Em nome da União Africana e em seu próprio nome, a Presidente manifesta as suas mais sinceras condolências e simpatia às famílias das vítimas, ao Governo e ao povo do Burundi.

Em solidariedade com as vítimas, o Chefe da Missão da UA no Burundi e Representante Especial da Presidente para a Região dos Grandes Lagos, S.E. Boubacar Diarra lidera uma delegação para avaliar a situação humanitária, a fim de prestar a assistência necessária por parte da União Africana e do resto da comunidade humanitária.

A Presidente reitera o compromisso da UA em ajudar os Estados-membros nos seus esforços de criação de resistência e intensificação das nossas estratégias de redução do risco de calamidades.

Jacob Enoh Eben

Porta-voz Interino da Presidente

The event, organised by the Department of Economic Affairs of the African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM), comes at an important time, with the Africa - EU Summit only two months away in April 2014.

This special session of the Fridays of the Commission will be an opportunity for people to look back at the successes and challenges of the partnership, and revisit strategic questions on the nature of Africa - EU relations.

The debate will focus on: the achievements of the relationship since the Lisbon Treaty in 2007; contentious political issues such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the new and persisting challenges between the EU and Africa.

Faten Aggad, the Programme Manager Africa's Change Dynamics at ECDPM says:

“Five years have passed since the Joint Africa-EU Strategy was launched in Lisbon. The realities of 2014 are different from those of 2008 and the Summit of April 2014 represents a golden opportunity to reposition the partnership in this new global context so that it can deliver on the expectations of both European and African partners.”

The event will include an information fair at the side of the meeting to allow participants to learn about the different activities around Africa-EU relations.

The outcomes of the day will be published in the ‘Bulletin of the Friday of the Commission' and disseminated to a wide audience for publicity including AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Universities and Development Partners among others.

AU PRC Members, AUC Staff, Members of the Diplomatic Corp in Ethiopia, UN Agency staff, Senior Students at the University of Addis Ababa, Academicians, Civil Society Organisations and indeed all interested parties are cordially invited to this special event.

A press conference will crown the occasion. Journalists are invited to take part in the press conference and cover the event.

The meeting was opened by the African Union's Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Dr. Elham Ibrahim. Commissioner Ibrahim highlighted the efforts being undertaken to improve energy access in Africa, mentioning the different projects under the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA). However, she lamented the prevailing low energy access on the continent.

According to the African Energy Outlook 2040 undertaken as part of the PIDA by the AU, energy demand will grow by almost 6% per year up to 2040. Energy production of 700 gigawatts will be required in order to keep up with demand. Africa currently generates 125 gigawatts of electricity per annum and based on long-term projections, meeting Africa's energy needs will require huge investments in the energy sector.

In 2010, the 1st High Level Meeting of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership set the AEEP 2020 political targets, which aimed to increase Africa's energy output via renewable energy sources significantly by 2020 in order to meet Africa's rising energy needs. However, if current rates of development and investment in the energy sector on the continent continue, the Africa-EU Energy Partnership Status Report shows that Africa will be unable to achieve several of the energy goals set for 2020.

During the opening ceremony, the Head of the European Union Delegation to the African Union, Mr. Gary Quince, noted that Africa's recovery from the global financial crisis had been faster than that of any other continent, with Africa achieving growth rates of between 4 and 5% per annum in the 2010-2014 period. This recovery is a sign of Africa's economic growth which, along with population growth, is fuelling the significant increase in Africa's energy demands.

Speaking at a press conference after the opening ceremony of the 2nd High Level Meeting of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership, the Director of Infrastructure and Energy, Mr. Aboubakari Baba-Moussa, highlighted the important role that efficient and effective regulatory laws and bodies will play in safeguarding the mechanisms which need to be implemented in order for the AEEP 2020 Political Targets to be met. He pointed to the need for African nations to create and maintain strong institutions which will ensure transparency in the development of the continent's energy infrastructure, which will foster transparent and fair business practices.

Further, as the AEEP moves forward, said Mr. Baba-Moussa, it is important to ensure that there is a fair exchange of services and skills, particularly aimed at providing African youth with the skills and knowledge which will enable them to compete in the international market place. He emphasized that the time for seeing Africa's energy needs as a development challenge is over, and it is now time to focus on building the continent through co-operative ventures between African states and Africa's international partners.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/clitoraid.png

Download the flyer: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/flyer.jpg

Photo 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/kamkaso.jpg (The world's first clitoral repair hospital for victims of female genital mutilation (FGM), located in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, will open on March 7)

Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/nadine-gary.jpg (Clitoraid Communications Director Nadine Gary)

Photo 3: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/marci-bowers-md.jpg (Dr. Marci Bowers, M.D., and Dr. Harold Henning Jr., M.D., will perform surgeries at the new hospital and also train other surgeons to do it)

Photo 4: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/harold-henning-md.jpg (Dr. Harold Henning Jr., M.D., and Dr. Marci Bowers, M.D., will perform surgeries at the new hospital and also train other surgeons to do it)

The hospital was built with donated funds and through the efforts of worldwide volunteers.

“Having Chantal Compaore's support and presence on March 7 is such a wonderful way to celebrate this opening!” said Clitoraid Communications Director Nadine Gary. “She has been a steadfast voice against the horrors of FGM, and we're honored that she will be there.”

Gary said hundreds of women are already on Clitoraid's waiting list to have the surgery, which will be free for any woman who wants it.

“Their wait is almost over,” Gary said. She said the new facility, called “the Kamkaso,” which means “the house for women,” has been nicknamed “the Pleasure Hospital,” since the surgery “will restore their dignity as women as well as their ability to experience physical pleasure, which was taken from them against their will.”

Gary went on to explain how the idea of the hospital came about.

“After spiritual leader Maitreya Rael heard about a clitoral repair procedure developed by Dr. Pierre Foldes in France, he launched Clitoraid and the idea of building clinics that offer free surgery for FGM victims. After the United Nations adopted a resolution banning FGM, there's been universal agreement that it's a violation of human rights and the integrity of individuals. And eliminating FGM is essential for women's health, so governments must keep passing laws against it. But Rael realized that it's also important to repair the damage already caused to living victims. This hospital is the result of his vision.”

Gary said Clitoraid volunteer surgeons from the United States, Dr. Marci Bowers, M.D., and Dr. Harold Henning Jr., M.D., will perform surgeries at the new hospital and also train other surgeons to do it.

“The goal is to help as many victims as possible have this surgery, which will also help discourage the barbaric practice of FGM,” Gary said. “When its effects can be surgically reversed for free, what would be the point?”

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

Media contact:

Abibata Sanon

avfe@clitoraid.org

+226-78886092

About Clitoraid:

Clitoraid (http://www.clitoraid.org) is an international non-profit organization offering clitoral repair surgery to FGM victims.

Follow us at facebook.com/clitoraid and twitter.com/clitoraid

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/afrasia.jpg

Photo 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/afrasia_12.12.13_0159.jpg (Prashant Khattar, Founder and Managing Director of Infinia Services and Solutions with James Benoit, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of AfrAsia Bank)

Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/afrasia_12.12.13_0087.jpg (From left to right)- Didier Perrier – Manager at Scomat, Marie Agnes Legoff – Procurement Manager at MSM, Christophe Quevauvilliers – Finance Manager at UBP and Suneeta Motala, Head of Marketing and Public Relations at AfrAsia Bank)

XtraMiles is a new currency that clients can collect not only on everyday spending, but also on bank deposits and investments held with the Bank. With a secure, convenient and reliable live platform, customers can complete an entire transaction with just a few clicks of the mouse, searching for fares, choosing a trip itinerary, booking a flight or hotel, and pay using their XtraMiles. Besides a complete accrual engine attached with Customer Relationship Management and communication capabilities, there is no manual processing of rewards as the platform will be accessed by clients for automatic redemption.

Cardholders have access to an extensive range of benefits including exclusive lifestyle experiences, local rewards and online merchandise among others.

“At AfrAsia Bank, we believe that it is important to anticipate our customers' needs and wants, and tailor the most rewarding experiences for them. We are thrilled to be the first bank not only in Mauritius but in the African territory to introduce this revolutionary rewards program and living up to the strides we have taken to become our clients' financial partner of choice. The collaboration with MasterCard and Infinia to introduce the XtraMiles rewards program cements our position as the best private bank in Mauritius, which is also in line with our strategy to serve our valued clients locally and globally,” says James Benoit, CEO of AfrAsia Bank.

“MasterCard and AfrAsia Bank have collaborated for more than six years to bring customers innovative products that complement their local and international lifestyles,” commented Daniel Monehin, Division President, sub-Saharan Africa, MasterCard. “We are thrilled that the bank has selected two premium MasterCard payment cards to introduce the first air miles rewards program in Mauritius.”

Prashant Khattar, Managing Director of Infinia Services and Solutions said, "At Infinia we put our customer's customer at the forefront of our platform, offering them not only a wide range of products and services to choose from, but also a knowledge base to document behavioural spending."

On a concluding note, General Manager and Executive Director AfrAsia Private Banking Thierry Vallet pointed out that as a financial service's market leader in Mauritius, AfrAsia Bank tailors innovative banking solutions for customers, and partners with like-minded organizations. He pointed out that partnerships with MasterCard and Infinia, two organizations able to share global insight and experience, allows the bank to meet the demands of its affluent customers.

To learn more about XtraMiles, please log on: http://xtramiles.afrasiabank.com

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of AfrAsia Bank Limited.

For media contact:

Nthabiseng Magengenene

Marketing Manager, Africa

Tel: +2711 268 5780

Nthabiseng.Magengenene@afrasiabank.com

About AfrAsia Bank Limited

Headquartered in the Mauritius International Financial Centre, AfrAsia Bank Limited (http://www.afrasiabank.com) is a boutique private and corporate bank, with the ability to tailor innovative banking solutions for both the local and international markets focusing on:

- Corporate and Investment Banking

- Private Banking and Wealth Management

- International Banking Solutions

In addition to Mauritian shareholder, GML, other strong strategic partners include PROPARCO (subsidiary of the AgenceFrançaise de Développement), Intrasia Capital and Asiabridge. The Bank's core banking and transactional capabilities are bank representative offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg, its asset management arm, AfrAsia Capital Management and its investment banking arm, AfrAsia Corporate Finance as well as its banking holding company, AfrAsia Bank (Zimbabwe) Limited.

environment in the Central African Republic, as authorised by the UN Security Council in

resolution 2134 (2014). Today's decision creates the legal basis for the operation entitled

EUFOR RCA and is another step towards its rapid deployment.

EUFOR RCA is to provide temporary support in achieving a safe and secure environment

in the Bangui area, with a view to handing over to African partners. The force will thereby

contribute to international efforts to protect the populations most at risk, creating the

conditions for providing humanitarian aid.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of

the European Commission, Catherine Ashton, said: "We have reacted swiftly to the serious

crisis in the Central African Republic. We are using all the tools at our disposal, from

humanitarian assistance to political support for the transition, to our long-term

development cooperation. But the absolute priority is to protect the civilian population

from any further violence, to ensure that the people of the Central African Republic can

live without fear and start rebuilding their country, and to make sure that humanitarian

aid can be provided. EUFOR RCA will deploy as soon as possible to back the remarkable

efforts of France and our African partners."

The Council also appointed Major-General Philippe Pontiès from France as EU Operation

Commander. Besides, it estimated the common costs of the operation at € 25.9 million for

a period of up to nine months comprising a three months preparatory phase and a mandate

of up to six months starting from the point of reaching full operational capability.

The operation headquarters will be in Larissa, Greece, while the force headquarters and the

troops will be located in Bangui, Central African Republic.

Preparations for the deployment are currently under way, following accelerated

procedures. The launch of operations will require a separate legal act.

At the Second High Level Meeting of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership, taking place on 12-13 February in Addis Ababa, African and European political and business leaders meet to review successes in the African energy sector and further deepen energy collaboration of the two continents. The Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP) is an established framework for energy cooperation between the two continents, offering a platform for dialogue and coordination of joint activities.

In 2010, at the First High Level Meeting of the Energy Partnership, African and EU ministers set ambitious targets in the areas of energy access, energy security, renewable energy and energy efficiency to be reached by the year 2020. Ever since, progress on achieving these targets has been tracked and collected in the First Status Report of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership: for instance the capacity of solar energy has seen rapid growth since 2010, and is projected to exceed original target – additional 500 MW by the year 2020 –by far.

At the current electrification rate, the target set by African and EU Energy ministers back in 2010 to provide 100 million Africans with access to modern and sustainable energy services may be met in 2020. However, with the African population rapidly growing, the share of the population without access to electricity in 2020 is expected to grow substantially. Strong political commitment and deliberate engagement of stakeholders is key to encourage investment and action towards bridging the gap of energy poverty in Africa. The Second High Level Meeting of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership will thus be directed towards shaping a forward-looking vision for energy cooperation between Africa and Europe and to delivering concrete results – political commitment to realise sustainable energy solutions for our future generations.

“The African Union is committed to further strengthen energy cooperation with Europe. Technology transfer and investment are key for sustainable energy development in Africa.”

Aboubakari Baba Moussa,

Director, Infrastructure and Energy Department, African Union

“The Africa-EU Energy Partnership is a bold initiative founded on a simple fact: namely that energy is fundamental to development. No energy means no sustained or sustainable economic growth, no sustainable agriculture, no quality healthcare; no decent education. In short, no energy means no development.“

H.E. Andris Piebalgs, Commissioner for Development Cooperation, European Commission

Special meeting of the Agriculture Development Working Group Leaders and Managers of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) National Agriculture Investment Plans ( NAIPs), on Country Post-Compact and Investment Plans Implementation

INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

When: Tuesday, 11 February 2014 at 8:30 a.m.

Where: African Union Commission Conference Centre- Medium Conference Hall

Who: African Union Commission and NEPAD Agency

Objectives: Share NAIP implementation progress and challenges and identify lessons learned;

• Discuss and identify lessons from efforts to coordinate and align donor assistance to specific components of NAIPs;

• Review and discuss the 2014 areas of focus and work streams/thematic areas being proposed to sustain momentum and sharpen focus on implementation efforts;

• Review and discuss areas of focus to accelerate the impact of NAIPs and investments on poverty and hunger reduction.

Participants: Senior government representatives, representatives from the RECs, and country and headquarter donor representatives.

The Ethiopian Minister of Agriculture, H.E Ato Tefera Deribew, will make the official opening remarks for the meeting.

Journalists are invited to cover the official opening ceremony on Tuesday February 11, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. The working agenda is attached.

　The type of ammunition in short supply was the same type possessed by Japan's Self-Defense Force (JSDF) unit. Given that among all the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) units currently deployed in South Sudan only the JSDF unit possessed stockpiles of the same type of ammunition, Japan determined that if it did not provide ammunitions the ROK unit would face the difficulties in protecting the lives of the ROK unit personnel and displaced people. For this reason, the Government of Japan decided to provide the required 10,000 rounds of ammunition to the United Nations based on the requests from the ROK Government and the United Nations.

　This contribution in kind was implemented in view of an urgent situation that required prompt action in order to protect the lives of both the ROK personnel and the displaced people. Given the urgent necessity and the highly humanitarian nature of the situation, the Chief Cabinet Secretary issued a statement announcing that the Three Principles on Arms Exports do not apply to this case and the provision of ammunition was implemented under the Contribution in Kind framework set forth in Article 25 of the Act on Cooperation for United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and Other Operations.

　The 10,000 rounds of ammunition were returned to the JSDF unit through UNMISS on January 16, 2014 after the ammunition for the ROK units was restocked by the ROK.

[Reference Material 1] Contribution in Kind in relation to UNMISS (transition by time) (PDF)

[Reference Material 2] Act on Cooperation for United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and Other Operations (excerpt) (PDF)

[Reference Material 3] Provided Goods(5.56mm ammunition)）and Weapons in Use (PDF)

The meeting is an implementation of the Decision of the Executive Council adopted at the January 2013 AU Heads of State and Government Summit, on the Report of the Second Session of the African Union Conference of Ministers responsible for Meteorology and the African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET) held in October 2012.

The Summit endorsed the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology and recommended the establishment of two Taskforces to draft the Implementation and Resource Mobilization Plan for the Integrated Strategy on Meteorology.

Further endorsed was the investigation of the feasibility of developing an African Regional Space Programme as well as a recommendation to the African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Partners to establish a Regional Climate Centre in Central Africa.

Officially opening the experts meeting, AMCOMET Bureau Chief and Head of International Relations of the Zimbabwe Meteorological Department, Dr. Elliot Bungare, said the Implementation Plan would be comprehensive in nature and would take into consideration the numerous issues affecting climate and meteorology.

He further said the implementation plan would support activities in line with the AU declared Year of Agriculture and Food Security.

Dr. Bungare also urged Regional Economic Communities to consider the integrated African Strategy whenever they discuss meteorology and climate change issues.

African Union Commission, Director for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Dr. Abebe Haile Gabriel said the development of the Implementation Plan under discussion was cardinal as it would improve the generation of climate information on the African continent.

He said improved generation of climate information would enhance the capacity of National and Hydro-Meteorological Services to explore the potential of Earth Observation (EO) technologies in monitoring droughts, floods, weather, climate, fisheries, rangelands, forests, etc, as a tool for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

“The drafting of the Implementation Plan is also very timely as we are still discussing our African Agenda 2063 on: Pan Africanism and African Renaissance; and in addition we are commemorating the 10 years of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programm.” Dr. Abebe said. “Furthermore, the recently held 22ndSession of the African Union Assembly launched the Year 2014 as the Year of Agriculture and Food Security. I have no doubt that the Implementation Plan being developed will support climate change adaptation in the field of agriculture which contributes to over 80% of rural livelihood needs and over 40% of GDP in Africa,” he added.

The Integrated Strategy was developed as a policy document to enhance the cooperation between African countries; and to ensure that National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) have the capacity to fulfill their responsibilities including the implementation of the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS).

The Strategy identifies five key pillars for action as follows: (a) Increase political support and recognition of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and related Regional Climate Centres; (b) Enhance weather and climate service delivery for sustainable development; (c) Improve access to meteorological services for in particular for Marine and Aviation Sectors; (d) Support the provision of weather and climate services for climate change adaptation and mitigation; and (e) Strengthen partnerships with relevant institutions and funding mechanisms.

The Strategy further sets out priority actions that can be undertaken at national, regional and global levels. These priority actions are supported by a set of institutional partnerships that bring together AMCOMET and Development Partners to support meteorological (weather and climate) services in Africa.

The workshop outlined the benefits of establishing RIC and RIXP by engaging participants and key regional stakeholders into discussions on operational and technical best practices, applicable policy and regulatory frameworks, regional interconnection strategies and existing business development models relevant to the region.

The overall objective of the discussions was to enhance interconnectivity within the region, encourage local content development and promote efficient information flow through accurate data localization, data hosting infrastructures / datacenters as well as through cost-saving peering and content distribution mechanisms. The workshop further established a minimum criteria for selecting Internet Service Providers and Internet Exchange Points to be supported to grow into Regional Internet Carriers and Regional Internet Exchange Points.

“This workshop served to empower the region to work towards keeping regional internet traffic within the region instead of transiting intra-regional traffic through overseas carriers” said Mr. Moctar Yedaly, Head of Information Society Division of the AU in his opening remarks.

As a way forward, the workshop agreed on setting up a regional policy and regulatory Committee to develop the regional interconnection policy and regulatory framework; Start the capacity building program to empower ISPs to take advantage of regional interconnections ; Finalise the IXP selection process and initiate the technical assistance program to support IXPs to grow into RIXPs.

For more information on the African Internet Exchange System Project, visit http://au.int/axis

At the conclusion of the visit, Mercedes Vera Martin, Mission Chief for Mauritania, issued the following statement:

“The mission made progress in the discussions with the Mauritanian authorities on the macroeconomic performance, economic policies and possible future financial support from the IMF.

“Mauritania's economic performance in 2013 remained strong driven by the expansion in mining and agricultural sectors; combined with contained inflation in line with declining import prices. Fiscal and external buffers continue to improve and the fiscal stance continues to consolidate its prudent path.

“The authorities are taking steps towards strengthen macroeconomic stability, while designing a comprehensive medium-term structural agenda that improves governance and supports more inclusive growth. The mission welcomes the authorities' intention to improve governance and transparency of the public sector overall with the aim to improve institutional capacity. Reforms to improve the business environment to support private sector development are crucial for economic diversification and more inclusive growth dynamics.

“Discussions with the authorities will continue once the new government is in place.

“The IMF remains fully committed to supporting Mauritania, and the mission would like to take this opportunity to thank the Mauritanian authorities and private sector representatives for their warm welcome and the quality of the discussions held.”

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

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/elumelufoundation.jpg

Launched in April 2013 at the Africa Impact Investing Forum supported by the Rockefeller Foundation and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, IEIF provides grant capital for entrepreneurs with projects that create jobs in underserved sectors, and supports proposals geared toward enabling capital solutions, fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems and promoting impact investing industry infrastructure.

Funded by the Rockefeller Foundation and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, the winners were selected from a highly competitive pool of hundreds of applicants from across Africa, and represented several sectors across the continent including Finance, Agriculture, Policy & Research and Information Technology.

Administered by the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), the rigorous selection process was undertaken by a committee which included Malik Fal, Managing Director of Omidyar Network Africa; Emmanuel N. Nnorom who was at the time, CEO of UBA Africa and currently the President of Heirs Holdings Group; Amit Bouri, Managing Director of the Global Impact Investing Network; Eme Essien Lore, Senior Associate Director at the Rockefeller Foundation Africa Regional Office,; and Dr. Wiebe Boer, CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Making the list of winning applications were Investisseurs & Partenaires (Senegal), Renew LLC (Ethiopia), M.Lab Africa (Kenya), Policy and Economic Research Council (Tanzania), Doreo Partners (Nigeria), GIMPA Centre for Impact Investing (Ghana) and SliceBiz (Ghana).

The vision for the winners is to enable through their various projects, opportunities for additional entrepreneurship activities across Africa to thrive. “The winners were selected for their work in bridging the gap between African businesses and financing options. We, at the Foundation are excited to be part of the process of supporting interventions that contribute to sustained economic development across the continent.” Dr. Wiebe Boer, explained

Upon receipt of the grant, several winners expressed renewed commitment to providing support services to their stakeholders with the additional supporting resources at their disposal.

"The IEIF grant will assist us to augment our portfolio of services with improved interventions for social enterprises and enable us increase the potential for success for start-ups that go through our incubation program." said John Kieti of M.Lab, the grant winner from Kenya.

"Thanks to this funding, we can now focus on our core mission of creating alternative finance pathways for the next generation of African Start-ups through a micro-investment platform. This funding is by far our most remarkable opportunity to date and we intend to fully leverage the advantages to deliver some key outcomes for the Ghanaian and African start-up ecosystem,” added William Senyo the CEO of SliceBiz, one of the winners from Ghana.

Eme Essien Lore, Senior Associate Director at the Rockefeller Foundation, Africa Regional Office expressed enthusiasm for IEIF's contributions to the global network of global investors. “The business ideas we received through the IEIF reflect the extensive entrepreneurial potential that exists in Africa. Our Foundation continues to believe that impact investing can transform the development landscape across the continent and we welcome opportunities such as the IEIF to prove that.”

The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) will play an administrative role to manage the IEIF on behalf of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

For more information contact

Achieng' Otieno, Communications Officer, the Rockefeller Foundation Africa Regional Office

aotieno@rockfound.org, +254 704 848792

Eniola Shitta, Communications Executive, the Tony Elumelu Foundation,

eniola.shitta@tonyelumelufoundation.org, +234 813 003 1156

About Impact Investing

Impact investing includes those investments aimed at solving social or environmental challenges, while generating a financial return. The impact investing industry has the potential to steer significant capital to market-based solutions in sustainable agriculture, affordable housing, affordable and accessible healthcare, clean technology, financial services for the poor, and other sectors addressing the world's most pressing problems. Impact investments can be made in both emerging and developed markets, and target a range of returns from below market to market rate, depending upon the circumstances. For more information, please visit this link: http://bit.ly/1iHbgKt.

About The Rockefeller Foundation

For more than 100 years, The Rockefeller Foundation's mission has been to promote the well-being of humanity throughout the world. Today, The Rockefeller Foundation pursues this mission through dual goals: advancing inclusive economies that expand opportunities for more broadly shared prosperity, and building resilience by helping people, communities and institutions prepare for, withstand, and emerge stronger from acute shocks and chronic stresses. To achieve these goals, The Rockefeller Foundation works at the intersection of four focus areas – advance health, revalue ecosystems, secure livelihoods, and transform cities – to address the root causes of emerging challenges and create systemic change. Together with partners and grantees, The Rockefeller Foundation strives to catalyze and scale transformative innovations, create unlikely partnerships that span sectors, and take risks others cannot – or will not. To learn more, please visit http://www.rockefellerfoundation.org

About The Tony Elumelu Foundation

Founded in 2010, The Tony Elumelu Foundation (http://www.tonyelumelufoundation.org) is an African-funded philanthropic organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship in Africa by enhancing the competitiveness of the private sector. The Foundation creates impact through business leadership and entrepreneurship development programmes, impact investments, research, and policy advocacy. For more information, please visit http://www.tonyelumelufoundation.org

About The Global Impact Investing Network

The Global Impact Investing Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the scale and effectiveness of impact investing. Impact investments are investments made into companies, organizations, and funds with the intention to generate measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return. They can be made in both emerging and developed markets, and target a range of returns from below market to market rate, depending upon the circumstances. The GIIN builds critical infrastructure and supports activities, education, and research that help accelerate the development of a coherent impact investing industry. For more information, please visit http://www.thegiin.org

« Ils étaient partis de Kidal pour regagner leur base à Gao lorsque nous avons perdu le contact, dans des circonstances que nous ignorons encore. Il est important de ne pas faire de spéculation, bien qu'aucune piste ne soit écartée. », a declaré Christoph Luedi, chef de la délégation du CICR au Mali. « Extrêmement préoccupés par le sort de nos collègues, nous faisons tout ce qui est en notre pouvoir pour les localiser au plus vite ».

Au Mali, le CICR travaille sans relâche pour fournir une aide humanitaire impartiale à la population affectée par le conflit. « Nous appelons au respect de nos équipes, pour qu'elles puissent accomplir leur travail », a ajouté M. Luedi.

Le CICR est en contact avec toutes les parties en présence afin de localiser ses collaborateurs. Tout sera mis en œuvre pour les retrouver.