Vihiga County took a significant step towards gender equality and peace by launching the UNSCR 1325 Action Plan in December 2023, at the Majengo Law Courts. The Action Plan aims to enhance the inclusion of women in peace and security structures within the county, emphasizing the crucial role women play in decision-making processes for societal progress.

During the launch event, Hon. Lady Justice Jackie Kamau, Judge of the High Court of Kenya, stressed the collective responsibility of Vihiga County and stakeholders in ensuring the successful finalization of the Action Plan. “The active engagement of civil society organizations in drafting the plan signifies a collaborative effort towards promoting women’s participation in decision-making processes and fostering peace in the county,” said Justice Kamau.

The plan outlines targeted actions across five key pillars—prevention, protection, participation, relief, and recovery—with the goal of promoting gender equality and empowering women in the county. With implementation set to begin in 2024, the launch of Vihiga’s Action Plan marks an important milestone. “Vihiga residents have a reason to feel hopeful about the county’s commitment to driving meaningful progress on these critical issues affecting women,” said Dan Bazira, UN Women Kenya Deputy Representative.

Supported by the government of Ireland, UN Women Kenya has been working with the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) through the Wadada Wa Pawa initiative, which trained women in decision-making and empowered them to participate in drafting the Action Plan. “By strengthening women’s leadership and participation, the Action Plan gained valuable insights and support to address issues such as violence against women and girls,” Mr. Bazira added.

The launch of the Vihiga County UNSCR 1325 Action Plan marks a significant milestone in advancing gender equality, empowering women, and strengthening peace and security efforts within the county. By prioritizing the inclusion of women in governance and peacebuilding, Vihiga County sets a positive example for sustainable development and harmony.

“To foster broad understanding and support, the plan needs to be translated into local languages. This important step will allow community members to comprehend, adopt and implement the strategies outlined,” said Mr. Arthur Lisimba, Vihiga County Director for Gender. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.

John Hamilton, CEO of independent exploration and production (E&P) company Panoro Energy, will participate as a speaker at African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy 2024, Africa’s premier event for the oil and gas sector, taking place on November 4-8 in Cape Town.

Representing the international major’s upstream development across Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, South Africa and Tunisia, and with over 25 years’ experience in energy exploration, production and financing, Hamilton’s presence and participation at AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 will be crucial for the discussion on African oil and gas market challenges and opportunities.

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Hamilton has led Panoro Energy in a series of exploration, production and asset acquisitions across Africa. Under his leadership, Panoro Energy recently launched a three-well drilling campaign in Block G in Equatorial Guinea. The first new infill well is expected onstream by the end of Q1 2024, with all three wells expected onstream by mid-year.

Upon completion of the Block G infill drilling campaign, the semi-submersible drilling rig will be relocated to Block S where it will drill the Akeng Deep infrastructure-led exploration well, targeting an estimated 180 million barrels of oil.

Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea’s Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons last year awarded a 56% participating interest and operatorship of Block EG-01 to Panoro Energy, where the independent will conduct subsurface studies over a period of three years. Panoro Energy will leverage existing data to evaluate hydrocarbon reserves in the block.

Prior to his current role with Panoro Energy, Hamilton was the CEO of Latin American-focused exploration company President Energy PLC; Managing Director of oil and gas investment fund Levine Capital Management; Chief Financial Officer for Indian oil industry firm Imperial Energy PLC; as well as having worked in energy and financing with Dutch investment bank ABN AMRO.

Hamilton’s experience regarding African energy makes him an ideal participant in high-level discussions on how Africa can maximize the exploitation of its 125.3 billion barrels of crude oil and 620 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves to address energy poverty, access and affordability issues.

“The Chamber is honored to host John Hamilton at AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 where he will – together with other African energy market stakeholders, investors and regulators – shape Africa’s own narrative of the energy transition. We commend the progress made by Hamilton and Panoro Energy to boost investments across Africa’s energy landscape and we look forward to his insights on how the continent can accelerate energy funding, exploration and output as we strive to make energy poverty history by 2030,” stated African Energy Chamber Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk.

Under the theme Energy Growth through an Enabling Environment AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 will host Hamilton in panel discussions around local content development, securing investments in oil and gas and improving E&P across Africa’s energy sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Nowadays, the phrase ‘home is where the tech is’ defines modern living, as South Africans increasingly (https://apo-opa.co/3TSowVR) adopt smart home innovations. These advancements are continuing to adapt and evolve in their capabilities which not only improve convenience and security but can also decrease energy consumption, contributing to cost savings.

This is according to Dr Andrew Dickson, Engineering Executive at CBI-electric: low voltage (www.CBI-LowVoltage.co.za/), who says that, in 2024, homes will become even more high-tech in terms of the efficiency, functionality, and personalised living experiences they provide. “We may still be a few years away from homes resembling those dreamed up by sci-fi movies, but we are already heading in the direction of smart technology becoming less of a luxury and more of a staple in modern homes.”

Below, he shares four trends that will help make South African homes smarter this year:

Improved Internet Speed: In the early part of the year, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) will hold another auction (https://apo-opa.co/43wkAO1) for radio frequencies including 5G. What the rollout of more 5G will mean for smart homes is lightning-fast internet speeds, instantaneous communication between devices, and the ability to connect even more gadgets within a smart home ecosystem for seamless integration and control. It will also allow for greater stability and reliability which will prove particularly useful when it comes to monitoring and controlling critical systems remotely in real time. Ultimately, the rollout of 5G is poised to elevate the capabilities of smart home technologies, making them even more intelligent and efficient.

In addition, WiFi-7 is set to roll out in the country this year which will improve internet connectivity to devices in the home, extend range and promises to deliver nearly five times the speed of Wi-Fi 6. This, however, is also reliant on the release of more spectrum and regulatory approvals.

Incorporation of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Leveraging its data analysis and processing capabilities, AI discerns user patterns, utilising these insights to anticipate and implement homeowners’ future decisions and choices. By integrating AI into smart home devices, these products can learn and adapt to a user’s habits and preferences, optimising efficiency, intuitiveness, and responsiveness. Consequently, homes become attuned to the unique needs and preferences of their inhabitants. A practical illustration of this is a smart lighting system employing AI to automatically adjust the lighting throughout the entire home in accordance with the time of day or the user’s activities. AI will also assist homeowners who may not be tech-savvy by offering them the opportunity to implement advanced automation with their smart devices without the need for manual programming.

In the future, generative AI will make smart homes even smarter. Soon, these tools will not only help to identify appliances that require preventative maintenance but also set up appointments with service providers for their upkeep based on the homeowner’s schedule and availability.

Smarter security: Technological innovations are becoming increasingly incorporated into various smart home security systems. Take, for example, the evolution of smart locks, which are now activatable through various interfaces such as fingerprint recognition, PIN codes, voice recognition, and phone apps. Blockchain is also set to play a crucial role in fortifying smart home security systems, rendering them more resilient and resistant to potential hackers. Additionally, AI has the potential to analyse residents’ behavioural patterns, promptly notifying homeowners and their security companies if there are deviations or unusual activities within the premises.

Energy optimisation: Anticipating a 20,200MW (https://apo-opa.co/43CvWQp) energy shortfall in 2024, homeowners are turning to smart home technologies like those in the CBI Astute Range (https://apo-opa.co/43yQJEu) of products to monitor and manage energy consumption. These technologies collect and analyse vast amounts of data, helping users identify areas for improvement. Plus, automation can assist them in adjusting their usage, even when they’re not at home.

Additionally, as more South Africans embrace rooftop solar (https://apo-opa.co/3IUS6DT), smart technology enables the effortless integration of renewable energy sources to combat the impacts of load shedding while also ensuring that the power produced is used effectively and efficiently.

“In 2024, smart homes will become sanctuaries of innovation, enriching the lives of South Africans and heralding a future where homes understand, adapt and even pre-empt the unique needs of their residents,” concludes Dr Dickson.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CBI-electric: low voltage.

For more information, go to https://CBI-LowVoltage.co.za or follow CBI-electric: low voltage on Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3vvHgRW), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/43Cr9hY), LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.co/4atY8Y6), X (https://apo-opa.co/4aw8czw), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/3VBbqxv) or YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/3IWb2Ce).

About CBI-electric: low voltage:

Established in 1949, CBI-electric: low voltage is a manufacturer and supplier of quality low voltage electrical distribution, protection, and control equipment. Previously known as Circuit Breaker Industries or CBI, the company specialises in the design, development, and manufacturing of circuit breakers, residential current devices, surge protection, wiring accessories, and metering products.
Head quartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, the company is a subsidiary of renowned JSE listed industrial group Reunert (https://www.Reunert.co.za/), with international operations across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and USA.
CBI-electric: low voltage can be found in almost every home and has firmly become a market leader over the last 72 years while supplying products to authorities, utilities, manufacturers, commercial property developers, industrial, mining, telecommunications, and general power distribution applications.
In 2021, the brand launched its smart IoT (internet-of-things) home automation range, called the Astute Range.

In 2023, Kaspersky’s products (www.Kaspersky.co.za) held the leading position in the TOP3 metric (https://apo-opa.co/3IWatso). During the year, Kaspersky participated in 100 independent tests and reviews, with its products being awarded 93 firsts and 94 TOP3 finishes, achieving the highest result of all years.

The TOP3 metric reflects a vendor’s success in independent comparative tests during the calendar year. This means a company’s technological expertise can be assessed and the quality and effectiveness of its implemented technologies and solutions can be tracked. This approach, based on the aggregation of results from a multitude of respected testing laboratories such as AV-Comparatives, AV-TEST, SE Labs, and others, provides a comprehensive evaluation that goes beyond the outcomes of individual tests, facilitating the identification of the company’s true capabilities, its continuous improvement and innovation.

Regarding consumer solutions, one of Kaspersky’s main achievements is winning the “Product of the Year” (https://apo-opa.co/4aayxn0) award from an independent testing institute AV-Comparatives, breaking a record for the most honoured cybersecurity company in the industry. Kaspersky Standard, the primary plan of the new Kaspersky Consumer Portfolio, was recognised for taking the highest Advanced+ award in all seven tests and demonstrating the best combination of protection, performance and resistance to false positives.

Additionally, Kaspersky Plus for Windows has passed SE Labs’ Endpoint Security: Home 2023 (https://apo-opa.co/4aayFTw) getting the highest Total Accuracy Rating of 100 percent (TOP1) in all four tests of the year. Meanwhile, Kaspersky Safe Kids received AV-Comparatives’ Parental Control Certification (https://apo-opa.co/3Ts1YtC) for blocking at least 98 percent of pornographic websites with zero False Positives on child-friendly websites, and no severe unresolved bugs.

Kaspersky’s solutions also received seven ‘BEST 2023’ annual awards from AV-TEST. In particular, Kaspersky Plus for Mac was recognised as ‘Best MacOS Security 2023 for Consumer Users’ (https://apo-opa.co/43xAHLd) for the first time, with perfect results in the Mac security test over the course of a whole year. Kaspersky Standard, Kaspersky Endpoint Security and Kaspersky Small Office Security won the ‘Advanced Threat Protection 2023’ (https://apo-opa.co/43xAHLd) award for the exceptional protection against APT attacks deploying ransomware and data stealers. Besides these accolades, Kaspersky Standard, Kaspersky Endpoint Security and Kaspersky Small Office Security received the ‘Best Usability 2023’ (https://apo-opa.co/43xAHLd) award for the lowest False Positive rates over the course of an entire test year.

Kaspersky Standard, Kaspersky Endpoint Security and Kaspersky Small Office Security received the highest score of 6 points in all categories including protection, performance and usability, and the “TOP PRODUCT” award based on the AV-TEST results for Windows antivirus software for home (https://apo-opa.co/3TQoApg) and business (https://apo-opa.co/49bpn8M) users. The testing process includes two defense scenarios with challenging solutions against real-world and common threats, 5 performance measurement scenarios, and assessments for false positives.

As for corporate solutions assessments, Kaspersky Endpoint Detection and Response Expert (KEDRE) was rewarded by AV-Comparatives’ Endpoint Prevention&Response (EPR) test (https://apo-opa.co/497jcT2) for achieving a 100 percent Active Response cumulative score and gained recognition as “Strategic Leader”. The solution was also awarded with the AV-TEST Approved Advanced Endpoint Detection and Response Certification (https://apo-opa.co/3TCfTxm) for demonstrating impressive coverage and valuable analytics. The study involved a series of red-team attacks that replicated the tactics of Hafnium’s and Lazarus. Kaspersky Endpoint Detection and Response Expert demonstrated full coverage in Scenario 1 and detected 29 out of 30 techniques in Scenario 2. Additionally, the solution was recognised by SE Labs in the Enterprise Advanced Security (EDR) (https://apo-opa.co/3x5PUa0) test by reaching an absolute Total Accuracy Rating and receiving the highest AAA rating for detecting each of the 16 targeted attacks with no false positives.

Furthermore, Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business and Kaspersky Small Office have received AAA ratings in all four of SE Labs’ Enterprise Endpoint Protection 2023 comparative tests (https://apo-opa.co/3x5PUa0). In addition, both products received TOP1 in 3 out of 4 tests in the Total Accuracy Rating parameter. Another achievement is the Anti-Tampering assessment (https://apo-opa.co/3xdhe6k) by AV-Comparatives, which confirmed that Kaspersky Endpoint Security has the highest resistance to tampering attacks, capable of providing security to a user’s system and data without delays.

“Participation in a wide array of tests throughout the year doesn’t only showcase our commitment to excellence but it also reinforces our confidence that we are meeting the modern requirements of users and businesses alike. By consistently receiving top ratings and awards from a variety of independent assessments, we reaffirm our dedication to providing comprehensive protection. This steadfast focus ensures that we are not just meeting but exceeding the expectations for cybersecurity in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape,” comments Alexander Liskin, Head of Threat Research at Kaspersky.

*Those who participated in less than 35% of the total number of tests.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kaspersky.

About Kaspersky:
Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company founded in 1997. Kaspersky’s deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into innovative solutions and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, governments and consumers around the globe. The company’s comprehensive security portfolio includes leading endpoint protection, specialized security products and services, as well as Cyber Immune solutions to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. Over 400 million users are protected by Kaspersky technologies and we help over 220,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them. Learn more at www.Kaspersky.co.za.