African Export-Import Bank (“Afreximbank”) (www.Afreximbank.com) has availed Horizons Clinic (Gambia) Limited a tailored US$16.8 million (Sixteen million, Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) Construction and Medical Tourism Relay Facility (“CONMED”). The facility will support the construction of Horizons Clinic, a 60-bed, international standard, medical facility set to significantly improve the healthcare system in The Gambia.

Sponsored by Horizons Clinic (Gambia) Limited and located in Kerr Serign, Kombo district, the establishment of Horizons Clinic marks a major milestone in delivering world-class healthcare services to The Gambia and neighbouring countries.

The project will create over 150 temporary jobs during the construction phase in addition to about 300 permanent jobs upon completion — for clinical and non-clinical staff, and 30 indirect jobs for suppliers of hospital consumables, technical spare parts, cleaning services, and other local businesses.

This transaction represents Afreximbank’s largest private sector investment in The Gambia. The project is also supported by Guangxi International Construction Engineering Corporation (Gambia) Limited and Bloom Bank (Gambia) Limited.

Commenting on the transaction, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development Bank (“IAED”), Afreximbank said: “We are proud to support the construction of Horizon Clinic, a project that will revolutionize the healthcare landscape in The Gambia and create job opportunities for the local community.  By investing in specialist medical services, Horizons Clinics will provide high quality healthcare to Gambians and other nationals, addressing the significant gap in available healthcare services. This investment underscores our dedication to fostering private sector growth and improving healthcare infrastructure across Africa while ensuring that we promote medical tourism in Africa.”

Horizons Clinic Gambia Limited Board Chairman, Mr. Alpha Barry, noted: “Today heralds a new era in healthcare for The Gambia. The establishment of the Horizons Clinic, through the unprecedented support of Afreximbank and other esteemed partners, is a testament to our collective vision of transforming The Gambian health sector. This will not just be a building, it will be a beacon of hope and a promise of quality healthcare for all Gambians, as well as a model for other African countries. As we reflect on the remarkable journey of the Horizons Clinic and its transformative impact on healthcare in The Gambia, it is imperative to salute the extraordinary tenacity of Professor James N’Dow. His unwavering dedication, visionary leadership, and relentless pursuit of excellence have been the driving force behind this monumental project.”

According to The World Health Organisation (WHO), Gambia’s current bed-to-population ratio stands at 1.1 per 1,000 people as against the WHO’s recommendation of 5 per 1,000 people.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media Contact:
Vincent Musumba
Manager, Communications and Events (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com
Tel: +20 2 24564100 /1/2/3

About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra-and extra-African trade. For 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialization and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank is setting up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2023, Afreximbank’s total assets and guarantees stood at over US$37.3 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$6.1 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa1), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

The belief in their turnaround of fortunes is real and come the HSBC SVNS Grand Finale in Madrid this weekend, the Springbok Sevens team will be ready to deliver.

That is the view of Blitzbok captain Selvyn Davids as the squad fine-tuned their preparations for the final showpiece of the 2024 season in Spain, with South Africa taking on Ireland, New Zealand and Fiji in their pool this weekend.

The gifted Blitzbok playmaker doesn’t like to make promises, but Davids believes that a vote of confidence by their supporters will be justified given the improvements shown by the squad in the last two tournaments, in Hong Kong and Singapore.

“It is so close, I can feel it,” said Davids of the ultimate performance by the squad, last seen in the series opener in Dubai in December.

“We have really turned it around and now just need the finishing touches to justify the hard work that went into changing our season.

“We were so close in Singapore, where one poor decision cost us a top four position. We have trained well and there is massive confidence in what we want to get out of this tournament and the importance of leaving here with good momentum going into the Olympic repechage in Monaco after this.”

Davids’ optimism is shared by Siviwe Soyizwapi, who made a welcome return from injury in Singapore.

“It was a tough season, and we did not represent our supporters the way we did in the past,” said Soyizwapi.

“Yet, they stuck with us, and we are grateful for that. This squad is capable enough to make sure their belief in us is rewarded.

“We have more than a tournament to play here. We need to get back to winning ways and the turnaround is not far off.

“The ways the guys prepared and the talent we have in the squad make me excited about this weekend. Yes, the format is tough and we need to show up match after match, but there is something special coming, I believe.”

Blitzbok pool fixtures:
Friday, 31 May:
14h37: Ireland

Saturday 1 June:
12h44: New Zealand
​15h49: Fiji

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Rugby.

Note to editors: Audio clips of Selvyn Davids and Siviwe Soyizwapi can be downloaded here (https://apo-opa.co/4bAHE1l)

For further information, please contact:
Andy Colquhoun
GM: Communications and Commercial
+27 (0) 21 928 7010
+27 (0) 82 926 0789
andyc@sarugby.co.za

De Jongh Borchardt
Communications Manager
+27 (0) 21 928 7021
+27 (0) 82 999 9979
dejonghb@sarugby.co.za

Rayaan Adriaanse
Junior Rugby Media Manager
+27 (0) 21 928 7013
+27 (0) 82 999 0022
rayaan@sarugby.co.za

Sindiswa Ximba
Media Operations Coordinator
+27 (0) 21 928 7011
+27 (0) 60 504 1069
sindiswa.ximba@sarugby.co.za

Zeena Isaacs
Springbok Media Manager
+27 (0) 21 928 7020
+27 (0) 82 357 3112
ZeenaI@sarugby.co.za

JJ Harmse
Sevens and Women’s Rugby Media Manager
+27 (0) 21 928 7014
+27 (0) 71 480 4570
jjharmse@sarugby.co.za

Fincra, a pan-African payment technology company, is set to unveil its latest Banking as a Service (BaaS) product, the EUR Virtual Account, at GITEX AFRICA Morocco 2024 (www.GITEXAfrica.com). This innovative solution will enable businesses across North and Francophone Africa to collect foreign currency payments easily.

Fincra has built the EUR Virtual Account to simplify the process of businesses receiving Euro payments, which can be done effortlessly through simple bank transfers. This capability will benefit a wide range of industries, from traditional retail and e-commerce to hospitality, tourism, and professional services, enabling them to serve their European clientele better.

As part of the launch, Fincra will be at Booth 19C-30, Hall 19 of the GITEX AFRICA Morocco 2024, exhibiting its EUR Virtual Account and their other payment solutions for businesses. 

With this launch, Fincra is expanding its comprehensive suite of payment solutions, which already includes various tools to facilitate seamless transactions. 

These tools, part of the Pay-In product line, allow businesses to accept payments through multiple methods, such as checkout systems and payment links. 

Fincra’s Pay-In solutions support payments via cards, bank transfers, and mobile money, providing businesses with versatile options to cater to their customers.

Fincra currently offers virtual accounts in various currencies, including the Nigerian Naira (NGN), Kenyan Shilling (KES), Ghanaian Cedi (GHS), and Ugandan Shilling (UGX). The introduction of the EUR Virtual Account marks the company’s first foray into offering a currency solution outside Africa, aiming to meet the specific needs of businesses in North and Francophone Africa.

Selling to European customers

Imagine a bustling marketplace in Marrakech where a local artisan can sell handcrafted goods to a customer in Paris as easily as a local transaction. Similarly, a hotel or restaurant in Egypt can now accept Euro payments from European tourists through straightforward bank transfers to a virtual account. In Tunisia, tech startups can issue virtual accounts to their diaspora, allowing seamless Euro transactions back home thanks to Fincra’s robust infrastructure.

“Businesses in Africa are increasingly seeking reliable and cost-effective solutions to manage their international payments, especially in Euros,” said Wole Ayodele, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Fincra. 

“Our EUR Virtual Account offers a cheaper alternative to card funding, simplifies Euro payment collections, and enables platforms to issue named Euro accounts to their customers. This makes it an ideal choice for businesses aiming to streamline their payment processes.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX Africa.

About Fincra:
Fincra is a leading payment technology company that delivers innovative payment solutions to businesses across Africa. Its suite of products includes Banking as a Service (BaaS), offering virtual accounts in several currencies, including EUR and local currencies across Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana. Fincra also provides fast and secure payment gateways, enabling businesses to collect online payments through various methods such as cards, bank transfers, and mobile money.

About GITEX AFRICA Morocco 2024:
GITEX AFRICA is Africa’s largest tech and startup event, curating innovation from markets across fast-growing sectors like fintechs, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, telecoms, etc. The event in Morocco from May 29-31, 2024, will bring together innovative businesses, entrepreneurs, tech enthusiasts, and networking professionals, providing an unparalleled platform for innovation, collaboration, and business growth.

The Kenya Rugby Union (www.KRU.co.ke) has confirmed the Simbas squad for 2024. 

There are maiden call ups for 14 players, majority of whom were active during the just concluded Rugby Super Series,  namely Francis Atiti, Felix Ojow, Amos Obae, Felix Okoth, William Mwanji, Griffin Chao, Obat Kuke, Tyson Maina, Richel Wangila, Matthias Osimbo, Dennis Abukuse, Abutwalib Wesonga and Quinto Ongo.

Former Kenya Sevens international Johnstone Olindi, now playing his club rugby in Canada also gets a call up to the squad.

The foreign based trio of Andrew Siminyu, Malcolm Onsando,Thomas Okeyo as well as Edward Mwaura, Clinton Juma, Samson Onsomu, Beldad Ogeta and Emmanuel Silungi who were also in action during the Rugby Super Series return to the squad after missing out on last year’s internationals. Timothy Okwemba, last capped in 2019 also makes a return.

Seasoned Simbas campaigners John Okoth, Vincent Onyala, Brian Tanga, Samuel Asati and Lamech Ambetsa are away with the national sevens team, Shujaa as they prepare to compete at the Olympic games Jone Kubu is recovering from an ankle injury and going through return to play protocols following successful surgery. 

The Simbas will begin their 2024 season with the Rugby Africa Cup between 20-28 July in Kampala, Uganda. 

SIMBAS 2024 SQUAD

LOOSEHEAD PROPS:  Francis Atiti (Menengai Oilers), Edward Mwaura (Kabras Sugar), Andrew Siminyu (University of Johannesburg, South Africa)

HOOKERS: Eugene Sifuna (Kabras Sugar), Teddy Akala (Kabras Sugar), Griffin Musila (KCB)

TIGHTHEAD PROPS: Wilhite Mususi (KCB), Ephraim Oduor (Kabras Sugar), Hillary Mwanjilwa (Kabras Sugar)

LOCKS: Brian Juma (Kabras Sugar), Hibrahim Ayoo (Menengai Oilers), Felix Okoth (Nakuru), Clinton Juma (Menengai Oilers), Hillary Odhiambo (Kabras Sugar), Malcolm Onsando ( SCM Rugby Timisoara, Romania), Emmanuel Silungi (KCB)

BLINDSIDE FLANKERS: George Nyambua (Kabras Sugar), Felix Ojow (KCB), Amos Obae (Nakuru)

OPENSIDE FLANKERS: Brian Ndirangu (Westshore RFC, Canada), Thomas Okeyo (NovaVit Griffons, South Africa), Elvis Olukusi (KCB), William Mwanji (Kabras Sugar)

NUMBER EIGHTS: Jeanson Musoga (Kabras Sugar), Elkeans Musonye (Menengai Oilers), Obat Kuke (Blak Blad)

SCRUM HALVES: Michael Wanjala (KCB), Samson Onsomu (Menengai Oilers), Brian Wahinya (KCB)

FLY HALVES: Ntabeni Dukisa (Kabras Sugar), Barry Young (Kabras Sugar), Johnstone Olindi (Westshore RFC, Canada)

LEFT WING: Beldad Ogeta (Menengai Oilers), Griffin Chao (Kabras Sugar), Derrick Ashiundu (Kabras Sugar)

INSIDE CENTERS: Walter Okoth (Kabras Sugar), Tyson Maina (Menengai Oilers), Paul Mutsami (Kenya Harlequin)

OUTSIDE CENTERS: Richel Wangila (Kenya Harlequin), Bryceson Adaka (Kabras Sugar), Mathias Osimbo (Kabras Sugar), Dennis Abukuse (Menengai Oilers)

RIGHT WING: Joel Inzuga (Mwamba), Timothy Omela (Menengai Oilers), Alfred Orege (Kabras Sugar)

FULLBACKS: Abutwalib Wesonga (Menengai Oilers), Quinto Ongo (Impala)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kenya Rugby Union (KRU).

KRU Media&Communications:
Tel: +254 724 256 179
Email: media@kru.co.ke