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African nations have been instructed to be life like and cease relying on Development Partners (DPs) for funding of crucial infrastructure.

“They can’t continue to depend on DPs. DPs won’t give money, unless they have interests,” Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO of the African Union Development Agency NEPAD (AUDA NEPAD), instructed journalists at a press briefing in Addis Ababa throughout PIDA Week 2024.

She referred to as for ‘derisking’ of the continent. “We like talking about our problems,” she stated, and urged Africans to deal with their constructive tales.

She additional referred to as on African nations to see non-public sector involvement in infrastructure as vital and harmonise their authorized frameworks to facilitate the involvement of the sector.

She stated African nations ought to “work in partnerships and collaborations,” including that, “infrastructure development should be people centered. Because empowering citizens is empowering yourself,” and urged nations of the continent to have the built-in method to infrastructure growth, by making folks the main target of the event.

“Countries should have their own development agencies insulated from the politics,” she added.

The Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) is a framework of the African Union operationalised by the (AUDA NEPAD.

This yr’s PIDA Week is being organized collectively by the African Union, AUDA NEPAD, the African Development Bank, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa underneath the theme: ‘Fostering Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure for Africa’s Sustainable Growth: Leveraging Transformative Financing and Regional Integration.’

The week being held within the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, from November 24 to 29, 2024, is to deliberate over the continent’s infrastructure gaps and the necessity for funding within the sector.

The PIDA Week is an annual occasion organized underneath the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa, which serves as a platform for stakeholders to return collectively and talk about the progress, challenges, and future instructions of infrastructure growth throughout the continent. Inaugurated in 2015, PIDA Week has develop into a crucial discussion board for accelerating infrastructure implementation in Africa, linking infrastructure to regional integration, financial development, and job creation, the AU says on its web site.

By Emmanuel Okay Dogbevi, again from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Copyright ©2024 by NewsBridge Africa
All rights reserved. This article or any portion thereof might not be reproduced or utilized in any method in any respect with out the categorical written permission of the writer aside from using transient quotations in critiques.

German carmaker Volkswagen is withdrawing from its controversial involvement in a manufacturing facility in China’s Xinjiang province, which has attracted criticism over alleged human-rights abuses of the Uighur minority.

Volkswagen bought the plant within the metropolis of Urumqi, which was collectively operated with the Chinese state-owned firm SAIC Motor Corporation as a associate, the Volkswagen Group introduced on Wednesday.

The purchaser is the Chinese state-owned firm SMVIC, which is lively within the used automotive enterprise.

VW additionally bought take a look at tracks in Turpan and Anting within the Chinese province.

VW investigated the allegations of abuse, however the firm cited financial causes for the sale of the plant. The way forward for the plant had been negotiated for months.

Investors welcome transfer

Several Volkswagen shareholders welcomed the choice to divest from the controversial manufacturing facility.

Janne Werning from Union Investment known as it “a long overdue step that shows that human rights are not negotiable,” however added that weak company governance on the carmaker stay “VW’s Achilles heel.”

Deka Investment’s Ingo Speich stated that with the transfer, “VW is putting an end to the controversial discussions.”

The western German state of Lower Saxony, which holds a big stake in VW, expressed its satisfaction with the choice in a press release “welcoming” the transfer. The state’s premier, Stephan Weil, and his deputy, Julia Willie Hamburg, each maintain seats on the VW Group’s supervisory board.

VW has not constructed automobiles in Xinjiang since 2019. At its peak between 2015 and 2019, the plant employed round 650 individuals, based on VW.

In current years, the plant has dealt with technical changes and checks on autos.

The plant opened in 2013, and the preliminary contract between VW and SAIC was as a consequence of run till 2029. According to VW, SAIC held the controlling stake on the web site, the place autos had been as soon as assembled for gross sales in western China.

However, the undertaking failed within the weaker than anticipated market.

At the identical time, the German carmaker introduced that it had prolonged a cooperation settlement with SAIC on Tuesday for an additional 10 years. The deal will now run till 2040.

However, Volkswagen stated there is no such thing as a connection between the withdrawal from the Xinjiang plant, which was sealed a couple of days in the past, and the contract extension.

Abuse allegations

Serious allegations of human rights violations as a consequence of compelled labour on the plant have been made in recent times. Many Uighurs – a Muslim minority in China – dwell in Xinjiang.

According to human rights activists, lots of of hundreds of Uighurs have skilled years of oppression, have been compelled to work or have been despatched to re-education camps.

China has cited a sequence of assaults by extremists to justify the crackdown on Muslim minorities, however denies allegations of rights abuses.

Following the allegations in the summertime of 2023, VW commissioned an organization to research the working situations on the plant and look into the allegations.

In December, the auditors introduced that they’d discovered no proof or proof of compelled labour among the many staff.

Critics complained that the anonymity of the staff questioned within the investigation had not been adequately protected.

New VW fashions for Chinese market

VW plans to launch a brand new product offensive in China from 2026 and convey 18 new fashions from the corporate’s Volkswagen and Audi manufacturers onto the market in partnership with SAIC by the top of the last decade.

Fifteen of the automobile fashions will probably be unique to the Chinese market. By 2030, the VW Group goals to promote 4 million automobiles a yr and obtain a market share of 15% in China.

According to VW, final yr’s share was 14.5%.

Parternship for the reason that 80s

Volkswagen based a three way partnership with the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) again within the Eighties, which laid the inspiration for VW’s profitable growth within the Chinese market.

This was later adopted by the institution of one other three way partnership with China First Automobile Works (FAW).

In 2017, VW additionally based a three way partnership with Anhui Jianghuai Automobile (JAC) targeted on the event and manufacturing of electrical autos.

Volkswagen has additionally entered right into a strategic partnership with the Chinese electrical automobile producer Xpeng.

For a few years, Chinese authorities required overseas automotive producers in China to supply their autos completely by means of joint ventures with native companions.

A variety of overseas carmakers agreed, because the offers made it attainable to realize entry to the large Chinese market. But the association additionally led to know-how transfers to Chinese corporations.

In current years, Beijing started to chill out the rules till the restrictions had been lastly lifted fully in 2022.

Volkswagen has nonetheless held on to its Chinese companions. The VW Group now operates a complete of 38 factories within the People’s Republic, not together with the Urumqi plant.

VW going through disaster

There have been unconfirmed stories that VW might additional reduce its manufacturing capability in China, maybe exiting a plant in Nanjing in japanese China.

The German carmaker is at present going through a disaster, and has been threatening to shut factories in Germany and lay off tens of hundreds of employees amid issues about prices and intense competitors.

The state of affairs for Volkswagen in China, which the carmaker as soon as relied on for outsized earnings, has additionally clearly deteriorated as upstart Chinese rivals have gained market share with smooth new all-electric fashions.

According to business observers, Volkswagen was too gradual to launch electrical drivetrains in China and has been tormented by excessive prices with low capability utilization.

VW adopted swimsuit with electrical automobiles constructed particularly for the Chinese market, however Chinese manufacturers comparable to BYD and Li Auto have to date been capable of beat the competitors in a fierce value struggle.

VW expects 2025 to once more be a tough yr available in the market, however has expressed the hope that the state of affairs will start bettering in 2026.

Source: dpa

Madam Theresa Freeman, an authorized fish processor and Vice President of the National Fisheries and Processing Trade Association (NAFPTA), has highlighted the significance of the Safe Fish Certificate.

She warned fellow fishmongers towards shopping for low-quality fish, emphasizing that this apply jeopardizes shopper well being and damages their skilled popularity.

Madam Freeman urged fellow fish processors to enroll in protected certification packages, which might improve the marketability of their merchandise to high-profile firms and institutions. By acquiring these certifications, fish processors can exhibit their dedication to high quality and security, gaining a aggressive edge out there and boosting shopper confidence.

Madam Theresa Freeman emphasised the importance of the Safe Fish Certificate.

“Let’s prioritize quality and safety in our business,” she urged. “By doing so, we can protect public health, maintain customer trust, and contribute to a more sustainable fishing industry.”

“Having this certification opens up lucrative opportunities for us to supply our fish to high-profile companies and institutions. This not only increases our revenue potential but also enhances our reputation as reliable and quality-driven fish suppliers,” she burdened.

As a part of a market marketing campaign selling protected fish dealing with practices, Media General’s Takoradi-based Connect FM, in collaboration with the Western Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association, has organized a sensitization program at Sekondi Market.

This initiative, supported by USAID via Feed the Future, goals to coach fish sellers on correct dealing with and storage methods to make sure shopper security.

The program introduced collectively key stakeholders, together with the Fisheries Commission, STMA Environmental Health and Department, and Sekondi Market Queens, to advertise a unified method to bettering fish dealing with practices within the area. By working collectively, these organizations hope to create a safer and extra sustainable meals provide chain for shoppers.

    Patrick Tawiah, an officer from the Fisheries Commission, took the chance to coach the fishmongers on the Safe Fish Licensing Scheme, also called the Safe Fish Certificate.

He emphasised that. “The Safe Fish Certificate aims to ensure that the fish we consume are safe and free from health risks. To achieve this, the primary focus is on educating fishermen and fishmongers in coastal communities on the importance of cleanliness in their fishing and business practices.”

“Notably, this certification program is free for all participants, and it includes comprehensive training on best practices for fish handling, storage, and marketing. Specifically, the training covers essential topics such as: Maintaining cleanliness in fish shelters and preparation areas, Preparing and handling fish in a secure and sanitary manner and Effective marketing strategies for fish products among others,” he mentioned.

By empowering fishmongers with this data, the Safe Fish Certificate program seeks to advertise a tradition of meals security and high quality within the fishing trade.

Bernard, a consultant from the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly’s Environmental Health and Safety Department, emphasised the significance of cleanliness within the fish promoting enterprise. He urged fish sellers to prioritize hygiene to make sure the security and high quality of their merchandise.

“I’ve noticed that many of you fish sellers have a bad habit of not washing the fish after buying them from the shore. Instead, you directly smoke them, which is unacceptable. When you bring the fish home, please ensure you wash them with clean water, not seawater, at least two to three times to make them cleaner.”

“As you’re aware, fish attract houseflies, so it’s essential to cover them to prevent contamination. Additionally, please regularly change your smoke nets or clean them frequently.”

“We’re also appealing to you fishmongers to maintain good personal hygiene. Keep your fingernails clean and short, wear aprons, and use hair covers or nets to prevent hair from getting into the fish. Remove cobwebs from your kitchen or shed, and at the market, take steps to prevent cockroaches. By following these simple practices, you’ll significantly improve the quality and safety of your fish products,” he suggested.

Fish sellers at Sekondi Market counseled Connect FM and the Western Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) for organizing such an educative program on protected fish practices. The distributors have pledged to implement the information gained from this system to enhance their each day operations.

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