Africa’s Sub-Sovereign governments, comprising states, counties, provinces, municipalities and regional authorities, play a critical role in economic development of African countries

KISUMU, Kenya, November 26, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Over 250 Sub-Sovereign government leaders from across Africa are today meeting in Kisumu, Kenya, for the the fourth edition of the African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) Conference. Taking place between the 25^th and 27^th of November, the event provides a platform for Sub-Sovereign leaders and businesses to discuss how their local governments can attract investments in the region in order foster and accelerate inclusive growth and development.

Organised by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the County Government of Kisumu and the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa), the conference’s overarching theme is ‘Leveraging the AfCFTA for Sustainable Trade and Investment: A Development Pathway for African Sub-Sovereigns’. The event’s main objectives include strengthening the role of Africa’s Sub-Sovereign governments in driving intra-African trade and investment, and the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Africa’s Sub-Sovereign governments, comprising states, counties, provinces, municipalities and regional authorities, play a critical role in economic development of African countries. According to the African Union, Africa’s economic outlook is projected at 3.7% GDP growth in 2024, slightly higher than the global average of 3.2%. This growth elevates the integral role of Sub Sovereign governments for African economies and its people.

Understanding this, Afreximbank has committed USD $2 billion for these critical actors, to support these governments and businesses in African countries.

In alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), we are passionately implementing the AfSNET initiative to promote intra-regional trade and investment

While delivering his keynote address at the AfSNET conference in Kisumu, Kenya, H. E. Dr. William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya acknowledged the Bank’s support for African governments including Kenya:

“I want to thank Professor Benedict Oramah for making time to join us for this conference. Your presence here is yet another example of the unique approaches that the Bank, under your leadership, employs in order to deepen its footprint by engaging with shareholders throughout the continent, including sub-national entities like Africities, and devolved governments like Kisumu. Afreximbank has consistently demonstrated innovative approaches in advancing credit to African governments and the public sector while facilitating deeper collaboration among sub-Saharan nations and Kenya is an example. This spirit of innovation aligns seamlessly with the aspirations of the African Continental Free Trade Area, creating a dynamic network of ambitious, future ready institutions and governments. Such collaborations will drive transformative engagements at the grassroots level, enabling Africa to achieve an unparalleled position in the global value chains and make substantial contributions to their bottom-up transformation.”

Speaking on the importance of the conference, President Ruto noted: “By promoting peer to peer learning, this forum strengthens cooperation among Sub-Sovereign governments. And devolution, a tremendous innovation established under Kenya’s 2010 constitution, has evolved into an exemplary success story that Kenyans are very proud of, as it has brought services closer to the people, empowered grassroot participation in government, safeguarded minority rights and enhanced equity in resource mobilization and allocation.”

Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, commented:

“The African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) initiative thrives due to the concerted efforts and unwavering commitment of partners who recognise the tremendous potential of sub-sovereign governments as the engines for broad-based economic development that extends to the grassroots of our societies. At Afreximbank, we strongly believe that for developmental initiatives to succeed in our economies, they must, of necessity, be decentralized; development needs must originate and flow from the periphery towards the centre. In alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), we are passionately implementing the AfSNET initiative to promote intra-regional trade and investment. We collectively recognize that cities, states, and provinces within a nation exhibit remarkable diversity—differing in population sizes, resource endowments, skill sets, and sectoral specializations.”

Professor Oramah continued that this conference is a key prelude to the upcoming Intra Africa Trade Fair (IATF2025) scheduled to take place from 4 to 10 September 2025 in Algiers, Algeria, and delegates are welcomed to contribute to the discourse that can be elevated at the IATF2025.

AfSNET was established by Afreximbank as a platform for promoting intra-African trade and investment, educational and cultural exchanges and the fostering of effective engagement among sub-sovereigns in Africa’s development and prosperity in the context of the AfCFTA.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

The Summit will bring together global leaders in healthcare to address critical health issues and advance medical systems

KIGALI, Rwanda, November 26, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Informa Markets (www.InformaMarkets.com), organisers of the inaugural edition of the International Health Ministerial Summit, are pleased to announce that the landmark event will take place in Kigali from 4 to 5 December 2024. The Summit will bring together global leaders in healthcare to address critical health issues and advance medical systems.

Themed ‘Strengthening Health Systems for a Better Tomorrow’, the two-day event will see delegates engage with VIPs, government officials, and industry influencers as they delve into the challenges facing the global healthcare system. Aligning closely to key global focus areas, agenda topics range from pharma and manufacturing to access to medicines, R&D, diagnostics, HIV/AIDS, health equity, and women’s health. Africa-specific initiatives enhancing healthcare delivery, digital health and innovation, and financing and investment opportunities will also take centre stage.

Engaging, interactive sessions

The Summit includes keynote sessions by expert speakers addressing healthcare challenges and opportunities, and panel discussions offering insightful and interactive platforms for debate and actionable solutions. A networking event will enable delegates to gain further insights from speakers and fellow attendees.  

The International Ministerial Summit represents a milestone achievement for the African continent, uniting global healthcare leaders to discuss and debate issues

Rwanda’s focus on community-based universal healthcare, its established immunisation and prevention programme, and a defined framework for future healthcare improvements make it ideally placed to host the Summit and play a role in building and facilitating partnerships that will accelerate progress, spur investment and advance healthcare initiatives.

High-level global attendees

Global health leaders and dignitaries attending the 2024 International Ministerial Summit include: 

• Hon. Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, Minister of Health, Rwanda
• H.E. Dr. Ahmed El-Sobky, Chairman, Egypt Health Authority, Cairo, Egypt
• Hon. Benjamin Hounkpatin, Minister of Health, Benin
• Hon. Dr. Charles Senessie, Deputy Minister of Health, Sierra Leone
• Hon. Dr. Deborah M. Barasa, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Health, Kenya
• Hon. Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, Minister of Health, Zimbabwe
• Hon. Dr. Esther Utjiua Muinjangue, Deputy Minister of Health, Namibia
• Hon. Prof. Dr. Ibrahima Sy, Minister of Health, Senegal
• Hon. Malayah Tamba Chieyoe, Deputy Minister for Planning & Policy, Liberia
• Hon. Pedro Tipote, Minister of Health, Guinea-Bissau
• Hon. Pierre N’gou DIMBA, Minister of Health, Côte d’Ivoire
• Dr. Robert Lucien Kargougou, Minister of Health, Burkina Faso
• Hon. Selibe Mochoboroane, Minister of Health, Lesotho
• Hon. Yolanda Awel Deng, Minister of Health, South Sudan
• Dr. Allan Pamba, Vice President Africa, Roche Diagnostics, Nairobi, Kenya 
• Dr. Ahmed Ogwell, Vice President of Global Health Strategy, UN Foundation, Washington, USA 
• Dr. Mazyanga Lucy Mazaba, Regional Director, Africa CDC, Nairobi, Kenya 
• Mr. Peter Hall, President, India, Middle East, Africa & Turkey, Informa Markets, Dubai, UAE 

“The International Ministerial Summit represents a milestone achievement for the African continent, uniting global healthcare leaders to discuss and debate issues that will have a lasting impact not only on healthcare systems on the continent but globally. We can’t wait to welcome key stakeholders in the industry and are excited to see actionable solutions that will positively impact the healthcare landscape,” said Peter Hall, President, India, Middle East, Africa & Turkey, Informa Markets. 

For more details on the International Health Ministerial Summit, visit the event website: https://apo-opa.co/4g4ZIT6

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Informa Markets: Healthcare.

This collaboration aims to introduce innovations to the Egyptian market, drawing on eFinance’s robust presence and trusted reputation and Cassava Technologies’ pan-Africa reach and global partnerships

CAIRO, Egypt, November 26, 2024/APO Group/ — 

eFinance Investment Group and Cassava Technologies (www.CassavaTechnologies.com) have signed an agreement to explore and identify opportunities for collaboration and joint expansion across Africa. The signing ceremony took place during the 28th Cairo ICT Exhibition and Conference, held under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

eFinance Investment Group and Cassava Technologies plan to leverage each other’s respective strengths and experience. Cassava Technologies will bring its extensive African footprint, infrastructure, and continental experience, whilst eFinance will bring its strong market presence and reputation as Egypt’s foremost leader in digital transformation.

This collaboration aims to introduce innovations to the Egyptian market, drawing on eFinance’s robust presence and trusted reputation and Cassava Technologies’ pan-Africa reach and global partnerships.

This collaboration between Cassava Technologies and eFinance Group will accelerate the adoption of digital solutions in Egypt and the MENA region

Cassava Technologies, headquartered in the UK, is a global technology leader of African heritage, with presence across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the United States of America. Its portfolio includes fiber broadband networks, satellite communications, data centers, renewable energy solutions, financial technology, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, as well as cloud and cybersecurity services.

e-finance Investment Group is a developer of digital payments infrastructures that was established in 2005 to develop the Government of Egypt’s financial network. Over the course of nearly two decades, the Group has penetrated all corners of Egypt’s digital market and transformed itself into a leading technology-focused investment firm. With a dynamic business model and a flexible organizational structure, e-finance is able to focus on multiple target markets through its subsidiaries and maximize its ability to unlock value in the digital payments space. The Group boasts a portfolio of subsidiaries that has enabled e-finance’s growth across multiple markets, unlocked synergies across its business lines, and enabled digital transformation for various strategic sectors throughout the nation to support the development of Egypt’s digital economy and drive towards financial inclusion.

Ibrahim Sarhan, Chairman and CEO of eFinance Investment Group, expressed his pride in partnering with Cassava Technologies, a global leader renowned for its extensive technological solutions and infrastructure across Africa. He emphasized that this collaboration represents a significant milestone in offering a unique range of joint services across the African continent, with a particular focus on the Egyptian market, where eFinance continues to lead the digital enablement for financial access across various industries and sectors.

According to Hardy Pemhiwa, President & Group CEO of Cassava Technologies, “eFinance has a track record of success in driving digital transformation in Egypt which is truly commendable. This collaboration between Cassava Technologies and eFinance Group will accelerate the adoption of digital solutions in Egypt and the MENA region. eFinance’s experience across key sectors in Egypt make them an ideal partner for us as we expand our presence in Egypt and the region. This partnership further enhances our ability to deliver on our vision of a digitally connected future that leaves no African behind”.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Cassava Technologies.