Updated hourlyHourly refreshSun, Oct 25, 2026
Finance · Cybersecurity
ment of 96.5% of its annual targets and the publication of 302 statistical releases during the year under review. Stats SA is central to evidence-based planning and policymaking, committee members said, providing the information required for monitoring economic growth, employment, poverty, governance and service delivery.
Nonetheless, the committee raised concerned about Stats SA’s 23% vacancy rate, with some programmes recording significantly higher vacancy levels. For example, the South African National Statistics System programme reported a vacancy rate of 43.8%, raising concerns about long-term sustainability and institutional capacity.
The committee also noted weaknesses in consequence management at Stats SA and raised concerns about the slow progress in investigating accumulated irregular expenditure of approximately R851 million and fruitless and wasteful expenditure of R14 million.
During deliberations, committee members highlighted concerns around asset management, including the safeguarding of electronic devices used during census operations. The committee questioned whether sufficient preventative measures had been implemented to recover stolen devices and reduce the likelihood of similar incidents occurring in the future.
The committee recognised that Stats SA successfully averted a major cyberattack but emphasised that additional investments in cybersecurity, ICT infrastructure and digital systems are required to safeguard critical data and modernise the organisation’s operations.
While Stats SA spent 99.3% of its allocated budget, the committee noted that the organisation continues to face severe financial and operational constraints. Members called for a comprehensive recruitment and retention strategy to address scarce skills shortages and ensure that Stats SA remains capable of delivering high-quality statistical products and services.
The committee welcomed Brand South Africa’s fourth consecutive clean audit. Members acknowledged the entity’s efforts to enhance South Africa’s international profile through platforms such as the G20 Presidency, the World Economic Forum and investment promotion engagements.
The committee noted that Brand SA spent approximately R263.5 million against a budget of R235.2 million, representing expenditure of about 112% of its available budget. However, Brand SA achieved only 82% of its performance targets.
Members questioned the relationship between expenditure and outcomes and called for stronger evidence demonstrating value for money and measurable impact. They were also concerned about Brand SA’s vacancy rate of approximately 28%, including vacancies in finance and other critical positions. Members noted that Brand SA’s structure has not been reviewed since 2014, despite changes in the communications environment and its expanding responsibilities.
The committee also voiced its concern about the absence of a fully functional internal audit unit. Members warned that this presents risks to governance, financial management, operations and risk management. The committee further raised concerns about fruitless and wasteful expenditure amounting to R5.35 million and irregular expenditure relating to work performed without a valid contract. Members called for stronger consequence management, contract management and accountability mechanisms.
The committee also questioned inconsistencies identified between Brand SA’s annual report, presentations and supporting documentation. Members noted discrepancies in some rankings, indicators and calculations presented to Parliament and called for improved quality assurance and verification processes.
Members of the committee questioned the effectiveness of Brand SA’s efforts to counter negative international narratives, misinformation and geopolitical tensions that may affect South Africa’s reputation globally. Members requested evidence demonstrating how these interventions have protected and enhanced South Africa’s image and investment attractiveness.
The committee also asked for clarity on discussions about the possibility of consolidating Brand SA with other government marketing entities and requested further information on the sustainability of its partnership-funding model and multilateral partnerships.
As part of its recommendations, the committee directed the DPME, Stats SA and Brand SA to submit corrective action plans addressing governance shortcomings, audit findings, vacancies, institutional risks and performance weaknesses. The committee also called for regular reporting to Parliament on progress in implementing the committee’s recommendations.
Committee Chairperson Ms Teliswa Mgweba said the committee will continue to closely monitor progress. “Parliament’s oversight responsibility goes beyond expenditure tracking and target reporting. Our focus is to ensure that public resources result in measurable outcomes, stronger institutions and meaningful improvements in the lives of South Africans. Accountability, consequence management and effective implementation remain critical to achieving these objectives,” said Ms Mgweba.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Oct 22 · 19:55·APO Group
AI · Healthcare
The World Health Organization (WHO) Ethiopia Country Office, in partnership with Plan International Ethiopia, hosted Ms. Timrhabiruk Mulugeta as the symbolic WHO Representative for a Day as part of the global Girls Takeover 2026 (#ChangeHerForecast) campaign. The initiative marked the International Day of the Girl and supported this year’s theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights.”
The Girls Takeover initiative empowers adolescent girls and young women by providing opportunities to assume leadership roles, amplify their voices, challenge gender stereotypes, and participate in decision-making processes. This year’s global campaign, #ChangeHerForecast, highlights the disproportionate impact of climate change and humanitarian crises on girls, particularly in relation to their health, education, protection, and future opportunities.
During her symbolic leadership role, Ms. Timrhabiruk participated in high-level meetings and engagements, gaining firsthand insight into WHO’s work in Ethiopia. She accompanied the WHO Representative on a visit to the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute and contributed to discussions on innovation, health, youth leadership, and development. She also participated in a coordination meeting to prepare for the 7th Emergency Medical Teams Global Meeting.
Throughout the day, Ms. Timrhabiruk advocated for girls’ rights, gender equality, youth participation, and stronger action to address the challenges that climate change and humanitarian crises pose to girls and young women. Her participation underscored the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for young women to engage directly with leaders and contribute to shaping policies that affect their communities.
A 2026 graduate of the School of Social Work at Addis Ababa University, Ms. Timrhabiruk has been actively engaged in community support, youth participation, and social justice advocacy. Through her work with the Ethiopia ACT Project, she has supported vulnerable individuals and families through psychosocial services, counselling, livelihood assistance, and conflict resolution initiatives.
Speaking at the conclusion of the event, Professor Francis Chisaka Kasolo, WHO Representative to Ethiopia, the African Union, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), commended Ms. Timrhabiruk’s leadership and engagement.
“We commend her commitment and enthusiasm and extend our best wishes for her continued success as a future leader and advocate for positive change,” Professor Kasolo said.
The event reaffirmed the shared commitment of WHO Ethiopia and Plan International Ethiopia to promoting girls’ leadership, empowerment, and meaningful participation in decision-making. By investing in girls and creating opportunities for them to lead, the Girls Takeover initiative contributes to building a more equitable and inclusive future.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.
Oct 22 · 19:42·APO Group
Energy · Travel
In a significant move towards sustainability, Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center has announced the completion and activation of a large-scale solar energy system. This installation, which spans approximately 3.5 acres atop the resort’s convention center, was unveiled on October 21, 2026, coinciding with World Energy Saving Day. The solar array consists of 4,696 panels … Continue reading "Gaylord National Resort Unveils Expansive Solar Energy System"
Oct 22 · 18:06·PressReach
Energy · Sustainability
River Turbine Market Analysis The Business Research Company The Business Research Company’s River Turbine Global Market Report 2026 – Market Size, Trends, And Forecast 2026-2035 LONDON, GREATER LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, October 22, 2026 / EINPresswire.com / -- The river turbine market is experiencing notable expansion as the world shifts toward cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. With growing environmental con
Oct 22 · 16:15·EIN Presswire
Retail · Sustainability
Digital wealth platforms, ESG advisory and Consumer Duty transparency are reshaping UK financial advice, while London leads sophisticated wealth services.
Digital wealth platforms, ESG advisory and Consumer Duty transparency are reshaping UK financial advice, while London leads sophisticated wealth services.
Oct 22 · 16:07·GlobeNewswire
SaaS · Energy
African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 concluded in Cape Town after five days of dealmaking, licensing announcements and project updates aimed at accelerating investment across Africa’s energy sector. Organized by the African Energy Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org), the October 12–16 conference brought together more than 12,000 international delegates, including government officials, national oil companies, private operators, financiers and technology providers.
The summit secured more than $17 billion in total commitments, while governments presented new investment opportunities and companies formalized strategic partnerships. Discussions covered upstream development, energy infrastructure, digital technologies and workforce training, with commercial initiatives designed to move projects closer to financing and implementation.
Returning as Africa’s Biggest Energy Marketplace
The Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) hosted a conference built around connecting project developers with investors. Two dedicated platforms anchored its commercial program: the Premier Invest Deal Room and the African Farmout Forum.
Organized by Premier Invest, the Deal Room presented 15 oil, gas, infrastructure and power projects seeking more than $16 billion in investment. Project sponsors pitched opportunities to potential financiers, including development finance institutions, commercial lenders and institutional investors. Proposals covered upstream exploration, LNG infrastructure, gas-to-power facilities and downstream development.
The African Farmout Forum, held October 12 with Moyes & Co, Farmout Angel and Envoi Ltd, showcased 23 investment opportunities across established and frontier African basins. Operators delivered five-minute pitches covering assets, technical data and investment terms, while a dedicated Wall of Farmouts and investor meetings facilitated discussions around equity farm-downs and joint ventures.
National Investment Strategies
African governments used AEW 2026 to promote licensing opportunities, outline regulatory reforms and attract capital for exploration and production.
Ivory Coast presented its ambition to become a regional energy hub by 2035, backed by a $10 billion energy expansion strategy. The government highlighted the Calao and Calao South blocks as opportunities for foreign exploration and production companies.
Liberia launched its 2026 Direct Negotiation Petroleum Licensing Round through the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority. The round offers 15 blocks across the Liberia and Harper basins, supported by 50,000 line-km of 2D seismic data and 31,000 km2 of 3D seismic coverage.
Meanwhile, Gabon outlined petroleum code reforms intended to attract exploration investment through more flexible contractual terms, lower entry costs and streamlined approvals.
Uganda reaffirmed its commitment to first oil from the Lake Albert developments while advancing plans for a 60,000-barrel-per-day (bpd) domestic refinery targeted for completion by 2030.
Senegal presented 104 blocks to investors, expanding access to deepwater and onshore acreage, while Algeria promoted seven onshore exploration blocks in its anticipated bidding round, with Sonatrach highlighting available geological data and development potential.
Major Deals and Partnerships
AEW 2026 produced several corporate agreements spanning energy data, offshore operations, digitalization, aviation fuels and infrastructure research.
The AEC and S&P Global Energy signed a five-year strategic partnership focused on improving African energy data transparency and market intelligence. The collaboration will support energy outlooks and analysis intended to inform investment decisions.
Angola’s Etu Energias, Chariot and BW Energy announced a tripartite agreement aimed at advancing offshore development by combining local operating capabilities with international technical expertise. The South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) and SLB agreed to collaborate on digital transformation, including cloud-based data systems and advanced subsurface technologies.
Sasol and White Desert formalized a sustainable aviation fuel offtake agreement to support commercial supply and distribution. Meanwhile, Imbono and the University of Cape Town announced a three-year partnership linking academic research and commercial investment to develop future-ready infrastructure.
Project Announcements and Updates
Senegal’s Petrosen outlined progress on the Yakaar-Teranga gas project, targeting a final investment decision by the end of 2027. The ultra-deepwater development remains a significant opportunity to expand domestic gas supply.
In Mozambique, Eni confirmed that drilling for its Coral North FLNG project would begin in November 2026, advancing development in the country’s offshore gas sector. Furthermore, TotalEnergies also announced that it had secured a deepwater drillship for an upcoming exploration and appraisal campaign offshore Nigeria. The campaign is expected to advance work on prospects in the country’s deepwater acreage.
Workforce Development and Capacity Building
AEW featured initiatives to strengthen Africa’s technical and financial skills base. The AEW Future Leaders Student Challenge recognized three leading university teams for engineering solutions and financial modelling aimed at addressing energy-sector development challenges.
The ExxonMobil Foundation STEM Africa Challenge gave African students a platform to present technology and engineering concepts addressing energy access. The initiative focused on student-led solutions for clean energy, decentralized solar power and off-grid applications.
Beyond the Conference Floor
Networking continued through the African Energy Awards and Gala Dinner, which recognized leadership, exploration achievements and institutional reforms across the sector.
The Just Energy Transition Concert at the Grand Africa Café combined African musical performances with opportunities for delegates to build commercial relationships. Business-to-business meetings, corporate breakfasts, ministerial roundtables and beachfront receptions extended discussions beyond formal sessions.
Together, the investment platforms, national showcases, corporate agreements and project updates positioned AEW 2026 as a major meeting point for African energy stakeholders seeking capital, partners and routes to project execution.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Oct 22 · 16:00·APO Group
SaaS · Energy
Algeria’s Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies Mourad Adjal will participate as a speaker at MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026, bringing senior government expertise on gas, power infrastructure, renewable energy and regional energy integration to the event’s investment and policy discussions. Minister Adjal joins Algeria’s Hydrocarbons Minister Mohamed Arkab at the event, taking place December 1–3 in Dakar.
His participation comes as Algeria advances major renewable energy and hydrogen programs while strengthening its position as a regional energy partner. The country is implementing a 15,000 MW renewable energy program through 2035, with a first phase comprising 3,200 MW of solar capacity currently underway. The program offers relevant experience for MSGBC countries seeking to expand generation capacity while integrating larger shares of renewable power into their energy systems.
Hydrogen is also becoming a major component of Algeria’s energy strategy. The country is participating in the SoutH2 Corridor, which aims to establish infrastructure linking North African hydrogen production with European markets, while the Algeria-Europe Alliance for Hydrogen is progressing toward the publication of its feasibility study results in 2027.
These developments have direct relevance to the MSGBC region, where Mauritania and Senegal are positioning themselves for large-scale green hydrogen development alongside expanding oil and gas production. The combination of new generation capacity, transmission infrastructure and export-oriented energy projects is creating growing demand for integrated regional energy systems.
Minister Adjal also brings extensive experience from Algeria’s electricity and gas sector at a time when MSGBC countries are developing gas-to-power infrastructure and cross-border energy connections. Senegal is advancing domestic gas utilisation and new power capacity, while Mauritania is combining LNG development with emerging hydrogen projects and wider plans for energy-intensive industrial development.
Before becoming minister in September 2025, Adjal served as Chairman and CEO of Sonelgaz, Algeria’s state-owned electricity and gas utility, from December 2021. He previously led the Electricity and Gas Distribution Company and held senior regional roles including President of the Mediterranean Transmission System Operators Association and Chairman of the Maghreb Electricity Committee.
His participation adds senior North African perspective to an MSGBC market increasingly focused on converting resource discoveries into producing assets, reliable power and integrated infrastructure. As Senegal, Mauritania and neighbouring markets develop gas, electricity and renewable projects, Adjal’s experience across utility-scale energy systems will contribute to discussions on building the infrastructure required for the region’s next phase of growth.
MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power will convene international operators, service companies and investors in Dakar to explore opportunities across the region’s energy sector. To secure a delegate pass or learn more, visit www.MSGBCOilGasandPower.com or email sales@energycapitalpower.com.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
Oct 22 · 16:00·APO Group
Sustainability · Investing & markets
More than 80% of asset owners and asset managers expect sustainable allocations to increase over the next two years, but at a lower pace than 2025 Top drivers include growth opportunities and rising materiality of sustainability risks, with data availability the leading concern Two-thirds of institutional investors consid
Oct 22 · 16:00·Business Wire
Energy · Sustainability
The global Building Insulation Market is set to experience steady expansion over the next decade, fueled by increasing global emphasis on energy conservation, strict government regulations on carbon emissions, and growing demand for sustainable architecture. According to the latest industry ...
Read more
Oct 22 · 15:35·PR News Releaser
Food & drink · Sustainability
Workstream Feature Series NORTHAMPTON, MA / October 22, 2026 / Welcome to the BIER Workstream Feature Series, an ongoing series highlighting the collaborative initiatives, technical expertise, and practical resources that help beverage companies address shared environmental sustainability challenges. Each feature explores one of BIER's active workstreams, giving members, partners, and industry stake
Oct 22 · 15:30·ACCESS Newswire
Sustainability
Thermostat Recycling Corp. Danielle Myers Thermostat Recycling Corp. encourages consumers and contractors to recycle mercury-containing thermostats We established this day to encourage people to take a moment, check their homes or job sites, and do their part in recycling mercury thermostats.” — Danielle Myers, Executive Director, TRC WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, October 22, 2026 / EINPresswire.com / -- Thermostat
Oct 22 · 15:09·EIN Presswire
Healthcare · Retail
The eco-friendly water bottle market is expected to witness substantial growth through 2034 as consumers increasingly prioritize sustainability, convenience, and health-conscious living. The growing movement toward reducing single-use plastics has accelerated demand for reusable water bottles made from stainless steel, ...
Read more
Oct 22 · 14:49·PR News Releaser