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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-ZW link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=916 style='width:687.2pt;border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td width=910 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:682.8pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width=910 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:682.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:solid #D9D9D9 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:33.35pt;line-height:106%'><span lang=EN-US><a href="https://bullszimbabwe.com/"><span lang=EN-ZW style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:windowtext;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=246 height=120 id="Picture_x0020_5" src="cid:image001.png@01DBB82D.82DD9380"></span></a></span><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width=910 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:682.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:32.1pt;text-indent:7.5pt;line-height:105%'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#002060'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:32.1pt;text-indent:7.5pt;line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US><a href="http://www.bullszimbabwe.com"><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#0070C0;text-decoration:none'>Bullszimbabwe.com </span></b></a></span><b><span lang=EN-US 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style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#0070C0;text-decoration:none'> </span></b></span><span lang=EN-US><a href="https://chat.whatsapp.com/CF6wllAfScU9Wr6dXxoQnO"><b><span style='color:#70AD47;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW;text-decoration:none'>WhatsApp</span></b></a></span><span class=MsoHyperlink><b><span lang=EN-US style='color:#70AD47;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW;text-decoration:none'> </span></b></span><span lang=EN-US><a href="mailto:bulls@bullszimbabwe.com?subject=Unsubscribe"><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#0070C0;text-decoration:none'>Unsubscribe</span></b></a></span><span class=style30><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;color:#00B050'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> </span><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width=910 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:682.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><p class=MsoSubtitle style='margin-left:32.1pt;text-indent:7.5pt;line-height:105%'><span class=style30><b><span lang=EN-US style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> </span><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width=910 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:682.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:32.1pt;text-indent:7.5pt;line-height:105%'><span class=style30><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Major International Business Headlines Brief ::: 28 April 2025 </span></b></span><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width=910 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:682.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span class=style30><b><span lang=EN-US> <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> </span><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style='height:3.0pt'><td width=910 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:682.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US><a href="mailto:info@bulls.co.zw"><span lang=EN-ZW style='color:windowtext;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=804 height=268 id="Picture_x0020_4" src="cid:image002.jpg@01DBB82D.82DD9380"></span></a><span class=style30><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> </span><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style='height:10.05pt'><td width=910 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:682.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:10.05pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:10.05pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style='height:10.05pt'><td width=910 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:682.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:10.05pt'><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-left:54.0pt;mso-add-space:auto;line-height:115%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-left:72.0pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1;background:white'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Wingdings;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>ü<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Kenya: Ruto's 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Adeola<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-left:72.0pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1;background:white'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Wingdings;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>ü<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Egypt: Abdelatty Discusses Regional Updates With Omani, Iranian FMs, U.S. Envoy<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-left:72.0pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1;background:white'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Wingdings;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>ü<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> 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style='font-family:Wingdings;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>ü<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Namibia: Hengari Resigns As Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-left:72.0pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1;background:white'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Wingdings;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>ü<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Ethiopia, Morocco Defense Cooperation Eyes Cybersecurity, AI, and Defense Industries<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-left:72.0pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1;background:white'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Wingdings;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>ü<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>South Africa: Power Utility Eskom Suspends Power Cuts<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-left:72.0pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1;background:white'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Wingdings;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>ü<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Kenya Set to Overtake Ethiopia As East Africa's Largest Economy<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-left:72.0pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1;background:white'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Wingdings;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>ü<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>South Africa: Sassa Gold Cards to Continue Working Beyond 31 May 2025<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:10.05pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style='height:10.05pt'><td width=910 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:682.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:10.05pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;line-height:115%;background:white'><span lang=EN-US><a href="mailto:info@bulls.co.zw"><span lang=EN-ZW style='color:windowtext;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=804 height=268 id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image003.jpg@01DBB82D.82DD9380"></span></a></span><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:10.05pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style='height:10.05pt'><td width=910 colspan=4 rowspan=3 valign=top style='width:682.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:10.05pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Kenya: Ruto's Globe-Trotting Exposed Again After Rome Trip, Breaking Cost-Cutting Promises<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Nairobi — President William Ruto's unexpected attendance at Pope Francis' funeral in Rome on Saturday has sparked a fresh wave of criticism, particularly after he had earlier nominated National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula to represent Kenya at the event.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Wetangula had publicly confirmed on April 24 that he would attend the funeral on behalf of President Ruto, who had selected him for the diplomatic mission.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>After concluding a state visit to China, President Ruto surprised Kenyans by redirecting his itinerary to Rome, becoming the only African head of state to attend the funeral in person.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Accompanied by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and other officials, his decision raised questions about his commitment to cost-saving measures, as many Kenyans continue to struggle with the rising cost of living.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>While the Vatican extended invitations to global leaders for the funeral, the precise number of African heads of state invited remains unclear.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Notably, only President Ruto, who is not Catholic and has previously clashed with Kenyan bishops over his generous contributions to churches, attended in person.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Other African countries were represented by senior officials like vice presidents, ministers, and parliamentary leaders.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua criticized Ruto's decision, accusing him of a "lack of trust" in others and contributing to wasteful spending of public funds.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"The President doesn't trust anybody to handle anything. There was no reason for him to go personally, especially after appointing the Speaker," Gachagua said during an interview on Weru TV on Sunday.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Since taking office in September 2022, Ruto has embarked on an extensive travel schedule, raising questions about the frequency of his international trips and their cost amid his government's promises of fiscal responsibility.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>President Ruto was scheduled to return to the country on Monday after his State Visit to China and the unexpected trip to Rome.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Read the original article on Capital FM.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Somalia's President Defends Oil Deal With Turkey Amid Criticism<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Mogadishu, Somalia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has defended the recent oil exploration deal with Turkey, calling it a mutually beneficial agreement after online criticism emerged over the terms.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The president stated that the agreement represents shared interests and is a significant step for the country, as it marks the first time in history that Somalia is conducting oil exploration.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"Previously, Somalia did not engage with anyone regarding its oil and gas resources, and this is the first time we are conducting exploration," President Mohamud said in a statement. Currently, exploration is taking place offshore, and we have also signed another agreement for exploration along the coast.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>This does not mean that only Turkey is being given the opportunity--no foreign country is being prioritized."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The president also emphasized that Turkey should not be compared to future countries that might come to Somalia for similar opportunities, as Turkey is the first nation to take the initiative in extracting oil from Somalia.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>He further praised the relationship between Somalia and Turkey, highlighting that Turkey is the only country that has offered mediation when Somalia has had disputes with neighboring countries.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The deal has sparked controversy, particularly after a copy of the agreement was leaked by the Nordic Press Agency. According to the document, Turkey is set to receive 90% of the revenues generated from oil extraction, leaving Somalia with only 5%.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Opposition politicians have criticized the agreement, claiming it amounts to resource exploitation, and they have called on the Somali government to provide further clarification on the deal.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>In response to the concerns, the Somali government clarified that Turkey would initially receive 90% of the revenue to cover the costs of exploration and extraction. After that, Somalia will take control of its oil resources.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Read the original article on Shabelle.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Nigeria Moves to Unlock AfCFTA Potential, Launches Maiden Hackathon With N20m Grand Prize<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Abuja — The Nigeria the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Coordination Office, has endorsed the launch of the first-ever AfCFTA Hackathon in in the country with N20 million grand prize.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The bold move seeks to deepen the implementation and unlock the full potential of the landmark trade agreement in Nigeria.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The Coordination Office is under the leadership of the National Coordinator, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The hackathon initiative, led by Cherith-Code Concept Limited, an international trade consortium, is supported by a coalition of partners, including Ascend Studios Foundation, Amazon Web Services, GFA Technologies, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and Real Sources Africa, a Kenya-based company.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The annual, high-impact project will focus on unpacking the opportunities presented by the newly adopted AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol (DTP).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Senior Trade Expert and Lead at the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Mr. Olusegun Olutayo, im a statement, said the hackathon is an innovative, tech-driven challenge specifically designed with Nigeria's enterprising youth in mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>He said the programme aligns with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, aimed at strengthening Nigeria's vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Olutayo, who also serves as Director of the Nigerian AfCFTA-Hackathon Project, further emphasised that the initiative will expand opportunities under the AfCFTA framework, empowering Nigerian innovators to explore and dominate the continental market through digital trade.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>He said the platform will serve as a hub for developing competitive, practical, and innovative solutions to power digital trade across Africa.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Held as a flagship event at the Science of Trade (SOT) Conference 2025, hosted by Ascend Studios Foundation, the maiden AfCFTA Hackathon is set to take place from May 1-3, 2025, in Lagos State, Nigeria's commercial and tech innovation hub.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Convener of the SOT Conference, Dr. Inya Lawal, expressed enthusiasm about the hackathon's transformative potential and the partnership with the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The Chief Operating Officer (COO), Cherith-Code Concept,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Dr. Inya Lawal, said the event marked a pivotal shift in how Africa approaches digital trade. It sparks practical innovations that shape the continent's economic future.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Described as the first-of-its-kind on the continent, the hackathon seeks to drive the implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, positioning the country as a trailblazer in Africa's evolving digital trade environment.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, is expected to attend the SOT Conference 2025 as a special guest.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>He will deliver a keynote address, serve on the hackathon jury panel, and offer mentorship and strategic policy guidance during the event.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Read the original article on This Day.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>South Africa: Eskom Continues Planned Maintenance Plan<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>While planned maintenance continues, Eskom has assured the public of a stable power system.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"In the past 24 hours a total of 3 320MW of generation capacity has been restored, ensuring a stable power system with enough supply to meet the long weekend's demand. Emergency reserves are adequate and will be strategically utilised when necessary to manage peak demand," Eskom said on Friday.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>In a statement, the power utility said that planned maintenance continues to ensure system readiness for increased winter demand, to meet regulatory requirements and to ensure environmental compliance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"Year-to-date (1 to 24 April 2025), 7 164MW of the generation capacity has been under planned maintenance, on average. This equates to 15.32% of generation capacity, marking a 3.8% increase compared to the same period last year.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), or unplanned outages, for the financial year-to-date (1 to 24 April 2025), stands at 27.82%, improving by ~2.1% from 29.89% achieved in the same period last year," it said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"A total of 4 058MW will be returned to service before the evening peak on Tuesday, 29 April 2025, to further stabilise the grid," it said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>This as the power utility implemented Stage 2 load shedding on Thursday afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"While load shedding remains suspended and electricity demand continues to rise, Eskom urges the public to help prevent transformer overloads and related equipment failures, which can result in explosions and prolonged outages.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"This can be achieved by avoiding illegal connections, purchasing electricity only from Eskom-accredited vendors and ensuring that customers take responsibility for regularising their electricity usage."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>It further added that from 18 to 24 April 2025, average unplanned outages reduced to 13 430MW, showing an improvement of 472MW compared to the same period last year. Year-to-date (1 to 24 April 2025) average unplanned outages stand at 13 243MW.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Year-to-date (1 to 24 April 2025), Eskom spent approximately R2.19 billion on fuel for the Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs) fleet, generating 372.05GWh. This is higher than the 149.9GWh generated during the same period last year. "This is expected to decrease as maintenance activities begin to slow down in the winter period," it said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Eskom further encouraged eligible households to register for free basic electricity with their local municipalities while adding that any illegal activity impacting its infrastructure should be reported to the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp on 081 333 3323.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"With the winter period setting in, Eskom requests the public to continue to use electricity efficiently."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Eskom is scheduled to announce its winter outlook on 5 May 2025.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Read the original article on SAnews.gov.za.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Somalia: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Visits Somalia to Strengthen Diplomatic Ties<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Mogadishu, Somalia — Somalia's Deputy Foreign Minister Isaak Mohamud Mursal officially welcomed his Russian counterpart, Mikhail Bogdanov, Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Representative of the Russian President for the Middle East and African Countries, upon his arrival at Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu on Saturday.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The arrival of Bogdanov marks a significant milestone in the growing relations between Somalia and Russia. The two officials exchanged cordial greetings, underscoring the importance of strengthening bilateral ties, especially in the context of regional security, economic cooperation, and diplomatic engagement.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Mursal expressed Somalia's commitment to fostering deeper relations with Russia, emphasizing the potential for collaboration in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and trade. "We are pleased to welcome Deputy Foreign Minister Bogdanov to Somalia, and we look forward to discussing how we can further enhance our partnership in the years ahead," he said in a brief statement after the meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Bogdanov's visit is also seen as part of Russia's broader strategy to increase its influence in the Horn of Africa, a region of growing geopolitical importance. Russia has been seeking to bolster its presence in Africa through a combination of economic diplomacy, military cooperation, and political engagement.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>While details of the discussions between the two diplomats remain under wraps, the visit is expected to pave the way for future engagements and potential agreements aimed at addressing key challenges in both regions, including security issues and economic development.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>This visit follows a series of high-level meetings between Russia and several African countries as part of its efforts to deepen its involvement in the continent. It is also an opportunity for Somalia, which has faced security and economic challenges in recent years, to seek additional international support.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The diplomatic exchange between Mursal and Bogdanov is likely to shape the future trajectory of Somalia's foreign policy and its position in the broader geopolitical landscape of Africa and the Middle East.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Read the original article on Shabelle.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Nigeria: Buhari's Fiscal Policy Almost Collapsed Nigeria's Economy, Says Senator Adeola<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Abeokuta — The senator representing Ogun West senatorial district at the National Assembly, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola has said that President Bola Tinubu saved Nigeria's economy from total collapse by removing fuel subsidy and floating the naira.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Adeola, who noted that President Muhammadu Buhari's administration had borrowed heavily to fund fuel subsidy and stabilise the naira against the dollar, added that the bold step of President Tinubu-led administration was the saving grace for the nation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The senator made the disclosure yesterday while speaking at the 2nd Edition of Town Hall Meeting/Mega Empowerment and Thank You Tour, held at Ayetoro, Yewa North Local Government Area (LGA) of Ogun State.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Adeola, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, disclosed that the immediate past administration had to borrow trillions of naira to pay fuel subsidy, which according to him was being collected by less than one per cent of Nigerians.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>He disclosed further that no fewer than $400billion was equally borrowed to stabilise naira against the dollars, a fiscal policy which left the country's economy at the brink.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>While commending President Tinubu for taking the hard decision to revamp the hitherto comatose economy, Adeola observed that all the reforms being undertaken by the incumbent administration in the country were to secure the future of the unborn generations of Nigerians.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>He, however, appealed to Nigerians to continue to be patient with the administration of President Tinubu, declaring that the current economic policies have started yielding positive results.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>On the empowerment programme, the senator explained that the programme was organised to reward and appreciate the constituents in Yewa North Local Government Area for their support during the 2023 general election.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>He added that the empowerment programme, which was also held in Imeko-Afon LGA on Friday, will be held in Yewa South, Ipokia and.Ado-Odo/Ota LGAs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Reeling out his achievements in the Senate in almost two years in the saddle, Adeola, said he has taken the advantage of his position as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations to fight for the rights of his constituents and facilitate developmental projects to Ogun West.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>He listed road construction, power transformers, installation of solar lights, ICT centres, construction of Primary Healthcare Centres, ultra-modern markets, police stations as some of the infrastructural projects he had facilitated and completed under two years<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The senator, however, disclosed that another set of 3,000 students selected across the six LGAs in Ogun West will be given scholarship and bursary awards of N200,000 and N100,000, respectively.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>While thanking Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State for supporting all his activities in Ogun West, especially the empowerment programmes, he urged the people to continue to rally support for the incumbent administration in the state.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako, lauded Senator Adeola for facilitating real dividends of democracy in Ogun West.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Read the original article on This Day.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Egypt: Abdelatty Discusses Regional Updates With Omani, Iranian FMs, U.S. Envoy<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Expatriates Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's firm rejection of any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians, calling this stance a fundamental part of Egypt's strategy to defend the Palestinian cause.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>During a National Dialogue session with political leaders and public figures, the top diplomat stressed Egypt's support for a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>He discussed Egypt's reconstruction plans in Gaza and reviewed Egypt's fixed positions on key regional issues, including those of Syria, Sudan, Libya, the Sahel, and the Horn of Africa, which are all central to Egypt's national security.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Abdelatty noted the progress in Egypt's human rights status following the recent Universal Periodic Review at the UN, underlining the role of the National Dialogue in enhancing political participation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Participants praised the National Dialogue's contribution to strengthening Egypt's internal unity and foreign policy, agreeing to hold specialized sessions to deepen discussions on regional and international issues.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>MENA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Read the original article on Egypt Online.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Nigeria: Buhari's Govt Borrowed $400bn to Stabilise Naira - Senator Adeola<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Solomon Adeola (Yayi), has alleged that former President Muhammadu Buhari's government borrowed over 400billion dollars in order to stabilise the naira against the US currency.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Adeola, who is representing Ogun West, also said the administration spent trillions of naira on fuel subsidy, saying the funds were held by less one percent of Nigeria's population.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>He said President Bola Tinubu's two major decisions - fuel subsidy removal and floating of naira - saved Nigeria's economy from total collapse.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The Senator spoke on Saturday at the 2nd Edition of Town Hall Meeting/Mega Empowerment and Thank You Tour, held at Ayetoro, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>According to him, previous administration had borrowed heavily to fund fuel subsidy and stabilise naira against the dollar, but the bold step of Tinubu-led administration is the saving grace for the nation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>He praised President Tinubu for taking the "hard but necessary decision" to revamp the hitherto comatose economy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Adeola said, "When the president assumed office, he carried out two major policies that hit Nigerians hard. We now heave a sigh of relief.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"First, he removed the fuel subsidy. He removed the fuel subsidy because the subsidy payment ended up in the hands of people who are less than 1% of Nigerians. Yearly, the former president would have to borrow huge amount of money in the tune of trillions of naira in order to pay fuel subsidy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"But when the current President, my father, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assumed office, the payment of subsidy elapsed the day the immediate past president handed over power to Tinubu. So, there was no fund budgeted for the continuous payment of the subsidy. The government that left had stopped subsidy payment and when our father (referring to Tinubu) got to power, he said he could no longer afford to be borrowing huge amount of money that will end up in the hands of less than 1 percent of the country's population, whereas the payment is made for all Nigerians.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"Today, anyone can bring in fuel and sell it at your own price as far as it pays off. One person can own ten cars and the country is expected to pay subsidy on all the cars. But if there is no subsidy, your cars won't be more than one or two.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"The second policy has to do with the floating of the naira . Before, in order to stabilise the dollar to naira rate, we have to borrow money. We borrowed to suppress it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"By the time this government assumed office, the amount borrowed is well above 400billion dollars. In order to stabilise dollar to naira rate, we were also paying subsidy. That President had to stop that."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>He said following Tinubu's bold steps, "Nigerian economy is now flowing in the right direction."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>He, however, appealed to the people to continue to be patient with the administration of President Tinubu, declaring that the current economic policies have begun to yield positive results.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>On the empowerment programme, the senator explained that the programme was organized to reward and appreciate the constituents in Yewa North Local Government Area for their support during the 2023 general elections.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>He added that the empowerment programme which was also held in Imeko-Afon LGA on Friday, will be held in Yewa South, Ipokia and.Ado-Odo/Ota local government areas.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Reeling out his achievements in the Senate in almost two years in the saddle, Adeola, said he has taken the advantage of his position as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations to fight for the rights of his constituents and facilitate developmental projects to Ogun West.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>He listed road construction, power transformers, installation of solar lights, ICT centres, construction of Primary Healthcare Centres, ultra modern markets, police stations as some of the infrastructural projects he had facilitated and completed under two years<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The Senator, however, disclosed that another set of 3,000 students selected across the six LGAs in Ogun West will be given scholarship and bursary awards of N200,000 and N100,000, respectively.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>While thanking Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State for supporting all his activities in Ogun West, especially the empowerment programmes, he urged the people to continue to rally support for the incumbent administration in the state.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako said Tinubu is "consistently remained committed to the welfare of the people."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>He urged Nigerians continue to cooperate and support the president.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Salako also applauded Adeola's empowerment drive, saying in less than two years in office, the Senator has fulfilled his campaign promises.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Read the original article on Daily Trust.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Namibia's Sovereign Credit Rating Remains Positive<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Namibia's sovereign credit rating has remained stable and positive, according to Moody's and Fitch ratings.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Moody's rated Namibia with a B1 earlier this month.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>This positive rating comes from the prospect of hydrocarbon and renewable energy resource developments.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Additionally, Moody attributed the positive outlook to an increased likelihood that new industry developments will help bolster growth in other sectors.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"This is while helping to sustain primary budget surpluses and a continued decline in the debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio," reads the Bank of Namibia report.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Meanwhile, Fitch gave the country a BB-rating, which means stable.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"Namibia's rating was supported by governance indicators, institutional frameworks, and fiscal financing flexibility, which were reinforced by its large non-banking financial sector," reads the report.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>According to the report, Namibia's rating was weighed against a larger budget shortfall and high levels of government debt compared to other similar countries.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"Fitch supports a stable outlook with the view that the government debt-to-GDP ratio will stabilise over the medium term due to positive growth prospects," reads the report.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>A sovereign credit rating is an assessment of the creditworthiness of a country's ability and willingness to meet its financial obligations, including repaying its debts on time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The rating provides investors with insights into the level of risk associated with investing in Namibia's debt.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>As of the end of February, Namibia's total debt stock stood at N$165.9 billion.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>This represents more than 60% of GDP.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Included in the tabled 2025/26 national budget is N$13.7 billion in loan repayments.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended that an acceptable debt-to-GDP ratio, a common benchmark for developed countries, is around 60%, with 40% suggested for developing and emerging economies.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The country will also have to pay off its Eurobond of US$750 million (about N$14 billion) on 29 October.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Currently, the government has saved up US$463 million (about N$8.6 billion) in the sinking fund over the past financial years.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The government plans to add N$3 billion to the sinking fund during the course of the 2025/26 financial year before the maturity of the bond.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>This will leave a balance of N$2.3 billion.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>In addition to redeeming the Eurobond, the government is also making substantial principal repayments to settle the IMF Rapid Financial Instrument financing to the tune of N$2.3 billion in the 2025/26 financial year and the final tranche of N$1.2 billion in the 2026/27 financial year.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Read the original article on Namibian.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Namibia: Hengari Resigns As Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Mac Hengari has resigned from his position.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>This follows rape allegations involving a 21-year-old woman, and his arrest.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Hengari early on Sunday confirmed to The Namibian that he had stepped down.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"I resigned as minister, but l cannot comment further," he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Hengari's resignation follows allegations that he raped the woman when she was still a minor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>National police spokesperson deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi on Saturday confirmed Hengari's arrest, following an alleged attempt to bribe the woman to withdraw the case she opened against him last year.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"Hengari is indeed arrested after he attempted to bribe the victim to withdraw the case. That is what he was arrested for.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"That's all I have for now," she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The matter is currently under police investigation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo this week confirmed that DNA samples were collected from both Hengari and the alleged victim for testing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Sources familiar with the case say the test results are still pending.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Hengari was appointed to the Cabinet in March after president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah included him among her top-eight parliamentary candidates.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Several allegations first surfaced earlier this month, prompting calls from political commentators such as Rui Tyitendi, for Hengari to step down pending investigations.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>This is a developing story.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Read the original article on Namibian.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Ethiopia, Morocco Defense Cooperation Eyes Cybersecurity, AI, and Defense Industries<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Addis Ababa, — General Mohamed Berrid, Inspector General of Morocco's Royal Armed Forces and Commander of the Southern Zone, is on a four-day official visit to Ethiopia aimed at strengthening military cooperation and expanding collaboration into cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and defense industries.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>During his stay, General Berrid held talks with Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, Chief of General Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, and State Minister of Defense Martha Luigi. The discussions focused on boosting bilateral military ties, with both sides expressing satisfaction over growing cooperation and agreeing on a draft military partnership expected to be signed soon.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>General Berrid also toured key Ethiopian military installations, including the Cyber Security Directorate, the Artificial Intelligence Institute, and Bishoftu Air Base.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>His visit follows a similar trip to Morocco by Field Marshal Birhanu Jula in August 2024, signaling both countries' shared interest to deepening their defense partnership across emerging sectors.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Ethiopia has recently signed a defense cooperation agreement with Rwanda, adding to a growing list of countries with which it is expanding military ties.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Over the past year, Ethiopia has taken steps to broaden similar defense cooperations, including an agreement with neighboring Kenya where both countries pledged to address shared security concerns.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Other recent developments include Field Marshal Birhanu's visit to South Africa in September 2023. Ethiopia also formalized defense ties with South and United Arab Emirates, indicating a broader approach to expand defense partnerships across Africa and the Middle East.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Read the original article on Addis Standard.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>South Africa: Power Utility Eskom Suspends Power Cuts <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Power utility Eskom has suspended load shedding following the recovery of approximately 2,015 megawatts of generation capacity, an anticipated drop in electricity demand, and adequate emergency reserves, reports SABC News. Eskom had announced the implementation of stage 2 load shedding from 4 PM to 5 AM on Friday due to higher-than-expected demand, the loss of generation units, and extensive planned maintenance. Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena said that planned maintenance was ongoing to prepare the system for increased winter demand, meet regulatory requirements, and ensure environmental compliance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal on Alert for Severe Thunderstorms and Flooding<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Residents of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) were warned to prepare for continued rainy weather, with the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issuing a level 4 warning for severe thunderstorms, reports SABC News. Both provinces had experienced harsh weather recently, and the SAWS indicated that wet conditions were expected to persist throughout the week. Residents in low-lying areas, informal settlements, and near rivers were urged to avoid crossing water bodies during heavy rain. The yellow level 4 warning in most parts of Gauteng signaled a drop in temperatures along with scattered showers and severe thunderstorms, while an orange level 5 warning was issued for the southern parts of the province. Forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela said that the risk of localised flooding, damaging winds, hail, and excessive lightning exists. KZN residents were urged to exercise caution as extreme weather conditions that could lead to flooding and further damage to infrastructure are forecast for the province.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>MK Party Demands Godongwana's Resignation Over Reversed VAT Decision<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party called for the resignation of Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana after he reversed his decision to implement a value-added tax (VAT) increase, reports SABC News. Godongwana announced that the proposed hike would no longer be effected. MK Secretary General Floyd Shivhambu, addressing supporters during Jacob Zuma's court case in Pietermaritzburg, insisted that Godongwana should step down immediately. However, the African National Congress (ANC) firmly backed the minister, with Secretary General Fikile Mbalula declaring that Godongwana would remain in his position, citing his consultations with political parties and adherence to his duties.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>More South African news<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Kenya Set to Overtake Ethiopia As East Africa's Largest Economy<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Kenya is projected to surpass Ethiopia as East Africa's largest economy in 2025, according to new data from the International Monetary Fund<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The IMF forecasts Kenya's GDP will reach $132 billion next year, ahead of Ethiopia's estimated $117 billion<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The shift follows Ethiopia's sharp currency devaluation in July 2024, part of reforms to secure a $3.4 billion IMF program and unlock $16.6 billion in additional World Bank support<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Kenya is projected to surpass Ethiopia as East Africa's largest economy in 2025, according to new data from the International Monetary Fund. The IMF forecasts Kenya's GDP will reach $132 billion next year, ahead of Ethiopia's estimated $117 billion.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The shift follows Ethiopia's sharp currency devaluation in July 2024, part of reforms to secure a $3.4 billion IMF program and unlock $16.6 billion in additional World Bank support. The 55% depreciation of the birr, while stabilizing for external accounts, has raised import costs and inflation pressures.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>In contrast, Kenya has maintained macroeconomic stability and a strong currency. The Kenyan shilling appreciated 21% in 2024, the best global performance that year. The country's diversified economy and mature financial sector have helped buffer fiscal risks. Despite this, Kenya continues to face internal challenges, including backlash over tax hikes and protests that wiped $600 million from the Nairobi Securities Exchange in 2023.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Daba is Africa's leading investment platform for private and public markets. Download here<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Key Takeaways<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Kenya's lead in East Africa reflects more than short-term currency dynamics. Its economy benefits from services, manufacturing, and regional trade, whereas Ethiopia has relied heavily on public infrastructure spending and agriculture. Ethiopia's ongoing debt restructuring and post-conflict recovery have complicated growth, while inflation remains elevated. In liberalizing the exchange rate, Ethiopia took steps to regain access to international markets, but at a short-term cost to consumer prices and GDP measured in dollar terms. Kenya's economy is more integrated into global markets and has attracted consistent foreign investment, particularly in fintech, logistics, and agriculture. Its financial system and monetary policy framework offer flexibility to absorb shocks. Both countries must navigate rising global uncertainty, including slowing demand in major export markets and potential fallout from higher U.S. tariffs. For Kenya, sustaining momentum will require balancing fiscal reforms with political stability. For Ethiopia, debt resolution and structural reform will be key to regaining investor confidence.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Read the original article on Daba Finance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>South Africa: Sassa Gold Cards to Continue Working Beyond 31 May 2025<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The Postbank has confirmed that South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Gold Cards will continue to work beyond 31 May 2025.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>In a statement on Thursday, Postbank said grant beneficiaries with Gold Cards will continue to be paid their SASSA grants in those cards until further notice, which is great news for beneficiaries that have not yet migrated to Postbank Black Cards.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>According to Postbank, SASSA Gold Cards will continue to work across all payment systems, including ATMs and POS machines. Beneficiaries can continue to withdraw cash at all Postbank's partner retail stores and can continue swiping for purchases.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>This means that the Gold Cards will continue to work as they do now, even after 31 May 2025.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"In keeping with our commitment that we made that Postbank will ensure that no beneficiary will be left with no access to their grants and that there will be no disruptions in payments of grants, Gold Cards will continue to work until every beneficiary is transitioned to the new black card.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"We are therefore hopeful and confident that this announcement addresses any concern relating to the payments of any beneficiaries that may not have yet obtained their Black Cards," Postbank CEO, Nikki Mbengashe, explained.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The CEO advised social grant beneficiaries to ignore any call that they must change banks, as this is unnecessary.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"We plead with them to be wary of misleading information that their Gold Cards will not work and that they need to change banks because of this," she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Beneficiaries are also asked to always only respond to Postbank published communication when it comes to their SASSA Gold Cards and the Black Cards, as the only authorised entity that is responsible for the issuing of these cards.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Beneficiaries are further advised that whenever they come across any information regarding their cards that has not been communicated by Postbank, they should not believe what is being said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Postbank said this will prevent beneficiaries from being misled as the entity observes increased amounts of incorrect information being communicated about the SASSA cards recently.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"As the Gold Cards will continue to work and all beneficiaries can continue to use those cards and their Black Cards to access payments, Postbank notifies the beneficiaries that it has put a temporary suspension of the distribution of new Black Cards in its sites until further notice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>"This, however, has no impact on anyone who currently has a Postbank Black Card, as that card will continue to work as per normal," the entity said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>The Postbank card distribution sites, however, will remain open and available to beneficiaries to access the following services:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>· PIN resets.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>· Reissuing of Black Cards for any beneficiary that has experienced a lost/stolen card incident.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>· Beneficiaries seeking to register for the cardless payment alternative.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Postbank further extended its appreciation to all grant beneficiaries for their cooperation and understanding as it works towards enhancing their banking experience and service quality standards. - SAnews.gov.za<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Read the original article on SAnews.gov.za.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:50.35pt;line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:10.05pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style='height:10.05pt'><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:10.05pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style='height:10.05pt'><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:10.05pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style='height:10.05pt'><td width=910 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:682.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:10.05pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span lang=X-NONE style='mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'> </span><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Invest Wisely!</span></i><span lang=EN-US style='mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Bulls n Bears </span></b><span lang=EN-US style='mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Courier New";color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Cellphone: +263 71 944 1674 | +27 79 993 5557 </span><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Email: </span><span lang=EN-US><a href="mailto:bulls@bullszimbabwe.com"><span style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>bulls@bullszimbabwe.com</span></a></span><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Website: </span><span lang=EN-US><a href="http://www.bullszimbabwe.com"><span style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>www.bullszimbabwe.com</span></a></span><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Blog: </span><span lang=EN-US><a href="http://www.bullszimbabwe.com/blog"><span style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>www.bullszimbabwe.com/blog</span></a></span><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Twitter (X): @bullsbears2010<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>LinkedIn: Bulls n Bears Zimbabwe<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%;background:white'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>Facebook: </span><span lang=EN-US><a href="http://www.facebook.com/BullsBearsZimbabwe"><span style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>www.facebook.com/BullsBearsZimbabwe</span></a></span><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.5pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:33.35pt;line-height:106%'><span lang=EN-US><img border=0 width=278 height=115 id="_x0000_i1028" src="cid:image004.png@01DBB82D.82DD9380"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--></span><span lang=EN-US style='mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-left:36.0pt;line-height:115%;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#222222;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:10.05pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width=910 colspan=4 style='width:682.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><strong><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#345883'>INVESTORS DIARY 2025</span></strong><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=175 style='width:131.3pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:12.6pt;line-height:105%'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Company</span></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=207 style='width:155.5pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Event</span></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=353 style='width:264.7pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Venue</span></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=175 valign=bottom style='width:131.3pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Date & Time</span></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=175 valign=top style='width:131.3pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=207 style='width:155.5pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=353 style='width:264.7pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=175 valign=top style='width:131.3pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-72.0pt;line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=175 valign=top style='width:131.3pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=207 style='width:155.5pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=353 style='width:264.7pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=175 valign=top style='width:131.3pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-72.0pt;line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=175 valign=top style='width:131.3pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=207 style='width:155.5pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=353 style='width:264.7pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=175 valign=top style='width:131.3pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:72.0pt;text-indent:-72.0pt;line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=382 colspan=2 valign=top style='width:286.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#D9D9D9;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'>Companies under Cautionary<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=353 style='width:264.7pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#D9D9D9;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=175 valign=bottom style='width:131.3pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#D9D9D9;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=382 colspan=2 valign=top style='width:286.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=353 style='width:264.7pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=175 valign=bottom style='width:131.3pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=382 colspan=2 valign=top style='width:286.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>CBZH<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=353 style='width:264.7pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>GetBucks<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=175 valign=bottom style='width:131.3pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>EcoCash<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=382 colspan=2 valign=top style='width:286.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Padenga<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=353 style='width:264.7pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Econet<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=175 valign=bottom style='width:131.3pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>RTG<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=382 colspan=2 valign=top style='width:286.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Fidelity<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=353 style='width:264.7pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>TSL<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=175 valign=bottom style='width:131.3pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>FMHL<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style='height:3.25pt'><td width=382 colspan=2 valign=top style='width:286.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=353 style='width:264.7pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=175 valign=bottom style='width:131.3pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-right:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:3.25pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style='height:99.35pt'><td width=910 colspan=4 style='width:682.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;height:99.35pt'><p class=MsoBodyText align=center style='margin:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US><a href="mailto:info@bulls.co.zw"><span lang=EN-ZW style='color:windowtext;mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=804 height=268 id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image005.jpg@01DBB82D.82DD9380"></span></a></span><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;height:99.35pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width=910 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:682.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#1F497D;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width=910 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:682.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#1F497D;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:white'>DISCLAIMER: This report has been prepared by Bulls ‘n Bears, a division of Faith Capital (Pvt) Ltd for general information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for any securities. The information contained in this report has been compiled from s believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty is made or guarantee given as to its accuracy or completeness. All opinions expressed and recommendations made are subject to change without notice. Securities or financial instruments mentioned herein may not be suitable for all investors. Securities of emerging and mid-size growth companies typically involve a higher degree of risk and more volatility than the securities of more established companies. Neither Faith Capital nor any other member of Bulls ‘n Bears nor any other person, accepts any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from any use of this report or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith. Recipients of this report shall be solely responsible for making their own independent investigation into the business, financial condition and future prospects of any companies referred to in this report. Other Indices quoted herein are for guideline purposes only and d from third parties.</span></i><i><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></i></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width=910 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:682.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><i><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:white'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width=910 colspan=4 valign=top style='width:682.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:106%'><span lang=EN-GB style='mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'> (c) 2025 Web: </span><span lang=EN-US><a href="http://www.bullszimbabwe.com"><span lang=EN-GB style='mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>www.bullszimbabwe.com</span></a></span><span lang=EN-GB style='mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'> Email: </span><span lang=EN-US><a href="mailto:bulls@bullszimbabwe.com"><span lang=EN-GB style='mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'>bulls@bullszimbabwe.com</span></a></span><span lang=EN-GB style='mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'> Tel: +27 79 993 5557 | +263 71 944 1674</span><span lang=EN-US style='mso-fareast-language:EN-ZW'><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width=910 colspan=4 valign=bottom style='width:682.8pt;border:solid #BFBFBF 1.0pt;border-top:none;background:#F2F2F2;padding:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></td><td width=6 style='width:4.4pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:105%'><span lang=EN-US style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></table></div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>