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Photo Olivier Binyingo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1315

Photo Steven De Backer: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1314

Press kit: http://storyboard.me/afriwise

Video: http://vimeo.com/103693352

Afriwise is launching a groundbreaking consulting model for Africa, designed to assist clients with advice that is genuinely tailored to situations and local environments in African countries, through collaboration between the best African experts.

Afriwise consult provides one point of contact for private and public organizations that need legal, tax, transaction, risk and management consulting services in Sub Saharan Africa and teams up with the right professionals to deliver solutions that work.

Africa's rapid growth has captured the world's attention, triggering unprecedented business interest and investment. Sub Saharan Africa is now perceived to be one of the world's greatest opportunities for corporate expansion. At the same time not all the countries are moving at the same pace and Africa remains a diverse and complex continent, with different countries presenting different challenges and obstacles.

Afriwise consult is dedicated to helping organizations navigate through these increasingly complex legal, regulatory, tax and socio-economic environments in Sub Saharan Africa. For that purpose it has constituted a core team of experienced Sub Saharan Africa focused consultants with diverse skills and expertise across a broad range of industries. The team comprises business lawyers, tax advisers, risk advisers and management consultants.

“Traditional solutions often don't work in African markets” says Olivier Binyingo. “There is a need for flexibility and creativity when tackling country specific challenges, which calls for an interdisciplinary approach. With Afriwise, we try to break free from silo thinking. Taking into account the different angles to a project or a transaction from the outset, in an integrated way, saves time and costs to clients.”

In addition to its own core team of consultants, Afriwise created the Afriwise community which brings together top in-country professionals with diverse skills and expertise throughout Sub Saharan Africa. The careful identification and selection of the right local experts and advisers as members of the Afriwise community is really at the core of Afriwise's value proposition. The Afriwise community enables the firm to put together tailored teams on each of its clients' projects and transactions to reflect the required skills and expertise, on-the-ground knowledge and local socio-cultural and language affinity.

As Steven De Backer explains, the idea behind adopting a collaborative consulting model for Africa was developed by the two founders over a long period of time: “Africa is not a country but a continent, home to 54 very different countries. Clients have come to realize that understanding local customs, sensibilities and having access to on-the-ground expertise in the markets in which they operate is key. Various advisory firms are adopting different models to try to cater for that need - from hub offices in key jurisdictions to alliances and networks with local firms – but we don't believe these strategies will enable them to always include the right local professionals in their clients' engagements. These traditional models are too rigorous for African markets; what you want is flexibility and the ability to partner with the right individuals for each assignment. We have been confronted with this throughout our careers and have thought long and hard about the most suitable model to advise clients properly, which lead us eventually to the concept of the Afriwise community.”

“We plan to be quite disruptive to the traditional consulting model”, adds Binyingo. “We are dramatically increasing access to local expertise for clients active in Sub Saharan Africa, in the most affordable and yet integrated way.”

Some of the services Afriwise consult offers include legal and tax advisory, risk advisory and management, transaction advisory, corporate governance consulting and specialist advisory services such as strategic advice around market entry, PPP structuring, stakeholder engagement and assistance with putting in place local partnerships and alliances.

The name Afriwise is a play on streetwise. Being ‘afriwise' means having the experience, skills and knowledge but also the awareness and resourcefulness required for success in Africa. Afriwise is also based on core values such as integrity and sustainability. “We strive to deliver projects for our clients which generate value for all stakeholders, adhere to ethical principles and demonstrate innovativeness and creativity” notes De Backer. “We encourage everyone with a passion for the African continent to use the #afriwise hastag on social media to promote ‘afriwise' solutions and concepts”.

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of the Internet Corporation for Afriwise consult.

To arrange a media interview with its founders or one of its experts, please contact:

Steven De Backer (+27 10 593 8516 - steven.debacker@afriwise.com); or

Olivier Binyingo (+27 10 593 85 17 – olivier.binyingo@afriwise.com)

An electronic press kit with extensive background information is available to the media on http://storyboard.me/afriwise.

A video containing more details about Afriwise, as explained by the founders is available on http://vimeo.com/103693352.

About Afriwise consult

Afriwise consult (http://www.afriwise.com) is a multi-disciplinary and Sub Saharan Africa focused consulting firm providing services to companies, governments, project developers and development organisations. Afriwise's value proposition combines deep insight into the dynamics of local markets in Africa with a practical and solution-oriented mindset and a strong underlying ethical culture. To achieve this, Afriwise consult has hired a number of seasoned professionals with backgrounds in law, tax, risk advisory, banking and management consulting in Africa who team up, in a seamless way, with the right in-country professionals in Sub Saharan Africa when working for clients. These local professionals are generally members of the Afriwise community, a unique pool of like-minded experts who have formalized arrangements and collaborate with Afriwise consult to deliver value. Afriwise consult's central management team is headquartered in the offices of Afriwise Consult (PTY) Limited in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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Photo Tony Elumelu: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/tony-elumelu.jpg

Mr Elumelu is Chairman/CEO of Heirs Holdings (http://www.heirsholdings.com), the pan-African proprietary investment company, which he founded in 2010 and which holds stakes in a number of leading African businesses, including Nigeria's largest conglomerate by market capitalisation, Transcorp, and UBA. Elumelu retired as Group Managing Director and CEO of UBA in 2010, following the introduction by the Central Bank of Nigeria of 10 year tenure limits for bank CEOs. He had served as CEO of the UBA Group for 13 years, where he was responsible for the creation of today's UBA - a financial services institution that built a reputation for innovation and the democratisation of banking services and now spans Africa, providing services to more than 10 million customers across the continent and in London, Paris and New York.

Widely regarded as one of the leading business figures in Africa, Elumelu has developed a reputation for identifying value and bringing a long term investment orientation and discipline to sectors critical to Africa's development, including financial services, power, oil and gas, agribusiness, real estate and hospitality. As the founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, an Africa-based and African-funded philanthropic institution, Mr Elumelu is committed to the promotion of entrepreneurship in Africa, based on his championing of Africapitalism, the philosophy that the African private sector is the critical enabler of the continent's economic and social transformation.

The Chairmanship of UBA will complement Mr Elumelu's existing positions with other Heirs Holdings' portfolio businesses, including the Chairmanship of Transcorp, Nigeria's largest listed conglomerate by market capitalisation.

"Tony Elumelu's track record at UBA speaks for itself. His return to the Board brings a depth of knowledge and experience of the African financial services industry that is second to none. We are privileged to have him lead the Board at this critical stage in our development," said Mr. Phillips Oduoza, Group Managing Director/CEO UBA.

With operations in 19 African countries and a presence in New York, London and Paris, UBA is one of the largest financial services institutions in Africa. The Bank recently unveiled its Project Alpha, a 3-year road map of key transformation initiatives, designed to consolidate the Group's strategic positioning and fully exploit the opportunities provided by Africa's economic renaissance and the UBA Group's unique platform.

"I am very much looking forward to returning to the Group - UBA represents a tremendous investment opportunity, and is at an inflection point in its growth path. We have an extremely powerful executive team and I am looking forward to bringing my experience and energy to guide UBA's long term strategy. Financial services remain one of the key drivers of African growth, both in terms of social inclusion and regional integration, and the UBA Group provides a unique platform to deliver both extraordinary value and drive Africa's economic success.''

‘'I would also like to thank my predecessor, Ambassador Keshi and the entire board for their contributions to the growth and development of the bank" said Mr Elumelu.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Heirs Holdings.

For further information, please go to: http://www.tonyelumelu.com or contact:

Nigel Sonariwo - nigel.sonariwo@heirsholdings.com (+234 810 966 4926)

Katherine Ambler - kambler@africapractice.com (+44 207 087 3780)

Tony Elumelu Profile

Tony O. Elumelu (http://www.tonyelumelu.com) is an entrepreneur and a philanthropist. Born, raised and educated in Africa, Mr. Elumelu has been responsible for creating businesses across the continent, in sectors critical to Africa's economic development. In 2010, he founded Heirs Holdings, an African investment holding company, with investments in financial services, power generation, oil and gas, agribusiness, real estate and hospitality. In the same year, he established the Tony Elumelu Foundation, an Africa-based and African-funded philanthropic institution dedicated to catalyzing entrepreneurship across Africa.

He is Chairman of Heirs Holdings as well as UBA Group Plc and Transcorp Plc, which is Nigeria's largest listed conglomerate.

Mr. Elumelu is the author and leading proponent of “Africapitalism,” an economic philosophy which advocates for the private sector's commitment to Africa's development through long-term investment in strategic sectors of the economy, that drive economic prosperity and social wealth.

In 2013, Mr. Elumelu received the Leadership Award in Business and Philanthropy from the Africa-America Institute Awards. He was also named African Business Icon at the 2013 African Business Awards.

Mr. Elumelu presently serves as a member of the Global Advisory Board of the United Nations Sustainable Energy for All Initiative (SE4ALL) and USAID's Private Capital Group for Africa Partners Forum.

Mr. Elumelu is on Twitter @TonyOElumelu.

In completing the fifth review, the Executive Board also approved the authorities' requests for a modification of performance criteria and indicative targets for September–December 2014 for net foreign assets and net domestic assets of the central bank and net domestic financing of the government, as well as for gross fiscal revenue and reserve money.

The three-year ECF arrangement in the amount equivalent to SDR 30 million (about US$ 45.7 million) was approved by the Executive Board on January 27, 2012 (see Press Release 12/35).

Following the Executive Board's discussion on Burundi, Mr. Naoyuki Shinohara, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair issued the following statement:

“Burundi has made satisfactory progress under the ECF-supported program. Economic growth is expected to pick up to about 4.7 percent in 2014, while inflation has been declining aided by moderating international food and fuel prices and stable monetary conditions. However, the medium-term economic outlook remains difficult, with downside risks arising from political uncertainties ahead of the 2015 elections, vulnerabilities to external shocks given Burundi's narrow export base, and the large influx of refugees.

“Revenue slippages that emerged in the first quarter of the year were addressed through corrective measures which formed the basis for a revised budget that was adopted by parliament. Sustaining revenue mobilization, enhancing tax administration, and rationalizing discretionary exemptions are critical to the success of the economic program.

“Monetary policy should continue to focus on stabilizing inflation expectations. While underlying inflation has declined in recent months, a potential fiscal deterioration financed by recourse to central bank financing could reignite inflation and reverse recent gains.

“Debt sustainability remains the anchor underpinning medium-term fiscal policy. Burundi continues to be at high risk of debt distress, therefore, it is important to rely mainly on grants and highly concessional loans. The new debt law will provide an overarching framework for effective public debt management and policy.”

The Executive Board also completed the 2014 Article IV consultation.

The economic recovery continues to gain momentum in the aftermath of the recent food and fuel shocks. In 2013, real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth picked up to an estimated 4.5 percent, underpinned by the agriculture and construction sectors as well as the implementation of major infrastructure projects. Inflation decelerated to 8 percent at year end, supported by favorable international food and fuel prices, fiscal consolidation, and stable monetary conditions. The implementation of swift corrective measures in mid-2013 helped remedy revenue slippages and, together with a relative containment of expenditure, helped contain the overall deficit at 1.6 percent of GDP in line with the authorities' economic program supported by the ECF. Gross international reserves stood at 3.4 months of imports at end-2013.

The macroeconomic outlook is expected to improve in 2014 and in the medium term but remains subject to various risks. Real GDP growth is projected to improve slightly to 4.7 percent in 2014 and is expected to improve further over the medium term on the back of solid agricultural and construction activity, including the implementation of large hydroelectric projects. Deeper integration with the East African Community (EAC) is expected to spur investment in the tourism, wholesale and retail sectors, as well as in finance and telecommunications. Inflation should stabilize to single digits over the medium term in line with lower projected international food and fuel prices. The fiscal position is expected to improve over the medium term on the backdrop of durable revenue-enhancing measures and prudent spending policy. The current account deficit is projected to narrow to about 17 percent of GDP in 2014, as coffee exports rebound, and improve over the medium term reflecting higher exports and moderate growth in imports following earlier surges associated with humanitarian assistance. Greater exchange rate flexibility would help shore up international reserves to more comfortable levels. Key risks to the outlook include: (1) a deterioration of the political and security situation; (2) a further decline in donor support; (3) a worsening in the terms of trade; and (4) a protracted period of slower growth in advanced and emerging economies.

Executive Board Assessment1

Executive Directors noted that performance under the ECF had been satisfactory under challenging circumstances. Directors welcomed the adoption of corrective measures to address revenue shortfalls and to bolster revenues over the medium term.

Directors agreed that sustaining revenue mobilization efforts are critical to the success of the program. They underscored the need to step up revenue collection in order to respond to contingencies in the run-up to the 2015 Presidential elections, safeguard pro-poor spending, and to address the rising demand for public services from a rapidly growing population. They welcomed efforts to reform tax exemptions to mitigate the erosion of the revenue base while simplifying procedures associated with doing business.

Directors underscored the need to strengthen public financial and debt management to mitigate fiscal risks. They welcomed the progress made in implementing the public financial management strategy and encouraged the authorities to address outstanding weaknesses. To preserve debt sustainability, Burundi should continue to rely mainly on grants and highly concessional loans in light of its high risk of debt distress.

Directors stressed that monetary policy should continue to focus on stabilizing inflation expectations and welcomed the notable deceleration of inflation in recent months. Going forward, they encouraged the authorities to enhancing monetary transmission mechanism.

Directors noted that the exchange rate remains an important tool in facilitating external adjustment, enhancing external competitiveness and safeguarding foreign reserves.

Directors underscored the importance of deeper structural reforms to foster stronger and sustainable growth and to reduce poverty. They highlighted that reforms priorities should focus on improving competitiveness and the business climate, and addressing infrastructure gaps, including increasing energy supply. Directors concurred that enhancing financial intermediation, while maintaining financial stability, will be critical to facilitate credit to the private sector and support growth.

Directors encouraged the authorities to accelerate and expand efforts to increase data coverage and improve quality, to better inform policy making.

One surviving crew member has received treatment from the Médecins Sans Frontieres team in Bentiu.

The helicopter, which was on a routine cargo flight from Wau in Western Bahr El Ghazal State to Bentiu, lost contact with UNMISS at 14:28 hours.

“I wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wish a full and speedy recovery to the injured crew member,” said Toby Lanzer, the officer-in-charge of UNMISS.

The Mission is launching an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

The RDFI brings together development finance institutions, governments, providers of official development assistance, foundations and private sector investors. Its goal is to expand the pool of foreign and domestic capital available for economic and social development in developing countries, including in such sectors as infrastructure, agriculture and energy. The initial focus will be on mobilizing and enabling private investment in Africa.

“Accelerating private sector-led, sustainable economic growth is our most effective tool to eradicate poverty around the world. We need to look at new approaches to mobilizing investment for development,” said Minister Paradis. “Through this initiative, Canada will use its world-leading expertise in innovative financing to help developing countries grow their economies more sustainably, manage their resources more responsibly, and build tomorrow's markets for trade and investment.”

The RDFI Steering Committee aims to promote a more systematic approach to testing and scaling up financial innovations that accelerate progress toward development objectives by blending capital from philanthropists, private and commercial investors, and development institutions. Today's meeting focused on the initiative's expected outcomes and a plan of action for achieving them in the lead-up to the next International Conference on Financing for Development in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in July 2015, including key milestones such as the WEF's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, in January.

Quick Facts

• The RDFI was launched in Abuja, Nigeria, on May 7, 2014, at the WEF Regional Meeting on Africa. It aims to assist developing countries in accelerating social and economic progress by enabling increased private sector financing.

• Before being named Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, Christian Paradis, Chair of the RDFI Steering Committee, held the economic portfolios of Industry and Natural Resources, and served as Minister of State (Agriculture).

“This was the responsible thing to do. The field team has been through a traumatic time through this incident,” says Dr Daniel Kertesz, WHO Representative in Sierra Leone. “They are exhausted from many weeks of heroic work, helping patients infected with Ebola. When you add a stressor like this, the risk of accidents increases.”

Today the Organization sent a team to the town near the border with Guinea to do a review of the incident on the colleague who became infected. The team will try to determine how the health worker became infected, review the living and working environment of all the workers, try to identify factors that increase risk of infection, and address these issues.

“We recognize that this will interrupt the work in the field for the short term, but it ensures we protect health workers and the help the community over the longer term,” says Dr Kertesz. “We are working rapidly to ensure we can return to the field as quickly as possible.”

Once the investigation has been completed and appropriate actions have been taken, WHO will move a team back to Kailahun. In the meantime, the laboratory work will be performed at the facilities in Kenema. The next team of health workers for the Kailahun deployment is waiting on standby in Freetown.

On 7 August, the members of the Security Council heard briefings by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), Martin Kobler, the outgoing Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region, Mary Robinson, and the Minister for Defence of Angola, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, in his capacity as representative of the Chair of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR). The members of the Security Council welcomed the nomination of Said Djinnit as Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the progress against armed groups, including the military defeat of the 23 March Movement (M23), the signing of the Nairobi Declarations by the Democratic Republic of the Congo Government and M23, and the significant weakening of the Allied Democratic Forces—National Army for the Liberation of Uganda (ADF-NALU), but regretted that no significant progress was made towards the neutralization of the Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda (FDLR). They noted the initial efforts made by the Democratic Republic of the Congo Government and the Governments of the region towards fulfilling the commitments made under the Peace Security and Cooperation Framework, including the development of national and regional benchmarks. The members of the Security Council welcomed the efforts of regional organizations, in particular the role of the ICGLR, including that of President José Eduardo dos Santos as Chair, as subsequently demonstrated by the holding of two Heads of State and Government Mini-Summits in Luanda ( Angola) on 25 March and on 14 August.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their support for the swift neutralization of FDLR, as a top priority in bringing stability to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region. They recalled that leaders and members of FDLR were among the perpetrators of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, during which Hutu and others who opposed the genocide were also killed, and recalled that FDLR is a group under United Nations sanctions, operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and which has continued to promote and commit ethnically based and other killings in Rwanda and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They expressed deep concern regarding the sustained domestic and regional threat posed by FDLR, including recent reports of continued human rights abuses by members of FDLR and continued recruiting and training of combatants, including children, and stressed the importance of disarming and ending the threat caused by this illegal armed group.

The members of the Security Council took note of ongoing ICGLR and Southern African Development Community (SADC) diplomatic efforts to harmonize views and approaches on the neutralisation and unconditional disarmament of FDLR. They further took note of the six-month timeframe for the voluntary surrender of FDLR from 2 July and the review of progress after three months, as set out by the joint ICGLR-SADC meeting of Ministers of Defence on 2 July. They expressed concern about reports by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Democratic Republic of the Congo that FDLR has interpreted this six-month timeframe as a call to stall previously scheduled demobilizations. They noted that the disarmament process should be concluded swiftly, have a clearly defined end state and be supported by credible military action. Meanwhile, they encouraged the Democratic Republic of the Congo Government, in coordination with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), to actively pursue military action against those leaders and members of FDLR who do not engage in the demobilization process or who continue to carry out human rights abuses. They underlined MONUSCO's mandate to neutralize all armed groups, in line with resolutions 2098 (2013) and 2147 (2014), and further underlined their support for an effective disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, reintegration and resettlement programme, paying a particular attention to women and children, as part of the demobilization process.

The members of the Security Council took note of the technical missions carried out by the Democratic Republic of the Congo Government-led delegations to Uganda and Rwanda in April and July, respectively, to assess and process amnesty requests for former M23 combatants, in preparation for the repatriation of those eligible for reintegration, and underlined the need to fast-track and conclude their return to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in accordance with an agreed timetable. In this regard, they encouraged the parties to speed up the implementation of the Kampala Dialogue/Nairobi Declarations in order to ensure the permanent demobilization of M23.

The members of the Security Council called for the full and swift implementation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's national commitments under the Peace and Security Council Framework, including the restoration of State authority and the wider governance, economic and security sector reforms needed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to consolidate the progress made so far. They noted in this context the particular importance of security sector reform, including the establishment of a rapid reaction force. They stressed that the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo bears primary responsibility for security, protection of civilians, national reconciliation, peacebuilding and development in the country.

The members of the Security Council commended the work of Special Representative of the Secretary-General Kobler and outgoing Special Envoy of the Secretary-General Robinson, and underlined the continuing crucial role of MONUSCO in protecting civilians and promoting peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They stressed the importance of the troop-contributing countries' role in the implementation of the Mission's full mandate, including the neutralization of all armed groups through its Intervention Brigade, in support of the authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, either unilaterally or jointly with the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), and in cooperation with the whole of MONUSCO. They further emphasized the importance for MONUSCO to support and work with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to arrest and bring to justice those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity. They also stressed the need to continue to increase the effectiveness of the Mission, and looked forward to the outcome of the forthcoming Strategic Review of MONUSCO and the wider United Nations presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The members of the Security Council encouraged the United Nations, the African Union, ICGLR, SADC and other relevant international and regional organizations to continue to work together to support the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Governments of the region towards the full implementation of the national and regional commitments under the Peace and Security Council Framework.

'The creation of the post of prime minister will allow for a distribution of power that should be acceptable to both parties. The international community cannot accept further excuses from the parties while millions of people are suffering. Enough is enough,' Mr Brende said.

At a meeting of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) yesterday, the parties to the conflict in South Sudan were given a new deadline of 45 days to establish a national unity government. The armed opposition led by former Vice President Riek Machar is to be offered the post of prime minister in a transition government that will also include other political forces, such as previously imprisoned SPLM leaders and representatives of opposition parties. The transition period will last for two and a half years and elections are to be held two months before the end of that period.

‘It is encouraging that the Government signed a new agreement yesterday on the establishment of a transition government, and I urge Riek Machar to do the same immediately so that real negotiations can begin in Addis Ababa. South Sudan's neighbouring countries are showing responsibility through their active engagement. The parties in South Sudan must now show responsibility by working towards a political solution in order to prevent a full-blown famine in the country,' Mr Brende said.

The vast majority of Swaziland's 1.2 million people depend on subsistence farming. But years of economic slowdown, a devastating AIDS pandemic and recent droughts linked to climate change have made it increasingly hard for the rural population to live off the land.

According to FAO's most recent hunger figures, one in three people in Swaziland is undernourished.

Improving the food security and nutrition of vulnerable communities and helping small holder farmers move away from subsistence farming are key objectives of the Swaziland Agricultural Development Project (SADP), a government-led initiative assisted by the EU and FAO, which is focused on creating a vibrant commercial agricultural sector.

After five years, the programme is entering a final phase. “SADP has touched our smallholder farmers,” said Swaziland's Minister for Agriculture, Moses Vilakati. “It has helped them become commercial. Continued support is necessary if we want agriculture to take a lead role in our economic development.”

Moving on

“The European Union is proud to be part of this endeavour that has reached over 20 000 farmers and has linked production to processing and marketing,” said Nicola Bellomo, the EU's ambassador to Swaziland. “It shows that the country wants to move on.”

Set up in 2009, SADP first focused on the most vulnerable, particularly the elderly and Swaziland's youth.

Household gardens allowed vulnerable families to grow vegetables for their own consumption, or to sell within the community. Youth groups got assistance to set up small agribusinesses, including poultry farming, pig raising, or vegetable and crop production.

Gradually, the project started disseminating good agricultural practices among Swazi smallholders, helping them to grow more, better-quality produce while preserving the environment and reducing pressure on limited natural resources. Thousands of farmers were trained in such good practices as conservation agriculture, agro-forestry and seed multiplication.

In addition, construction and rehabilitation works in the livestock sector, water infrastructure and government services have also supported farmers in increasing their output.

Producing more food meant that farmers needed a way to sell their surpluses. So a €1 million Marketing Investment Fund was established to strengthen farmers' links to the markets by supporting agri-businesses who process and market the small holder's produce.

A miracle

“Swaziland can make it,” said FAO's Nehru Essomba, chief technical advisor of SADP. “They have the potential to export. In livestock, for instance. Or in niche crops. All that's required now is some thinking.”

Thinking under SADP has already yielded an impressive record of institutional support. This is part of SADP's long-term impact, and can lead the way towards a more sustainable, high income generating and market oriented agriculture.

National policies on research and extension have been updated, while SADP's ultimate legacy is still in the making: a ten year national agricultural investment plan, currently being developed.

The plan is being drafted by the government along with help from the EU and regional partners, such as COMESA and NEPAD, in the framework of Africa's foremost agricultural development initiative, known as CAADP.

Aiming at an average annual growth rate of 6 percent in agriculture by 2015, the governments that have signed up to this Africa led initiative have agreed to increase public spending on agriculture by a minimum of 10 per cent of their national budgets.

In Swaziland, such a paradigm shift could make agriculture the driver of the country's own ambitious development plans.

“Our role is to help catalyse them,” said Nehru Essomba. “And then, the miracle can happen.”

“Canada is concerned by reports that a UN helicopter crashed after being attacked near Bentiu, South Sudan. Three crew members are confirmed to have died. The United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan [UNMISS] has dispatched an investigative team to confirm the cause of the crash.

“This incident comes only one day after the Government of South Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Army [SPLA] in Opposition signed an agreement in Ethiopia to work toward a permanent ceasefire and form a national unity government within 45 days.

“Canada urgently calls on both sides to respect agreements they have made toward preventing more violence and bloodshed in the area and to cease military engagements. They must also allow UNMISS to carry out its mandate to protect civilians and facilitate full, safe, unhindered humanitarian access to all parts of South Sudan.

“An immediate ceasefire is essential to ensuring the safe delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid.”

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/worldpanel.jpeg

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1317 (World Panel Zambia CEO Jacob Sikazwe speaking about empowerment)

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1318 (Only smiles when a World Panel charges a rural cell phone)

The CEO, Jacob Sikazwe, a well-known Zambian business leader who led the creation and then chaired Zambia's Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission said, “I've worked for many years to empower people in rural Africa to improve their economic well-being and opportunities in life. This utility-grade personal solar charger finally delivers on my dream to aid and empower people living without regular access to electricity.”

The first shipment contained thousands of World Panel 500 combo-pack units with the patented solar panel technology plus a bundled 5000-milliamp Powerbank and bright ten-bulb LED light. The technology will be distributed in rural and urban COMESA regions. The company indicated that it plans to ship one million World Panel units to the COMESA region in 2015.

John Anderson, the inventor and CEO of US-based World Panel Inc., gave the keynote speech at the event. An expert in micro-solar technology and business sustainability, Anderson said, “with only 8% of rural Zambia connected to an electrical grid, our distributed green energy solution can significantly increase that level in three years at a fraction of the cost of traditional energy solutions. We are honored to deliver our first containers into Zambia.”

World Panel Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/theworldpanel

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1319 (The Zambia management team with CEO Mr. Jacob Sikazwe (on left)

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1320 (The motivated support staff at the Lusaka headquarters!)

In prepared remarks read on behalf of Zambia's Minister of Energy Christopher Yaluma, the Ministry's Director of Energy Andrew Simwaba said, “I am pleased that this solution being launched today will help mitigate this power shortage because our people will be able to charge their phones and other devices no matter where they are located.” Recognizing this powerful green electrical solution for energy poverty, the Zambia Revenue Authority notified World Panel Zambia Ltd. that its application for zero customs and VAT has been approved.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of World Panel Inc.

Contact:

Mr. Larry Tanning

ltanning@world-panel.com

PHOTOS:

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1321 (The well-attended launch event with the Ministry's Director of Energy Andrew Simwaba (on right)

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1322 (Zambia CEO Jacob Sikazwe and USA CEO John Anderson with thousands of World Panels)

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1323 (Personal solar for all. World Panel is a mobile electricity solution that provides consumers with the security of having power for their phones and batteries on the go or at home)

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1324 (Ms. Sandra Uwera speaking on behalf of COMESA with a personal endorsement of the technology)

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1325 (Mobile electricity for distributed energy solutions to the rural areas, powers phones onsite without the need to travel to the phone charging station)

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1326 (Plug into the sun! Founder John Anderson charging a local consumers phone with the technology. Put sun into your phone, it's easy and free)

About World Panel Inc.:

Boulder, Colorado, USA-based World Panel Inc. (www.world-panel.com) is a triple-bottom line company (people, planet, profit) founded by micro-solar and sustainability expert John Anderson. On a trip to Sub-Saharan Africa, it became apparent that mobile electricity was in demand, and cell phone charging was of particular interest. Equipped with requests from citizens there that a charger be powerful, durable, affordable and portable, Anderson developed the patented World Panel to charge 2G, 3G, and 4G LTE handsets and tablets, and all USB devices. A suite of chargers, based on the patented direct-from-the-sun technology are now being distributed into the COMESA and SADC countries of Sub-Saharan Africa.

• The total number of probable and confirmed cases in the current outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the four affected countries as reported by the respective Ministries of Health of Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone is 3 069, with 1 552 deaths.

• The outbreak continues to accelerate. More than 40% of the total number of cases have occurred within the past 21 days. However, most cases are concentrated in only a few localities.

• The overall case fatality rate is 52%. It ranges from 42% in Sierra Leone to 66% in Guinea.

• A separate outbreak of Ebola virus disease, which is not related to the outbreak in West Africa, was reported on 24 August by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and is detailed in a separate edition of the Disease Outbreak News.

http://who.int/csr/don/2014_08_27_ebola/en/

Health sector response

A full understanding of the outbreak that will lead to improved response requires detailed analysis of exactly where transmission is occurring (by district level) and of time trends. This analysis is ongoing. Preliminary results show that cases are still concentrated (62% of all reported cases since the beginning of the outbreak) in the epicentre of the outbreak in Gueckedou (Guinea); Lofa (Liberia), where cases continue to rise; and Kenema and Kailahun (Sierra Leone). Capital cities are of particular concern, owing to their population density and repercussions for travel and trade.

WHO and its partners are on the ground establishing Ebola treatment centres and strengthening capacity for laboratory testing, contact tracing, social mobilization, safe burials, and non-Ebola health care.

WHO continues to monitor for reports of rumoured or suspected cases from countries around the world and systematic verification of these cases is ongoing. Countries are encouraged to continue engaging in active surveillance and preparedness activities. Cases of EVD have been reported from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The cases in DRC are not related to the outbreak in West Africa. Outside of the four affected countries in West Africa and DRC, no new cases have been confirmed in other countries.

WHO does not recommend any travel or trade restrictions be applied except in cases where individuals have been confirmed or are suspected of being infected with EVD or where individuals have had contact with cases of EVD. (Contacts do not include properly-protected health-care workers and laboratory staff.) Temporary recommendations from the Emergency Committee with regard to actions to be taken by countries can be found at http://who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2014/ebola-20140808/en/

Disease update

As of 26 August 2014, the cumulative number of cases attributed to EVD in the four countries stands at 3 069, including 1 552 deaths. The distribution and classification of the cases are as follows: Guinea, 647 cases (482 confirmed, 141 probable, and 25 suspected), including 430 deaths; Liberia, 1 378 cases (322 confirmed, 674 probable, and 382 suspected), including 694 deaths; Nigeria, 17 cases (13 confirmed, 1 probable, and 3 suspected), including 6 deaths; and Sierra Leone, 1 026 cases (935 confirmed, 37 probable, and 54 suspected), including 422 deaths.

Confirmed, probable, and suspect cases and deaths from Ebola virus disease in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone

Confirmed Probable Suspect Totals

(by Country)

Guinea

Cases 482 141 25 648

Deaths 287 141 2 430

Liberia

Cases 322 674 382 1 378

Deaths 225 301 168 694

Nigeria

Cases 13 1 3 17

Deaths 5 1 0 6

Sierra Leone

Cases 935 37 54 1 026

Deaths 380 34 8 422

Totals

Cases 1 752 853 464 3 069

Deaths 897 477 178 1 552

Note: Cases are classified as confirmed (any suspected or probable cases with a positive laboratory result); probable (any suspected case evaluated by a clinician, or any deceased suspected case having an epidemiological link with a confirmed case where it has not been possible to collect specimens for laboratory confirmation); or suspected (any person, alive or dead, suffering or having suffered from sudden onset of high fever and having had contact with: a suspected, probable or confirmed Ebola case, or a dead or sick animal; or any person with sudden onset of high fever and at least three of the following symptoms: headache, vomiting, anorexia/loss of appetite, diarrhoea, lethargy, stomach pain, aching muscles or joints, difficulty swallowing, breathing difficulties, or hiccup; or any person with unexplained bleeding; or any sudden, unexplained death).

The total number of cases is subject to change due to ongoing reclassification, retrospective investigation, and availability of laboratory results. Data reported in the Disease Outbreak News are based on official information reported by Ministries of Health.