May 17, 2023

Tizeti to tackle broadband underdevelopment in Cote d’Ívoire with Microsoft

ABIDJAN, Cote d’Ívoire, May 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tizeti, a leading internet service provider in West Africa, announced an expanded collaboration with Microsoft to address the issue of broadband underdevelopment in Cote d’Ívoire and bring internet access to almost 5 million people.

The partnership aims to provide affordable and reliable high-speed internet access to underserved communities and people in the country, addressing the significant broadband gap that has hindered economic development and social progress in the region and empowering more Ivorians to participate in the digital economy.

Cote d’Ívoire is believed to have less than 40% internet penetration, with fixed internet around 2%. The fixed internet and broadband sectors remain underdeveloped in Cote dÍvoire, due to a legacy of poor international connectivity, which resulted in high wholesale prices, limited bandwidth, and a lack of access for alternative operators to international infrastructure. Operators such as MainOne, and Africa Coast to Europe have subsea infrastructure, with 2Africa expected to land in 2023. While the submarine cable vertical is more competitive, Cote d’Ívoire has limited last-mile providers who pull the internet capacity and distribute it to homes, offices, schools, hospitals, and other public institutions.

Tizeti will roll out high-speed internet infrastructure with Microsoft’s Airband Initiative, leveraging Tizeti’s low-cost wireless technologies. This will help make it easier and cheaper for people to access the internet and connect to the digital economy. These shared efforts are part of the Microsoft Airband Initiative’s commitment to bring internet access to 100 million Africans by the end of 2025, which aligns with Tizeti’s goal of connecting more people to the internet in a cost-efficient way.

“We are thrilled to partner with Microsoft to bring reliable and affordable high-speed internet access to underserved communities in Cote d’Ívoire,” said Kendall Ananyi, Chief Executive Officer of Tizeti. “Our mission at Tizeti is to bring affordable and reliable internet to more Africans outside the digital envelope, and this partnership is a significant step forward in achieving that goal. This work with Microsoft continues our joint efforts to deliver world-class internet connectivity to the people of Africa, starting with Nigeria and now Cote d’Ívoire.”

Microsoft’s Airband Initiative is focused on advancing digital equity—access to affordable internet, affordable devices, and digital skills—as a platform for empowerment and digital transformation across the world.

“Through our expanded partnership with Tizeti, we are committed to providing high-speed internet access to five million people in Cote d’Ivoire by the end of 2025,” said Vickie Robinson, General Manager of Microsoft’s Airband Initiative. “Partners such as Tizeti are vital to the Airband ecosystem, which relies on local expertise along with public and private organizations of every size to tailor regional solutions. The expansion to Cote d’Ivoire will help build sustainable infrastructure that strengthens local development and reduces barriers to connectivity.”

For many countries in Africa, there is still a huge digital divide. This boundary between connected and unconnected translates into clear consequences for employment, education, family and social life, and access to information. Collaborations such as this play a significant role in addressing the digital infrastructure deficits in emerging economies, leveraging innovative technology and capabilities, to improve development outcomes for millions of people.

About Tizeti

Tizeti is a fast-growing Wireless Internet service provider in Nigeria, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire delivering high-speed unlimited Wi-Fi Internet access to residential and business customers using wide-area Wi-Fi.

Contact: Temitope Osunrinde (press@tizeti.com)

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8840227

May 17, 2023

Sweegen’s Rebaudioside M receives full authorization for use in the United Kingdom

Bestevia Reb M expands sugar reduction solutions in the U.K.and is now available to food and beverage producers.

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., May 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global sweetness and flavor innovator, Sweegen has announced that its Bestevia® Rebaudioside M (Reb M) has been fully authorized for use in the United Kingdom (U.K.) This regulatory approval marks a significant milestone for Sweegen, as it becomes the first and only company to receive authorization for any steviol glycosides produced using alternative technologies in the U.K.

Reb M, a high-purity steviol glycoside derived from the stevia plant, is renowned for its clean and sugar-like taste profile. It offers a natural, zero-calorie sweetness solution, making it an ideal choice for food and beverage manufacturers seeking to reduce sugar content and provide healthier options to consumers. Sweegen’s nature-based sweeteners, including its Reb M, offer a scalable and cost-effective alternative to traditional sugar.

Brands in the U.K. have eagerly anticipated the authorization of Sweegen’s Bestevia Reb M during the initial formulation phase and tastings. They are actively collaborating with Sweegen’s food and beverage applications experts based at its EMEA U.K. Innovation Studio in Reading, England, to integrate this highly sought-after stevia ingredient, along with Sweegen’s outstanding taste modulation and unique sweeteners, into their formulations.

Damian Bellusci, Vice President of Sales EMEA/APAC at Sweegen, expressed his excitement about the authorization, stating, “We are extremely proud to be the pioneers in securing full authorization for Bestevia Reb M in the U.K. This milestone reaffirms Sweegen’s commitment to providing innovative, nature-based, and sustainable sweetening solutions to the industry. Reb M offers food and beverage manufacturers an exceptional tool to meet consumer demands for healthier products without compromising taste.”

The decision to authorize the bioconversion manufacturing method for steviol glycosides, including Reb M, was made by the Minister for Primary Care and Public Health in relation to England, the Welsh Ministers in relation to Wales, and the Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport in relation to Scotland. The authorization is per Article 10(1) of retained Regulation 1333/2008, fulfilling the requirements.

The authorized manufacturing method allows for using steviol glycosides, including Reb M, in the Great Britain (GB) market. The Regulations provide updated terms of authorization for using this method in GB, with the terms being similar to those in the European Union (EU) and Northern Ireland. For the latest information, referring to the relevant EU Regulations on the EUR-Lex website is recommended.

Casey McCormick, Vice President of Global Innovation at Sweegen, emphasized the significance of Reb M in driving product innovation. “The approval of Bestevia Reb M in the UK represents a very positive step forward for brands looking to improve the nutrition profile of their products. The clean, sweet taste of our Bestevia Reb M enables new approaches to reduce and eliminate sugar in a way that exceeds consumers’ expectations and supports public health objectives to reduce sugar consumption.”

Hadi Omrani, Vice President of Technical and Regulatory Affairs at Sweegen, highlighted the rigorous safety and compliance standards behind Bestevia Reb M’s authorization. Omrani stated, “At Sweegen, we prioritize safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. Obtaining full authorization for Bestevia Reb M in the U.K. required thorough scientific evaluations and stringent assessments to ensure its safety for consumption. This achievement reflects our commitment to delivering superior products that meet the highest industry standards.”

Sweegen is dedicated to revolutionizing the sweetener market with innovative solutions that promote healthier choices without compromising taste. The full authorization of Bestevia Reb M in the U.K. reinforces Sweegen’s leadership in the nature-based sweetener space and positions the company as a trusted partner for food and beverage manufacturers worldwide.

Sweegen recently attained FEMA GRAS status for sweet proteins brazzein and thaumatin II, complementing steviol glycosides in food and beverage production. With the addition of brazzein and thaumatin II, Sweegen continues to expand its portfolio of safe and effective taste-modulating flavors that can help food and beverage manufacturers meet the demand for healthier and delicious products to align with consumers’ holistic approaches to wellness. Brazzein is the star ingredient in Sweegen’s newly launched Sweetensify flavors for taste modulation, an ideal flavors tool for brands seeking to create sugar-like tastes in food and beverages.

About Sweegen

Sweegen provides sweet-taste solutions for food and beverage manufacturers around the world.
We are on a mission to reduce sugar and artificial sweeteners in the global diet. Partnering with customers, we create delicious zero-sugar products that consumers love. With the best modern sweeteners in our portfolio, such as Bestevia® Rebs B, D, E, I, M, and N, and sweet proteins brazzein and thaumatin, along with our deep knowledge of flavor modulators and texturants, Sweegen delivers market-leading solutions that customers want, and consumers prefer. Well. Into the Future.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1996. Sweegen’s actual results may differ from the estimates, assumptions, and other illustrative material contained herein, and consequently, a reader should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, illustrative information regarding Sweegen’s bottom-up assumed market potential, assumed hit rate, and the resulting revenue based on these model inputs. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results.

Industry, Market, and Other Data
In this press release, we rely on and refer to information and statistics regarding market participants in the sectors in which Sweegen competes and other data. We obtained this information and statistics from our own internal estimates and third-party sources, including reports by market research firms and company filings. We do not expressly refer to these sources. All of this information involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and the sources of such information cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. The industry in which Sweegen operates is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of important factors, any of which could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates made by Sweegen or third parties.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, among other statements, statements regarding the future prospects for Reb M stevia leaf sweetener, brazzein, and thaumatin. These statements are based on current expectations but are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and beyond Sweegen’s control.

Relevant risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements and, therefore, should be carefully considered. Sweegen assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.

Attachments

Ana Arakelian
Sweegen
+1.949.709.0583
ana.arakelian@sweegen.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8841398

May 17, 2023

The minister said that these cases were recorded from six regions.

Health minister, Kalumbi Shangula, announced an increase of 37.9 per cent in COVID-19 cases during the period of 01 to 07 May, when 40 positive cases were recorded.

According to an update issued yesterday, the minister said the number of positive COVID-19 cases increased from 28.8 per cent in the week prior to the reported period.

He added that the number of COVID-19 tests increased by 94 per cent compared to the previous week, where only 152 tests were conducted.

The minister said that these cases were recorded from six regions, from which the Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Oshana and Hardap regions had not recorded any cases the previous week.

Shangula added that out of the 40 positive cases, seven received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, 14 were fully vaccinated, four received booster doses, two were not eligible for the vaccine while 17 cases were not vaccinated.

Source: Namibia Press Agency

May 17, 2023

No country can develop if youths are lagging behind – Minister

Mrs Sadiya Farouk, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development says no country can develop if its youths are lagging behind.

The minister stated this at the empowerment of 60 youths organised by the Citizens’ Health Education and Development Initiative (CHEDI), an NGO, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Represented by Mrs Helen Ikem, Assistant Chief Social Welfare Officer at the ministry, Farouk stressed that the importance of youths empowerment couldn’t be overemphasized, adding that youths are the base of any nation.

She said such gestures create a sense of responsibility and leadership skills in the youth due to which they could feel and identify the actual practical problems of the society affecting the people.

Farouk said: “So many youth empowerment programmes were launched overtime because finally, people have realized that when the youths are empowered, it gives rise to a strengthened nation.”

The minister said that the society would be secured enough when the youths were empowered, saying, ”an empowered youth would never do any harm to the society in which they are living.

” An empowered youth is always passionate and dedicated towards their work and their society and they always dare to do something big for the betterment of society.

“They no longer wait for the high authorities to come and sort out the problem, instead they take some practical steps to solve the problem on their own.

Farouk said that youths empowerment played vital roles in the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari via the National Social Investment Poverty Alleviation and Programme.

The minister said: “Under this programme, we have the N-Power which creates opportunities for youths to be trained in various vocations and skills.

“There is also the Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme GEEP which provides opportunities for upscaling business investments in eradication from society.

”That is why the agriculture and other trades, Conditional Cash Transfer which provides cash grant support for micro level traders.

” And the Home grown School Feeding Programme which provides meal opportunities for school children is to boost school enrolment and prepare them for a decent and literate adolescence.”

Farouk commended the efforts of the CHEDI for complementing the government’s efforts in providing developmental support for the teeming youths.

“We must all realise that a collaborative effort such as this will always go a long way in making the society a safer and better place to live in,” she added.

The minister advised the beneficiaries to assist their peers in skills-building and help them to become financially independent like them.

Earlier, the Executive Director of CHEDI, Mrs Selina Enyioha, said the beneficiaries were drawn from the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa State and Niger.

Enyioha said that, hitherto, the NGO focused its empowerment programme on women, children and girls, adding,”we decided to include the youths this year due to high rates of youths unemployment in the country.”

She said that according to the National Bureau of Statistics reports of 2022, youths unemployment in Nigeria was about 53.40 per cent.

Enyioha said: “That is to say over 80 million Nigerian youths are unemployed. Our targets are unemployed graduates who have been trained and acquired skills in areas of tailoring, barbing saloon and hair dressing.’

“These graduates have had their hopes heightened after acquiring education, but unfortunately their dreams in Nigeria have become a mirage.”

Also, Ms Zara-Binta Goni, Senior Social Development Specialist, World Bank Staff Representatives, assured that the bank would continue to support the youths and women.

“The World Bank group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries.

” Its institution shares a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development and has a unique set of standards that endorse inclusion and empowerment.

” I would like to inform you that this support and resources were received from the staff of the world bank,” she said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

May 17, 2023

The National Corporate Forum is a networking meeting

The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) is seeking a strategic and effective system for greater engagement with the government at all levels in order to generate long-term economic growth.

NCCI president Bisey Uirab stated this during the recently held national corporate forum in Windhoek under the subject ‘Harnessing the power of business to advocate for local economic growth’.

The National Corporate Forum is a networking meeting of the chamber’s corporate executive members who frequently share ideas, information, opinions and solutions from other successful CEOs on current industry and business concerns.

According to him, the forum sessions allow industry leaders to seek guidance from their peers on addressing various corporate and enterprise concerns, as well as discuss ideas for increasing enterprises and a sustainably thriving enterprise community.

“We are all aware that the responsibility to lead the revival of our economy following years of a recession and global pandemic has been placed on the shoulders of the private sector. Rightly so because job creation, wealth creation, economic empowerment and nation building are all led by the business community,” Uirab said.

Source: Namibia Press Agency

May 17, 2023

Otjiwarongo municipality hikes tariffs

Residents of Otjiwarongo should expect to pay more for their monthly municipal bills, effective, 01 July 2023.

The municipality’s rates and taxes will increase by three per cent, solid waste by seven per cent, water tariff by eight per cent, sewage services by six per cent and two per cent for cemetery services.

This was announced at a special council meeting held on Wednesday afternoon by the chairperson of the management committee Godhard Hoko, when he tabled the municipality’s N.dollars 183.1 million capital and expenditure budget for the 2023/2024 financial year.

“These average tariff adjustments have been proposed on water, property rates and taxes, refuse removal services, cemetery and sewer services,” he said.

At the same meeting, the Otjiwarongo deputy mayor, Julienda Kampungu said she was in full support of the budget as it solely focus on the needs of the inhabitants as the municipality ensures that its solid economic base is created.

Kampungu said out of N.dollars 183.1million tabled N. dollars 37,3 million if for capital projects while N.dollars 145,8 million is for operations and expenditures including the maintenance of existing infrastructure.

“Council will continue to subsidise pensioners and recipients of government social grants on their monthly bills for water, sewage and sanitation services provided by the municipality,” Kampungu said.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of the municipality, Moses Matyayi in an interview with Nampa shortly after the budget tabling, defended the decisions made, saying the increases on the monthly rates and taxes as well as on water bills were based on the costs of service delivery to the residents.

Matyayi said the municipality’s approximately 9 000 households are still the major sources of revenue for the municipality through their monthly rates and taxes contributions, sales of land and water to the residents.

The budget will be forwarded to the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni for final approval before it is implemented, he said.

Source: Namibia Press Agency