diplomacy&development

Le protocole d’accord formalise également la coordination en cours pour constituer une réserve de projets bancables qui puissent bénéficier des dons de préparation de projets de l’Agence américaine pour le commerce et le développement. La Banque africaine de développement ( www.AfDB.org ) et l’Agence américaine pour le commerce et le développement (USTDA) ont renouvelé un protocole d’accord, prolongeant leur partenariat stratégique pour cinq ans. Cet accord souligne un engagement commun à développer des infrastructures de qualité en Afrique en renforçant les systèmes nationaux de passation de marchés et en les alignant sur les meilleures pratiques internationales, uniformisant ainsi les règles du jeu pour la concurrence internationale.   Le protocole d’accord formalise également la coordination en cours pour constituer une réserve de projets bancables qui puissent bénéficier des dons de préparation de projets de l’Agence américaine pour le commerce et le développement.  «...

With demand for transition metals expected to grow fivefold by 2050 as the world shifts to cleaner energy, Africa’s mining sector will play a pivotal role in driving the global energy transition. Invest Africa ( www.InvestAfrica.com ), a leading pan-African trade and investment platform, is excited to announce Aon as the Headline Partner for its 12th Annual Mining Series alongside Mining Indaba 2025. With demand for transition metals expected to grow fivefold by 2050 as the world shifts to cleaner energy, Africa’s mining sector will play a pivotal role in driving the global energy transition. Mining Series 2025 will convene government leaders, industry experts, and investors to examine how Africa can leverage its resources for sustainable and inclusive growth in an ever-evolving global market. Confirmed speakers include: Mr Dean William Macpherson, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Republic of South Africa; Dr Kgosientsho David Ramokgopa, Minister of Electricity, Republic of...

The Congo’s Minister of Hydrocarbons has announced that preparations are underway to finalize the required regulatory framework during the quarterly hydrocarbon pricing meeting. The Republic of Congo will officially launch its licensing round for open oil and gas blocks at the upcoming Congo Energy and Investment Forum (CEIF), scheduled to take place on March 25-26 in Brazzaville. According to Minister of Hydrocarbons Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, preparations are currently underway to finalize the requisite regulatory framework. This move aligns with the government’s broader efforts to enhance hydrocarbon production and revenue diversification amid fluctuating global oil prices. Despite international market volatility, the government remains focused on advancing major projects like Congo LNG on the Marine XII permit and the Banko Kayo gas monetization program. The inaugural Congo Economic and Investment Forum, set for March 25-26, 2025 in Brazzaville, will bring together international inv...

Decision reflects updated processes to improve efficiency, access. The World Health Organization (WHO) prequalified on the 18 December 2024h, te first diagnostic test for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency which can help to safely deliver WHO-recommended treatments to prevent relapse of Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) infection. The prequalification of this G6PD diagnostic test marks a significant milestone in facilitating safe and effective P. vivax malaria treatment, reaffirming WHO’s dedication to ensuring equitable access to life-saving health solutions globally. Some 500 000 people die each year from malaria, most of them children. The prequalification of this test immediately followed the prequalification, in early December, of two new tafenoquine products for anti-relapse treatment of P. vivax malaria, and these therapeutics were recommended in updated WHO malaria guidelines released a few days earlier, in late November. This package of actions by WHO reflects the o...

Chinese Ambassador Yin positively commented on the development of China-Liberia relations and the results of practical cooperation in 2024. Yin Chengwu, Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, met with H.E. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia on January 5th, 2025. The two sides exchanged views on China-Liberia relations. Ambassador Yin positively commented on the development of China-Liberia relations and the results of practical cooperation in 2024, appreciated Liberia's contribution to the success of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and expressed China's willingness to work with Liberia to steadily and solidly push forward the implementation of the outcomes of the meeting between the two heads of state and the FOCAC Summit, so as to push the China-Liberia strategic partnership to a new level in the new year. Foreign Minister Nyanti highly appreciated the development of China-Liberia relations, stressing that ...

Alex maxillofacial patient at his home in Freetown after his surgery The first surgery in October 2023 required removing Alex’s entire jaw, with a second surgery to reconstruct it using bone from his head. A young man from Sierra Leone who was forced to leave school due to relentless mockery over a life-threatening facial tumor has had it successfully removed by international charity, Mercy Ships ( www.MercyShips.org ). Alex, now 23, first noticed a swelling on his jaw in 2016 as a teenager. Over the years, the tumor grew significantly, making it difficult for him to eat, speak, and swallow. It left him increasingly isolated and raised fears that it could eventually impair his breathing. Despite numerous attempts to seek treatment by his family—including medication, herbal remedies, and an unsuccessful surgery at a local hospital—the tumor continued to grow, causing physical and emotional distress. “At first, it was okay, but later, the tumor started to grow again,” recalled Alex from ...

This will be the 35th consecutive year that Chinese foreign minister visits Africa on the first overseas trip at the start of the year Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning announces has announced that ember of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will visit Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Chad and Nigeria from January 5 to 11 at the invitation of these countries.  This will be the 35th consecutive year that Chinese foreign minister visits Africa on the first overseas trip at the start of the year. Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Editor