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Category: Africa

  • Uganda warns women entrepreneurs against fraudulent GROW Project grant offers

    Uganda warns women entrepreneurs against fraudulent GROW Project grant offers

    KAMPALA, Uganda (NPA) — Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has warned the public, particularly women entrepreneurs, against fraudulent individuals using the names of the ministry and the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project to solicit money and personal information under the guise of offering grants.

    In a public notice issued on October 23, 2026, and signed by Alex Asiimwe, Acting Permanent Secretary, the ministry said fraudsters were directing unsuspecting members of the public to unauthorised websites to register for purported GROW Project grants.

    The ministry said the platforms were neither authorised nor affiliated with or endorsed by the government or the project, adding that they were being used to deceive the public through false representations and unlawful solicitation.

    It advised members of the public, especially women entrepreneurs, not to register on such platforms or disclose personal information through them.

    According to the ministry, all official announcements, advertisements, application windows and programme updates relating to the GROW Project are communicated exclusively through its official channels.

    These include the GROW Project website, www.grow.go.ug, the ministry’s website, www.mglsd.go.ug, its official social media platforms on X, TikTok, Instagram and LinkedIn, as well as national daily newspapers where applicable.

    The ministry warned that any website, social media account, agent, individual or organisation claiming to represent the project outside these channels should be treated as fraudulent.

    It said the matter had been reported to the relevant law enforcement authorities for investigation and appropriate action.

    The public was also urged to report to the nearest police station anyone demanding money, facilitation fees, registration charges or other payments in exchange for access to GROW Project training, financing, grants or business support services.

    The ministry further clarified that applications for the GROW Business Plan Competition Grants had not yet opened.

    It said an official announcement would be made through the designated communication channels when the application window became available, with all applications to be submitted electronically through the project’s official website.

  • 23 killed, 16 hospitalised in Nairobi-Mombasa Highway head-on collision

    23 killed, 16 hospitalised in Nairobi-Mombasa Highway head-on collision

    NAIROBI, Kenya (Agency Report) — Twenty-three people have died, and 16 others are receiving treatment in hospital after the vehicle they were travelling in lost control and collided head-on with a lorry on the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway on Sunday morning.

    The accident occurred at about 7:45 a.m. in the Kanga area of Kambu Sub County, where 19 people died at the scene and four others died while undergoing treatment at Mtito Andei Sub County Hospital on Sunday.

    According to Makueni County Traffic Enforcement Officer John Kirima, of the 23 people who died, 12 were female, 10 were male and one was a juvenile. The bus driver survived the accident, while the truck driver succumbed to his injuries.

    The accident occurred when the driver of the bus, registration number KCN 373N, an Isuzu belonging to the Power of the Word Church International, overtook a convoy of vehicles and collided head-on with a tipper trailer truck, registration number KDP 473W/ZG504F, that was travelling from Mombasa.

    “This morning, at about 7:45 a.m., a serious road accident occurred in the Kanga area near Mtito Andei involving a bus belonging to a religious institution and a tipper truck. The impact of the accident ripped off about half of the roof of the bus and severely damaged both vehicles,” said Makueni County Commissioner Abdullahi Khalif, who confirmed the accident to the Kenya News Agency on Sunday.

    “Unfortunately, a total of 23 passengers from both vehicles have been confirmed dead, and six others sustained serious injuries and are receiving treatment in hospital,” Khalif added.

    The administrator said police have launched investigations to establish the cause of the accident, noting that 45 passengers were on the bus.

    Speaking to the media, the Chief Officer of the Department of Health, Dr Harvey Mulei, said 16 patients were received at Mtito Andei Sub County Hospital, noting that two have since been referred to Makindu Sub County Hospital.

    “The facility currently has 16 patients who are being treated, while two have been referred to Makindu Sub County Hospital. We also received 23 bodies. Nineteen died at the scene and four succumbed while undergoing treatment at Mtito Andei Sub County Hospital,” Dr Mulei said.

    A month ago, Catholic faithful died along the same highway as they were travelling to Nakuru County for prayers.

    -KNA

  • Ghana, UK review bilateral ties ahead of Mahama’s official visit

    Ghana, UK review bilateral ties ahead of Mahama’s official visit

    ACCRA, Ghana (NPA) — Ghana and the United Kingdom have reviewed their bilateral relations, with discussions focusing on investment, port expansion, security cooperation and preparations for President John Mahama’s upcoming official visit to Britain.

    Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, met British High Commissioner to Ghana, Christian Rogg, on Friday, October 9, 2026, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday.

    The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to assess their longstanding relationship and discuss areas for deeper cooperation.

    The ministry highlighted increased UK investment in Ghana, particularly the planned expansion of Takoradi Port, which is expected to commence this year.

    Ablakwa also commended the UK for participating in Ghana’s reparatory justice event and the Accra Reset event, both held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

    The two officials discussed preparations for Mahama’s forthcoming official visit to the UK and reviewed arrangements and priority issues for Ghana’s participation in the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

    According to a statement issued by Ghana Industry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, the summit is scheduled to take place in Antigua and Barbuda from November 1 to 4, 2026.

    The meeting also reviewed progress in the security partnership between the two countries.

    Both sides expressed their commitment to strengthening cooperation against organised crime and violent extremism in the region.

    The ministry reaffirmed the importance Ghana and the UK attach to their longstanding historical ties, shared values and continued bilateral cooperation.

  • Nigeria, Ethiopia deepen cooperation on trade and investment

    Nigeria, Ethiopia deepen cooperation on trade and investment

    ADDIS ABABa, Ethiopia (Agency Report) Nigeria and Ethiopia have pledged to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, economic development and security.

    The commitment followed a bilateral meeting between Vice President Kashim Shettima and Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Temesgen Tiruneh, on opportunities to strengthen economic and strategic ties between the two countries.

    Tiruneh conveyed Ethiopia’s condolences to Nigeria over the recent air crash in Ondo State and said Ethiopia places a high premium on its relationship with Nigeria, particularly as both countries are among Africa’s most populous nations.

    He highlighted Ethiopia’s approach to tackling malnutrition as an economic and development priority, citing the 15-year Seqota Declaration launched in 2015.

    According to him, the programme began in communities most affected by malnutrition before expanding to cover about half of Ethiopia.

    The Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister also welcomed progress on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement between the two countries and called for the convening of the Nigeria-Ethiopia Joint Commission.

    He further commended growing private-sector cooperation between both countries, including investments by the Dangote Group in Ethiopia.

    Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening relations with Ethiopia, saying both countries should leverage their population, resources and strategic positions to contribute to Africa’s development.

    The Vice President commended Ethiopia’s progress in agriculture and domestic value addition, while stressing the need to increase intra-African investment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    He assured the Ethiopian delegation of Nigeria’s commitment to the Joint Commission framework and called for expanded cooperation in investment, agriculture, economic development and security.

    The meeting underscored the two countries’ interest in strengthening economic ties and creating greater opportunities for private-sector investment and intra-African trade.

  • World Bank upgrades Africa growth outlook, says AI could boost jobs and productivity

    World Bank upgrades Africa growth outlook, says AI could boost jobs and productivity

    Washington, DC. US (NPA) — The World Bank has raised its growth outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa, saying the region’s economy is gaining momentum despite heightened global uncertainty, regional conflicts and domestic pressures.

    The World Bank projects economic growth in the region to rise from 4.1 per cent in 2025 to 4.3 per cent in 2026, with growth forecasts upgraded for nearly three-quarters of countries, including Nigeria, Angola, Ethiopia and Zambia.

    However, the World Bank warned that the improving growth rate remains insufficient to substantially reduce extreme poverty or create enough jobs for Africa’s rapidly expanding labour force.

    The assessment was contained in the World Bank’s October 2026 Africa Economic Update, titled “Building AI-Readiness,” which examines how artificial intelligence could help address some of the region’s persistent economic and development challenges.

    According to the report, Africa’s most immediate opportunity lies not necessarily in developing advanced frontier AI systems, but in adopting and adapting affordable, practical AI applications to local needs.

    The World Bank said such applications could improve productivity and service delivery in areas including education, agriculture, healthcare, finance, logistics and public administration.

    It also noted that AI is more likely to complement workers than replace them in the near term, with much of its potential impact expected to come from helping workers perform their jobs more efficiently rather than from large-scale automation.

    AI Opportunity Comes With Infrastructure Challenge

    The World Bank said African countries will need to address major infrastructure and institutional gaps if they are to fully benefit from AI.

    These include access to reliable electricity, affordable internet connectivity, digital skills, quality data and computing infrastructure, as well as effective institutions and governance.

    The report warned that without these foundations, the benefits of AI adoption could remain concentrated in a small number of countries and firms.

    AI adoption in Sub-Saharan Africa is currently concentrated in a relatively small number of economies, with Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa among the countries showing notable activity, according to the World Bank.

    The bank said strengthening the foundations for an AI-ready economy could help countries translate technological adoption into higher productivity, greater innovation and more employment opportunities.

    Growth Still Faces Major Constraints

    Despite the improved growth outlook, the World Bank said countries across the region continue to face significant economic pressures.

    High debt-service costs and limited fiscal space are constraining governments’ ability to invest in infrastructure, education, healthcare and social protection.

    The World Bank also projects median inflation in Sub-Saharan Africa to rise from 3.7 per cent in 2025 to 5.5 per cent in 2026, driven partly by higher global fuel, food and fertiliser prices. Public debt has broadly stabilised at around 57 per cent of GDP, but rising debt-service costs continue to limit development spending.

    The report identified geopolitical tensions, trade-policy uncertainty, tighter financial conditions, climate-related shocks and insecurity among the risks that could weaken economic activity across the region.

    The World Bank said Africa’s challenge is therefore not simply to achieve higher economic growth, but to translate that growth into more jobs, higher productivity and better living standards.

    It said investments in the foundations required for AI adoption could help accelerate that transition and create broader economic opportunities for the region’s rapidly growing population.

  • Uganda vaccinates more than 8.2 million children in Measles-Rubella Campaign

    Uganda vaccinates more than 8.2 million children in Measles-Rubella Campaign

    KAMPALA, Uganda (NPA) — Uganda has vaccinated more than 8.2 million children against measles and rubella, exceeding the national target by nearly 670,000 children during a five-day vaccination campaign.

    The Ministry of Health said 8,285,835 children aged between nine and 59 months received the measles-rubella vaccine during the campaign held from October 1 to 5, 2026.

    The figure represents 108.8 per cent of the national target of 7,616,746 children, meaning an additional 669,089 children were reached beyond the initial target.

    The campaign provided an additional dose of the measles-rubella vaccine to eligible children, including those who had previously received the vaccine, as part of efforts to strengthen protection against the diseases amid ongoing outbreaks.

    According to the Ministry of Health, the campaign was supported by health workers, Village Health Teams, district teams and community mobilisers who travelled to remote communities and navigated difficult terrain to reach children.

    The ministry also acknowledged parents and caregivers who brought their children for vaccination, as well as local leaders, schools, religious and cultural institutions, development and implementing partners and the media for supporting the exercise.

    Although the mass vaccination campaign has ended, the Ministry of Health said efforts to protect children against vaccine-preventable diseases would continue.

    Parents and caregivers have been urged to ensure their children remain up to date with routine immunisations.

    Those whose children missed the campaign have also been advised to contact the nearest health facility for guidance on vaccination.

  • NCDC heightens vigilance after imported Ebola case confirmed in Kenya

    NCDC heightens vigilance after imported Ebola case confirmed in Kenya

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) —The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has heightened vigilance following the confirmation of an imported case of Ebola disease in Kenya, amid an ongoing outbreak of the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

    The NCDC said it was closely monitoring developments in the DRC and assessing the potential implications for Nigeria after Kenya confirmed the imported case on October 6, 2026.

    In a statement signed by its Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, the agency said the case was linked to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the DRC and highlighted the risk of international transmission through travel and population movement.

    According to Kenya’s Ministry of Health, the confirmed case involved a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the DRC.

    The individual reportedly travelled by road from the DRC to Kampala, Uganda, before flying to Nairobi, Kenya, where the person was isolated and subsequently tested positive for the Bundibugyo virus.

    The patient later died, while Kenyan health authorities have commenced contact tracing and other public health response measures.

    The NCDC stressed that, as of October 6, 2026, there is no confirmed case of Ebola disease in Nigeria.

    The agency said Nigeria had been strengthening its preparedness for Ebola since the outbreak was first reported in the DRC, working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Port Health Services, state governments, development partners and other stakeholders.

    The preparedness measures include strengthening early detection, isolation and referral of suspected cases, laboratory diagnosis, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, risk communication and protection of healthcare workers.

    The NCDC also conducted a National Ebola Preparedness Tabletop Simulation exercise to test the country’s response arrangements and identify areas requiring further improvement.

    Following the confirmation of the imported case in Kenya, the agency said it was reviewing the risk to Nigeria and its existing preparedness measures to ensure they remain appropriate to the changing regional situation.

    It added that preparedness measures would be strengthened or adapted where necessary in collaboration with national and subnational authorities and partners.

    Advice to Nigerians

    The NCDC urged Nigerians to remain calm but vigilant and advised members of the public to:

    • Practise regular hand hygiene with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
    • Avoid direct contact with the blood or body fluids of anyone who is ill, particularly people showing symptoms suggestive of Ebola.
    • Avoid contact with the body of anyone who has died from an unknown illness.
    • Avoid handling sick or dead wild animals and consuming raw or improperly prepared bushmeat.
    • Seek medical care promptly at a recognised health facility if unwell, particularly after recent travel to an affected country or area or contact with someone suspected or confirmed to have Ebola.
    • Provide healthcare workers with accurate information about recent travel, particularly travel to countries reporting Ebola cases, as well as any possible exposure to a suspected or confirmed case.
    • Rely on information from the NCDC, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other official public health authorities, while avoiding the spread of unverified information.

    Advice to healthcare workers

    Healthcare workers in public and private health facilities have also been advised to maintain a high index of suspicion when assessing patients with compatible symptoms and a history of travel to an affected country or area, or other relevant exposure, within the preceding 21 days.

    The NCDC warned that the early symptoms of Ebola can resemble those of other common febrile illnesses and urged healthcare workers not to wait for bleeding before considering Ebola in patients with compatible symptoms and relevant epidemiological histories.

    Healthcare workers are advised to:

    • Apply standard precautions consistently to all patients.
    • Immediately isolate any suspected Ebola case and apply appropriate transmission-based precautions alongside standard precautions.
    • Use the required personal protective equipment when managing suspected cases.
    • Notify relevant public health authorities through established surveillance channels.
    • Maintain appropriate precautions until the patient is safely handed over to the designated public health team for further assessment, testing and management.

    Advice to travellers

    Travellers to and from affected areas have been advised to remain vigilant and familiarise themselves with the symptoms of Ebola disease.

    The NCDC advised travellers to monitor their health for 21 days after leaving an affected area, particularly if they may have been exposed to a suspected or confirmed case.

    Anyone who develops symptoms during the monitoring period should avoid unnecessary contact with others and immediately contact the appropriate public health authorities or seek care at a recognised health facility, while clearly disclosing their travel and possible exposure history.

    The NCDC said it would continue to monitor developments in Kenya, the DRC and other affected countries and work with national, regional and international partners to assess the implications for Nigeria and strengthen the country’s preparedness where necessary.

  • Eswatini says three third-country nationals voluntarily return home

    Eswatini says three third-country nationals voluntarily return home

    MBABANE, Eswatini (NPA) — The Government of Eswatini has announced that three third-country nationals (TCNs) who arrived in the Kingdom under an existing bilateral arrangement with the United States have voluntarily departed the country and returned to their respective countries of origin.

    According to a statement issued on October 7, 2026, by Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli, the three nationals left Eswatini at different times in recent weeks following requests to return to their home countries.

    The first, a national of Yemen, voluntarily departed Eswatini on September 8 after requesting to return to his country of origin.

    The second, a national of Belize, left the Kingdom on September 30 following a request to return home.

    The third, a national of Laos, departed on October 4 after requesting voluntary repatriation to his country of origin.

    The government said the departures formed part of ongoing arrangements concerning third-country nationals temporarily residing in Eswatini.

    “Government continues to engage with the relevant authorities and partners to facilitate requests for voluntary repatriation, where made, in accordance with the applicable arrangements and procedures,” the statement said.

    The government also expressed appreciation to the countries and relevant authorities that cooperated with Eswatini in facilitating the transit of the three nationals to their respective countries of origin.

    It said the cooperation had contributed to the smooth and orderly facilitation of their journeys home.

    The Eswatini government reiterated its commitment to protecting the rights, dignity and well-being of third-country nationals during their temporary stay in the Kingdom, while safeguarding the security and interests of the country and its people.

    The government said it would continue to provide updates on significant developments concerning third-country nationals in Eswatini, where appropriate.

  • NAFDAC DG advocates stronger continental cooperation on food safety

    NAFDAC DG advocates stronger continental cooperation on food safety

    CAIRO, Egypt (NPA) — The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has called for stronger regulatory cooperation and coordination among African food regulatory authorities.

    Adeyeye made the call while participating in the Third African Food Regulatory Authorities Forum (AFRAF) in Cairo, Egypt, where she spoke on the theme, “From Regional Economic Communities to a Continental Platform.”

    She emphasised the need for a more coherent continental regulatory approach to address shared food safety challenges arising from interconnected food systems and supply chains, cross-border trade, food fraud, climate change and technological innovation.

    The NAFDAC director-general said regulatory convergence should translate into tangible benefits through timely information sharing, stronger analytical capacity, virtual learning and harmonisation of regulatory requirements.

    Adeyeye reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its national food control system while contributing to regional and continental efforts to advance food safety and protect public health.

    She highlighted the importance of sustained investment in regulatory capacity, laboratory infrastructure, digital technologies, human resources and effective surveillance systems.

    According to her, Africa must move from regulators working alongside one another to working with one another to build safe, resilient and effective food systems.

    The Third AFRAF seeks to strengthen collaboration among African food regulatory authorities and promote the development of integrated, science-based and risk-based food control systems across the continent.

    The forum brings together regulators, regional organisations, scientific institutions and development partners to exchange knowledge, build technical capacity, improve laboratory and regulatory capabilities, and support food safety innovation.

    It also seeks to advance regulatory harmonisation, strengthen cooperation on food trade and public health, promote the use of data and digital tools, and develop practical actions and partnerships to support Africa-wide food regulatory integration and consumer protection.

  • AU Commission Chairperson congratulates Abiy Ahmed on re-election

    AU Commission Chairperson congratulates Abiy Ahmed on re-election

    ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (NPA) — The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has congratulated Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali on his re-election for another five-year term.

    Youssouf described Ethiopia as an important member of the continental family, noting that the country hosts the AU headquarters and serves as the diplomatic capital of Africa.

    The AU Commission Chairperson said he looked forward to continued cooperation with Abiy Ahmed and his government in advancing Africa’s integration, peace, security and development agenda.

    Abiy’s swearing-in comes amid almost two weeks of internal conflict in Ethiopia, raising concerns over a possible escalation and wider regional instability.

    Addressing the situation, the prime minister called for an end to the violence and urged those involved in armed conflict to embrace peace and participate in national reconciliation and nation-building.

    “All those people fighting in the bushes: I kindly ask you to choose the path of peace. I ask you to take part in the nation-building, national reconciliation process,” Abiy said.

    He also called on opposition groups to pursue their political objectives peacefully and avoid actions that could further destabilise the country.

    On national security, Abiy said Ethiopia would strengthen its military capabilities, declaring that the country would seek air superiority in the region and maintain a modern and combat-ready defence force.

    The latest fighting reportedly erupted between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and federal forces on September 23, prompting concerns over a possible return to the civil war that ravaged the country between 2020 and 2022.