Author: Database of Press Releases related to Africa

HAMMAMET, Tunisia, September 30, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African pharmaceutical sector is expected to grow tremendously in the coming years. The opportunity is such that public-private synergies are key to the development of the industry. These were the conclusions that emerged from the first African Pharmaceutical Summit, held on September 23 and 24 in Hammamet, Tunisia.

Logo AfDB: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/african-development-bank-2.png

Photo 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/dsc_8000_01.jpg

Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/dsc_7937_01.jpg

With a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 10 per cent, Africa is the second most dynamic pharmaceutical market after Asia Pacific, with a pharmaceutical spending expected to reach $30 billion by 2016. Co-organized by the African Development Bank (http://www.afdb.org) and the Africa Health journal, the African Pharmaceutical Summit drew over 130 participants from around the world. The summit is the first platform to bring together high-level policy-makers, Ministers of Health, Industry, Trade, and Finance, CEOs, experts from pharmaceutical manufacturers, universities, institutions and organizations to debate the future strategies of Africa’s pharmaceutical industry. The important meeting was an opportunity to highlight the need of public-private partnerships which are more than ever necessary to seize opportunities in this sector and improve the health of Africans.

Abdellatif Mekki, Tunisian Minister of Health, expressed his support for the development of African partnerships in this emerging economic area. He said that such partnerships would significantly improve the access to medicine and harmonization of laws in Africa.

As the premier financing and development institution for Africa, the AfDB has a unique role to play in the public-private dialogue in the pharmaceutical sector. With this first edition of the African Pharmaceutical Summit, the Bank provides an opportunity to create a business-to-business platform aimed at building partnerships, strengthening collaboration and engaging key stakeholders in meaningful discussion around Africa’s pharmaceutical sector.

Mthuli Ncube, Chief Economist and Vice-President at the African Development Bank, pointed out “the current political momentum in the pharmaceutical sector development in Africa. Although the African pharmaceutical market represents only two per cent in global terms, it is the fastest-growing in the world,” he said. “There is a window of opportunity considering the strong demographic dynamics, the growth of the consumer spending power in Africa, although the continent accounts for the bulk of the global infectious disease burden.”

Feng Zhao, Manager of the Health Division of the AfDB’s Human Capital Development Department, acknowledged that there were a number of challenges to overcome in Africa. In the context of the current financial crisis, huge up-front investments are needed to boost the industry, he said. “New business models and partnerships applicable to Africa should be designed to better meet the specificity of the continent,” he added. “We have already launched several initiatives and we continue to offer our support to develop the potential of this sector.”

The AfDB has embarked on an ambitious program to support its Ten-Year Strategy for 2013- 2022. Through the Human Capital Development Department, the Bank has defined its priorities for the pharmaceutical industry supporting private-sector development and regional economic integration. These two pillars are pushing Africa to be a key player in the global pharmaceutical market.

Investments in skills and technology are also at the centre of the Bank’s development agenda. Given the specific nature of the African pharmaceutical industry, technology and innovation can be harnessed to accelerate inclusive growth and job creation in the sector.

The AfDB has undertaken several initiatives to assist the public and private sector, NGOs and institutes in Africa in the development of innovative solution in the health sector. In this context, the first edition of the African Pharmaceutical Summit celebrated 10 recipients of AfDB e-health award. During the summit, the winners received a certificate recognizing their innovative contributions and solutions in the emerging areas of e-health and m-health in Africa.

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Media Contact: Nawsheen Elaheebocus, Tel: +216 7110 1224

Programme Coordinator de programmes : Feng Zhao, Tel : +216 7110 2117

About the African Development Bank Group

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) (http://www.afdb.org) 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 33 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 53 regional member states.

For more information: http://www.afdb.org

OTTAWA, Canada, September 30, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:

“Canada strongly condemns today’s terrorist attack on a college in northeastern Nigeria. The perpetrators of this abhorrent act targeted innocent students while they were sleeping.

“On behalf of all Canadians, I extend my deepest sympathies to those injured in the attack and to the families and friends of those who lost their lives. We sincerely hope that the perpetrators of this despicable act will be brought to justice.

“Canadians stand united with the Nigerian people in deploring terrorism. We will continue to assist the people and Government of Nigeria as they strive to improve security and uphold the rule of law.”

JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, September 30, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — AfricaBusiness.com (http://www.africabusiness.com) disseminates global information, business news and enhances the trade of business and products to the global market internationally. As one of the leading Business News Websites, it receives articles from local journalists and researchers in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Gambia, Malawi, Togo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana and press-releases from PR agencies.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/africabusiness.com.jpg

Although there are many online news websites, AfricaBusiness.com intends to offer more, having developed a cutting edge means to strengthen cooperation between Africa and foreign business, marketing, advertising and attract investments to African countries. In just a few hours, AfricanBusiness.com is able to connect you to the business world with satisfaction.

Serving in Business, Trading, Events, Renewable Energy, Travel, Science, Currency and Exchange amongst others, AfricaBusiness.com provides useful information for those looking to promote their products and services in the emerging markets of Africa. Through dissemination of daily news, AfricaBusiness.com helps entrepreneurs, business people, to communicate with experts and professionals about the economies of Africa and business opportunities.

Africa is open to all businesses. The continent’s rich mineral resources have created business boom for many local and foreign companies, contributing to sustainable growth and development in the continent. “Africa, I think, is going to be a hugely important continent in the future,” says Nicky Oppenheimer, Chairman of De Beers. The business opportunity in Africa has been embraced by many top business tycoons, including Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Group. Entrepreneurship South Africa is an entrepreneurial development organization funded by Richard Branson.

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of AfricaBusiness.com.

For all your business, marketing and advertising enquiries, contact AfricaBusiness.com (http://www.africabusiness.com)

Media Contact

Person Name: Mr. Thandisizwe Mgudlwa

Phone Number: +2773 074 6276

E-mail: thandisizwe@africabusiness.com; info@africabusiness.com

Website: http://www.AfricaBusiness.com

MOMBASA, Kenya September 30, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Over 250 top leaders from Africa including business executives from the private sector, including farmers, traders and millers, non-governmental organizations, development partners, financial institutions, researcher government representatives, regional bilateral institutions, and policymakers will convene from the 1st – 3rd October 2013 to discuss key issues affecting the African grain sector. This will be at the 5th Africa Grain Trade Summit, hosted by the Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC) (http://www.eagc.org) at the Sarova-Whitesands Hotel, Mombasa, Kenya. The Summit’s theme is “Africa: The Emerging Frontier for Global Investments in Grain Trade.”

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/eagc.jpg

The summit is timely as global focus shifts to Africa’s potential to feed itself and feed the world. Africa with an estimated population of 1 billion people and an area of 30.2 million km² is home to seven of the world’s 10 fastest growing economies with a projected economic growth rate of 6%. Additionally, the continent has a youthful population, a rich resource base, rising incomes and a steadily growing private sector: all these factors make for a healthy and attractive investment environment.

At this year’s summit, delegates will focus on advocating for a predictable agricultural trade policy and price environment which facilitates public private partnerships and stimulate increased investments along the grain value chain. Additionally, opportunities for innovation and technology adoption to address constraints and increase agricultural investments in Africa will be explored as will means of optimizing intra-Africa market access by dismantling barriers to trade. Delegates will also discuss how to scale up agribusiness financing for Africa’s grain trade through Structured Trading Systems.

“The summit will be setting the stage and opening doors through establishing essential linkages and new and increased investments in grain trade in Africa,” says the EAGC Executive Director, Mr. Gerald Masila.

“AGRA is happy to be associated with the Africa Grain Summit as it will help in charting the way forward on resolving the issue on postharvest grain losses which are currently at 40% in sub-Saharan Africa. By stemming these losses we can help to increase farmers’ incomes,” says Mrs Anne Mbaabu, Director of AGRA’s Market Access Program.

During the summit, the first ever Structured Trading Systems Handbook will be launched and is envisioned as being a game-changing tool in grain trade in Africa and beyond.

This year’s Summit has received support from the Alliance for Green Revolution in Agriculture (AGRA), the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU (CTA), the Agribusiness Initiative Trust (ABI), the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), The East Africa Trade Hub (formerly known as USAID COMPETE), CARANA Corporation, Seaboard Overseas and Trading Group, Tradiverse Kenya Limited, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Bunge East Africa Limited, Capital Reef Kenya Limited, the East Africa Breweries Limited, Cimbria East Africa, Intertek Commodities Ltd, Lesiolo Grain Handlers Limited, Cereal Growers Association, Mama Millers Ltd, Post-Harvest Services Limited, Farm Concern International, Uplands Rice Millers and the recently established East Africa Exchange (EAX) based in Kigali, Rwanda.

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of Alliance for the Eastern Africa Grain Council – EAGC.

For more information on the summit please contact;

Janet Ngombalu

Regional Manager, Marketing Information Systems and Communications

Eastern Africa Grain Council – EAGC

Tel: +254 712 733418 or +254 737 804104

Email: jngombalu@eagc.org, africagraintradesummit2013@eagc.org

About Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC)

The Eastern Africa Grain Council (http://www.eagc.org) is a regional organization with membership drawn from across the Eastern and Southern Africa. Members of the Council cut across the Grain value chain and include all the key players in production, trade and processing in nine (9) countries across Africa including Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.

Some of our key services include warehouse receipting systems, market intelligence systems and evidence-based policy advocacy for an enabling policy environment. The Council works very closely with governments in the region, regional economic blocs like the EAC, COMESA and SADC and also development partners to address the various challenges in food security.

http://www.eagc.org – http://www.ratin.net – http://www.graintradesummit.com

About the 5th Africa Grain Trade Summit

The Africa Grain Trade Summit is a premier biennial premier international event organized by the East Africa Grain Council and brings together key grain industry stakeholders over 25 African countries, and both regional and global organizations.

WASHINGTON, September 30, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
September 29, 2013

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I offer warm wishes to the people of…

EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, September 30, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On the morning of 29 September 2013, a UNAMID helicopter developed a technical fault while on a flight from Zalengei to Nertiti, in Central Darfur, soon after taking of…

WASHINGTON, September 30, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The World Bank Board of Directors today approved an IDA* credit of $US40 million to support Senegal’s efforts toboost the productivity of rice, mangoes, and other crops, create jobs for youth and female farmers and rehabilitate roads that linkisolated rural communities with markets in the country’s war-torn Casamance region.

“Senegal’s newly elected Government attaches high priority to resolving the long-standing conflict in Casamance,”saysVera Songwe, the World Bank Country Director for Senegal. “Today’s project goes a long way towards helping to bring peace to the region byboosting the local economy, creating much-needed jobs for vulnerable youth and women and improving access to agricultural markets.”

Today’s funds support Senegal’s Casamance Development Pole Project designed to create economic opportunities and support the reintegration of ex-combatants in Casamance region. The project’s first segment will support buildinginfrastructure and purchasing equipment to enable growers and others to collect, handle, process and transportlocal produce.It will support the Integrated Economic Platform of Bignona, an ongoing program helping to improve the region’s ability to manufacture and export value added products, such as jams and dried fruit,from local produce.

“Insufficient rain and a lack of access to fertilizers and seeds slowed the growth of Senegal’s agriculture sector and created a serious food crisis in 2011,”says Jamal Saghir, the World Bank Director for Sustainable Development with the Africa Region.“Today’s project will help boost the production of rice and other staples of the Senegalese dietfacilitate the export of produce from Casamance to other parts of the country and bring much-needed income to farm families.”

The project’s second componentwill link isolated rural communitieswith markets, production centers and cities. Specifically the project will fund spot improvements on about 350 km of unclassified roads and the rehabilitation and maintenance of about 200 km of selected rural roads.

The third part of today’s financing will support capacity building of key stakeholders, including the Agence Nationale pour la Relance des Activités Economiques et Sociales en Casamance (ANRAC),and their ability to carry out peace building processes and programs focused on the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration for ex-combatants.

“For the past 30 years the Casamance region has experienced Africa’s longest lived low-intensity conflict, which has stifled agriculture, trade and tourism, and killed and injured hundreds of people,”says DembaBalde. World Bank Task Team Leader for the project.“I look forward to helping the Senegal Government implement today’s project.”

* The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world’s poorest countries by providing loans (called “credits”) and grants for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 82 poorest countries, 40 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change for 2.5 billion people living on less than $2 a day. Since 1960, IDA has supported development work in 108 countries. Annual commitments have increased steadily and averaged about $15 billion over the last three years, with about 50 percent of commitments going to Africa.

LAGOS, Nigeria, September 30, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The showcase event for the African power industry opens in Lagos this week (2 October) , bringing together headline organisations from Africa and around the world offering related products and services for a booming regional energy sector.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/informa.jpg

Taking place until 4 October at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Power Nigeria (http://www.power-nigeria.com) will serve as a comprehensive platform for exhibitors to showcase their wares in the power generation, transmission and distribution, lighting and renewable energy, nuclear energy and water sectors.

Leading the way is the Oman-based manufacturer of power and distribution transformers, Voltamp Energy, which will present their latest range of power transformers extending up to 315 megawatts.

“We’re expanding our product portfolio to further enhance our brand name in the local and African regional power sector,” said Aasit Naik, General Manager of Central Marketing at Voltamp Energy. The power transformers market is growing strongly and Power Nigeria will provide a platform to benefit from this growth while providing an opportunity to diversify our product portfolio.”

The Bulgarian company International Power Supply will launch their new modular hybrid power system, Exeron, designed to combine power effectively from different sources of energy including sun, wind, diesel generator and grid.

Meanwhile the UK-based training specialists The Faraday Centre will promote their newly built training facility in Lagos, providing training in high and low voltage for the land, marine and offshore industries.

An interesting highlight of the three-day event in Nigeria’s largest city is the free to attend technical seminars featuring renowned experts from around the world discussing the latest developments in the energy sector.

Radwan Halabi of the UAE-based National Fire Fighting Manufacturing Co (NAFFCO) will conduct the first session in the morning of the three-day seminar about certified firefighting systems and equipment. He will be joined by Zahidul Islam from BRB Cable Industries who will deliver a presentation about electric cables and wires.

IIIdar Ginayatullin from Mars Energo and Wale Raphael Yusuff from Clarke Energy will be among the final speakers at the seminar who will deliver presentations about test and calibration equipments and gas engines for captive power and independent power producers (IPP).

“The free-to-attend technical seminars will give visitors an opportunity to hear expert presentations about the energy sector, while the Power Nigeria exhibition is the best place to see the latest technology and intelligent energy solutions the industry has to offer,” said Anita Mathews, Director of Informa Energy Group, organisers of Power Nigeria.

Commenting on the Nigerian power sector, Mathews said: “The Nigerian power sector has been struggling to meet demand with a number of generation units in the power plants across the country operating much lower than their installed capacity.

“Investments have to be made in funding of all the regional power systems to develop the available resource potential for power generation to eventually cater to the country’s growing electricity demand. Power Nigeria provides the platform for stakeholders to take this forward.

Power Nigeria is supported by The Federal Ministry of Power, The Nigerian Association for Energy Economics, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and The Foundation for the Development of Africa. For further information please visit: http://www.power-nigeria.com.

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of Informa plc.

For more information, please contact:

Gareth Wright or Sharrah Kapadia

Total Communications

Tel: + 971 4 4281502

Email: gareth@totalcompr.ae or sharrah@totalcompr.ae

LONDON, United-Kingdom, September 29, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — FCO confirms on present information that six British nationals have been killed in Nairobi.

An FCO spokesperson said:

“FCO can confirm a sixth British national has been identified amongst those killed in the tragedy in Nairobi. We are providing consular assistance.

“Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.

“We have no information at this time that any further British nationals have been killed although we cannot rule out the potential for further British casualties and we continue to stay in close contact with the Kenyan authorities as their investigations continue.”

NEW YORK, September 29, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Agreed Outcomes

1. On 28 September 2013, representatives of the Government of Sudan (GoS), the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN) and the African Union – United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) met in New York for the sixteenth (16th) Tripartite Coordination Mechanism (TCM) meeting on UNAMID.

2. The GoS delegation was led by Ambassador Rahmatalla Mohamed Osman, Under Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The AU delegation was led by Director for Peace and Security, Mr. El-Ghassim Wane. The UN delegation was led by the Under Secretary General for the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), Mr. Hervé Ladsous. The UNAMID delegation was led by the AUIUN Joint Special Representative, Mr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas.

3. In their opening remarks, all participants recognized the unique value of the Tripartite Coordination Mechanism which fosters continued cooperation between the Government of Sudan, the African Union, and the United Nations, in the identification and resolution of significant challenges related to UNAMID mandate implementation. The African Union and United Nations expressed appreciation to the Government of Sudan for its sustained engagement in the forum which has been paramount to its success.

4. The African Union and the United Nations commended the continued commitment of the Government of Sudan to reaching a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Darfur and welcomed the efforts of the African Union – United Nations Joint Chief Mediator, Mr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, for his recent engagement with the remaining non signatory movements aimed at revitalizing the Darfur peace process within the framework of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD). All participants reiterated their commitment to supporting a stable peace for Darfur on the basis of the DDPD.

5. Participants discussed the early recovery, reconstruction and development needs of Darfur and its significance for long term peace and stability in Darfur. It was agreed that the Darfur Development Strategy, which was endorsed by the international donor community in April 2013, was a solid framework through which the Government of Sudan, with the assistance of international development partners, could address the root causes of conflict, promote stability and generate much needed support for the peace process. In this regard, ways should be explored on how best UNAMID could contribute more towards early recovery and development.

6. Participants expressed concern about the insecurity affecting some parts of Darfur and its consequences on the protection of civilians and the commencement of early recovery and development. In this connection, the African Union and United Nations underscored the importance of facilitating unfettered access and freedom of movement for UNAMID to execute its mandate.

7. Participants acknowledged the progress made at the 17 September 2013 technical level tripartite meeting towards resolving several outstanding operational issues, including with regard to UNAMID lifesaving air operations (CASEVAC/MEDEVAC flights). With respect to visas, while welcoming recent progress on this front and also acknowledging the Government of Sudan’s concerns related to increasing the recruitment of local personnel, the African Union and United Nations urged the Government of Sudan to facilitate the timely issuance of visas for personnel required for the Mission. Participants agreed to continue coordination between UNAMID and the Government of Sudan on these and other pending operational issues at the technical level.

8. Regarding the forward looking review of UNAMID’s progress towards mandate implementation, as called for by the Security Council under resolution 2113 (2013), participants observed that the review provides a welcome opportunity to enhance the effectiveness of UNAMID operations, including support to early recovery and development.

9. At the request of the African Union, the participants agreed that the next meeting would take place in January 2013 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the margins of the African Union Summit.