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Merck Foundation together with African and Asian First Ladies mark ‘World Assisted Reproductive Technology Day’ 2026 through their ‘More Than a Mother’ Campaign

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Merck Foundation

Merck Foundation has till date provided more than 2650 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties

GITEGA, Burundi, July 27, 2026/APO Group/ –Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marks World Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Day 2026 together with African and Asian First Ladies, who are also the Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” Campaign by reaffirming their long-term commitment to building and advancing fertility care capacity.

 

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation and President of the “More Than a Mother” campaign, emphasized, “We mark the World Assisted Reproductive Technology Day, together with my dear sisters the African and Asian First Ladies by reshaping the landscape of Fertility & Reproductive care across Africa and beyond.

I am happy to share that through our ‘Merck Foundation More Than a Mother’ campaign, we have provided 807 scholarships of Fertility, Embryology and Reproductive Care for healthcare providers from 42 countries.

I am especially proud that many of our alumni have been trained to become the first-ever local embryologists and fertility specialists in their countries, including The Gambia, Burundi, Guinea, Chad, Niger, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Malawi, Congo, and Mozambique, where previously there was not a single local specialist in these critical fields. We are making history.”

Merck Foundation has till date provided more than 2650 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.

 

Out of the 807 scholarships provided for Fertility and Reproductive care, Merck Foundation has provided 365 Scholarships for clinical and practical training for Fertility and Embryology, and 442 Scholarships for PG Diploma and Master Degree in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Psychiatry, Women’s Health, Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction & Embryology, Urology, Laparoscopic Surgical skills and Family Medicine to healthcare providers from 42 countries across Africa and Asia.

 

“Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” is a strong movement that aims to break infertility stigma and empower women living with infertility through access to information, education, health and change of mindset.

 

Over the past 11 years, Merck Foundation has worked closely with over 33 African and Asian First Ladies as Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More than a Mother” to build reproductive and fertility care capacity, break infertility stigma and support girl education.

 

In many African cultures, infertility remains highly stigmatized, with women often unfairly blamed for childlessness. This can lead to discrimination, isolation, divorce, and even physical or psychological violence. As a part of “More Than a Mother” Campaign, Merck Foundation has launched many initiatives to break this stigma and create a culture shift.

 

Through the “Empowering Berna” initiative under the “More Than a Mother” campaign, Merck Foundation has empowered women who can no longer be treated for infertility by providing business training to help them become financially independent and rebuild their lives. The initiative has transformed the lives of many women across many African countries including Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Niger, Malawi, and more.

 

Moreover, Merck Foundation has trained more than 4000 media representatives from more than 35 countries to raise awareness about breaking infertility stigma, infertility prevention & management and male infertility.

 

Merck Foundation in partnership with African and Asian First Ladies, has also launched ‘More Than Mother’ Children’s storybook to emphasize strong family values of love and respect from a young age which will reflect on eliminating the stigma of infertility and the resulted domestic violence in the future. The book has also been adapted to an animation film. Watch More Than a Mother Animation Film here: https://apo-opa.co/4pF8lcP

Merck Foundation’s pan African TV program “Our Africa”, that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and features African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa, has many episodes dedicated to raise awareness about infertility and breaking infertility stigma.

I am especially proud that many of our alumni have been trained to become the first-ever local embryologists and fertility specialists in their countries

Watch the episodes here:

Episode 3: https://apo-opa.co/3T9HucW

Episode 5: https://apo-opa.co/4c38jWz

Episode 10: https://apo-opa.co/4pFXeR9

 

Merck Foundation has also released about 30 songs, many of these songs have been created with the aim to break the infertility stigma, as a part of their “More Than a Mother” campaign. Listen to the “More than a Mother” songs here: https://apo-opa.co/3RTyhVF

 

Merck Foundation in partnership with African and Asian First Ladies annually launches their More Than a Mother’ Awards for the best Media, Song, Film and Fashion Designs, to raise awareness about breaking infertility stigma, male infertility, infertility prevention & management, and a wide range of other social issues.

 

Details of the Awards:

1Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards “More Than a Mother” 2026: Media representatives and media students are invited to showcase their work to raise awareness about one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Submission deadline: 30th September 2026.

2Merck Foundation Film Awards “More Than a Mother” 2026:  All African Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions, or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share a long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary, or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to address one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Submission deadline: 30th September 2026.

3Merck Foundation Fashion Awards “More Than a Mother” 2026: All African Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to raise awareness about one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Submission deadline: 30th September 2026.

 

4Merck Foundation Song Awards “More Than a Mother” 2026: All African Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to address one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Submission deadline: 30th September 2026.

 

Apply here: https://apo-opa.co/44Ntk3C

Entries for all the awards are to be submitted via email to: 

submit@merck-foundation.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Energy

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) Deepens Angolan Investment Drive as Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 Elite Sponsor

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Africa Finance Corporation

With close to $1 billion invested in the country and a growing role in energy and infrastructure financing, the institution is positioning itself as a strategic financial partner for Angola

Multilateral finance institution the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) is expanding its role in Angola’s energy and infrastructure sectors, having invested close to $1 billion across the country’s power, rail, logistics and critical minerals industries. Reflecting its growing commitment to the market, the institution has joined the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) Conference & Exhibition as an Elite Sponsor ahead of this September’s event in Luanda.

 

The sponsorship comes as AFC and Angola continue to strengthen their partnership. In 2025, Angola became a sovereign shareholder in AFC through a landmark $184.8 million equity investment commitment, reinforcing the institution’s role in mobilizing capital for strategic projects across the country. Angola’s Sovereign Wealth Fund also invested $25 million in AFC, further demonstrating the country’s confidence in the pan-African infrastructure financier.

That partnership is already translating into major transactions. In July 2026, AFC reached financial close on a $753 million financing package for the Lobito Corridor Railway Project, serving as Co-Financial Adviser alongside Eaglestone. The financing includes $553 million from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and $200 million from the Development Bank of Southern Africa and will support the rehabilitation, upgrade and long-term operation of the 1,300-km railway linking the Port of Lobito with the Democratic Republic of Congo border.

Beyond transport infrastructure, AFC is also supporting Angola’s upstream oil and gas industry. The Corporation invested $60 million as part of a $190 million debt facility backing Angolan independent Etu Energias’ acquisition of interests in offshore Blocks 14 and 14K. The transaction enabled Etu Energias to acquire a 20% stake in Block 14 and a 10% stake in Block 14K, doubling its net production at the time from approximately 9,000 to 19,000 barrels per day.

AFC’s participation at AOG 2026 reflects its expanding footprint in Angola and creates new opportunities to engage with project developers, operators and government stakeholders. As the country’s premier oil and gas event, AOG has established itself as the leading platform for advancing investment, financing and partnerships across Angola’s hydrocarbon value chain.

Taking place on September 9-10, with a pre-conference program on September 8, AOG 2026 will bring together government officials, financiers, operators, service companies and investors to examine the opportunities shaping Angola’s energy future. As an Elite Sponsor, AFC will showcase its expertise in structuring and mobilizing capital for large-scale African infrastructure and energy projects while reinforcing its long-term commitment to Angola’s economic development.

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

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Sputnik Africa Joins African Energy Week 2026 as Media Partner

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African Energy Chamber

Sputnik Africa joins African Energy Week 2026 as a Media Partner, expanding international coverage of Africa’s energy investment opportunities and partnerships

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, July 28, 2026/APO Group/ –Sputnik Africa has joined African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 as an official Media Partner, expanding the event’s international media reach ahead of the conference taking place on October 12-16 in Cape Town. The partnership strengthens global visibility for Africa’s premier energy investment platform.

As an official Media Partner, Sputnik Africa will help amplify discussions surrounding investment opportunities, policy developments and commercial partnerships emerging from the conference. The collaboration broadens AEW’s engagement with audiences across Africa and internationally while expanding coverage of major announcements, strategic dialogues and project developments taking place throughout the event.

The 2026 program features an expanded agenda focused on investment mobilization across the energy value chain. Town Hall sessions will examine fiscal reforms and regulatory competitiveness, while the Upstream E&P Forum will address frontier exploration, gas development and regional cooperation. dedicated finance, downstream and technology tracks will further explore infrastructure investment, AI adoptions and digital transformation.

Country spotlights will showcase licensing rounds, upstream opportunities and national reform programs from African producers seeking new investment. These sessions will provide international companies and financial institutions with direct access to policymakers and project developers while highlighting commercially attractive opportunities spanning hydrocarbons, power generation, infrastructure and emerging energy technologies.

African Energy Week has always been about connecting Africa’s energy opportunities with global investors, technology leaders and strategic partners

As such, Sputnik’s participation reflects its growing presence across the continent through multilingual news coverage and regional broadcasting platforms. Publishing in English, French, Swahili and Amharic, the outlet covers diplomacy, business, infrastructure, technology and economic developments affecting African markets while expanding distribution through digital platforms, FM radio and institutional media partnerships.

In recent months, Sputnik Africa has expanded coverage of Russia-Africa economic cooperation, infrastructure investment, transport connectivity and energy collaboration. The platform has also reported extensively on discussions surrounding nuclear energy, industrial development, AI governance and broader Global South partnerships, reflecting growing international interest in Africa’s evolving economic landscape.

The organization has steadily expanded its physical footprint since establishing its first African editorial center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in February 2025. The bureau serves as a production hub for English and Amharic programming while supporting locally produced reporting and strengthening the organization’s long-term presence on the continent.

Operational growth continued through the launch of FM broadcasting services in Ethiopia before expanding radio operations into additional African markets, including Burkina Faso. Sputnik Africa has also broadened institutional engagement through journalism training initiatives and educational partnerships, including collaboration with the University of Education, Winneba in Ghana under its SputnikPro program.

“African Energy Week has always been about connecting Africa’s energy opportunities with global investors, technology leaders and strategic partners. Sputnik Africa’s participation as a media partner expands the reach of those conversations, helping showcase the projects, policies and partnerships that are driving the continent’s energy future to audiences across Africa and beyond,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.

The partnership between Sputnik Africa and AEW 2026 reinforces the conference’s commitment to engaging a broad international media network capable of showcasing Africa’s investment story to global audiences. By expanding coverage across multiple languages and regions, the collaboration supports greater visibility for investment opportunities, policy reforms and commercial partnerships shaping Africa’s evolving energy sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Afreximbank’s largest ever bond issuance raises US$1.5 billion

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Afreximbank

The transaction attracted strong demand from international investors across the UK, Europe, Asia and the United States, with the order book peaking at US$3.8 billion

CAIRO, Egypt, July 28, 2026/APO Group/ –African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (https://www.Afreximbank.com/) has successfully priced a US$1.5 billion dual-tranche Reg S/144A senior unsecured benchmark Eurobond, marking its first US dollar public bond issuance since July 2021 and its largest bond issuance to date. The bond was issued in two tranches: US$750 million with a 5.5-year tenor, maturing in January 2032, and US$750 million with a 10-year tenor, maturing in July 2036.

This successful issuance shows the confidence that investors continue to place in Afreximbank and in Africa’s growth story

The transaction attracted strong demand from international investors across the UK, Europe, Asia and the United States, with the order book peaking at US$3.8 billion. The issuance was approximately two times oversubscribed, with demand evenly split across both tranches. Supported by the robust demand, Afreximbank tightened pricing by 37.5 basis points on each tranche, resulting in final yields of 6.25% for the 5.5-year tranche and 7.125% for the 10-year tranche.

This successful return to the US dollar public bond market follows the Bank’s issuances in alternative formats and currencies in recent years, including Samurai bond issuances in 2024 and 2025 and a Panda bond issuance in 2025.Commenting on the transaction, Chandi Mwenebungu, Afreximbank’s Managing Director, Treasury and Markets, and Group Treasurer said, “This successful issuance shows the confidence that investors continue to place in Afreximbank and in Africa’s growth story. For us, this is a clear sign that the market continues to believe in Afreximbank’s work and in Africa’s economic prospects. Our role remains to connect capital to the opportunities that will drive trade, industrialisation and growth across the continent.”

HSBC Bank plc acted as the Global Co-ordinator, while Standard Bank of South Africa Limited, Standard Chartered Bank, Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft and MUFG Securities EMEA plc, acted as Joint Lead Managers and Joint Bookrunners. This transaction marks another milestone in Afreximbank’s funding journey and underscores the bank’s continued ability to access international capital markets on competitive terms while connecting global capital to Africa’s long-term growth story.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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