The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) and the Central African Republic (CAR) have reinforced their partnership during an official visit by Marie Laure Akin-Olugbade, Vice President for Regional Development and Business Delivery, from 25-27 March.

Akin-Olugbade engaged with key stakeholders and government leaders, including President Faustin-Archange Touadera and Prime Minister Felix Moloua, reaffirming the Bank’s commitment to advancing the Central African Republic’s development agenda. She also met with development partners and beneficiaries of Bank-funded projects.

Prime Minister Moloua expressed satisfaction with the fruitful cooperation with the Bank, emphasizing its pivotal role in advancing national objectives. “The Bank’s support has been instrumental in advancing our national development agenda and addressing key challenges, and we look forward to continued collaboration to further drive progress and prosperity for our nation,” he said.

The Bank’s current partnership with the Central African Republic focuses on two primary pillars: supporting agricultural development and infrastructure for social inclusion, and enhancing institutional capacity building and governance. This framework aims to facilitate the country’s emergence from fragility and lay the foundation for robust and inclusive economic growth.

“I am proud to say that the Bank’s investments are not just merely financial; they are truly transformative enablers of progress and prosperity in the lives of the people of the Central African Republic,” Akin-Olugbade said. She reiterated that the portfolio reflects alignment with the country’s strategies, particularly in infrastructure, governance, and agriculture.

Despite fragility stemming from political and security factors, the Bank has remained resolute in supporting the country’s sustainable development objectives.

During the visit, Akin-Olugbade inspected key Bank-funded initiatives, including the Fibre Optic Backbone Project, which is pivotal in propelling the country towards a digital future. The project encompasses 900 km of fiber optic infrastructure, 11 technical sites, and a cutting-edge National Data Center.

Another transformative project supported by the Bank is the Multimodal Transport Corridor Project to connect Pointe-Noire, Brazzaville, Bangui, and N’Djamena—major cities in the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and Chad, respectively. A component of this project is the $280 million Brazzaville-Bangui river corridor initiative, which will provide landlocked CAR and Chad a second maritime access to catalyze trade, foster job creation, and expand market access, thereby boosting regional integration for over 6 million people across Central Africa.

Despite economic challenges, including a modest growth rate of 1% in 2023, the Central African Republic is poised for progress. Projections indicate potential increases in key sectors such as industrial agriculture, forestry, and gold mining could spur growth to 2.9% in 2025.

As of the end of March 2024, the Bank’s active portfolio in CAR comprised 20 public projects with a total commitment of $454.6 million, spanning transport, energy, agriculture, and social infrastructure sectors.

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

Contact:
Communication and External Relations Department
email: media@afdb.org

Technical Contact:
Delphine Vakunta
Communications
Regional Development
Integration and Business Delivery Complex
African Development Bank Group

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

The joint project will kick off with a first phase in Africa focused on strengthening education with technology schools in Kenya; The strategic collaboration aims to effectively improve knowledge of the need of vulnerable schools to promote innovative practices and strengthen their digital educational transformation in the coming years.

American Tower and ProFuturo, the technology-enabled education innovation program of Fundación Telefónica and Fundación “la Caixa”, announced their partnership to continue transforming children’s education through technology. The program will first be deployed in 44 schools in Africa and Latin America.

Magdalena Brier, Managing Director of ProFuturo, and Rodrigo Jimenez Castellanos, Group Head of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability of American Tower for EMEA and LatAm, formalized this partnership.

ProFuturo and American Tower seek to support underserved communities with educational innovation and technology, enabling social programs to improve quality of life and ensure equitable participation in the digital world.

American Tower’s Digital Communities are digitally connected, technology-equipped spaces that offer digital literacy and education for youth, financial education and vocational training for adults, or healthcare services.

The joint project is expected to positively impact the lives of more than 4,500 students and 475 teachers in the three countries where it will first be implemented. The program is planned to expand to more schools and countries on both continents.

ATC Kenya CEO, George Odenyo said that the project is part of ATC Kenya’s vision of building a more connected Kenya, “It will enhance digital access and foster partnerships with the communities where we operate. We constantly work with key partners to ensure that our Digital Communities are well equipped to employ the use of technology for digital equity and literacy, as well as career upskilling which are geared towards enhancing the lives of community members”.

Magdalena Brier celebrated this agreement that “reinforces the commitment of the two organizations against the digital divide and the education gap. The alliance between ProFuturo and American Tower is a big step, she adds, to improve educational opportunities for the most vulnerable. We are very honored with their support for what we have been doing since 2016 and I can’t stop thinking about each of the teachers, boys and girls who will benefit, because together we are going to contribute to transform their lives.”

Mneesha Nahata, SVP Legal&Chief Sustainability Officer of American Tower Corporation, said, “There is no alternative to the necessary digital transformation and drive for digital education. With digital communities deployed across several continents, we now take a giant step forward through the partnership with ProFuturo to continue supporting underprivileged communities with connectivity and technology, enabling social programs to improve quality of life and ensure equitable participation in the digital world.”

Rodrigo Jiménez said that he was “very proud of our strategic partnership with ProFuturo, and we hope to achieve significant advances that will improve and promote innovation in digital education. At American Tower we want to support growth in Africa and Latin America with our Digital Communities program so that, together, we continue to build a more connected world.”

Following the principles established by the United Nations Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals, American Tower and ProFuturo share the vision that access to quality education in complex environments is essential to reducing poverty and inequality in the region. Through this strategic collaboration, they hope to foster increased knowledge, promote innovative practices and strengthen the digital transformation of education in the coming years. https://apo-opa.co/3J7QA1w

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of American Tower Corporation.

Media contacts:
Isaac Koome
Isaac.Koome@americantower.com
+254722387346

Alex Kowalski
alejandro.kowalski@americantower.com
+34 669077383

EFC (Extreme Fighting Championship), Africa’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, is delighted to announce its exciting new partnership with Mukuru (www.Mukuru.com), a leading next-generation financial services platform for Africa’s emerging consumers. This partnership marks a significant step in the growth and development of the combat sports industry and its athletes across the African continent.

The collaboration with Mukuru is yet another step in EFC’s explosive continental growth and its expanding global appeal, as the brand continues to nurture and develop multinational partnerships. EFC has experienced unprecedented reach and audience engagement through record-setting social media views, complemented with further traditional broadcast agreements, enhancing its already extensive television distribution with 2024 set to be the biggest in the company’s 15-year history.

With Mukuru, EFC is more able to attract and support fighters from a wider variety of African territories, opening up new markets to the sport of mixed-martial arts and developing talent across the continent in completely new ways. The opportunities for all stakeholders in this ground-breaking new agreement is unprecedented. 

Mukuru offers convenient, secure, reliable, and affordable financial solutions to over 13 million customers. With more than 100 million transactions, 320,000 pay-in and pay-out locations, 150 information centres, and 1000+ Orange Booths across Africa, Mukuru is revolutionising international money transfers, making it the perfect partner for EFC to facilitate payments to its global athlete roster. Starting from EFC 111 on Thursday, March 7, Mukuru will be showcased as an official EFC partner at all live EFC events in 2024. Fans will witness Mukuru branding and promotions in the iconic EFC Hexagon, as well as enjoy exclusive content including the ‘Mukuru Action Replay’ and ‘Mukuru Corner Cam’ between rounds.

Brandon Mncube, Chief Marketing Officer of Mukuru, expressed the shared qualities between EFC athletes and Mukuru customers, stating, “The EFC athletes and Mukuru customers share many admirable qualities. They are brave and resilient, often willing to travel across the world to uplift themselves and their families.” This partnership is a testament to the alignment of values and commitment to empowerment shared by both organisations.

Cairo Howarth, President of EFC, stated, “Mukuru is a brand that we have admired for many years, and we are thrilled to officially be partners. Together with Mukuru, we look forward to showcasing more incredible stories of the EFC athletes and their inspirational journeys.”

EFC and Mukuru are excited about the potential that this partnership holds for the growth of African athletes and the MMA industry. With shared goals of promoting development, empowerment, and financial inclusion, this collaboration will undoubtedly bring forth a new era of success and opportunity in the world of Mixed Martial Arts.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mukuru.

Press Contact:
Kendel Falkson 
Media&PR EFC 
+2782 905 2656 
​Media@efcafrica.com

Follow EFC on:
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3PUDLvo
Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/4asxCib
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/3JbLsJC

About EFC® – The Extreme Fighting Championship® :
Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, EFC is a world leading mixed martial arts (MMA) organisation. EFC produces 10 live events annually. With over 200 athletes exclusively contracted to the organisation, EFC showcases the greatest warriors on the planet. 

EFC events are broadcast in over 120 countries around the world on numerous television networks in multiple languages. EFC programming is available weekly in 600+ million TV households globally, making it one of the most recognisable MMA brands in the world.

For more information visit EFCWorldwide.com, or follow us on social media.

About Mukuru::
Mukuru is a leading next-generation financial services platform for Africa’s emerging consumers. Inspired by its customers, Mukuru enables financial inclusion through technology solutions and a range of financial services products designed to make everyday transactions easier and financial products more accessible. For more information about Mukuru and its range of financial services, visit https://www.Mukuru.com

Ian Cloke, COO of Afentra – one of Africa’s leading oil and gas independents – will speak on upstream opportunities within Africa’s growth markets at Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2024 in Paris, as the company seeks to optimize, redevelop and extend the lifespan of mature assets.

In Angola, Afentra is currently expanding its non-operated interests in Blocks 3/05 and 3/05A and recently gained approval for the acquisition of Block 23, focusing on high-quality, long-life shallow water production assets with significant upside. The London-listed company is working to maximize production and reserves, in partnership with operator and national oil company Sonangol, while reducing emissions and fostering synergies across its assets through an innovation-led approach.

IAE 2024 (https://apo-opa.co/3UMOOtQ)  is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 14-15, 2024 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

In Angola and across the continent, shallow water assets represent a strategic point of entry for junior and independent explorers, as IOCs prioritize more capital-intensive developments and divest smaller assets to finance these operations. As a result, Africa’s oil and gas industry has seen a new wave of independents leading exploration in mature markets, including Afentra in Angola, Perenco in the Republic of Congo, BW Energy and VAALCO Energy in Gabon, and Africa Oil Corp. and Panoro Energy in Equatorial Guinea, among others.

“Afentra is leading the redevelopment of legacy assets in Angola, aiming to transition to operatorship and ultimately establish a balanced, pan-African project portfolio. Africa’s mature oil and gas markets present substantial opportunities for investors to optimize production and generate low-risk returns through EOR techniques and innovative technologies,” says Sandra Jeque, Event&Project Director of Energy Capital&Power, forum organizers.

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