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Les cultures traditionnelles africaines sur le devant de la scène mondiale: la chercheuse Pamela Afokpe remporte le prestigieux prix Norman Borlaug 2026 pour la recherche sur le terrain



Aujourd'hui, Pamela Afokpe, chercheuse en sciences végétales et responsable des opérations R&D chez East-West Seed (www.EastWestSeed.com) Afrique de l'Ouest, reçoit le prix Norman Borlaug 2026 pour la recherche et l'application sur le terrain, décerné par la Fondation du World Food Prize à Des Moines, dans l'Iowa.

Financé par la Fondation Rockefeller, le prix Borlaug récompense les réalisations scientifiques exceptionnelles sur le terrain accomplies par des chercheurs de moins de 40 ans. Pamela Afokpe est distinguée pour son travail pionnier visant à transformer les légumes traditionnels africains, historiquement négligés par le secteur semencier formel, en d'importantes opportunités commerciales pour les petits producteurs.

Pamela Afokpe reçoit cette distinction sur la même scène de Des Moines où son mentor, le regretté Simon N. Groot, fondateur d'East-West Seed, a reçu le World Food Prize en 2019. Cela marque la continuité de l'héritage d'East-West Seed sur cette scène mondiale, sept ans plus tard.

Associer une génétique de pointe à un impact concret sur le terrain

Bien qu'ils nourrissent des millions de personnes depuis des générations, les légumes traditionnels tels que le Gboma (Solanum macrocarpon), l'Amarante et la Corgnette ou Lalo (Corchorus olitorius) ont souffert de décennies de sous-investissement institutionnel. Travaillant depuis le centre de recherche d'East-West Seed basé sur le campus de l'Institut international d'agriculture tropicale au Bénin, Pamela Afokpe a remis en question l'idée reçue selon laquelle ces cultures n'étaient pas commercialement viables. Lorsque les sceptiques affirmaient que les petits producteurs se contenteraient toujours de réutiliser leurs propres semences, elle a démontré qu'ils le faisaient par manque d'alternatives commerciales améliorées, et non par préférence.

À partir de 2017, dans un champ loué avec un système d'irrigation manuel, Pamela Afokpe a bâti la plateforme régionale de recherche en partant de zéro, rassemblant plus de 2 000 accessions de cultures régionales à travers l'Afrique de l'Ouest. En parallèle de la direction des opérations régionales, elle a obtenu une bourse doctorale compétitive (Sandwich PhD) à la Wageningen Graduate School, en partenariat avec l'Université de Wageningen aux Pays-Bas. Ses travaux universitaires ont donné lieu à des publications évaluées par des pairs sur la diversité génétique et la résistance aux ravageurs de la corgnette, faisant le lien entre la biosystématique végétale avancée et la sélection sur le terrain.

Sa principale percée commerciale, la variété de Gboma Sika, a introduit une tolérance intermédiaire au flétrissement bactérien (Ralstonia spp.), un pathogène causant historiquement des pertes allant jusqu'à 100 % dans les champs, tout en offrant une conservation prolongée après la récolte.

Promouvoir les « cultures d'avenir » et la vision de l'initiative VACS

Le travail de Pamela Afokpe illustre directement la mission fondamentale de l'initiative VACS (Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils), un partenariat mondial mené par le Département d'État américain, la FAO et l'Union africaine qui promeut les « cultures d'avenir » comme éléments essentiels d'une nutrition résiliente au climat et de la santé des sols.

Crucialement, Pamela Afokpe a compris que la science agricole ne réussit que si elle atteint le marché. Elle a remplacé le semis à la volée traditionnel par une gestion précise des pépinières, réduisant ainsi de 40 % les coûts d'intrants pour les agriculteurs. Pour prouver la viabilité commerciale de sa variété, elle a organisé des démonstrations de conservation en plein air directement auprès des commerçantes des marchés, démontrant que la réduction du pourrissement de la variété Sika se traduisait par des marges quotidiennes plus élevées pour les ménages. La demande sur le marché est devenue si forte que les revendeuses ont commencé à réserver les récoltes directement sur les parcelles des producteurs, avant même le début de la production.

À ce jour, la variété Sika a généré l'équivalent de plus de 3 000 tonnes de produits au cours de ses trois premières années, profitant à des dizaines de milliers de petits producteurs et de commerçantes en Afrique de l'Ouest et du Centre. Cette percée a valu à Pamela Afokpe le prix mondial Platinum Helix R&D d'East-West Seed en 2025.

Inspirer un leadership visionnaire à travers l'Afrique

Pamela Afokpe est également boursière One Planet Fellow, reconnue pour son leadership dans la réponse aux défis climatiques dans l'agriculture. Menant de front la recherche sur le terrain, la rédaction de sa thèse de doctorat, sa vie de mère et le dépassement des stéréotypes de genre dans le travail agricole, elle est devenue une figure de proue de l'autonomisation des femmes tout au long des chaînes de valeur agricoles.

« Les légumes traditionnels africains doivent être au centre de la carte mondiale de la sécurité alimentaire », a déclaré Pamela Afokpe lors de son discours d'acceptation. « En appliquant une science rigoureuse aux cultures de nos grand-mères, nous prouvons que les petits producteurs et les commerçantes des marchés peuvent développer des chaînes de valeur commerciales viables lorsqu'ils ont accès à des semences de qualité. »

« Pamela représente exactement le type de chercheur que le Dr Borlaug soutenait : allier une science génomique rigoureuse à un impact concret et durable sur le terrain », a souligné le Prof. Eric Schranz, titulaire de la chaire du groupe de biosystématique à l'Université de Wageningen. « Son travail a permis d'établir une plateforme de recherche pleinement opérationnelle qui transforme activement les systèmes de cultures maraîchères traditionnelles en Afrique de l'Ouest. »

Développement à l'échelle du continent: l'héritage d'une entreprise classée au palmarès « Change the World » de Fortune

Le parcours de Pamela Afokpe s'inspire profondément de la philosophie de Simon Groot axée sur les petits producteurs, notamment la décision historique d'East-West Seed de rendre les semences de haute qualité accessibles grâce à de petits sachets abordables et adaptés aux besoins des petits agriculteurs. Alors qu'East-West Seed développe sa présence en Afrique de l'Ouest, le leadership de Pamela Afokpe en tant que responsable des opérations R&D témoigne de l'engagement de l'entreprise à étendre la recherche sur les semences traditionnelles à l'échelle du continent.

Son travail confirme la raison pour laquelle East-West Seed a été nommée dans la liste 2026 « Change the World » du magazine Fortune, qui honore les entreprises générant un impact social positif grâce à leur stratégie commerciale globale.

Distribué par APO Group pour East-West Seed.

Lien supplémentaire :
https://apo-opa.co/4s9tjC5

Contact presse :
[email protected]

À propos d'East-West Seed :
Fondée par le lauréat du World Food Prize 2019 Simon Groot, East-West Seed est un leader mondial de la sélection de semences potagères tropicales, servant des millions de petits producteurs en Asie, en Afrique et en Amérique latine. Reconnue dans la liste 2026 « Change the World » de Fortune, East-West Seed se consacre à l'amélioration des moyens de subsistance des petits agriculteurs grâce à des semences de haute qualité, une formation agronomique pratique et des innovations axées sur le marché.

Pour plus d'informations, veuillez visiter notre site web : www.EastWestSeed.com

  1. SaaSAfrican Indigenous Crops Take Global Stage as Scientist Pamela Afokpe Wins Prestigious 2026 Borlaug Field AwardToday, plant scientist Pamela Afokpe, R&D Operations Manager at East-West Seed (www.EastWestSeed.com) West Africa, accepts the 2026 Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application at the World Food Prize Foundation in Des Moines, Iowa. Endowed by the Rockefeller Foundation, the Borlaug Field Award honors exceptional on-the-ground scientific achievement by individuals under 40. Afokpe is being recognized for her pioneering work in transforming African indigenous vegetables, historically dismissed by the formal seed sector, into high-performing, commercial opportunities for smallholder farmers. Afokpe accepts the honor on the same Des Moines stage where her mentor, the late Simon N. Groot, founder of East-West Seed, received the World Food Prize in 2019. This marks a continuation of East-West Seed's legacy on that stage seven years later. Bridging world-class genetics and last-mile field impact Despite feeding millions for generations, indigenous crops like Gboma (Solanum macrocarpon), Amaranth, and Jute Mallow (Corchorus olitorius) have suffered from decades of institutional underinvestment. Operating from East-West Seed's research hub at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture campus in Benin, Afokpe challenged the industry assumption that indigenous crops were commercially unviable. When skeptics argued that smallholders would only recycle farm-saved seed, Afokpe demonstrated that farmers relied on saved seed due to a lack of improved commercial alternatives, not preference. Beginning in 2017 in a rented field with manual irrigation, Afokpe built the regional research platform from the ground up, collecting over 2,000 regional crop accessions across West Africa. Concurrently, while leading regional operations, she secured a competitive Wageningen Graduate School Sandwich PhD scholarship with Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands. Her academic research has yielded published peer-reviewed findings on the genetic diversity and pest resistance of Jute Mallow, bridging advanced plant biosystematics with field-level breeding. Her primary commercial breakthrough, the Sika Gboma variety, introduced intermediate tolerance to Bacterial Wilt (Ralstonia spp.), a pathogen causing historic field losses of up to 100%, alongside extended post-harvest shelf life. Championing "opportunity crops" and the VACS vision Afokpe's work directly exemplifies the core mission of the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) initiative, a global partnership led by the U.S. State Department, the FAO, and the African Union that champions "opportunity crops" as essential to climate-resilient nutrition and soil health. Critically, Afokpe recognized that agricultural science only succeeds if it reaches the market. She replaced traditional seed broadcasting with precise nursery management, cutting farmer input costs by 40%. To prove commercial viability, she conducted open-air shelf-life demonstrations directly with female market traders, proving that Sika's reduced post-harvest spoilage translated into higher daily household margins. Market demand grew so intense that female retailers began pre-booking harvests directly on farmers' plots before production even began. To date, Sika has generated over 3,000 tons of produce equivalent in its first three years, reaching tens of thousands of smallholder farmers and female retailers across West and Central Africa. The breakthrough earned Afokpe East-West Seed's global Platinum Helix R&D Award in 2025. Inspiring visionary leadership across Africa Afokpe is a One Planet Fellow recognized for her leadership in addressing climate challenges in agriculture. Balancing field research and doctoral thesis writing while managing motherhood and navigating regional gender stereotypes in agricultural fieldwork, she has become a leading advocate for women across agricultural value chains. “African indigenous vegetables belong at the center of the global food security map,” states Pamela Afokpe in her acceptance remarks. “By bringing rigorous science to the crops our grandmothers grew, we are proving that smallholder farmers and market women can drive viable, commercial value chains when given access to quality seed genetics.” “Pamela represents exactly the type of scientist Dr. Borlaug championed: combining rigorous genomic science with tangible, last-mile impact,” noted Prof. Eric Schranz, Chair of the Biosystematics Group at Wageningen University & Research. “Her work has established a fully functioning research platform that is actively transforming indigenous vegetable systems across West Africa.” Scaling across Africa: A Fortune "Change the World" legacy Afokpe’s journey was deeply inspired by Simon Groot’s smallholder-first philosophy, particularly East-West Seed's historic decision to make high-quality seeds accessible through small, affordable packages tailored to smallholders. As East-West Seed expands its footprint across West Africa, Afokpe’s leadership as R&D Operations Manager signals the company's commitment to scaling indigenous seed research across the continent. Her work reinforces why East-West Seed was named to Fortune’s 2026 'Change the World' list, recognizing companies that drive positive social impact through core business strategy. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of East-West Seed. Additional Link: https://apo-opa.co/4s9tjC5 Media contact: [email protected] About East-West Seed: For further information, please visit our website: www.EastWestSeed.com
  2. FinanceAfrican countries to advance cooperation with Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in the implementation of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) for sustainable international trade in marine speciesNational authorities responsible for fisheries and for the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), from across 22 African coastal countries, commit to strengthen cooperation for improved implementation of CITES through national fisheries legal frameworks. In a regional workshop, jointly organized by the CITES Secretariat and the Development Law Service of the Legal Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) from 29 September to 1 October, 2026, participants highlighted the fact that a well-established, comprehensive and agreed trading conventions are crucial for African nations, which produce over 7 million tonnes of aquatic animals annually through marine capture fisheries. Opening the workshop, Ivonne Higuero, CITES Secretary General, reiterated the significance of adapting international conventions for the management and trading of fisheries and aquatic resources in Africa. “Fisheries and aquatic resources are fundamental to food security, livelihoods and economies across Africa. CITES has brought the knowledge and tools it has developed over the years to support African nations to conduct lawful and productive management of the fisheries sector. Participants of the workshop are expected to extensively dwell on key legal and administrative issues that would help to advance our collective interest, which is a world where all international wildlife trade is sustainable and legal,” she remarked. Farayi Zimudzi, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa and Representative to the African Union and UNECA, a.i. stressed the fact that fisheries management, wildlife trade regulation, and marine conservation are essential to help countries address current and emerging food security challenges. “The diversity of expertise represented here is one of the workshop’s greatest strengths. Bringing together CITES Management Authorities and national fisheries authorities offers a valuable opportunity for dialogue, mutual learning, and the development of practical solutions that are nationally relevant and regionally coherent. Sharing experiences in fisheries management, wildlife trade regulation, and marine conservation will be essential to helping countries address current and emerging challenges, including food insecurity,” she noted. Bringing fisheries and CITES authorities together Designed to encourage dialogue across sectors, the workshop responded to the increasing need for effective coordination between CITES authorities and fisheries administrations as the number of commercially exploited aquatic species regulated under CITES continues to grow. Currently, more than 2000 marine species, ranging from sharks and rays to sea cucumbers and corals, are listed in the CITES Appendices. The number has continued to rise in recent years, reflecting both the mounting pressures on marine biodiversity and the growing confidence of governments that are Parties to the Convention in CITES as an instrument for ensuring that international trade is sustainable, legal and well regulated. Implementing CITES requirements for these species involves scientific assessments known as Non-Detriment Findings (NDFs), evaluations of legal requirements known as Legal Acquisition Findings (LAF), and provisions concerning Introduction from the Sea (IFS), for specimens taken in marine Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction. The FAO-CITES partnership assists countries in understanding how these requirements interact with national fisheries legislation (see CITES-LEX), institutions and fisheries-management systems. Countries share experiences and common challenges A central focus of the workshop was the exchange of experiences among national authorities. Country representatives presented their legal and institutional arrangements, highlighted good practices and discussed continuing challenges. The discussions covered the regulation of trade in CITES-listed marine species, coordination between fisheries and CITES authorities, traceability, monitoring of sharks and rays, and the relationship between national fisheries legislation and CITES requirements. The workshop also introduced participants to the recently launched FAO Fisheries and Resources Monitoring System (FIRMS), with a practical exercise on how information generated through fisheries-governance systems, including licensing, catch documentation, monitoring, control and surveillance, and fisheries-management measures, can support CITES processes. Furthermore, representatives of the Regional Fishery Bodies Secretariats’ Network, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission and the Subregional Fisheries Commission demonstrated how regional bodies can contribute through conservation and management measures, scientific data collection, information exchange and cooperation. Participants concluded that continued cooperation among fisheries administrations and CITES Management and Scientific Authorities will be essential to effective implementation of both CITES and national regulations. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
  3. SaaSMajor capital, global hotel brands and operators meet in Casablanca as the Kingdom builds for 2030 and beyondAs the most-visited country in Africa and the next host of the FIFA World Cup, Morocco is in the midst of an unprecedented era of infrastructure and hospitality development, setting a timely stage for Morocco Showcase to highlight the country’s maturation as a prime destination for global capital investment. Transactions and signings surge Since 2025, Casablanca-listed owner-operator Risma has completed two major acquisitions (the Tangier Corniche plot and the purchase of CMG – owner of Radisson Blu Marrakech Carré Eden and the adjoining mall) valued at $67 million, and the $46 million sale of Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche to Pickalbatros. In April, it strengthened its partnership with Accor for the renovation and repositioning of hotels and the launch of the Tangier Corniche development. Expert-led hospitality sessions at Showcase Morocco will include: Hotel performance: occupancy, ADR and RevPAR in Morocco's key cities against global peers, and the demand effect of mega-events set against Morocco's trajectory to 2030. How local and regional operators are scaling alongside the expansion of international brands. How boutique, high-end luxury and eco-tourism brands are entering the market, including founder economics, fee structures and European boutique operators moving into Morocco. Capital and real estate A capital, product and wealth stream will cover how Moroccan family offices are moving from direct development into co-investment and fund structures, and what turns diaspora interest into committed capital. Mixed-use leaders will set out what a viable precinct needs, including critical size, equity ticket, investor profile and location. The industrial, commercial and alternatives streams will cover logistics demand along the Tangier Med corridor, foreign investment in special economic zones, and office and retail yields. The closing plenary asks Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech and Rabat to pitch directly to capital on land availability and pricing, the asset classes that suit each city, and where the early-mover window is still open. Event details Date: 26 November Venue: Marriott Hotel, Casablanca Format: In-person, bilingual (English/French) conference, parallel streams, deals room and awards gala Website and Registration: https://apo-opa.co/4zC3UDq Distributed by APO Group on behalf of API Events. Enquiries: [email protected] Murray Anderson [email protected] About API Events: The group’s high-impact events (across Africa and beyond) span capital-raising, deal-making, retail, multi-family, mixed-use, commercial and industrial, hospitality and lodging, and emerging asset classes.
  4. SaaSLes grands capitaux et les enseignes hôtelières internationales se réunissent à Casablanca, alors que le Royaume prépare 2030 et au-delàPays le plus visité d'Afrique et prochain hôte de la Coupe du Monde de la FIFA, le Maroc traverse une période sans précédent de développement de ses infrastructures et de son hôtellerie. Un contexte opportun pour la Vitrine du Maroc, qui met en lumière la maturité du pays comme destination de premier plan pour l'investissement international. Accélération des transactions et des signatures Depuis 2025, Risma, propriétaire-exploitant coté à Casablanca, a réalisé deux acquisitions majeures [le terrain de la corniche de Tanger et le rachat de CMG - propriétaire du Radisson Blu Marrakech Carré Eden et du centre commercial attenant] évaluées à 67 millions de dollars, ainsi que la cession du Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche à Pickalbatros pour 46 millions de dollars. En avril, le groupe a renforcé son partenariat avec Accor pour la rénovation et le repositionnement d'hôtels et le lancement du projet de la corniche de Tanger. Sessions spécialisées à la Vitrine du Maroc : Les résultats hôteliers : taux d'occupation, prix moyen par chambre et revenu par chambre disponible dans les principales villes marocaines face aux références mondiales, et l'effet de la demande liée aux grands événements au regard de la trajectoire du Maroc à l'horizon 2030. Comment les exploitants locaux et régionaux se développent parallèlement à l'expansion des enseignes internationales. Comment les enseignes de boutique-hôtellerie, de luxe haut de gamme et d'écotourisme entrent sur le marché, y compris l'économie des fondateurs, les structures de redevances et l'arrivée d'exploitants boutiques européens au Maroc. Capitaux et immobilier : Un volet consacré aux capitaux, aux produits et aux patrimoines traitera de la manière dont les bureaux de gestion patrimoniale familiaux marocains passent du développement direct au co-investissement et aux structures de fonds, et de ce qui transforme l'intérêt de la diaspora en capitaux engagés. Les responsables de programmes mixtes détailleront les conditions de viabilité d'un pôle : taille critique, apport en fonds propres, profil d'investisseur et emplacement. Les volets industrie, tertiaire et actifs alternatifs porteront sur la demande logistique le long du corridor de Tanger Med, l'investissement étranger dans les zones économiques spéciales, ainsi que sur les rendements des bureaux et des commerces. La séance plénière de clôture invitera Casablanca, Tanger, Marrakech et Rabat à présenter directement aux investisseurs les disponibilités et les prix du foncier, les catégories d'actifs adaptées à chaque ville et les segments où la fenêtre de primo-arrivant reste ouverte. Informations pratiques Date : 26 novembre Lieu : Marriott Hotel, Casablanca Format : Conférence en présentiel et bilingue [anglais / français], ateliers thématiques parallèles, espace de rencontres d'affaires et dîner de remise des trophées Site internet et inscription : https://apo-opa.co/4zC3UDq Distribué par APO Group pour API Events. Renseignements : [email protected] Murray Anderson [email protected] À propos d'API Events : Africa Property Investment (API) Events est la principale plateforme africaine de rencontres professionnelles et de réflexion de référence pour l'investissement immobilier et le développement hôtelier. Chaque année, ses conférences, visites de terrain et programmes de rencontres réunissent les investisseurs, promoteurs, exploitants et apporteurs de capitaux les plus chevronnés de l'immobilier africain, font naître des échanges de fond et génèrent des centaines de millions de dollars d'opportunités pour les participants et les partenaires. Les manifestations à fort retentissement du groupe [en Afrique et au-delà] couvrent la levée de capitaux, la conclusion d'accords, le commerce, l'habitat collectif, les programmes mixtes, les bureaux et les locaux d'activité, l'hôtellerie et l'hébergement, ainsi que les nouvelles catégories d'actifs.
  5. HealthcareAccelerating global transition to mercury-free oral health careHealth and environment policymakers and experts from Africa, Asia and Latin America are stepping up efforts to phase out mercury-containing dental filling materials and make oral health care safer and more sustainable. The more than 75 experts from the three regions are gathering in Senegal from 19 to 22 October for an event combining an African sub-regional workshop with the global closing meeting of the GEF-7 Phasing Down Dental Amalgam Project. The meeting comes one year after the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-6) to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, held in 2025, at which Parties decided to phase out dental amalgam by 2034. Countries are now working to turn that commitment into national action. Dental amalgam has been used in fillings for more than 175 years and contains about 50% elemental mercury by weight. Mercury can be released when fillings are placed or removed and when the resulting waste is disposed of, contaminating water and soil. The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Oral Health Action Plan 2023–2030 aims for 90% of countries to have phased down or phased out dental amalgam by 2030. As of 2024, however, only 13% of countries in the WHO African Region had reached this target, compared with 31% globally. The GEF-7 project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and executed by WHO, with technical assistance from the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership. It supports countries in reducing their use of dental amalgam and manage mercury-containing waste in an environmentally sound way. Senegal is one of the project's three pilot countries, alongside Thailand and Uruguay. Its experience shows that the transition is achievable. After a national assessment of practices and needs, Senegal strengthened coordination between the health and environment sectors and developed a good-practice guide. It trained oral health professionals in mercury-free and less invasive oral health care and in alternatives to dental amalgam. To keep mercury out of wastewater, it installed 13 amalgam separators as part of a pilot and improved the collection, storage and management of mercury-containing waste. Through the Specific International Programme (SIP) of the Minamata Convention, Senegal worked with Burkina Faso and Togo to develop and technically validate national regulatory instruments on mercury and mercury-added products, including provisions on dental amalgam. “Mercury-free oral health care starts in everyday practice. By building professionals' skills, promoting suitable alternatives and testing new solutions, we are laying lasting foundations for our oral health services,” said Dr Codou Badiane Mané, Head of the Oral Health Division, Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, Senegal. “As Africa’s only pilot country, Senegal has used this experience to test solutions that link oral health, environmentally sound management of mercury-containing waste, and stronger regulation. Hosting the project’s closing meeting in Dakar offers an opportunity to share these lessons and encourage other African countries to accelerate the transition to mercury-free oral health care that protects both human health and the environment,” said Dr Pathé Dieye, National Focal Point for the Minamata Convention on Mercury, Ministry of the Environment, Senegal. During the meeting, participants will review the project's results and discuss regulation, alternatives to amalgam, workforce training and waste management. West African countries will identify priority national actions to accelerate the elimination of mercury from health systems. A field visit to health facilities and a waste management site will show the solutions being piloted in Senegal. “The experience of Senegal and the other pilot countries demonstrates that global commitments can be translated into concrete action on the ground, while offering practical lessons to help other countries accelerate their own transitions,” said Mr Ludovic Bernaudat, Head of the GEF Chemicals and Green Chemistry Unit, Chemicals and Health Branch, UNEP. The closure of the GEF-7 project marks a transition, not an end. The three pilot countries will consolidate their results and explore opportunities for cooperation and scale-up as countries work towards the 2034 phase-out deadline. Dr Benido Impouma, Director, Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases Cluster, WHO Regional Office for Africa, highlighted the broader significance of the initiative: “The transition away from dental amalgam is transforming oral health systems. Experiences from Senegal and other pilot countries demonstrate that ending the use of mercury in oral health care can strengthen prevention, improve care quality and advance universal health coverage for all. WHO will continue to collaborate with UNEP and support countries in implementing the Minamata Convention, while expanding access to safe, effective and affordable oral health care and advancing healthier, more environmentally sustainable health systems across Africa.” Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Senegal.
  6. IndustrialEritrea participates in Africa Commerce and Industry SummitEritrea participated in the Africa Commerce and Industry Summit 2026, held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 14 to 16 October under the theme “Driving Africa’s Next Era of Trade”. The summit, organized by the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce, brought together over 5,000 delegates from more than 50 countries, including producers, exhibitors, investors and chamber of commerce representatives. Discussions focused on trade, investment and innovation through leadership and networking. At the summit, Mr. Beyene Russom, Eritrea’s Ambassador to Kenya, delivered a speech focusing on security, maritime sovereignty and peace; centering women and youth in continental trade; and the role of the diplomatic corps and industrial sovereignty. To promote trade among African countries, Ambassador Beyene called for a strong commitment to prioritizing industrial development and domestic value addition when building partnerships with developed economies. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.