilise private capital and use guarantees to unlock more funds.

    To empower regional development banks, like the African Development Bank, where developing countries have more of a voice. To tackle unsustainable debt. To work with the City to bring innovations like disaster risk insurance and strengthen local capital markets.

    One example of what this can mean comes from Sierra Leone, where I can announce £2 million pounds worth of British government investment to back a mangrove restoration project by West Africa Blue. The project protects over 90,000 hectares of mangrove estuaries, improving coastal and community resilience.

    But it is also demonstrating how this model can be commercially viable, unlocking future investment in similar projects in the future. And finally, alongside our work on trade, on investment and development finance, we have heard the clear message from the consultation on illicit finance as well.

    I know that this message is not new. For years, friends in Africa have been saying Britain needs to do more to tackle dirty money. Kleptocrats and money launderers rob all our citizens of wealth and security.

    And now, the Government is listening too. That’s why I’ve started imposing sanctions on crooks who siphon off public money for themselves, like Isabel dos Santos of Angola and Kamlesh Pattni’s illicit gold smuggling network.

    And that’s why I’ve also announced that London will be hosting a Countering Illicit Finance Summit, bringing together a broad range and a broad coalition from the Global North and the Global South, to drive these criminals out of our economies.

    Friends, I said the messages of our recent consultations were that Africa wanted more growth, Africa wanted more opportunities, Africa wanted more partnerships.

    In effect, Africa wants Britain to help them to have more choices. Choices over who to do business with, because it’s choices which matter in a volatile geopolitical age.

    Britain wants choices too. And I believe that, given the choice, more and more British businesses and investors will be choosing Africa in the coming years.

    But don’t take my word for it – let’s hear from an African voice. It’s my pleasure now to introduce to the stage a great partner of the UK, a global leader on climate and nature action, and our next keynote speaker, His Excellency, Dr William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) Signs EUR 15 million Master Murabaha Agreement to Support Türkiye’s Private Sector

    Source: APO

    The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (www.ITFC-IDB.org), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, has signed a EUR 15 million Master Murabaha Agreement with Ak Finansal Kiralama A.Ş. (Aklease), one of Türkiye’s leading leasing institutions and a subsidiary of AkBank.

    The two-year facility aims to expand access to Shariah-compliant trade finance solutions for Türkiye’s private sector, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), enabling the import and pre-export of essential goods and services. The partnership reflects ITFC’s ongoing commitment to supporting economic development across member countries.

    Commenting on this partnership, Mr. Nazeem Noordali, COO of ITFC, stated: “This agreement underscores our long-term commitment to supporting Türkiye’s private sector. By partnering with leading institutions such as Aklease, we are furthering ITFC’s mandate to promote trade and foster economic growth.”

    From his end, Mr. Eser Okyay, General Manager, AKLease, commented, “This partnership contributes to the development of innovative financing models in the leasing sector while also reinforcing our vision of providing resources for projects that prioritize sustainable development. This agreement, which marks ITFC’s first contract signed with ITFC in Türkiye’s leasing sector, brings a fresh perspective to the industry. We believe that this approach, which centers on sustainability, green financing, and accessibility for SMEs, offers a valuable alternative for the real sector.”

    This agreement is aligned with ITFC’s broader strategy in Türkiye, where the Corporation has committed significant resources to supporting the private sector through targeted trade finance and capacity-building initiatives.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

    Contact us:
    Tel: +966 12 646 8337
    Fax: +966 12 637 1064
    E-mail: ITFC@itfc-idb.org

    Social media:
    Twitter: (http://apo-opa.co/3GMjN4q)
    Facebook: (http://apo-opa.co/3Uh0mno)
    LinkedIn: International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (http://apo-opa.co/4lvMth5)

    About the International Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC):
    The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) is the trade finance arm of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group. It was established with the primary objective of advancing trade among OIC member countries, which would ultimately contribute to the overarching goal of improving the socio-economic conditions of the people across the world. Commencing operations in January 2008, ITFC has provided more than US$83 billion of financing to OIC member countries, making it the leading provider of trade solutions for these member countries’ needs. With a mission to become a catalyst for trade development for OIC member countries and beyond, the Corporation helps entities in member countries gain better access to trade finance and provides them with the necessary trade-related capacity-building tools, which would enable them to successfully compete in the global market.

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    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Angola’s National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG) President to Outline Angola’s $60B Investment Strategy at Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025

    Source: APO

    Paulino Jerónimo, President of Angola’s National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG), will share insights into the country’s upcoming investment opportunities at the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference – taking place September 3-4 in Luanda. As the country’s upstream regulator, the ANPG has been making considerable strides towards opening-up the market to foreign investment, with recent reforms and block opportunities set to drive the next wave of oil and gas production in Angola. Jerónimo’s insights at the event will not only provide a comprehensive overview of Angola’s block opportunities, but support new investments across the upstream sector.

    Angola is experiencing a surge in upstream oil and gas investments, with $60 billion planned across the market for the next five years. These investments have been made possible with the country’s ambitious licensing strategy, as well as ongoing regulatory reforms and flexible investment structures spearheaded by the ANPG. As the country prepares to launch its next licensing round and promotes acreage on offer through direct negotiation, Angola is affirming its position as a prime investment destination for oil and gas companies.

    As sub-Saharan Africa’s second largest oil producer, Angola implemented an aggressive strategy in 2019, whereby the country seeks to award 50 concessions by 2025. To date, more than 30 new concessions have been awarded over four licensing rounds. The country is expected to launch its next licensing round in 2025, offering ten blocks for exploration in the offshore Kwanza and Benguela basins. This next round follows a successful tender launched in 2023 and concluded in 2024, whereby nine companies qualified as operators and five qualified as non-operators. Since this round, the ANPG has received proposals from three international companies for nine blocks in the onshore Kwanza basin. Proposals were submitted for blocks that were not awarded during the 2023 tender.

    In addition to licensing rounds, Angola offers flexible investment structures that continue to entice new players to the market. In recent years, Angola launched a permanent offer scheme, enabling companies to invest outside of the confines of traditional licensing rounds. Currently, 11 blocks are available on permanent offer. In 2024, the country went a step further, introducing five marginal fields for development. Situated in producing blocks with proven systems, these marginal fields are well-suited for smaller players seeking near-term production.

    Meanwhile, Angola is also expanding and modernizing its library of seismic data under efforts to support future exploration campaigns. Currently, the country’s basins are support by a wealth of 2D and 3D seismic data, with recent acquisition campaigns aimed at improving the understanding of on- and offshore acreage. The ANPG has been spearheading efforts to reprocess existing seismic data, seeking to improve geological updates. In early 2025, energy data and analysis company TGS completed the reprocessing of the Block 16 GeoStreamer MC3D seismic dataset in the Lower Congo basin. This follows an announcement made by TGS at AOG 2024, with the company set to reprocess its onshore Kwanza basin dataset. These efforts provide detailed insights into the subsurface, thereby mitigating investment risks and improving decision-making.

    At AOG 2025, Jerónimo is expected to outline Angola’s strategy to increase production through new exploration campaigns. By exploring the country’s opportunities – from offshore blocks to onshore drilling to partnerships and seismic acquisitions – Jerónimo will offer operators the insights they need to invest in Angola.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Roche and the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) launch partnership to strengthen diagnostic leadership across Africa

    Source: APO

    • The partnership dubbed, Leadership Excellence for African Diagnostics (LEAD) between Roche and ASLM is a three-year programme to strengthen lab leadership in Africa
    • The initiative focuses on mentorship and training to build lab leadership capabilities

    Roche Diagnostics Africa (www.Roche.com) and the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) (www.ASLM.org) have announced the launch of a three-year partnership to elevate laboratory leadership and improve access to quality diagnostic services across the continent. The initiative — titled LEAD: Leadership Excellence for African Diagnostics — brings together health ministries, laboratory directors, academic partners and technical experts to develop a new generation of capable, connected and future-ready lab leaders.

    “This partnership will build long-term leadership that would  shape the future of diagnostics in Africa — practically, strategically and sustainably. In a time where we need African healthcare systems to become less reliant on external funding sources, we are focused on increasing domestic diagnostics capacity more than ever,” says Dr Allan Pamba, Executive Vice President, Diagnostics, Africa, at Roche Diagnostics.

    “We are entering a new chapter where African health systems take the lead in their own transformation. By growing diagnostic leadership we support long-term resilience and impact. LEAD equips professionals who can influence policy, drive national strategy and build sustainable healthcare capacity.”

    Under the partnership, LEAD will deliver a series of integrated interventions including baseline leadership assessments to guide a tailored context-specific training approach, development of a pan-African curriculum in collaboration with a leading academic institution, structured mentorship and professional development for emerging lab leaders, peer learning and regional collaboration through workshops and best practise exchanges.

    ASLM Chief Executive Officer, Nqobile Ndlovu, added: “Diagnostics are the foundation of resilient health systems – but strong labs require strong leaders. LEAD focuses on people: their vision, their reach and their ability to transform public health from within. With this programme, we are supporting the leadership needed to move African healthcare forward.”

    Roche will provide funding, technical support and global platforms for visibility while ASLM will lead country-level implementation, stakeholder coordination and curriculum development.

    Laboratory strengthening is a key enabler for stronger health systems and this partnership is a commitment towards a healthier future for Africans.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Roche Diagnostics.

    Media queries: 
    Precious Nkabinde 
    Communications Lead 
    precious.nkabinde@roche.com 

    Nelly Rwenji
    Communications Lead
    ASLM
    nrwenji@aslm.org

    About Roche:
    Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world’s largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice.

    In recognising our endeavor to pursue a long-term perspective in all we do, Roche has been named one of the most sustainable companies in the pharmaceuticals industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for the thirteenth consecutive year. This distinction also reflects our efforts to improve access to healthcare together with local partners in every country we work.

    Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.

    For more information, please visit www.Roche.com.

    All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.

    About ASLM:
    The African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) is a pan-African organization committed to achieving a healthier Africa by increasing access to quality laboratory services for all. We work to convene and mobilize stakeholders at all levels to improve access to diagnostic services and strengthen laboratory systems and networks.

    Since its founding in 2011, ASLM has played a key role in advancing laboratory medicine in Africa, collaborating with partners and stakeholders to promote disease diagnosis, surveillance, and control. Through its programs and initiatives, ASLM has contributed to the development of laboratory policies and guidelines, the expansion of laboratory networks, and the improvement of laboratory infrastructure and equipment. ASLM’s experience highlights the importance of laboratory medicine in public health and demonstrates the impact of collaborative efforts in advancing health outcomes in Africa.

    Learn more: www.ASLM.org

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025 Panel to Assess Onshore, Shallow Water Prospects in Angola

    Source: APO

    Angola – one of Africa’s leading deepwater producers – is making a strong play for onshore exploration, leveraging its multi-year licensing strategy and flexible investment structures to entice new players to invest in onshore projects. On the back of a licensing round which concluded in 2024, the country is witnessing a surge of investment onshore, unlocking new opportunities for production growth as Angola strives to sustain output above one million barrels per day.

    A panel discussion during the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference will examine the impact ongoing onshore and shallow water projects will have on Angola’s production portfolio. Titled The Role of Onshore and Shallow Water Operations in Maintaining Production, the session will feature companies active in the onshore market and will delve into the strategic significance of onshore assets in maintaining output and maximizing resources in Angola. Speakers include Ricardo Van-Deste, CEO, Sonangol E&P; Edson dos Santos, CEO, Etu Energias; George Toriola, Chief Strategy Officer, FIRST E&P; Gianni Martins, General Manager, Alfort Petroleum; and Scott Gilbert, CEO, Corcel.

    The 2024/2025 period has seen robust growth across Angola’s onshore market as companies invest in drilling and data acquisition in pursuit of new discoveries. In May 2025, Etu Energias signed a Risk Service Contract for Block CON 4 in the onshore Congo basin, granting the company operatorship with 67.5%. The agreement covers a 25-year operating license, with five years allocated for exploration and 20 years for production. The agreement follows two separate deals signed by Corcel in May 2025 for the accelerated development of Block KON 16 in the Kwanza basin. The agreements saw Corcel enhance its stake in the block to 71/5% through transactions signed with Intank Global DMCC and Sintana. Proceeds from the transactions will support de-risking and exploration activities planned for 2026. Corcel completed the data acquisition phase of KON 16 in 2024. Alfort Petroleum is also pursuing onshore exploration, following its qualification as an operator under the country’s 2023 licensing round. The company operates Block KON 8 and is currently interpreting seismic data at the block.

    Meanwhile, while FIRST E&P is not yet active in Angola, other Nigerian players have recently expanded into the country, showcasing the potential for Nigerian players in Angola’s onshore market. Notably, Nigeria’s Walcot Group signed a production sharing contract in April 2025 for three onshore blocks in Angola. These include a 100% equity interest and operatorship of Block KON 1; a 100% equity interest and operatorship of Block CON 3; and a 10% non-operating interest in Block KON 13. Oando Energy Resources – another Nigerian firm – entered the Angolan market in January 2025, gaining operatorship of Block KON 13. The block has two exploration wells previously drilled, with oil and gas identified across various depths. Effimax and Sonangol represent partners on the block.

    Recent onshore investments are largely due to Angola’s 2023 licensing round, which featured 12 blocks for exploration in the Lower Congo and Kwanza basins. Nine companies qualified as operators while five qualified as non-operators. Since the conclusion of the round, the country’s upstream regulatory the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency has since received proposals from three international companies for nine blocks that were not awarded during the 2023 tender. This underscores the level of interest in Angola’s onshore acreage, laying a strong foundation for future discoveries.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Nigeria: Collaboration is Key to Unlocking Marginal Field Potential (By Grace Orife)

    Source: APO


    .

    By Grace Orife, African Energy Chamber (www.EnergyChamber.org) board member

    Nigeria’s oil and gas sector stands at a strategic inflection point and the country’s marginal fields are vital for growth and sustaining upstream activity. These smaller, often undercapitalised fields, especially in shallow waters, are rich with potential. But the obstacle isn’t the geology—it’s fragmentation.

    Marginal fields in Nigeria are primarily operated by indigenous companies building pursuing parallel strategies and competing for capital, technology and talent. The result? Redundant investments, suboptimal recovery, and a lack of scalable impact. What the sector needs now is not more competition, but more cooperation with an outlook on investment.

    Shared Infrastructure, Shared Value

    The current model of asset duplication—each operator investing separately in logistics, facilities and maintenance—is financially and operationally inefficient. A shared infrastructure model dramatically reduces cost per barrel and enhances asset longevity. Value creation replaces asset control as the strategic lens. A great example of this is the 48Km pipeline Umutu to Kwale, Delta state ­– a joint venture between Platform Petroleum and Newcross Petroleum. Indigenous joint ventures can create more bankable projects, unlock blended finance models and even attract ESG-linked capital. Scale is no longer just a metric—it’s a signal.

    Another example is the Otakikpo onshore terminal in OML 11, completed in 2025. Developed by Green Energy International, the terminal is the first indigenous facility constructed in the country in five decades. With a storage capacity of 750,000 barrels – set to increase to three million barrels depending on market demand – and an export capacity of 360,000 barrels per day, the facility reduces operating costs for marginal fields. The terminal is expected to unlock previously-stranded resources from up to 40 marginal fields, highlighting the value of shared infrastructure in Nigeria.

    Strengthened Policy

    The recently passed Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) is a game-changer for Nigeria’s energy industry. By promoting transparency, streamlining regulations, and reforming tax and royalty structures, the PIA creates a more attractive environment for global investors. Crucially, the PIA also addresses marginal field development, providing a clear licensing framework and resolving legal ambiguities. With the PIA in place, Nigeria’s energy sector is poised for a revival, enabling the country to better meet its domestic needs, including reliable electricity and economic growth.

    From Possibility to Practice: Building the Architecture for Collaboration

    When operators share more than just facilities—when they share insights, talent, and lessons learned—sector-wide operational resilience improves. Peer-to-peer learning reduces downtime, enhances safety practices, and fosters innovation. In high-risk environments, agility is a competitive edge.

    To translate this vision into operational reality, indigenous firms must move beyond handshake agreements to structured partnerships. Such partnerships must incorporate strong governance models – featuring transparent rules for decision-making, risk-sharing and conflict resolution. The utilization of neutral operators – third parties who manage shared infrastructure – will also ensure fair access, while structures such as joint operating agreements will enable companies to formalize roles, reduce costs and enhance performance.

    In this scenario, government regulators have a catalytic role to play. By offering fiscal incentives, easing licensing for consortia and prioritising collaborative proposals, they can turn policy into progress.

    The Future Belongs to the Connected

    The next chapter of Nigeria’s upstream oil industry won’t be written by solitary operators: it will be shaped by those who recognise that collaboration is not a compromise, but a competitive advantage. In an era of tighter margins, increasing stakeholder expectations, and declining investment in fossil fuels, the old model of isolated operation is no longer sustainable.

    Marginal fields represent more than untapped reserves – they are an opportunity to reimagine how indigenous oil and gas companies create value. By sharing infrastructure, pooling resources, and aligning strategies, local operators can unlock performance at scale, attract investment, and meet rising ESG standards with credibility.

    This is not just a call to cooperate – it’s a strategic imperative. The future will favour those who embrace a new mindset: one that values partnership over ownership, ecosystem thinking over individual ambition, and shared impact over siloed success.

    The time to act is now.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Italy-KZN boat building partnership to boost local economy

    Source: Government of South Africa

    KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has described a boatbuilding partnership between KwaZulu-Natal and Italy as a strategic milestone that is set to unlock significant economic potential for the province.

    Ntuli, accompanied by MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), Reverend Musa Zondi, attended the KZN–NAVIGO Boat Building and Yachting Industry roundtable to strengthen KZN’s boat-building and yachting sector.

    Held in Umhlanga, north of Durban, on Tuesday, the high-level engagement brought together Italian maritime stakeholders, including provincial economic development leaders, and industry experts to explore collaborative opportunities in the boatbuilding and marine manufacturing sectors.

    Aligned with the objectives of the KwaZulu-Natal Integrated Maritime Strategy, the round table forms part of the provincial government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its position within the global oceans economy.

    The collaboration with NAVIGO, a leading Italian yachting industry cluster with over 400 members across the boat building value chain, aims to explore opportunities for economic growth, technical skills development, global market access, and investment in aftersales services.

    Ntuli hailed the partnership as a major milestone for KwaZulu-Natal’s industrial and economic development.

    “This is more than a business exchange – it is a platform for economic renewal, capacity building, and global positioning. We welcome this collaboration as a driver of innovation and growth within the maritime sector,” Ntuli said.

    The round table served as an opportunity to map out a joint action plan for developing KwaZulu-Natal’s local boatbuilding capacity by leveraging Italy’s extensive experience and advanced marine technologies.

    The discussions focused on investment facilitation, local manufacturing, technology transfer, technical training, and establishing KwaZulu-Natal as a competitive hub for marine craft production and export.

    The Premier underscored the importance of positioning coastal provinces like KwaZulu-Natal to lead in ocean economy development, in line with South Africa’s Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy strategy. He also stressed the value of international partnerships that bring tangible benefits to local communities.

    “Our goal is to ensure that partnerships like this one translate into real economic opportunities for our people – from the youth being trained in high-demand technical skills to entrepreneurs breaking into global marine value chains,” he said.

    The event also highlighted plans to build stronger linkages between industry and academic institutions in KwaZulu-Natal, ensuring that local training programmes align with international standards and equip local talent for future opportunities in the marine sector.

    Premier Ntuli reaffirmed the provincial government’s full support for initiatives that promote industrialisation, trade, skills development, and economic inclusion.

    “KwaZulu-Natal is open for business and ready to lead in Africa’s emerging maritime economy.” – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Major progress on Welmoed housing development

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Western Cape MEC for Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, has announced significant progress on the Welmoed housing development in Cape Town, where bulk civil engineering infrastructure works have already been completed.

    The Welmoed development is part of the Southern Corridor Integrated Human Settlements Programme and will provide a total of 3 296 housing opportunities. 

    This includes a mix of affordable housing and private development units.

    Beneficiaries of the housing project will mainly come from sub council 14 and nearby informal settlements, addressing a critical housing need in the area.

    Providing an update on the project, on Tuesday, Simmers said the project will be implemented in phases and is expected to create up to 6 000 job opportunities. 

    “These jobs will arise as contractors are encouraged to employ local labour and subcontractors within the sub council area,” Simmers said.

    Electrical works well underway

    Meanwhile, the MEC noted that the electrical engineering works are well underway and expected to be completed by August 2026. 

    Simmers said civil and bulk earthworks commenced earlier this year, while the installation of internal engineering services is scheduled to start in May 2026. 

    This will be followed by the construction of the housing units, which is set to commence in October 2026.

    “We are pleased with the steady progress made at Welmoed, despite significant challenges posed by unlawful occupations. 

    “The Western Cape Government condemns and continues to fight the unlawful occupation of land and buildings earmarked for affordable housing delivery. We strongly urge communities, activist groups, and political parties in the Western Cape to support our efforts and refrain from encouraging unlawful activities,” the MEC said. 

    A beneficiary verification process is scheduled for September 2025 to determine the final housing allocations, ensuring inclusivity and transparency throughout.

    “Since the start of my current term in office, building partnerships has become paramount to ensure the successful delivery of vital infrastructure projects, including human settlements, and our communities are our most valued partners.”

    Simmers and officials of the department will soon host public meetings in each ward within subcouncil 14 to provide communities with a detailed progress update of the Welmoed housing project. 

    “I look forward to meeting with residents soon to discuss the progress of this much-needed housing development in the area. I also encourage all potential beneficiaries to participate actively in the verification drive to help us achieve a fair and inclusive outcome,” he added. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 17, 2025
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