Tag: Sustainability
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Cabo Verde: African Development Bank Group approves €17.7 million to advance public sector digitisation
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has approved a €17.71 million loan to support the second phase of Cabo Verde's E-Governance and Public Financial Management Reform Programme.
The Bank's Board of Directors approved the financing on Monday, continuing support that began last year as the island nation seeks to leverage technology for economic growth and administrative efficiency.
“The aim of this budgetary support, building on the assistance provided last year, is to stimulate economic growth through digitisation and private-sector competitiveness, while advancing e-governance reforms to modernise public administration and consolidate public finances,” said Abdoulaye Coulibaly, Director of the Governance and Economic Reforms Department at the Bank.
The first component of the programme will advance ongoing digitisation reforms to strengthen private-sector competitiveness. Key measures include the introduction of e-Justice to digitise judicial processes, and the launch of a call for proposals to attract private operators to the country's technology park under the ‘digital nomads programme. Admission criteria will be developed to facilitate the establishment of digital nomads and high-growth technology firms.
The second component aims to modernise public administration and consolidate fiscal sustainability. The programme will continue to support policy actions aimed at strengthening transparency and improving the efficiency of public resource management. An action plan to rationalise tax expenditures will be developed and published, along with full estimates of annual tax expenditures in the 2026 budget to improve transparency.
The Bank will also finance a Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability assessment scheduled for the first quarter of 2026, funded through the Middle Income Countries Grant.
The Programme's main beneficiaries include the Ministry of the Digital Economy, the Central Bank of Cabo Verde, the Institute for Gender Equality and Equity, the National Directorate of State Revenue, and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).Media contact:
Alexis Adélé
Communications and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org
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
Eritrea: Livestock vaccination in Molqui sub-zone
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During a livestock vaccination program conducted in November, around 100 thousand livestock were vaccinated in the Molqui sub-zone, according to Mr. Leul Gaim, head of livestock resources in the sub-zone.
In the program, which was carried out in 19 administrative areas of the sub-zone, 65 thousand livestock were vaccinated against various animal diseases, while 2,000 dogs were vaccinated against rabies.
Mr. Leul, indicating the cooperation of livestock owners, said that thanks to their support, the program was successfully implemented.
Commending the efforts the Government is undertaking to ensure the health of their livestock, the farmers called for the sustainability of the program.
According to the report, similar vaccination programs were carried out in the sub-zone in the months of April and May.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered water management research and development (R&D) to strengthen water security in South Africa
A leader in industrial automation and digital transformation solutions for over 30 years, Adroit Technologies (https://AdroitSCADA.com/) is advancing its cutting-edge research and development (R&D) into an AI-powered Water Management Platform, designed to tackle one of South Africa's most urgent infrastructure challenges: non-revenue water losses.
The R&D presents an opportunity to develop a first if its kind, AI-driven ‘pseudo-metering' capability, a potential breakthrough feature that can infer consumption and pressure data in areas where physical meters are not installed. “We have proven the initial concept and have now secured the support of the government and other industry leaders to develop this AI-driven platform, confirms Frits Kok, Co-CEO at Adroit Technologies.
With nearly 40% of the country's treated water lost to leaks, theft, and ageing infrastructure, Adroit Technologies is exploring new ways to enhance intelligent, data-driven water management. Using advanced machine learning (ML) and neural network algorithms, the research platform can analyse existing telemetry and SCADA data to detect leaks, forecast demand, and infer flow rates in areas without sensors, paving the way for more efficient, transparent municipal water systems in the future.
“South Africa's water infrastructure challenges demand smarter, data-driven solutions,” stresses Kok. “Our current R&D is focused on developing next-generation AI capabilities that will, in time, complement our existing water management technologies, which are already helping utilities reduce water losses and make informed operational decisions today.”
Addressing a National Challenge
Urban growth, vandalism, and limited monitoring capacity have severely strained South Africa's water systems. In many municipalities, leaks and pump failures are discovered only after outages occur.
Adroit Technologies' ongoing research aims to integrate new AI tools seamlessly with existing SCADA and telemetry systems to deliver predictive analytics, real-time alerts, and actionable insights, helping engineers identify hidden losses and optimise operations before crises arise.
The AI-driven ‘pseudo-metering' can infer consumption and pressure data where physical meters are missing or damaged. This innovation has the potential to help under-resourced municipalities monitor network conditions that were previously ‘data blind.'
Research with Real-World Impact
Adroit Technologies' current research is focused on developing a scalable, national-level AI framework that leverages forecasting, anomaly detection, and digital twin modelling to enhance decision-making and support more efficient water use.
A hybrid neural network architecture (CNN-LSTM) and self-healing data middleware are being designed to operate effectively even with incomplete or delayed data, a common challenge across South Africa's municipalities.
“This research is about enabling resilience,” adds Hugo Pienaar, Director of Digital Services at Adroit Technologies. “By combining AI with decades of SCADA expertise, we are helping municipalities envision how to predict issues before they happen and manage scarce water resources more efficiently.”
A Smarter, Sustainable Future
While Adroit Technologies continues to its R&D into AI-powered water management capabilities, the company already offers a proven suite of water management and SCADA solutions that empower utilities to detect leaks, optimise assets, and improve operational efficiency.
As the R&D programme progresses, these new AI capabilities will be introduced into Adroit's product range, ensuring that customers can benefit from the latest innovations in predictive maintenance, data analytics, and infrastructure optimisation, all designed to strengthen South Africa's water security and sustainability.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Adroit Technologies.Browse the NGAGE Media Zone for more client news articles and photographs at https://Media.NGAGE.co.za/.
Adroit Technologies Contact:
Dave Wibberley
Phone: 011 65 88100
Email: DaveW@adroit.co.za
Media Contact:
Andile Mbethe
Account Executive
NGAGE Public Relations
Phone: (011) 867-7763
Cell: 073 565 6536
Email: andile@ngage.co.za
Web: https://NGAGE.co.za
About Adroit Technologies:
Adroit Technologies is a trusted industrial software and digital solutions partner with over 35 000 installations worldwide. Backed by Mitsubishi Electric and operating as co-developer of the Mitsubishi Adroit Process Suite (MAPS), Adroit serves customers in more than 40 countries across six continents. The company specialises in SCADA systems, industrial automation, digital transformation, cybersecurity compliance, and analytics solutions for mining, water, energy, and manufacturing industries.
Website: https://AdroitSCADA.com/
Africa rallies around forest innovation as African Forestry and Wildlife Commission (AFWC25) opens in The Gambia
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The 25th Session of the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission (AFWC25) has opened in Banjul, The Gambia, with a clear call for African countries to scale up innovation and reinforce political commitment to protect and restore Africa's forests and wildlife.
Delegates from across the continent are attending the week-long meeting, organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and hosted by the Government of The Gambia, under the theme Innovative and Inclusive Forest and Wildlife Resources Management for Africa.
Against a backdrop of rising climate risks, accelerating biodiversity loss, and growing demand for forest products, AFWC25 aims to strengthen collective action on sustainable forest and wildlife management and guide FAO's technical support in the coming biennium.
In his opening address, H.E. Muhammed B. S. Jallow, Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, welcomed delegates and emphasised the country's commitment to environmental stewardship.
“Hosting this important Africa Forestry and Wildlife Commission meeting here in Banjul is both a privilege and a statement of intent,” he said. “It is a clear message that The Gambia positions firmly among the nations of Africa that have chosen to protect, not exploit; to restore, not destroy; and to act, not just talk about our environment.”
He highlighted significant reforms undertaken in recent years, including the National Forest Policy (2023–2032), strengthened national institutions, and decisive actions against illegal logging.
“My government took a bold and irreversible step to ban all timber exports, revoke all illegal felling permits, and disrupt the cross-border trafficking of rosewood that was devastating our environment,” he said. “Forest degradation has slowed, reforestation is increasing, and community forestry programmes continue to expand across the country.”
The Vice President also underscored the central role of partnerships, especially with FAO: “FAO's support has been consistent in community forestry programmes, mangrove restoration, biodiversity protection, forest management and capacity strengthening across the sector.”
FAO calls for integrated action to unlock the full potential of Africa's forests
FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, Abebe Haile-Gabriel, commended The Gambia for its achievements and reaffirmed FAO's commitment to supporting African Member States as they work to strengthen the sustainability and resilience of forests and wildlife.
“FAO continues to work with countries to unlock the potential of forests, trees and wildlife in transforming agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind,” he said.
He also emphasised the urgency of coordinated action across sectors: “The challenge before us, notably climate change, biodiversity loss, wildfires, and land degradation, continue to impact economies, agrifood systems and livelihoods. This reality underscores the urgency of our shared responsibility,” he stressed.
The Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources of The Gambia, Hon. Rohey John Manjang, underscored the importance of forests and wildlife to the nation's environmental and cultural heritage, highlighting that community-based forest management models now cover over 30 percent of the country's forest estate.
Drawing attention to the global importance of Africa's forests and wildlife, the Chairperson of the Committee on Forestry (COFO), Pierre Taty, highlighted key initiatives driving progress across the continent, including the Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme, which supports over 400 million people who rely on wild meat for nutrition. He noted that while African countries have pledged to restore more than 100 million hectares of degraded land, under 9 percent has been restored to date, emphasising the need to accelerate efforts through the newly proclaimed UN Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation (2027–2036). He urged delegates to deliver strong recommendations to guide the work of COFO and FAO in the years ahead.
The outcomes of AFWC25 will feed into the 28th Session of the Committee on Forestry and the 34th FAO Regional Conference for Africa in 2026.
AFWC25 at a glance
Throughout the week, AFWC25 delegates will examine key forestry and wildlife priorities for the continent, including:
innovative financing mechanisms for forestry and wildlife;
sustainable management of forests and wildlife in Small Island Developing States;
strengthening cross-sectoral linkages for resilient agrifood systems;
sustainable forest-based bioeconomy approaches; and
the interconnection between forestry, wildlife, forest foods and agrifood systems.
In parallel, the Ninth African Forestry and Wildlife Week (AFWW9) will feature a series of side events and exhibitions led by The Gambia, showcasing national achievements in forest and wildlife management. These events will highlight innovative approaches to community forestry, progress in biodiversity protection, and successful models of ecosystem restoration, while offering a platform for delegates to explore practical solutions that can be adapted and scaled across Africa.
Delegates will also participate in a field excursion to observe local forestry and wildlife initiatives first-hand.
About the AFWC
Established in 1959, the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission is one of FAO's Regional Forestry Commissions. It provides a platform for African countries to review progress, share experiences, and guide FAO's technical support on sustainable forest and wildlife management.
AFWC25 is taking place from 1–5 December 2025 in Banjul, The Gambia.
See more on the AFWC25 website. Follow #AFWC25.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.Uganda Elected to Unido Industrial Development Board (IDB) 2025- 2027
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Uganda has been elected to the Industrial Development Board (IDB) of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) for the period 2025- 2027 at elections conducted during the 21st UNIDO General Conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 23rd to 27th November 2025.
The Industrial Development Board is composed of 53 Members and is responsible for reviewing implementation of UNIDO's work programme, the regular and operational budgets, and makes recommendations to the General Conference on policy matters, including the appointment of the Director-General. Uganda's Delegation to the General Conference was led by H.E. Isaac Sebulime, Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and comprised of officials from the Uganda Permanent Mission in Vienna and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.
In his address to the General Conference, Amb. Sebulime commended UNIDO for promoting inclusive and sustainable industrial development worldwide. He noted that Uganda is particularly interested in accelerating the country's national development agenda by using UNIDO's expertise in transformative partnerships, knowledge transfer, and agro-industrialization. ‘Uganda's focus on promoting innovation, improving productivity, and increasing the level of value addition from primary processing of raw materials to secondary and tertiary manufacturing of medium to high technology products for exports, aligns closely with UNIDO's mission', he added.
According to UNIDO, 125 million people worldwide depend on coffee for their livelihoods. Uganda is currently one of five countries (Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Ethiopia, Tanzania) earmarked to receive assistance in the coffee value chain development through the UNIDO-Italy programme for Advancing Climate-Resilience and Transformation in African Coffee (ACT). The programme worth €15 million is aimed at improving the lives of the people at the beginning of the coffee supply chain by providing better jobs and better incomes for families and communities. The General Conference was held as the Global Industry Summit under 3 key thematic areas, namely: Investment and Partnership; Women and Empowerment; and Generation Future. The Session on Women Empowerment focused on the essential role women play in the economy and industry, and the importance of equal rights, equal access to education, training and finance, and equal opportunities in the workplace and in professional life.
Delivering the Key note address, Her Highness Princess Mashael Saud Al-Shalaan, founder of AEON Collective, highlighted the fast progress that has been made in Saudi Arabia's development and the significant progress made in providing equal opportunities for women - from equal pay to more female participation in STEM education. She emphasized that both equality and gender equity should be at the heart of industrial policy and called upon governments to truly listen to women's voices, ‘to understand their needs, recognize the barriers they confront, and support them in rewriting those stories - keeping what empowers them and changing what holds them back'.
During the General Conference, Nature Bio Foods, an Indian Company with operations in Uganda was announced winner of the UNIDO One World Sustainability Awards under the Category of Sustainable Supply Chains. The Award was received by Mr. Amit Singh, Sustainability Lead, who noted that one cannot talk about sustainability without talking about agriculture. Therefore, sustainability is about ‘how to increase the income of the farmers, how to reduce the cost of cultivation, and how take the farmers to the stage where they can grow and prosper.'
Nature Bio Foods is a Subsidiary of LT Foods, which is headquartered in India. The company opened a processing plant in Uganda in 2023 and is currently working with 16000 farmers involved in the production of soyabean, sorghum, chia seeds and sesame seeds for export.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda - Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Categories
