Latest news with #NEPAD
Zawya
9 hours ago
- Zawya
RESPECT Unveiled: Makes it Easy for EdTech Stakeholders to Embrace African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa's Development's (AUDA-NEPAD) Africa EdTech 2030 Vision
RESPECT ™ ( a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for Education, was announced today during the STEMtastic Adventures! Africa symposium. RESPECT was developed by the Spix Foundation to make it easy for Africa's EdTech stakeholders to embrace AUDA NEPAD's Africa EdTech 2030 Vision and Plan ( announced earlier this month. AUDA NEPAD's Vision proposes that, by 2030, "every African student should have access to the world's best interactive digital courseware—developed in Africa by Africans—on smartphones already present in their pockets, households, and/or schools". With today's release of RESPECT Version 1, Africa has gained a multi-year head start over the rest of the world. The United Nations has only this year started talking seriously about the need for a DPI for Education ( Africa has already released it. Africa is already ahead. To accomplish the Vision, Africa need only leverage its new advantage to the hilt. Speaking at the launch, John Kimotho, EdTech Consultant, Spix Foundation and Head of RESPECT Africa Office, said: 'Much of EdTech is pilot-driven and disconnected from education systems, leaving developers without clear growth pathways and teachers with tools that don't last. RESPECT makes it easy for policymakers, educators, and developers, to build solutions that align with real classroom needs and can grow and last.' The launch coincides with AUDA-NEPAD's release of sobering statistics ( only 40% of African primary schools have internet access, an estimated 30 million primary-age children remain out of school, and the continent will need 17 million additional teachers by 2030 just to maintain universal access. Meanwhile, billions in education technology investment have resulted in fragmented, unsustainable pilot projects rather than scalable solutions. 'Africa has a unique opportunity to simultaneously drive access to free localised edtech solutions that can reach all parts of the education ecosystem, even those offline, while making it profitable and sustainable to develop the world's best interactive digital courseware, right here in Africa;' said John Kimotho. 'The system has been failing the innovators, not the other way around, and RESPECT makes it easy for those innovators to deliver the education technology solutions that Africa's children need.' The scale of market fragmentation Recent analysis by the mEducation Alliance ( revealed that developers must navigate different rules, requirements, and procurement protocols in nearly every African country, resulting in what researchers term "small-batch deployment" – a Kenya pilot here, a Senegal district project there, with each requiring complete retooling. The consequence is a paradox: whilst Africa has produced world-class educational technology – from Kenya's classroom management systems to Senegal's Wolof-language XamXam platform serving 1.2 million users – these innovations remain largely isolated within their countries of origin. "Teachers are experiencing 'tool fatigue' from juggling multiple siloed applications with no central access or data integration," notes the mEducation Alliance's 2024 report on digital courseware in low- and middle-income countries. "This discourages adoption, even when individual apps are excellent." Key problems – and solutions AUDA NEPAD's Vision and Plan notes two key problems: (1) the lack of real-time, reliable data about what digital courseware works best for different learners, and (2) barriers to scale including policy, commercial, and technological obstacles. "AUDA-NEPAD observes that if Africa solves these two problems—by making it easy for courseware to generate real-time data for ranking and research, and by lowering policy, technical, and commercial barriers—then market forces will do the rest," according to the Vision and Plan. All RESPECT Compatible™ apps send data on every learner-app interaction to the relevant authority – within the bounds of the jurisdiction's data privacy, security, and sovereignty laws – enabling that authority to implement data-dependent techniques such as Teaching at the Right Level and Structured Pedagogy. This data, federated at the continental level, enables courseware ranking and research. RESPECT lowers the aforementioned policy barriers by implementing AUDA-NEPAD's new Policy Framework for Standards-Based, Vendor-Neutral EdTech, a draft of which was released for public comment today. RESPECT lowers the technical barriers through the implementation of a range of on-device technologies from data compression, web caching, proxy servers, and mesh networking to make it easy for courseware app developers to write a single app that works online, offline, and intermittently online. Likewise, it has early support for systematic text localization and, eventually, curriculum standards mapping, that are expected to provide easy technological fixes for complex scaling problems. Also, RESPECT enforces interoperability through internationally-standardized APIs such as xAPI, OneRoster, and OAuth. RESPECT lowers the commercial barriers by providing all RESPECT Compatible ™ apps for free to all students and intermediaries, while paying the developers and localizers of said apps based on those apps' usage (and later, impact). RESPECT' s revenue, derived from sponsorships, will go primarily to these developers and localizers. Think of it as 'YouTube meets PBS Kids' ( for EdTech apps. Looking ahead "The opportunity is historic, but time is short," concluded Kimotho. "We need to stop lamenting the barriers and start dismantling them systematically." Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Practice Ltd. Note to editors: RESPECT and RESPECT Compatible are trademarks of the Spix Foundation. RESPECT: Full African EdTech 2030: Vision&Plan: mEducation Alliance Report - Leading Perspectives on the State of Digital Courseware in Low Resource Countries: For interviews, please contact: Joslyne Muthoni Africa Practice jmuthoni@ Follow RESPECT: Website: LinkedIn: About RESPECT: RESPECT is an open source digital library for EdTech apps. It makes it easier for educators to discover and use high-quality apps in all settings, while giving developers the platform they need to grow their impact globally. RESPECT sets strong interoperable technical standards, while enabling developers to monetise their tools through a simple sponsor supported revenue model. What RESPECT offers: By aligning incentives across policy, pedagogy, and technology, RESPECT makes it easier to access, build, scale and sustain resilient edtech innovations. At its core, RESPECT connects the needs of developers and educators, supporting high quality, locally contextualised tools that reflect real classroom conditions and align with local languages and curriculum goals. It's about building EdTech that lasts, where it matters most. About AUDA-NEPAD: The African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa's Development (AUDA-NEPAD) is the continental development agency of the African Union, established to coordinate and execute priority regional and continental development projects to promote regional integration towards the accelerated achievement of Agenda 2063. Full African EdTech 2030: Vision&Plan: About STEMtastic Adventures! Africa: STEMtastic Adventures! Africa is hosted by the Centre for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) from July 22-25, 2025, bringing together leading thinkers, activists, and implementers to advance STEM education across the continent. mEducation Alliance Report - Leading Perspectives on the State of Digital Courseware in Low Resource Countries:
Middle East
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Middle East
OPEN// Diplomats: Sisi's presence at AU summit shows Egypt's support for regional unity
CAIRO, July 13 (MENA) – President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's participation in the African Union's mid-year coordination summit in Malabo reflects Egypt's continued support for African unity, development, and regional cooperation, diplomats said. In statements to MENA, they added that President Sisi's remarks at the summit reaffirmed Egypt's role in supporting development and stability across the continent, and its active engagement within African Union frameworks. Former assistant foreign minister Mona Omar said that Sisi's attendance showed that Africa remains at the heart of Egypt's foreign policy, despite ongoing regional crises. She noted that Sisi's presence among just 16 attending leaders was a strong signal of Egypt's commitment. She added that Sisi represented Egypt not only as president, but also as head of NEPAD, which Egypt will continue chairing until 2026, and the North Africa Regional Capability, which deals with serious security challenges in Libya, Sudan, and the Sahel. For his part, former assistant foreign minister Salah Halima stated that Egypt plays a big role in pushing African development through NEPAD, particularly in areas like regional trade, industrial growth, and cross-border infrastructure. He cited the Cairo–Cape Town road and the Victoria–Mediterranean link as priority projects. He called for more African support for the North Africa Regional Capability based in Cairo, which focuses on peace and crisis response. Meanwhile, former deputy foreign minister Ali El Hefny noted that the summit was especially important as the continent faces economic, security, and climate challenges. He added that Egypt is working with African states on four main fronts: counterterrorism and migration, political coordination and conflict resolution, economic development, and social cooperation in education, health, and climate action. Hefny affirmed that Egypt's leadership role in both development and regional security was evident throughout the summit, and that recent bilateral meetings with African leaders reflect Cairo's intent to expand cooperation and overcome barriers to growth across the continent. (MENA) H A T/R E E
Zawya
14-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
East African Community (EAC) Champions Harmonised Africa Resource Mobilisation Strategy as it assumes EAC-Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)-Southern African Development Community (SADC) Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) Leadership
As the African continent continues to grapple with limited resources to finance its development agenda and ambitions, the East African Community (EAC) Secretary General, Hon. Veronica M. Nduva, has called for a unified, continent-wide resource mobilization strategy to replace fragmented and duplicative efforts and to strengthen Africa's resource coalition. The Secretary General observed that while the region has held various forums deliberating on strategies to pool resources for the continent, there is need for a harmonized and streamlined approach to deliver a common strategy. She emphasized the importance of coordinated action to unlock large-scale financing capable of advancing the goals of the African Union's Agenda 2063. Hon. Nduva was speaking at a high-level roundtable convened by the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on the sidelines of the 7th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms. The meeting brought together the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, heads of African Union institutions, Regional Economic Communities, African Union Member States' representatives, development partners, and other key stakeholders to deliberate on how to fast-track the realization of Agenda 2063 through more effective and African-led resource mobilization. The Secretary General advocated for blended financing that leverages public, private, and philanthropic capital. She urged greater involvement of African philanthropists and the private sector in defining and deepening their contributions. 'It is also critical that we consider the adoption of austerity measures to ensure that resources allocated for projects deliver the intended outcomes,' she stated. Hon. Nduva further underscored the importance of integrating technology into all efforts to strengthen planning, coordination, and implementation. Echoing this call for transformation, the AU Commission Chairperson,H.E. Youssouf stressed the urgency of moving away from donor dependency towards a model anchored in African ownership and alignment with the continent's priorities. 'As we prepare for the official launch of the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) Agreement during the 4th Tripartite Summit, it is essential that the key instruments critical to the operationalization of the TFTA are adopted by the next Meeting of the Tripartite Council of Ministers,' he emphasized. At the same Summit, the EAC took over the Chairmanship of the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Task Force (TTF) from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) , for the next one Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) Agreement officially entered into force on 25 July 2024, having reached the required 14 ratifications by Member and Partner States. Preparations are now underway for its formal launch during the forthcoming 4th Tripartite Summit. As a key building block of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the TFTA seeks to integrate the economies of the three regional blocs, eliminate trade barriers, ease the movement of goods, services and people and stimulate industrial growth across the region. Hon. Nduva noted that the EAC will focus on advancing the finalization and exchange of tariff offers, completion and adoption of the rules of origin, ratification of the TFTA Agreement by the remaining Member/Partner States and ratification of the Tripartite Agreement on the movement of business and persons. 'We are committed to prioritizing the operationalization of the agreements made and the revival of the Industrial Development Pillar,' she stated. Hon. Nduva also underscored the importance of strengthening the institutional framework around the TFTA, including the need for a dedicated Tripartite Secretariat to drive coordination and implementation. 'We see the Tripartite FTA as a strategic lever to deepen integration, enhance competitiveness, unlock intra-African trade and advance inclusive industrialization,' she added. The meeting also explored options for mobilizing resources to support the TFTA's operations and activities. The COMESA-EAC-SADC TFTA was first launched in June 2015 in Egypt by Heads of State and Government from the three blocs. It is anchored on three core pillars: market integration, infrastructure development and industrial development. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of East African Community (EAC).
Middle East
13-07-2025
- Business
- Middle East
OPEN// Sisi: Several African nations outpaced global growth despite challenges
MALABO, July 13 (MENA) — Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said on Sunday that despite challenging global conditions, several African countries have achieved economic growth rates that surpass the global average. Speaking on behalf of the Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), which Egypt currently chairs, Sisi delivered his remarks at the seventh Mid-Year Coordination Summit of the African Union, held in Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea. Sisi thanked member states of the committee for their cooperation in steering NEPAD's activities, which he said enabled the agency to fulfill its role as the AU's executive development arm. He also expressed appreciation to the agency's chief executive officer, Nardos Bekele-Thomas, for her leadership and innovative initiatives. 'I have had the honor of chairing the committee over the past two years, and I am convinced that the Africa we aspire to is within reach—not merely a dream,' Sisi said. 'Despite multiple internal and external challenges, many African nations have advanced significantly in areas such as health and education system reform, localizing vital industries, improving the investment climate, boosting intra-African trade, and progressing in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).' Sisi stressed that these developments underscore the importance of continued joint efforts to push forward the continent's development agenda and advance Africa's legitimate demands on the global stage. He noted that during Egypt's tenure, the committee focused on key priorities to accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2063 and pursue sustainable solutions to Africa's challenges through a holistic, root-cause-based approach. Among NEPAD's recent accomplishments, Sisi highlighted: — Bridging the Funding Gap: NEPAD, with the committee's guidance, completed a feasibility study for establishing a development fund aimed at mobilizing investment across the continent. He urged the African Union's relevant bodies to finalize and adopt the study so the fund can begin operations soon. — Infrastructure Development: NEPAD has expedited the identification and funding of priority infrastructure projects, valued at around $500 million, under the Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative. Efforts also continue in implementing green infrastructure corridors, a continental energy master plan, and the common African agricultural policy—all key to regional integration. — Human Capital Investment: NEPAD secured $100 million for the African Population Grant to support reproductive health services and another €100 million under the African Skills Initiative to enhance technical and digital skills, creating job opportunities for youth. — Climate Action: A NEPAD Centre of Excellence for climate change is being established in Cairo to support African countries in addressing existential climate threats. — Agency Expansion: NEPAD is increasing its presence across African states in response to national requests and priorities, with Sisi expressing pride in the growing number of agency offices continent-wide. In conclusion, Sisi said these efforts represent just a sample of the progress achieved over the past two years through NEPAD's work under the committee's supervision. He called on African leaders to use the summit to renew their commitment to advancing the African agenda and empowering NEPAD to continue fostering peace and development across the continent. (MENA) R E E/
Zawya
01-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Madbouly confirms Egypt's support to launch COE for climate change
Arab Finance: Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly affirmed Egypt's support to launch a Center of Excellence (COE) for Climate Change, Resilience, and Adaptation, which will start operation soon, according to a statement. His remarks came during a meeting with Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO of the African Union Development Agency - New Partnerships for Africa's Development (AUDA-NEPAD). The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Spain. Madbouly stressed Egypt's keenness to utilize its NEPAD presidency to support the agency's development plans and secure the necessary funding. On her part, Thomas highlighted efforts to establish a development fund for the NEPAD, expressing her aspiration to benefit from Egyptian expertise in the agency's work. Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat indicated that she will coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the NEPAD on some activities and events that support the agency's operations in the coming period. © 2020-2023 Arab Finance For Information Technology. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
