African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced that Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) has affirmed its long-term issuer rating of A- and maintained the “Stable” outlook. The affirmation of Afreximbank’s issuer rating is testament of the Bank’s ever strengthening credit profile and positions to continue to expand and escalate its interventions in Africa, in whose long-term economic development it plays a pivotal role.
JCR Rating Agency noted, in its assessment, the strategic role that Afreximbank’s current Sixth Strategic Plan (2022-2026) plays towards the Bank’s fulfilment and deliverance of its mandate, as well as its crucial work in support of initiatives aligned with the goals of the African Union (AU). Moreover, JCR identified strong shareholder support for Afreximbank’s operations, citing as evidence the healthy progression of capital increases since 2014 as well as the African Union supported US$6.5 billion General Capital Increase (GCI) approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors in June 2021.
JCR affirms Afreximbank’s long-term issuer rating at A-, with a “Stable” outlook
First African-manufactured medicine to prevent malaria approved by WHO
Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) is a well-tolerated, effective and affordable medicine used to prevent malaria in pregnant women and infants; Nearly all malaria cases and deaths occur in Africa, yet until now, the continent was completely reliant on imported quality-assured SP; This breakthrough responds to the need for local production of quality medicines for use in Africa, a major gap that was critically highlighted when the COVID-19 pandemic left the continent with limited access to vital health products in 2020
Local supply of a medicine used to prevent malaria across Africa received a boost recently, as the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a quality certification to the first African manufacturer of a key antimalarial drug used to prevent infection in pregnant women and children. Called pre-qualification, this certification will enable Kenyan manufacturer Universal Corporation Ltd (UCL) to support regional efforts to combat malaria through local production of high-quality sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP). UCL’s pre-qualification was achieved with funding from global health agency Unitaid and support from MMV.
Seifu Tura to Defend Chicago Marathon Title
Ethiopian Seifu Tura leads this year’s Bank of America Chicago Marathon field, joined by some of the world’s best athletes who will be vying to dethrone them at the World Athletics Elite Platinum Label road race on 9 October.
In the men’s competition, the 2021 Chicago marathon winner who clocked 2:06:12 Seifu will clash with his compatriots Herpasa Negasa, Dawit Wolde and Asrar Abderehman, plus Uganda’s Stephen Kissa and Kenya’s Benson Kipruto.
Negasa had a breakthrough in 2019 when he shaved almost six minutes from his PB in Dubai to run 2:03:40. He heads to Chicago after a second place performance in Seoul, clocking 2:04:49.
Wolde boasts a marathon personal best of 2:04:27, set in 2021 to finish third in Rotterdam, while Abderehman made headlines in February when he broke the course record at the Zurich Seville Marathon, taking three minutes off his PB to run 2:04:43.
Kissa, a Tokyo Olympian in the 10,000m, brings years of track speed to the road, running 2:04:48 for his debut marathon in Hamburg in April. Kipruto’s 2:05:13 personal best may not be the fastest in the field, but he has performed well at the marathon distance, winning the Boston and Prague Marathons in 2021 and finishing third in Boston this April. He also finished seventh in London in 2020 and won the Toronto Marathon in 2018.
Fasil appointed Hailu Negash while Gebrekristos takes over at Wolikite
Premier league runner-up Fasil Ketema handed a one year contract to Coach Hailu Negash, while Gebrekristos BIrrara is back at the top tier taking over the reign as new head coach of Wolkite Ketema. Gebremedin Haile’s appointment at newly promoted side Ethiopia Meden (Insurance) is still pending despite the club kicking-off its pre-season preparation at Adama.
The long wait for the former assistant coach Hailu came to an end on Monday when “The Emperors” handed him a one-year contract agreement. Ever emotional Hailu who took over the hot seat when Seyoum Kebede sacked in mid-season, had done a tremendous job of leading Fasil to Confederation Cup spot, thus the club signed him in a one-year contract as Head Coach. Muluken Abohay stays as assistant while Temesgen Getu takes over as Fitness Coach.
Head coach Gebrekristatos Birara has also returned into the premier league after two years’ rest. Though Gebrekristos’ stay as premier league coach was so brief with both Debub Police and Wolayta-Dicha two seasons before, he somehow turned up at Wolkite Ketema replacing his former assistant Temesgen Danna, currently head coach to Ethiopia Bunna.
In the meantime back after eight years in the forest Ethiopia Medin has not yet made its Head Coach. Although one of the most wandering Coaches Gebremedin Haile is said to join Medin for his second spell, sources close to the club stated that his contract has not yet been signed for there is disagreement between the club’s board members. According to these sources Gebremedin’s Birr 6 million worth contract and huge salary cap are the key issues for the split of the board members.
