diplomacy&development

    S.E.M. ZHAO Bin,  Ambassadeur de Chine en RDC Allocution de  ZHAO Bin, Ambassadeur de Chine en RDC , à l’occasion de la Réception pour célébrer le 76 ème anniversaire de la République Populaire de Chine À l'occasion de la Reception marquant la célébration du 76ème anniversaire de la Républiqur de Chine,  organisée ce 18 septembre 2025 dans la nouvelle chancellerie de l'Ambassade de Chine à Kinshasa, l’Ambassadeur de Chine en RDC, S.E.M. ZHAO Bin, a prononcé son allocution qui exprimait un idéal de construction de la paix et de la promotion de la coopération pour ouvrir ensemble un nouveau chapitre du développement conjoint entre la Chine et la RDC.  Devant une assistance composée notamment des amis de la Chine, de s Chefs de missions diplomatiques et Représentants des Organisations internationales accrédités en RDC, S.E.M. ZHAO Bin, a commencé par adressé son respect sublime et ses remerciements sincères à tous les amis qui ont œuvré pour soutenir t...

• Joint stock company JSC Ukrainian Railways is inaugurating a railway line built to Europe’s track width standard with funding from the European Union. • The new 22 km, 1 435 mm gauge line connects the western Ukrainian cities of Uzhhorod and Chop, facilitating freight and passenger rail connectivity with EU countries. • Funded by a European Commission Connecting Europe Facility grant and an EIB loan guaranteed under the Ukraine Facility, this is the first step in a plan to introduce EU-standard railways to other Ukrainian cities . Ukraine today opened its first railway line based on the EU standard for track width, deepening the country’s transport integration with the European Union. The 22 km line – funded by a European Investment Bank (EIB) loan and an EU grant under the Connecting Europe Facility – connects the city of Uzhhorod on the border with Slovakia to Chop in the south near the border with Hungary. The project is also one of the tangible results of the Ukraine Facility, th...

• This financing will enable power grid manager Enedis to invest in making the network more resilient to climate change and connecting decentralised renewable energy.  • It is the second phase of a €1 billion energy transition and network adaptation financing programme. • EDF and the EIB have long been partners in financing Enedis’ energy transition investments.  EDF (acting in its role as shareholder of Enedis, the public utility managing the power grid across 95% of France) has signed a €1 billion loan with the European Investment Bank (EIB) . The loan will support Enedis’ investment programme, which aims notably to improve the network resilience to the impacts of climate change and the connection of decentralised renewable energy. The €1 billion financing to meet Enedis’ financing needs for 2024-2025 is divided into two phases: an initial €500 million loan in 2024 and a second for the same amount signed in July 2025.  A long-standing financial partner of EDF, the EIB s...

Sophie Kafuti, MD Visa Congo Avec un accent sur l’accessibilité, l’abordabilité et la commodité, Visa Pay est conçu pour répondre aux besoins financiers spécifiques des particuliers et des entreprises du pays. Visa Pay est une solution de paiement interopérable qui permet aux utilisateurs de payer, d’être payés et de transférer de l’argent.  Visa Pay est désormais disponible sous forme d’application mobile sur l’Apple App Store et le Google Play Store, ainsi qu’en option d’intégration flexible pour les banques, afin d’intégrer directement les fonctionnalités de Visa Pay dans leurs propres applications mobiles.  Visa Pay sera d’abord disponible via cinq banques partenaires — Access Banque, FBN, Sofibanque, Solidaire Banque et UBA, avec BGFI, Equity Bank et TMB qui seront bientôt lancées.  Visa (www.Visa.com), leader mondial des paiements numériques, a annoncé aujourd’hui le lancement de Visa Pay, une solution mobile innovante offrant un accès aux paiements numériques et pe...

Stella Okuzu, Royal African Society Interim Director & CEO Stella Okuzu joins the Society with a track record of pioneering work in banking, finance, and consultancy. The Royal African Society (RAS) ( www.RoyalAfricanSociety.org ) is delighted to announce the appointment of Stella Okuzu as its new Interim Director. With an illustrious career spanning over two decades across Africa and the United Kingdom, Stella brings exceptional leadership, financial expertise, and a profound commitment to advancing African enterprise and strengthening global partnerships.  The Royal African Society, established in 1901, is one of the UK’s oldest and most respected institutions dedicated to promoting a deeper understanding of Africa and fostering stronger relations between the UK, Africa, and the wider world. Through its events, policy advocacy, cultural programming, and educational outreach, the Society provides a vital platform for dialogue and collaboration on Africa’s development and globa...

As concerns for African pediatric physical and mental health continue to rise, St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, highlights the meaningful and impactful nature of pediatrics careers. From managing physical and emotional well-being to supporting families through vulnerable moments, pediatricians play a vital role in guiding the next generation of Africans toward a healthier future. Findings from national health studies focusing on African children and youth indicate a consistent upward trend in overweight and obesity rates. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, obesity among children under five years of age in Africa was 4.9% in 2022. This number is projected to increase significantly in the coming years. The World Obesity Atlas estimates that the prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents in the region is predicted to rise rapidly from 5% to 14% by 2035. According to a 2022 report by UNICEF, roughly o...

• Hatne secondary school outside Ukrainian capital reopens after EU-supported renovation. • Backed by €1 million in EIB financing, school upgrades include reinforced structure and improved insulation for more than 1,300 children. • Project completed in less than half a year under Ukraine Recovery Programme. A Ukrainian secondary school located outside the capital Kyiv reopened today for the new academic year after an extensive renovation supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB).  The Hatne school began classes with improved facilities for more than 1,300 children – including nearly 300 from displaced families – and almost 100 teachers. The EIB provided €1 million in financing for the renovation, which reinforced the structure and upgraded insulation, the roof, classrooms, corridors and the canteen while improving accessibility. The project began at the end of March 2025 and was completed in fewer than six months. “The Hatne school proves how fast and determined Ukraine’s rec...