Month: July 2026

Environmental initiative UNESCO Mali joins 32nd national reforestation campaign launch The 32nd edition of Mali’s national reforestation campaign, themed “Youth at the heart of environmental citizenship for a greener, more resilient Mali”, officially kicked off in Bamako on July 26, 2026, at the Palais des Pionniers. Led by Mr. Ali-Mohamed Sinane, UNESCO Mali’s Head and Acting Representative, the delegation participated in the ceremony chaired by General Abdoulaye Maïga, Prime Minister and Head of Government, representing the Transition President. National mobilization for ecological restoration This year’s campaign, organized under the patronage…

Cameroon extends census period for second time due to low participation The Cameroonian government has announced a second consecutive extension of the national census period, aiming to capture more households, individuals, and agricultural operations across the country. This decision follows concerns over incomplete data collection, particularly in urban areas. The extension was formalized through a decree issued by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, mandating an additional phase of synchronized enumeration. The goal is to address gaps left by the initial rounds, which began in April but faced significant challenges. According…

AFG Capital Ltd has proudly announced its pivotal role in Gabon’s triumphant re-entry into international bond markets. As the government’s exclusive financial advisor, the firm orchestrated a landmark sovereign bond issuance totaling $920 million—a transaction that drew exceptional demand from institutional investors worldwide. This achievement underscores AFG Holding’s prowess, channeled through its subsidiary AFG Capital, in structuring high-stakes sovereign deals across Africa. The operation’s arrangers included Cygnum Capital and Citigroup Global Markets, with White & Case serving as legal counsel for the Gabonese state. Together, they delivered a transaction that…

Mykhailo Mudryk’s premier league doping suspension immediately lifted Chelsea’s Ukrainian midfielder, Mykhailo Mudryk, has seen his four-year doping suspension lifted with immediate effect, clearing him to return to Premier League action. This decision follows a re-evaluation of his case in light of updated anti-doping regulations. The initial ban was imposed in 2024 after a routine anti-doping control detected a minimal concentration of meldonium, a prohibited substance, in Mudryk’s sample. Following the sanction, the player had lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). However, recent amendments to…

Chelsea FC avoids points deduction but faces suspended transfer ban 31 July 2026 Chelsea FC has narrowly avoided a six-point deduction after a successful appeal against financial misconduct allegations. Instead, the London-based club received a suspended transfer ban, sparing them immediate sporting penalties. The Football Association (FA) initially identified violations spanning 2009 to 2022, when the club was under the ownership of Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. Investigations revealed that most irregularities occurred between 2010 and 2016. The current ownership team uncovered these breaches during their takeover in 2022. Last September,…

After weeks of unrest on the Lomé campus, a resolution has been reached. The government officially announced on Thursday, during a Council of Ministers meeting, the appointment of 107 associate professors at public universities to the rank of Full Professors. Academic excellence rewarded following teacher protests This batch of promotions follows a mobilization by university lecturers on July 2 in Lomé. By formalizing these advancements within the academic hierarchy, authorities aim to acknowledge scientific merit and the educational contributions made at the nation’s two leading institutions: the University of Lomé…

The University of Datcha marks a new chapter in Togo’s higher education landscape. During a recent cabinet meeting, the government confirmed the appointment of Professor Essohanam Batchana as its inaugural president. A historian and academic specialist in political history and international relations, Batchana previously served as Director of Academic Affairs and Registrar at the University of Lomé, bringing invaluable institutional expertise to this pioneering role. Academic leadership team takes shape To ensure a strong foundation, Batchana will be supported by Professor Kperkouma Walla, a prominent botanist and plant ecology expert,…