diplomacy&development

The support provided to 1 Military Hospital will be complemented by hands-on training to ensure that the skills required to operate and manage the fuel cell systems are institutionalised within government. The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) will on Wednesday, 19 August 2020 unveil seven hydrogen fuel cell systems which are being used as the primary power source for the field hospital established at 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria as part of the government's response to COVID-19. The project is a public-private partnership between the DSI, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), the Department of Defence (DoD), local companies Bambili Energy and HyPlat, and international companies PowerCell Sweden, Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies (Singapore) and Element 1 Corporation (United States). Further contributions, in the form of methanol and hydrogen fuel for the fuel cell units, were also received from Air Products South Africa, Protea Chemicals and...

The President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, observong the solar panels dedicated for the construction of a photovoltaic solar power plant with a capacity of 600 megawatts The President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, laid the foundation stone for the construction of a photovoltaic solar power plant with a capacity of 600 megawatts, this Wednesday, August 19 in Menkau in the town of Maluku, in the presence of several personalities including the governor of the city of Kinshasa Gentiny Ngobila.  In his capacity as governor of the city of Kinshasa, Gentiny Ngobila indicated that the construction of this plant will fill the energy deficit in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The construction of the photovoltaic solar center called "Kinshasa Solar cyti" is the initiative of The Sandi Groupe company in collaboration with the national electricity company, this project provides for a total of 1000 Megawatt...

The UN expert on human rights in Mali condemned on 20 August 2020 the arrest and detention of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in a military coup on 18 August, and called on the coup leaders to release him and members of his government and to protect their physical integrity as well as members of their families. “I call upon the members of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP) to immediately end this illegal detention,” said Alioune Tine, the UN’s independent expert on the human rights situation in Mali. “I also call upon all Malian authorities to scrupulously respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, to transfer power to civilians as soon as possible, restore the rule of law, and ensure the protection of property and persons,” he said. He expressed serious concerns at reports that four people were killed and 15 others were injured by the National Guard on the evening of 18 August. All responsible of such human rights violations should be held accoun...

Mary Beth Laughton (Photo: Business Wire) Impossible Foods Inc. announced the last 12 August 2020 that Mary Beth Laughton has joined the food tech startup’s board of directors. The retail industry veteran has more than 20 years of experience in marketing, innovation and sustainability for consumer brands and has served as a senior executive at multiple multinational companies. She is currently the President and CEO of Athleta, a premium fitness and lifestyle brand that creates versatile performance apparel to inspire active and confident women and girls. Athleta, a certified B Corporation, was acquired by Gap Inc. in 2008. Previously, Laughton was Executive Vice President of Omni Retail for Sephora US. Before that, she spent nine years at Nike, where she held a variety of strategy, merchandising and e-commerce roles. Laughton also served as a board member of REI. “Few companies are pursuing as bold and ambitious of a vision as Impossible Foods,” said Laughton. “Like Athleta...

Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard,  APO Group (APO-opa.com) Founder and Chairman  The Jack Ma Foundation’s Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative (ANPI) bit.ly/2M0XmbR  has chosen APO Group (APO-opa.com) Founder and Chairman Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard as a semi-final judge for this year’s prestigious competition “Africa’s Business Heroes”. Thus, Nicolas will be part of the panel of judges aiming to identify the ten finalists who will go forward to compete in a ‘pitch finale’ in front of Jack Ma himself. The ANPI organises Africa’s Business Heroes - now in its second year – a grassroot competition looking to spotlight and give a platform to entrepreneurs all over Africa, to showcase their business ideas and inspire others to do so. The Jack Ma Foundation is committed to fostering African entrepreneurship, and has brought in some of the continent’s most esteemed businesspeople and investors to help the search for Africa’s Business Heroes. Nicolas will be part of a select sev...

Mr. Manuel Moses, a veteran of the World Bank’s IFC Mr. Manuel Moses, a veteran of the World Bank’s IFC, has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of ATI (ATI-aca.org). He will assume office on 1 November, 2020; In the interim, Ms. Toavina Ramamonjiarisoa, ATI’s Chief Financial Officer, will fill the position of Acting CEO; Mr. Benjamin Mugisha has been confirmed as the substantive Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO). Mr. Mugisha, a Senior Underwriter, who joined ATI in 2010, has been Acting CUO for the past year; The Board paid tribute to Mr. Cyprien Sakubu’s dedication during his 19 years of service on the occasion of his retirement. Cyprien Sakubu’s most recent role was General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Meanwhile, the Board of Directors also approved a few changes within the Management team. Mr. Moses is a Zimbabwean national, who brings 15 years of experience from the IFC, where he most recently held the post of Country Manager of Kenya. The African Trade I...

Dr. Rasha Kelej,  CEO of Merck Foundation and  One of 100 most influential Africans 2019 & 2020 The list of 100 Most Influential African Women 2020, was released by Avance Media group as part of "Be a Girl" Initiative to acknowledge their efforts to empower girls through education to enable them reach their potential and pursue their dreams. Leading African PR & Rating firm, Avance Media has announced its second annual publication on Africa’s most prominent women dubbed the 2020 edition, 100 Most Influential African Women. The list which has a representation of the most powerful African women from 34 countries were chosen from various career backgrounds including diplomacy, politics, activism, entrepreneurship, business leadership and entertainment. The 2020 list features a record of 75 new entrants with some of the leading names such as: Monica Geingos, First Lady of Namibia, Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck foundation, former president of Liberia; Ellene  ...