EU pledges €50m to Africa for animal disease

SHEEP and goats are emerging as critical economic assets for millions of African households, providing food, income, savings and financial security, but the livelihoods built around them face a major threat from Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR). The European Union has pledged an additional €50 million towards the second phase of efforts to eradicate PPR in Africa, with potential to mobilise a further €40 million through blended finance. The announcement was made during a high-level PPR side event in Rome on the margins of the FAO Global Conference on Agrifood Systems Transformation through One Health and Transboundary Animal Disease Prevention, Control and Eradication. Speaking at the same side event, EU Ambassador Martin Selmayr said PPR was not only an animal-health and trade problem but also a social and economic threat to livestock-dependent communities. “PPR is certainly an economic and trade problem, but it is first and foremost a social problem,” Mr Selmayr said. He said the disease causes estimated global annual losses of between US$1.3 billion and US$2 billion and can destroy livestock populations, reducing household revenues and increasing replacement costs. More than 70 countries have confirmed PPR, while others remain at risk of introduction. Together, these countries account for about 1.7 billion sheep and goats, representing approximately 80 percent of the global population. Although PPR does not infect humans, its economic effects can undermine food and nutrition security, rural employment, household purchasing power and livestock trade. Mr Selmayr said the EU funding should support more than vaccination campaigns by helping attract greater domestic and international investment in animal-health systems. “We should not just finance another vaccination campaign. We should do that as well, but this should not be everything,” he said. He said the EU contribution would serve as a catalyst under its Global Gateway partnership approach, encouraging countries to increase domestic resources while attracting financing from development banks and international financial institutions. Director of the African Union-Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), Dr Huyam Salih, said Africa needed sustained investment and stronger coordination to translate its political commitment into action. She said the continent needed stronger veterinary services, surveillance, vaccination systems and regional and cross-border cooperation. FAO Assistant Director-General and Chief Veterinarian Dr Thanawat Tiensin also stressed collective action, saying the One Health approach recognises the links between animal health, food systems, livelihoods and economies. For Zambia, which has not reported PPR cases, preventing the introduction of the disease remains important because of cross-border livestock movements and regional trade. The Pan-African PPR Secretariat says effective and affordable vaccines are already available, but reaching remote and mobile livestock-keeping communities requires reliable vaccine supplies, cold chains, trained personnel and effective surveillance. A 2016 global benefit-cost study estimated that a 15-year PPR eradication programme costing about US$2.26 billion could generate approximately US$76.5 billion in discounted economic benefits. Investment in PPR eradication could also strengthen preparedness against other transboundary diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease, African swine fever and highly pathogenic avian influenza. The Pan-African PPR programme is coordinated through AU-IBAR, AU-PANVAC, FAO and WOAH and funded by the European Union. The Rome dialogue called for governments, financial institutions and private-sector partners to convert political commitments into sustained financing to protect livestock, livelihoods, food security and regional trade.

From rust to revival

...Inside Zambia Railways’ $20 million journey to rebuild its future DOREEN NAWA, Kabwe THE rhythmic sounds of grinding metal, welding sparks illuminating workshop corners and engineers huddled around locomotive components are becoming symbols of a quiet transformation underway in Kabwe. For years, Zambia’s railway sector has grappled with ageing rolling stock, reduced locomotive availability and increasing dependence on hired equipment to meet growing freight demands. The challenges have weighed heavily on Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL), limiting operational efficiency at a time when regional trade and industrial activity continue to expand. Yet amid those struggles, conversations around repositioning rail as a driver of economic growth had begun gaining momentum. In 2025, during the Land- Linked Zambia Conference, stakeholders emphasised the need for Zambia to leverage its strategic geographic position to transition from being merely landlocked to becoming a land-linked regional logistics hub. Central to that vision was a functioning and efficient railway system capable of supporting industrialisation, reducing transport costs and facilitating regional trade. And ZRL managing director Cuthbert Malindi took it personal and engaged with possible partners.

He imagined a full functional rail system that will soon be a centre of excellence for not only the Southern African Development Community (SADC) but Africa as a whole. Just over a year later, that ambition is increasingly taking shape on the workshop floor at Zambia Railways Main Workshops in Kabwe. The US$20 million strategic partnership signed in February 2026 between Zambia Railways Limited and Worldwide Rail and Mining Solutions (WWRMS) for the rehabilitation and modernisation of six GT 3600HP mainline locomotives is no longer confined to boardroom discussions and signed agreements. It is visible. Three months after commencement of works, the workshops in Kabwe have become a hive of activity. During a media tour of the ongoing rehabilitation programme, teams of engineers and technicians worked methodically to dismantle worn-out components, assess structural integrity and rebuild locomotive systems designed to restore performance and extend operational lifespan. The atmosphere reflects urgency, but also optimism. A total of 45 personnel are directly involved in the rehabilitation programme, comprising 35 Zambia Railways employees working alongside 10 specialists from Worldwide Rail and Mining Solutions. The interaction between local and international teams underscores one of the project’s most important objectives – its technical skills transfer. For Worldwide Rail Technical lead Shadrack Qotso, the rehabilitation programme is about creating sustainable engineering capacity alongside restoring locomotives. “We are committed to ensuring that these locomotives are restored to high operational standards through quality workmanship and rigorous technical processes. Equally important is ensuring that the knowledge remains with Zambia Railways through practical training and collaboration with local engineers,” Mr Qotso said during the workshop tour. He explained that the project is designed to deliver long-term operational reliability while strengthening local technical expertise. “Our approach is not simply to complete the rehabilitation works and leave. We want Zambia Railways engineers to gain practical exposure throughout the process so that the institution strengthens its internal maintenance capabilities,” he said. The emphasis on local capacity development resonates strongly with Zambia Railways officials overseeing the project. For ZRL project lead Kavimbi Chipusu, a senior engineer, the progress recorded within three months has brought renewed confidence. Walking through sections of the workshop where locomotives are undergoing refurbishment, Mr Chipusu reflected on the significance of the programme. “This project gives us hope because we are seeing practical skills development and measurable progress on the rehabilitation works. The involvement of ZRL engineers throughout the process means the expertise gained will strengthen our capacity to maintain and manage these locomotives going forward,” he said. He noted that beyond increasing locomotive availability, the rehabilitation programme is rebuilding technical confidence within the institution. “There is optimism among staff because this initiative demonstrates investment in our people, infrastructure and future operations. The knowledge transfer taking place will benefit Zambia Railways long after the rehabilitation project is completed,” Mr Chipusu added. The six GT 3600HP locomotives undergoing rehabilitation form part of broader efforts by Zambia Railways to address persistent locomotive shortages that have affected freight operations in recent years. Limited availability of locomotives has forced the company to depend significantly on hired equipment, increasing operational costs and exposing services to disruptions amid rising demand for freight movement. The ongoing rehabilitation programme aims to reverse that trend. Implemented through a vendor- financed deferred payment structure, the arrangement allows rehabilitation works to proceed without requiring substantial upfront capital expenditure from Zambia Railways. Repayment toward the US$20 million investment will instead be made over time using revenues generated from operations by the refurbished locomotives. The phased programme will see the first two locomotives deployed between May and June 2026, followed by another two in August and the final pair before the end of the year. For the ZRL managing director, the initiative represents more than equipment restoration. “This partnership represents a major step in rebuilding Zambia Railways’ operational capacity. By rehabilitating our own locomotives, we are not only restoring critical national assets but also improving reliability, increasing freight volumes and reducing reliance on hired locomotives,” Mr Malindi said. He believes the completed rehabilitation programme will significantly increase haulage capacity and improve service delivery to sectors including mining, agriculture, manufacturing and energy. The broader implications extend far beyond Zambia Railways itself. Historically, railway systems have played a defining role in industrial development worldwide. Efficient freight movement lowers production costs, improves supply chain reliability and facilitates large- scale movement of raw materials and finished products. Rail remains particularly important for bulky commodities. A single freight train has the potential to transport cargo equivalent to approximately 50 trucks. For economies reliant on mining and agriculture, this creates substantial cost savings while reducing pressure on road infrastructure. In Zambia, commodities such as copper, fertiliser, fuel, cement and agricultural produce depend heavily on efficient transport systems. Strengthening railway capacity could therefore contribute significantly towards improving competitiveness across multiple industries. Reduced dependence on road transport also offers environmental and economic benefits through lower fuel consumption, reduced emissions and decreased road maintenance costs. As Africa advances implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), efficient transport systems are becoming increasingly critical. The AfCFTA seeks to create a single African market and boost intra-African trade by reducing barriers between countries. However, expanded trade opportunities require strong supporting infrastructure. Countries with efficient rail networks are likely to gain competitive advantages in regional logistics and manufacturing. For Zambia, centrally positioned within southern Africa and bordering eight countries, revitalised rail infrastructure presents an opportunity to strengthen trade corridors and improve connectivity to regional ports and markets. The vision of Zambia becoming a land-linked logistics hub depends heavily on transport efficiency. That is why the rehabilitation works taking place in Kabwe carry significance beyond the workshop floor. At the signing of the agreement in February, Worldwide Rail and Mining Solutions managing director Jason Visagie said restoring the locomotives means supporting broader economic ambitions. “The rehabilitation process will involve a comprehensive rebuild and upgrade of the locomotives to ensure they meet modern operational requirements. Our goal is to deliver high-quality engineering solutions that will extend the service life of these locomotives while enhancing their operational efficiency,” he said. He added that collaboration with Zambia Railways engineers remains central to ensuring sustainable outcomes. Inside the Kabwe workshops, the signs of transformation are increasingly difficult to ignore. Where ageing locomotives once symbolised operational decline, they now represent renewal.

Teams move between workstations with purpose. Components are rebuilt. Skills are exchanged. Institutional confidence is slowly being restored. The transformation underway is not merely mechanical. It is organisational. It is economic. And perhaps most importantly, it is symbolic of what strategic investment, partnerships and long-term vision can achieve. What began as discussions during Land-Linked Zambia 2025 is increasingly becoming visible progress. For Zambia Railways, the journey from operational challenges towards renewal is no longer an aspiration waiting on the horizon. It is unfolding in real time inside the busy workshops of Kabwe. It’s one rebuilt locomotive, one trained engineer, and one restored opportunity at a time. The whistle signalling departure may soon carry a deeper meaning. Not simply the movement of trains. But the movement of a railway company — and perhaps a nation’s logistics ambitions — from rust to revival.

Combating fall armyworms

Scientists make major breakthrough with local fungus strain DOREEN NAWA Lusaka

A TINY fungus grown in a Zambian laboratory could become one of the country’s most promising weapons against a pest that has spent nearly a decade ravaging maize fields. Scientists working for a not-for-profit intergovernmental organisation, CABI, have successfully harvested, for the first time, spores of a local strain of a naturally occurring fungus that infects and kills a fall armyworm called Metarhizium rileyi. The breakthrough, which follows three years of dedicated research and development, means the fungus has now been produced entirely in Zambia, ending years of reliance on spores produced at CABI’s laboratory in Egham, United Kingdom. For a country where maize is central to food security, the development could prove significant. The fall armyworm has become one of Zambia’s most damaging invasive agricultural pests, affecting at least 98 percent of smallholder farmers every cropping season and causing estimated annual losses of about US$159 million. The story of Zambia’s battle with fall armyworms – scientifically known as Spodoptera frugiperda and native to the Americas – began in 2016. The outbreak was first reported in December 2016, initially in Copperbelt Province, before infestations were reported in Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka and Central provinces. By January 2017, the pest had already affected more than 129,000 hectares of maize, turning what had started as scattered reports into a national agricultural emergency. Maize was not the only target as the fall armyworm is a highly polyphagous pest capable of feeding on a wide range of crops and grasses, including sorghum, millet, rice, wheat, barley, sugar cane and other plants. For Zambia, however, its attack on maize has been particularly damaging because maize is both a major staple food and an important source of income for smallholder farmers. Although the fall armyworm was new to Zambia in 2016, armyworms themselves were not – African farmers have battled armyworm outbreaks for decades. During severe outbreaks, vast numbers of caterpillars can appear almost simultaneously and move across fields in search of food, stripping vegetation as they go. But unlike some pests that attack only a narrow range of crops, fall armyworms can feed on more than 80 plant species. “This pest is deadly,” says Milaka Chasunkwa of Gota Gota Village in Chirundu. “I have been experiencing it for a decade now and treating it using pesticide is unattainable for me because of the high cost of medicines ideal for the management. “I tried the previous season to use pesticides thinking I have eradicated it forever, but surprisingly the next season it was back damaging more maize in my field. The maize is attacked from the leaves to the cobs, making it unredeemable.” The fall armyworm ability to spread rapidly, reproduce quickly and attack economically important crops make it particularly difficult to contain. Searching nature for an answer was the only way. The breakthrough began in 2018. Scientists from the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), the University of Zambia (UNZA) and CABI discovered Metarhizium rileyi occurring naturally in areas where fall armyworms were devastating maize. The fungus was already attacking the pest. That discovery changed the direction of the research. Instead of searching for a biological control agent somewhere else in the world, scientists could investigate an organism already found under Zambian conditions and naturally capable of killing fall armyworms. The discovery led to further research under the Village-based Biocontrol of Fall Armyworm in Zambia project, funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), alongside CABI’s PlantwisePlus programme. Researchers began testing the fungus across Zambia’s three agroecological zones. They investigated both liquid and dry formulations, examining their effectiveness and determining the most appropriate timing and frequency of application. The goal was to develop a biological control option that could eventually form part of an integrated approach to fall armyworm management. For four years, however, the spores used in the research were produced at CABI’s laboratory in Egham, UK. They then had to be shipped to Zambia. That has now changed. For the first time, CABI’s laboratory in Zambia has successfully grown the local strain of M. rileyi on rice and harvested its spores entirely in-country. ZARI is already testing production using different varieties of rice, as well as sorghum, wheat and barley. Scientists want to identify which cereal provides the best conditions for producing the fungus efficiently and consistently. This work is crucial because discovering a fungus that kills fall armyworms is only the first step. The real challenge is producing enough of it, in the right formulation and at a cost that could make it practical for smallholder farmers. Scientists believe this local strain is well adapted to Zambian environmental conditions, giving it strong potential for use in augmentative biological control. Biological control could also help address some of the challenges associated with heavy reliance on conventional pesticides. CABI says nearly 43 percent of Zambian farmers use pesticides every season, while some farmers use highly hazardous products. Repeated or inappropriate pesticide use can create risks for farmers, consumers and the environment and can contribute to the development of pesticide resistance. The fungus offers a different approach — using a natural enemy to suppress a natural enemy. But researchers are cautious. CABI laboratory technician Sihle Nakombe has led the work on producing the spores. “Harvesting the first spores of M. rileyi is a great milestone for our research and skill development among young scientists,” Ms Nakombe says. “It is the result of three years of dedicated work to develop a biological control option for more sustainable fall armyworm management in Zambia, and we’re excited about where it can take us next.” Intern Sampa Kazembe, who also worked on the mass- production process, says the experience has provided practical laboratory skills and strengthened her understanding of biological control. “Working on the mass production of M. rileyi has been an inspiring chapter in my professional journey,” she says. “As an agronomy graduate, this experience has deepened my appreciation and passion for the role of biocontrol in building sustainable agricultural systems, while reinforcing my commitment to developing innovative, science- based solutions that protect both farmers and the environment.” Now the challenge is how to scale up and whether the laboratory success can eventually reach the farmer. CABI regional director for southern Africa Natasha Mwila says the successful production of spores from a locally sourced strain demonstrates the value of investing in local scientific capacity and developing biological solutions tailored to Zambia’s agricultural systems. “By harnessing naturally occurring organisms, we are advancing more sustainable approaches to managing fall armyworm while reducing reliance on conventional pesticides,” she says. PUBLISHED ON AUGUST 17, 2026 IN THE ZAMBIA DAILY MAIL

Merck Foundation marks major healthcare milestone at 13th Africa Asia Luminary

DOREEN CHILUMBU The Merck Foundation has celebrated what it describes as a significant milestone in advancing healthcare access and medical capacity across Africa and Asia, highlighting years of investment in healthcare training, education, and social development initiatives. Speaking during the opening of the 13th Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2026, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Merck Foundation, Dr. Rasha Kelej, praised African and Asian First Ladies for their continued support in transforming healthcare systems and improving access to specialist medical services in underserved communities. Addressing participants during the virtual conference, Dr. Kelej said the Foundation's achievements were the result of strong partnerships built over the years. "Today, we achieved a lot with you," she said, thanking the First Ladies for their commitment to improving healthcare outcomes in their respective countries. Among the Foundation's notable accomplishments is the provision of more than 2,800 scholarships to healthcare professionals from 52 countries in 42 critical and underserved medical specialties. The scholarships support postgraduate training in areas such as oncology, cardiology, diabetes management, respiratory medicine, endocrinology, and embryology through partnerships with leading universities in the United Kingdom and other institutions worldwide. The annual Africa Asia Luminary conference serves as a platform that brings together healthcare providers, policymakers, researchers, development partners, and First Ladies to discuss strategies for strengthening healthcare systems and addressing pressing public health challenges. Dr. Kelej noted that global health emergencies such as COVID-19, Ebola outbreaks, and other emerging health threats have reinforced the need for strong healthcare systems and adequately trained medical professionals. She reaffirmed the Foundation's commitment to expanding partnerships that enhance healthcare capacity and improve access to quality medical care across developing countries. A key partner in the Foundation's healthcare capacity-building efforts is India's Tata Memorial Centre, one of the world's leading cancer treatment and research institutions. Through the Merck Cancer Access Program, the partnership has helped train African doctors in oncology, helping to address the shortage of cancer specialists across the continent. Director of Tata Memorial Centre, Dr. Sudeep Gupta, said the collaboration has trained more than 140 healthcare professionals from 21 African countries over the past 14 years. "What makes our relationship unique is the fact that the impact extends far beyond the duration of training," Dr. Gupta said, noting that beneficiaries return home equipped with skills that strengthen national healthcare systems and improve cancer care services. The conference also commemorated the ninth anniversary of the Merck Foundation's development programmes. In a statement, Chairman of the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, said the achievements represented much more than statistics. "These milestones are not merely numbers. They represent years of dedication, strong partnerships, and meaningful impact in transforming the lives of millions across Africa and Asia," he said. Prof. Stangenberg-Haverkamp emphasized that the Foundation's vision remains focused on ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilling life. Beyond healthcare, the Foundation has also championed social development initiatives, including its "More Than a Mother" campaign, which seeks to break the stigma surrounding infertility, empower women, and promote girls' education. Through the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative, spouses of Heads of State serve as ambassadors for these programmes while helping identify deserving healthcare professionals for scholarship opportunities. This year's Luminary conference was conducted entirely virtually following public health concerns linked to an Ebola outbreak reported in parts of East Africa. Organizers said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure and in line with recommendations from health authorities and the World Health Organization. The virtual format marks only the second time the conference has not been held in person, the first being during the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2023. The event attracted participation from First Ladies representing Angola, Botswana, Cabo Verde, the Central African Republic, Gabon, The Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Maldives, Mozambique, Nigeria, and São Tomé and Príncipe. As the Merck Foundation celebrates nearly a decade of development programmes and thirteen years of the Africa Asia Luminary, the organisation says it remains committed to expanding healthcare access, strengthening specialist medical training, and supporting vulnerable communities across Africa and Asia.

From liberation lifeline to logistics bridge

•Nakonde anchors SADC integration drive

DOREEN NAWA Lusaka NAKONDE’S story begins not with congestion, but with survival. In the 1970s and 1980s, when apartheid South Africa and white minority-ruled Rhodesia sealed off trade routes, Zambia – a newly independent, landlocked nation – faced economic isolation. The answer came through regional solidarity. President Kenneth Kaunda turned to Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere and, with support from China, forged alternative lifelines: the TAZARA railway, the TAZAMA oil pipeline, and the Great North Road linking Lusaka to the port of Dar es Salaam. At the heart of this network was Nakonde, a town bordering Tanzania. Then a frontier outpost, the Nakonde–Tunduma crossing became more than a border. It was a corridor of resistance, a route through which fuel, goods and hope flowed into Zambia and the wider southern African region. It symbolised African unity at a time when the region was politically divided. Decades later, that same crossing would come to represent a different challenge. From lifeline to bottleneck As regional economies expanded after independence and apartheid ended, Nakonde’s importance only grew. It became the main gateway linking Tanzania’s coast to Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi and beyond. But infrastructure and systems did not keep pace. For years, the border was synonymous with delay. Trucks queued for kilometres – sometimes stretching for several kilometres – waiting days, even up to a week, to clear. Traders slept on pavements guarding their goods. Passengers braced for uncertainty. Clearing cargo meant navigating separate systems on each side of the border. Documentation was duplicated. Processes were manual. Coordination was minimal. “Sometimes we could spend two or three days just waiting,” recalls cross-border trader Miriam Phiri. “By the time you crossed, you had already lost money.” The Nakonde–Tunduma crossing had become a chokepoint – slowing trade, raising costs and exposing the gap between regional ambition and reality. A turning point: The one-stop border post Today that narrative is shifting. The upgraded one-stop border post (OSBP) at Nakonde represents a deliberate move by Zambia and Tanzania to transform borders from barriers into bridges.

Under the OSBP model, officials from both countries operate in a single facility, conducting joint inspections and processing travellers and cargo once – rather than twice. Commissioning the new Nakonde OSBP recently, President Hakainde Hichilema described the facility as central to economic transformation, noting that Nakonde is “not just a border – but a strategic link to regional and global markets”. “This is about improving the lives of our people and strengthening regional integration,” President Hichilema added. Tanzania’s Works and Transport Minister Makame Mbarawa emphasised cooperation, saying the project reflects a shared commitment to improving trade, tourism and mobility. The impact is already visible. Ministry of Transport data indicates that about 800 trucks now cross daily, with more than six million metric tons of cargo moving through annually. Between 2,000 and 3,500 people pass through the border each day. Most importantly, clearance times have dropped significantly – transforming Nakonde from a delay point into a flow point. Policy meets practice Nakonde’s transformation is not accidental. It is the result of decades of regional policy frameworks under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) now taking shape on the ground. Key instruments such as the SADC Protocol on Trade, the Protocol on Transport, Communications and Meteorology, the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP 2020–2030), and the SADC Industrialisation Strategy (2015–2063) have long called for seamless borders and efficient corridors. The OSBP model is a practical expression of these ambitions – bringing coordination, harmonisation and efficiency to one of the region’s most critical crossings. A regional artery Nakonde is no longer just a national border – it is a regional connector. Situated along the Dar es Salaam Corridor, it links Zambia’s production centre, the Copperbelt, and neighbouring countries to global markets via Tanzania’s port. An estimated 65 percent of cargo passing through Nakonde is in transit to other countries, underlining its strategic importance as a trade artery for the wider region. Without it, supply chains across southern and Central Africa would falter. Undoubtedly, lives have been transformed at the frontier. For those who depend on the border, the change is tangible. Truck driver Jackson Mwansa says predictability has improved. “Before, you never knew how long you would stay. Now trips are more organised.” Tanzanian trader Abdul Mussa highlights efficiency. “Officers from both sides work together. It is faster and clearer.” For student Ruth Mwape, the difference is also about dignity. “The environment is better, safer and easier to navigate. It feels like a modern border.” Beyond trade: Unlocking movement

The improved border is also opening new opportunities beyond commerce. Tourists can now move more easily between Zambia’s national parks and Tanzania’s coastal attractions. Regional travel circuits – once constrained by delays – are becoming more viable. Nakonde itself is evolving, with prospects for expanded logistics services and future transport links positioning it as a growing hub in the regional network. From past to promise Nakonde’s journey mirrors that of southern Africa itself. From a liberation lifeline in a divided region, to a congested bottleneck in a growing economy, and now to a modern trade gateway anchored in cooperation. Where trucks once idled for days, goods and people now move with purpose. And in that movement lies something bigger: the realisation of a regional vision – where borders no longer divide, but connect. PUBLISHED IN THE ZAMBIA DAILY MAIL ON APRIL 2, 2026.

Ouagadougou to host 2nd International Forum on Leadership and Innovation in Agriculture

By DOREEN NAWA

Ouagadougou will host the second edition of the International Forum on Leadership and Innovation in Agriculture from May 8 to 10, 2026, bringing together key stakeholders from across Africa to discuss sustainable agricultural transformation. The forum, which will take place at the SIAO Site, follows a successful inaugural edition and is expected to attract policymakers, agricultural experts, financial institutions, startups, investors, and students. This year’s forum will be held under the theme “Food Sovereignty and Climate Resilience in Africa: What Role for Agricultural Finance?” Participants will explore how financing can support Africa’s efforts to strengthen food systems while addressing climate challenges affecting agricultural production.

Organisers say the forum aims to provide a strategic dialogue platform focusing on the Agriculture–Environment–Water–Energy–Mining nexus, highlighting the interconnected nature of these sectors in achieving sustainable development. The event is also expected to promote leadership and innovation as key drivers for transforming Africa’s agriculture sector and creating employment opportunities for young people and women. The programme will feature high-level panel discussions, business-to-business (B2B) meetings, an exhibition area, leadership and innovation awards, and solidarity initiatives designed to encourage collaboration across agricultural value chains. Stakeholders from agriculture, environment, energy, and mining sectors—including producers, processors, traders, civil society organisations, and innovators—are being encouraged to participate and showcase their work. According to organisers, companies and institutions from across Africa can also enhance their visibility by associating their brands with the pan-African forum through partnerships and exhibition booths.

Registration and booth reservations are currently open through the FILIA secretariat, by email, phone, or through the official forum website. The forum is expected to strengthen continental dialogue on agricultural innovation and financing while contributing to Africa’s broader goal of achieving food security and climate resilience.

22 Zambian oncologists trained as Merck Foundation scales up cancer fight

By DOREEN NAWA Twenty-two Zambian oncologists have been trained over the past decade through the Merck Foundation’s oncology fellowship programme, boosting the country’s capacity to diagnose and treat cancer. As the world commemorates World Cancer Day 2026, the Merck Foundation, in partnership with African First Ladies, has intensified efforts to strengthen cancer care across Africa and parts of Asia, with Zambia among the beneficiaries of the initiative. The foundation has so far awarded 258 oncology scholarships to healthcare providers from 34 countries aimed at addressing the shortage of trained cancer specialists and improving early detection and treatment. Merck Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Senator Dr Rasha Kelej, disclosed in a statement marking World Cancer Day that the initiative focuses on building sustainable oncology capacity and multidisciplinary cancer care teams across participating countries. She said the foundation has also launched a children’s storybook and an adaptive animation film titled “Ray of Hope” to raise awareness about cancer, particularly childhood cancer. Dr Kelej explained that the programme seeks to address critical gaps in cancer care, including late diagnosis and limited access to specialised treatment. “Nearly two-thirds of cancer cases can be successfully treated when diagnosed early, and up to one-third can be prevented by reducing key risk factors such as exposure to radiation, certain infections and lifestyle-related causes,” she said. She noted that the storybook and animation film highlight the importance of early detection and access to well-trained cancer care teams capable of recognising early warning signs, especially among children. Dr Kelej said Merck Foundation’s work goes beyond commemorating World Cancer Day and focuses on sustained interventions to improve cancer care across underserved regions. “At Merck Foundation, we address one of the most critical gaps in cancer care in Africa, which is late diagnosis and the shortage of trained specialists. Together with African First Ladies, we have provided 258 oncology scholarships, significantly increasing the number of trained oncologists and multidisciplinary cancer care teams,” she said. The participating countries include Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. According to Dr Kelej, several countries such as The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Liberia, Guinea Conakry, Central African Republic, Chad and Niger previously had no oncologists before the programme. In total, the Merck Foundation has awarded more than 2,500 scholarships to healthcare providers from 52 countries across 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. World Health Organisation data from 2022 indicates that Africa records approximately 1.1 million new cancer cases annually, with about 700,000 cancer-related deaths. Mortality rates on the continent remain significantly higher than in many other regions due to late diagnosis, limited access to treatment and weak health systems. To further drive awareness, the Merck Foundation has developed cancer prevention and early detection materials, including leaflets and educational videos, while continuing to collaborate with African First Ladies and Ministries of Health through its Cancer Access Programme. The foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming cancer care and improving patient outcomes across Africa, with the long-term goal of building a healthier future for the continent.