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FIND calls for commitments to implement the World Health Assembly (WHA) Resolution on diagnostics, signs an agreement with Rwanda Biomedical Centre

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FIND

At the same event, FIND and the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat (IPPS) launched a new report on diagnostics for pandemic preparedness

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LUSAKA, Zambia, November 29, 2023/APO Group/ — 

FIND (www.FINDdx.org) is calling for commitments to support the implementation of the Resolution on diagnostics that was adopted at the World Health Assembly earlier this year; A Collaboration Agreement has been signed with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre to support digitally enabled, equitable access to testing; FIND and the Independent Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat have launched a new report on transforming diagnostics to improve pandemic preparedness.

At a “Diagnostics Dinner” (https://apo-opa.co/3GsaZg9) event held yesterday on the sidelines of the 3rd International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA), Lusaka, Zambia, FIND called for commitments (https://apo-opa.co/48dflE7) from organizations and countries to support implementation at global, regional, and country levels of the Resolution on diagnostics (https://apo-opa.co/3uDmBdX) that was adopted earlier this year at the World Health Assembly (WHA). A commitment tracker showcasing the commitments will be launched during WHA 2024.

The call was made as FIND announced at the event a new Collaboration Agreement with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) that links to the implementation of the Resolution in Rwanda. The agreement outlines strategic initiatives planned jointly by FIND and RBC to accelerate diagnostic innovation, including clinical evaluations of new tests and AI-based tools, and regional manufacturing of new tests, as well as boosting disease surveillance and genomic sequencing capabilities. RBC and FIND are already in the process of kicking off some of these initiatives towards enabling digitally powered, integrated screening at a community healthcare level, and understanding values and preferences towards non-invasive malaria diagnostic tests.

As RBC, we now believe that diagnostics are the heartbeat of effective healthcare, pulsating with the rhythm of early detection, swift response, and resilient preparedness

At the same event, FIND and the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat (IPPS) launched a new report on diagnostics for pandemic preparedness. The report, Making the exceptional routine: embedding diagnostic best practice to improve public health and pandemic preparedness (https://apo-opa.co/3R3R38m), is co-authored by FIND and the 100 Days Mission Science and Technology Expert Group, including Dr Yenew Kebede of Africa CDC and Dr Mariângela Simão of Instituto Todos pela Saúde. Highlighting the role of diagnostics as integral for pandemic preparedness and response, it addresses multiplex and digitally connected diagnostics, along with test-and-treat strategies, as key enablers for the integration of testing into healthcare systems. The report calls for policymakers, research funders, regulatory authorities and international organizations to invest in these enablers to provide a robust foundation for global health systems to respond to endemic and pandemic diseases.

Diagnostics are critical to sustainable, resilient health systems. The Diagnostics Dinner event brought together stakeholders from across the African continent and beyond, to discuss progress and opportunities in diagnostic testing that can address persistent inequities and help ensure everyone who needs a test can get one, whenever and wherever they need it. Technology innovations and advances in regional manufacturing were explored, together with a case study on how diagnostic testing is enabling the elimination of sleeping sickness (human African trypanosomiasis) in multiple countries. The importance of building health systems for people rather than diseases, with a strong emphasis on strengthening testing services in primary care, was discussed as key to both universal health coverage (UHC) and pandemic preparedness.

Dr Ntombi Sigwebela, Regional Director, South Africa at FIND, said: “The WHA Resolution is an unprecedented opportunity to rally the whole global health community and ensure that diagnostics are prioritized as essential to health system resilience, for both patient care and disease surveillance. UHC and global health security are two sides of the same coin. We welcome this new collaboration with RBC to strengthen diagnostic services, and thank IPPS for their leadership as we work together to make the 100 Days Mission for diagnostics a reality.”

Professor Claude Mambo Muvunyi, Director General, RBC, said: “As RBC, we now believe that diagnostics are the heartbeat of effective healthcare, pulsating with the rhythm of early detection, swift response, and resilient preparedness. As we prioritize diagnostics as a core component, we not only enhance our healthcare services but fortify our nation’s readiness to face outbreaks. Rwanda’s vision extends beyond the hospitals, it envisions diagnostics reaching the last mile – from primary healthcare centres to dedicated community workers. In this commitment, we do not only diagnose diseases but empower communities, making health a shared journey towards resilience and well-being. In alignment with the recent World Health Assembly declaration on diagnostics, we affirm our commitment to a healthier and more resilient future, where timely and accurate diagnostics are the cornerstone of Rwanda citizen well-being.”

Dr Yenew Kebede Tebeje, Head of the Division of Laboratory Systems & Networks at Africa CDC and 100 Days Mission STEG member said: “The report we are launching today from the 100 Days Mission STEG and FIND sets out the paradigm shift we need in diagnostics, to embed access to multiplex and digitally connected diagnostics in everyday healthcare, as well as expand test-and-treat strategies. Access to testing is a fundamental part of strengthening health systems and enabling us to be better prepared to meet all health threats, including epidemics and pandemics.”

Further details about the Diagnostics Dinner event can be found online here (https://apo-opa.co/3GsaZg9).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of FIND.

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Ministers among hundreds of energy-sector leaders to attend AOW event

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Sinclair

The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors”

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

AOW: Investing in African Energy (https://AOWEnergy.com) – Africa’s leading oil, gas and energy event – has confirmed attendance for more than 80 ministers and senior officials, representing African governments, energy departments and regulators at next month’s event.

These influential stakeholders will be among the more than 1 600 senior delegates and industry leaders who will be attending the event to develop policy, share discoveries, secure investment, and shape Africa’s energy future.

The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors.”

Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention

Among the officials and government ministers attending will be energy leaders from South Africa, Nigeria, Namibia, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Eswatini, Uganda, CAR, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Gabon, Malawi, Morocco, Zanzibar, Liberia, Senegal, Congo Brazzaville and Sierra Leone.

In addition, the event will feature high-level delegations from numerous national oil companies, as well as multilateral bodies including the African Union, (AU), African Energy Commission (AFREC), African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).

AOW will see these energy leaders networking with C-suite executives and decision-makers from more than 760 top energy companies at daily networking events, to discuss insights, forge new relationships, and negotiate major energy deals.

“We are so excited to see the calibre of delegates at this year’s AOW event,” says Chief Executive Officer of Sankofa Events, Paul Sinclair. “Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention. The high-powered attendance proves AOW is a key platform to enable this intervention.”

Key themes to be discussed at this year’s AOW will be sustainable upstream development; expanding gas value chains; renewables and new energies; adoption of best-in-class technologies; and access to finance.

AOW: Investing in African Energy will culminate in a special anniversary party at Groot Constantia Vineyard to celebrate 30 years of the AOW event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AOW: Investing in African Energy.

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Afreximbank approves US$20.8 million for Starlink Global’s cashew factory project in Lagos

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The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs

CAIRO, Egypt, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has approved a US$20.8 million financing facility for Nigeria-based Starlink Global & Ideal Limited to enable the company construct and operate a 30,000-metric tonne per annum cashew processing factory in Lagos.

We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria

According to the facility agreement signed in on July 22, 2024, Afreximbank will provide the funds in two tranches with the first tranche of US$7.48M going toward capital expenditure for the construction of the factory and the second, totalling US$13.25M to be deployed as working capital for the operations of the factory.

The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs once the factory becomes operational. It is also expected to support about 40 small and medium-sized enterprises.

Commenting on the transaction, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra Africa Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, said that by supporting Starlink Global to establish a modern processing facility, Afreximbank is making it possible for Africa to add value to its agro-commodities, thereby facilitating exports and subsequent inflow of much-needed foreign exchange into the continent.

“We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria. It will contribute to value creation and to the development of the local community while also improving the lots of smallholder farmers and small business suppliers that will work with Starlink across the value chain,” Mrs. Awani added.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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Sonangol to Lead Decarbonized Oil & Gas (O&G) Development, Says Angolan National Oil Company (NOC) Head

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Sonangol

Participating in an on-stage interview at Angola Oil & Gas 2024, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins emphasized that oil and gas remains a core focus for the national oil company

LUANDA, Angola, October 3, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Angola’s national oil company Sonangol reiterated its commitment to driving sustainable hydrocarbon development during the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference this week. Speaking during an “In-Conversation with” session, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins stated that the company will not abandon oil and gas, but rather advance decarbonized oil and gas development.

We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas

By investing in upstream oil and gas production while prioritizing low-carbon projects, Sonangol aims to boost national crude output, while diversifying and decarbonizing the industry. The NOC is focusing efforts on non-associated gas development, as well as alternative energy sources such as solar.

“We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas. Gas produced from Angola LNG will be used for the production of fertilizer and we are evaluating the utilization of gas in the south of the country, linking gas with steel industries. We also have a blue carbon project, linked to the reduction of carbon through the plantation of mangroves. We have one area in Luanda and have identified four additional areas for this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

Sonangol has undergone transformation in recent years: following the creation of the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG) in 2019, Sonangol transferred its role as national concessionaire and regulator. This transformation has aimed to make Sonangol more competitive and strengthen its capacity as an upstream operator. Concurrently, the government is partially privatizing the NOC, with privatization set to be complete in 2026. This process will enhance financial capacity, allowing Sonangol to drive new upstream projects forward.

“The transformation of Sonangol started several years ago, when we passed the regulatory, concessionaire role to the ANPG. At the time, we transferred almost 600 employees to the ANPG. After that, Sonangol underwent a restructuring program where we created five core business units from 36 different entities – starting with exploration and production. We want to go public, but we want to do it properly. So, we are currently going through all the processes to do this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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