President Isaias Afwerki yesterday, 25 April, met at Denden Guest House, Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ Special Envoy for Sudan.

At the meeting, President Isaias noted that progress in resolving the conflict in Sudan has been elusive thus far, attributing it to the proliferation of initiatives and platforms. President Isaias further stated that Eritrea had submitted to Sudan’s Sovereign Council in 2022, a proposal anchored on the establishment of transitional institutions.

President Isaias stated that although the initiative to resolve the conflict was initially accepted by the Sovereign Council, progress was later hampered due to interference and rivalry among various powers. He urged the United Nations Secretary-General to exert more efforts to stem the flow of finance and arms deliveries through neighboring countries.

The UN Envoy, Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, for his part, elaborated on measures that the United Nations and its institutions have embarked on to promote peace in Sudan, as well as to provide support to Sudanese people forced into internal displacement and exile due to the conflict.

President Isaias expressed Eritrea’s support to the United Nations Secretary General initiative as a viable mechanism for unifying all other efforts.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and representatives of UN Offices in Eritrea.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Oil and gas company Trident Energy has secured agreements with multinational energy companies Chevron and TotalEnergies to obtain stakes in the Republic of Congo’s oil fields. The deal with Chevron involves acquiring Chevron Overseas (Congo), granting Trident access to key oil fields including a 31.5% non-operated working interest in the Moho-Bilondo, Nkossa and Nsoko II fields, along with a 15.75% operated interest in the Lianzi field. Meanwhile, Trident has partnered with TotalEnergies to expand its ownership in the Nkossa and Nsoko II fields by 53.5%, while also divesting 10% of its interest in the Moho-Bilondo field to the French oil major.

Pending approval, the transactions are expected to finalize by the end of Q4 2024. Upon completion, Trident Energy will hold an 85% working interest in the Nkossa and Nsoko II fields, a 15.75% working interest in the Lianzi field and retain a 21.5% working interest in the Moho-Bilondo field, further cementing its position as a key player in Africa’s energy landscape.

These agreements highlight Trident’s commitment to sustainable energy development and strategic partnerships in the region, a sentiment echoed by the African Energy Chamber (AEC). By assuming operational control of vital oil fields, Trident Energy demonstrates its dedication to operational excellence and responsible resource management.

Moreover, these agreements not only consolidate Trident Energy’s position in Africa but also signify a milestone for the Republic of Congo’s energy landscape as the company enters into collaboration with new partners, including state-owned SNPC and the Congolese Government. The AEC commends the Republic of Congo’s government and its national oil company SNPC for cultivating these partnerships, which are crucial for developing the country’s oil resources and driving sustainable economic growth within the region.

“Trident Energy’s strategic entry into the Republic of Congo signifies a pivotal moment for the country’s energy sector and underscores the immense potential of collaboration between industry players and government entities. This transformative deal not only strengthens Trident Energy’s footprint in Africa but also highlights the opportunities for sustainable development and economic growth within the region,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC.

With proven crude oil reserves totaling 1.8 billion barrels, the Republic of Congo is well-positioned to capitalize on its abundant resources for economic advancement. Trident Energy’s recent agreements and acquisitions, alongside the country’s substantial oil production capacity, signify a promising path for resource utilization. As development efforts progress, there is potential for heightened production, job generation and enhanced economic stability. With prudent management and strategic collaborations, the Republic of Congo can effectively harness its oil wealth to foster sustainable growth and prosperity.

Building on its continued successes in Equatorial Guinea, Trident Energy anticipates unlocking further value and creating opportunities for its partners in the Republic of Congo, host communities and all stakeholders.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

The white city of Tangiers wakes gently at daybreak. Schoolchildren mill up and down the main streets of the old town, the medina, crossing paths with the crowd heading to offices and a few morning tourists.

Overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar at the northern tip of Morocco, Tangiers is a cosmopolitan place and gateway to the great continent of Africa. Every year, its timeless atmosphere attracts millions of tourists, who come to criss-cross its narrow paved streets.

The guest house “Riad Saba”, in the heart of the medina, welcomes holidaymakers with immense care. On the terrace, guests are treated to the view over the port while enjoying a tasty breakfast prepared by Ibrahim Jallouli.

Originally from Oujda, this young chef came to Tangiers to take advantage of the opportunities the city could offer him. “I came here because it’s a city full of opportunities, which attracts tourists from all over the world with its cultural and gastronomic heritage,” he comments.

For this young professional, the city guarantees access to essential services, particularly the availability of water. “Water is essential in my line of business. I use it every day, either for cooking, drinking or washing ingredients. I couldn’t manage without it. But I’m conscious that having continuous, daily access to water is a real challenge in Morocco.”

Like many of the Kingdom’s citizens, Ibrahim is concerned about the effects of climate change on this vital resource. The region enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate, with the influence of the ocean keeping it damp and temperate.

However, its meteorological profile has been disrupted for several decades: temperatures are rising and rainfall decreasing, affecting the availability of water for millions of the city’s residents.

The region’s economy is expanding rapidly, attracting numerous industries, as well as experiencing a real population explosion. The need for water is increasing and placing heavy pressure on those who manage this precious resource.

The Moroccan government realised the scale of the situation several years ago and responded by launching the National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Programme (PNAEPI) 2020-2027.

Through the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), the government is investing in a range of infrastructure projects to secure, strengthen and optimize water resources, with support from the African Development Bank. The city of Tangiers has benefited from a project completed in 2023: a raw water supply from the Ibn Battouta dam.

Built in the late 1970s, the reservoir has seen its level drop for several years. With raw water supplies decreasing in volume, it was time to optimize the resource. Until now, raw water from the dam used to flow to the Mharhar treatment plant via the riverbed of the same name. This open-air journey resulted in losses, mainly due to evaporation. An 11-kilometre water pipe has now been built to optimize the resource and remedy the situation.

The message is clear: water in Morocco needs to be conserved at any price in light of current and future climatic conditions. This philosophy is shared by the African Development Bank, which is helping Morocco to maintain its momentum. As a result, Africa’s premier development finance institution has supported the ONEE by providing EUR 10 million in funding for the project. This is in addition to the overall amount of EUR 1.2 billion already invested in the water sector in Morocco.

These investments are essential for improving the living conditions of the beneficiary populations and supporting the region’s long-term socioeconomic development. As Ibrahim, our young chef, recalls, “For me, water is life. If there were no water, there would be no life.”

This project, among many others, points to Morocco’s forward-looking vision for the water sector: one of progress and shared growth. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

In a significant step to advance food security in Kenya, the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism (https://apo-opa.co/3W642uA) has launched a project that will help deliver nearly 8,000 tons of fertilizers to 100,000 smallholder farmers, boosting harvests and incomes.

Through its Fertilizer Financing for Sustainable Agriculture Management Project (https://apo-opa.co/3QfyVsr), the Mechanism will provide a $2 million partial trade credit guarantee and a grant of $219,000 to Apollo Agriculture Limited (https://www.ApolloAgriculture.com/), a Kenyan corporation, to facilitate the company’s fertilizer sales.

The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, through a contribution of $10.15 million to the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism, is also supporting the project, which was launched on 8 April in the capital, Nairobi. Representatives of the African Development Bank, which manages the Mechanism, Apollo Agriculture and the Kenyan and Norwegian governments attended the launch event.

Kenyan smallholder farmers often lack the collateral to secure financing to buy the fertilizers they need. The Mechanism, by sharing credit risk with suppliers like Apollo Agriculture, bolsters their confidence to offer fertilizer on credit.

Marie Claire Kalihangabo, Coordinator of the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism, said, “The credit risk guarantee also provides finance directly to smallholder farmers at the last mile of delivery. It offers fertilizer, certified seed crop protection, and insurance against crop failure.”

The two-year-long project will use Apollo’s digital platform to connect farmers seeking fertilizer and other inputs on credit with a network of 150 retail agro-dealers and 800 village-based agents. Kenya’s fertilizer market involves importers, blenders, and a government subsidy program.

Nnenna Nwabufo, Director General of the African Development Bank’s East Africa regional office, said, “This support is in line with the Bank’s Feed Africa Strategy. It will ensure long-term private sector engagement in financing fertilizer, ultimately increasing food production and security in Kenya.”

Benjamin Njenga, co-founder of Apollo Agriculture, explained that farmers can obtain high-quality farming supplies by paying a small deposit upfront, with the full loan being due when the farmer has harvested and sold the produce.  

“We believe increased and proper fertilizer use can significantly impact food supply and household income,” Gunnar Holm, Norwegian Ambassador to Kenya, said at the launch.

Peter Owoko, Director of Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, announced new initiatives to strengthen Kenyan food security. “During the 2024 cropping seasons, the government targets to avail up to 12.5 million tons of fertilizers to farmers under the subsidy program.” He thanked the African Development Bank for granting Kenya $67 million in 2022-2023 through its African Emergency Food Production Facility.

Apollo Agriculture has already begun implementing the Fertilizer Financing for Sustainable Agriculture Management Project in Kenya’s Bungoma and Uasin Gishu counties, targeting maize production. There are high expectations that yields will increase for the harvest season starting in September 2024.

The project aligns with Kenya’s Vision 2030, which identifies agriculture as a key driver of the country’s economic growth and food security.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media contacts:
Communication and External Relations Department  
Email: media@afdb.org

Nelly Nguegan
Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism
Email: affm@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