TECNO (www.TECNO-Mobile.com), a leading innovative technology brand, has announced a partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Nigeria to support the implementation of the Nigeria Learning Passport, a digital learning platform.

In today’s world, too many children remain out of school, and many more are not learning. In Nigeria, the challenges in the field of education are particularly acute. To improve the quality of education for children and adolescents, the Federal Ministry of Education and UNICEF launched the innovative Nigeria Learning Passport programme in 2022. This initiative forms part of UNICEF’s broader global educational strategy, the Learning Passport, which was first established in 2018.

The platform provides curriculum-aligned materials in local languages through a combination of online and offline delivery, allowing children to access digital learning resources at any time, wherever they are. This ensures that quality education is available and accessible to all. The platform covers a full range of educational content, from foundational learning to skills development, and also provides professional training for educators.

The programme has expanded to 19 states across the country, ranking second among all participating countries with approximately 888,000 registered users.

TECNO is working with UNICEF to support the expansion and deepening of the Nigeria Learning Passport. The partnership will further strengthen content development, purchase and maintenance of technical equipment, and professional training for educators. In 2024, UNICEF plans to expand the Nigeria Learning Passport to include offline content for 50,000 children in remote and low-income areas, further reducing the education gap and improving the quality of education.

“We are pleased to partner with TECNO to enhance the reach and impact of the Nigeria Learning Passport,” said Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria. “This collaboration will allow us to provide more children, especially those in remote and underserved areas, with the quality education they deserve. Digital learning is a powerful tool in bridging educational gaps and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive. With TECNO’s support, we are one step closer to our goal of making education accessible to all children in Nigeria, empowering them to build a brighter future.”

Jack Guo, General Manager of TECNO, added, “As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility endeavours, TECNO keeps giving back to the communities where our business is present. Investing in education is an effective strategy for breaking the inter-generational transmission of poverty and contributing to social and economic development. Africa has the world’s youngest population structure, and the progress for African children is the progress of the world. Through the Learning Passport programme, we hope to help young people in Nigeria access sufficient education and development opportunities, becoming a strong engine for economic growth and social progress in Africa and even the world.”

By the end of 2023, the Learning Passport programme had expanded to 38 countries worldwide, with a total of 6.02 million registered users and more than 13,000 courses on offer. In 2020, the Learning Passport was recognised as one of the 50 Most Influential Projects by The Project Management Institute, and in 2021 TIME named the programme one of the best 100 inventions of the year.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of TECNO Mobile.

For further information, please contact:
Transsion Holdings
Chris Huang, Corporate PR
Chris.huang@transsion.com

About TECNO:
TECNO, part of Transsion Holdings, is an innovative technology brand with operations in over 70 countries and regions across five continents. Since its launch, TECNO has been revolutionizing the digital experience in emerging global markets, relentlessly pushing for the perfect integration of contemporary, aesthetic design with the latest technologies. Today, TECNO has developed into a recognized leader in its target markets, delivering state-of-the-art innovation through a wide range of smartphones, smart wearables, laptops and tablets, HiOS operating systems, and smart home products. Guided by its brand essence of “Stop At Nothing,” TECNO is committed to unlocking the best and newest technologies for forward-looking individuals. By creating stylish, intelligent products, TECNO inspires consumers worldwide to never stop pursuing their best selves and their best futures. For more information, please visit TECNO’s official site: www.TECNO-Mobile.com.

About UNICEF:
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.UNICEF.org.

UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service.

Deynile Hospital in Mogadishu, serving a population of over 100,000 people living in IDP camps, received intensive care unit equipment for the first time.

Thanks to the intensive care beds, patient monitors, mechanical ventilators, infusion pumps, defibrillators, electrocardiogram machines and other medical equipment provided by TİKA, the hospital can now offer emergency health services more effectively. With this support, patients can now receive necessary treatment without needing to be transferred to the hospitals in the city center.

TİKA’s efforts to strengthen the health sector in Somalia aim to improve the quality of life for Somali citizens. The intensive care unit support for Deynile Hospital demonstrates Türkiye’s commitment to humanitarian aid and development cooperation in the international arena.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

Last week, the Congolese government’s Communication and Broadcasting Board (Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel et de la communication, CSAC) suspended journalist Jessy Kabasele for an indefinite period, following his interview with one of the country’s most famous singers, Koffi Olomide, on Le Panier The Morning Show. During the interview, aired by the state-run broadcasting company, Olomide criticized the army’s response to M23 rebels’ assault as too weak.

Congolese authorities have been fighting the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group since hostilities renewed in 2022 in the North Kivu province.

The CSAC accused Kabasele of failing to reframe Olomide’s speech which, it argued, “undermines the enormous efforts and sacrifices made by the government.” The media regulator summoned both Kabasele and Olomide last week, while Olomide’s lawyers are said to have met with a prosecutor on July 15.

Congo’s media regulator has been stifling reporting on the conflict. In February, the CSAC issued a directive requesting the media not to broadcast debates on Congolese army operations without the presence of at least one “expert on the matter.” It also requested journalists avoid radio phone-ins discussing the topic and interviewing “negative forces,” a vague and unclear term that leaves the door open to arbitrary prohibitions.

In April, the CSAC recommended that media outlets should no longer “broadcast information relating to the rebellion in eastern DRC without referring to official [government] sources.”

While international human rights law allows governments during states of emergency to derogate from some obligations to respect freedom of expression, there are strict standards on what governments can do and how. Those standards, which include restrictions having a clear legal basis, being necessary, and proportionate, ensure that the essence of freedom of expression, including freedom to seek, receive, and impart ideas and information, is safeguarded. CSAC’s inference with freedom of expression and freedom of the press fails to meet the criteria.

The cases of Olomide and Kabassele are reminiscent of other journalists and public figures who have been targeted by the authorities.

The work of Congolese journalists operating in eastern provinces has been fraught with danger and their dedication and commitment should be commended. Instead of punishing journalists and private citizens for expressing views on a crisis that is devastating the country, the authorities should protect journalists’ rights to operate safely and freely.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).

PAC Capital Limited (“PAC Capital”) (www.PACCapitalLtd.com), the investment banking arm of PanAfrican Capital Holdings, is thrilled to announce the successful completion of a US$443 million Acquisition Facility for Etu Energias. This milestone deal involves the acquisition of Galp’s stake in Block 32, Block 14, and Block 14K offshore Angola. This transaction follows the recent completion of a US$3.3 billion pre-export facility in Nigeria by PAC Capital.

Humphrey Oriakhi, Managing Director of PAC Capital, expressed his excitement about the deal: “This transaction provides the opportunity for another African company to make inroads into these strategic assets, previously dominated by International Oil Companies (IOCs), thereby giving a significant advantage for majority stakes.”

Bolarinwa Sanni, Senior Director at PAC Capital, also highlighted the strategic importance of this acquisition: “This deal is not just a significant milestone for Etu Energias but also a transformative step towards strengthening local ownership and control of key energy assets in Angola. We are proud to have facilitated this landmark transaction.”

The acquisition transaction, which was finalized on the sidelines of the 31st Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM) and the 3rd AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF) in Nassau, Bahamas, includes Galp’s 5% non-operating stake in Block 32, 9% non-operating stake in Block 14, and 4.5% non-operating stake in Block 14K.

“The close collaboration between the different parties was fundamental to the success of this business, which represents Etu Energias’ entry into deepwater oil production. The conclusion of this Transaction demonstrates the resilience of our company and represents a huge step in our strategy to build a profitable and diversified portfolio.” said Edson R. Dos Santos, Etu Energias´s Chairman and CEO, who extended his deep appreciation for the support and role of PAC Capital’s in the deal: “PAC Capital’s expertise and dedication were instrumental in securing this acquisition. Their skilful strategic fund arrangement ensured the successful closure of this complex transaction, positioning us to become a leading player in Angola’s oil and gas sector.”

This acquisition significantly enhances Angola’s energy security by empowering local companies to own strategic petroleum assets, thereby strengthening the nation’s energy sector. It marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to boost local participation and leadership in the oil and gas industry in Angola.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of PAC Capital Limited.

Media Contact:
Omolola Ojo 
On behalf of PAC Capital Limited 
Email: omolola.ojo@panafricancapitalholdings.com 

About PAC Capital Limited:
PAC Capital Limited is the Investment Banking and Advisory arm of PanAfrican Capital Holdings, with a proven track record of successful fundraising and financial advisory services across various sectors such as Aviation, Financial Services, Healthcare, Telecommunications, Power&Energy, Oil&Gas, Agro-Allied, and Hospitality industries in Nigeria and beyond.