Community Networks Key to Connecting Africa, says Internet Society

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Community Networks Key to Connecting Africa, says Internet Society

Special Correspondent - September 5, 2018

As Internet access continues to grow in Africa, with over 450 million people now connected to the Internet, more than 60 percent of the...

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Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, today announced its equity investment in Dhamana Guarantee Company Limited (“Dhamana”), a credit enhancement facility established to unlock long-term, local-currency financing for infrastructure projects across East Africa. The investment forms part of AFC's approved commitment of up to US$20 million in capital, with an initial tranche of US$10 million in Dhamana’s core capital. Dhamana is designed to provide guarantees that enable infrastructure developers access domestic debt capital markets - particularly pension funds and institutional investors - on improved terms, while also supporting financial institutions to deepen financial inclusion. Dhamana’s operating model builds on the successful framework already implemented by similar Credit Enhancement Facilities in West Africa, notably InfraCredit Nigeria, where AFC is a founding shareholder. Commenting on the investment, Banji Fehintola, Executive Board Member and Head of Financial Services at Africa Finance Corporation, said: “Dhamana represents a strategic opportunity to deepen domestic capital markets in East Africa by linking long-term institutional savings to bankable infrastructure investments. Building on our experience with InfraCredit in Nigeria, AFC is pleased to support the establishment of another credit enhancement facility focused on East Africa that will help unlock local-currency financing, strengthen investor confidence, and accelerate infrastructure delivery across the region.” Also commenting on the investment, Christopher Olobo, Chief Executive Officer of Dhamana Guarantee Company, said: “We are delighted to welcome Africa Finance Corporation as a shareholder in Dhamana. AFC’s investment marks a major institutional endorsement of our mandate to unlock long‑term, local currency financing for infrastructure and priority sectors across East Africa. Drawing on AFC’s deep experience with credit enhancement platforms such as InfraCredit Nigeria, this partnership strengthens our capital base, governance and strategic capability as we scale our guarantee operations. We look forward to working closely with AFC to mobilise domestic institutional capital, deepen local debt markets, and deliver transactions that combine strong risk discipline with measurable developmental impact.” Dhamana is backed by a strong consortium of development partners and institutional investors, with AFC expected to play an active role in governance and strategic oversight. The Company’s pipeline spans multiple infrastructure sectors across East Africa, with a focus on transactions that deliver measurable developmental impact while meeting strong risk management and governance standards. The investment aligns with AFC’s broader strategy to support credit enhancement facilities across Africa, recognising their role in mobilising domestic capital, deepening local debt markets, and improving the financial sustainability of infrastructure projects.

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) Invests in Dhamana Guarantee Company to Catalyse...

April 27, 2026

Emirates (http://www.Emirates.com) has continued its commitment to making travel more accessible for all, by successfully arranging bespoke Emirates Travel Rehearsals across more than 40 cities globally over the past year. With more than 250 families positively impacted, Emirates Travel Rehearsals are designed to support children and young adults with autism, allowing them to practice the journey through the airport to prepare for real flights - easing travel anxiety and empowering them to fly with more confidence. After the initial Emirates Travel Rehearsals in Dubai resulted in positive feedback from families, schools and autism organisations; the Emirates Office of Accessibility & Inclusion formulated the travel rehearsal into an official programme, to be rolled out across its global network. Since April 2025, Emirates’ Airport Services teams have come together to arrange more than 40 of these travel rehearsals across airports like Accra, Athens, Bali, Bangalore, Barcelona, Bologna, Brussels, Cairo, Christchurch, Da Nang, Delhi, Dubai, Dublin, Durban, Düsseldorf, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Harare, Hong Kong, Istanbul, London, Luanda, Madrid, Mauritius, Milan, Newcastle, Nice, Orlando, Oslo, Paris, Peshawar, Port Luis, Rome, Stansted, Stockholm, Sydney, Toronto, Trivandrum, Venice and Vienna. More than 35,000 Emirates staff have been trained to support customers with autism and can help facilitate travel, and Travel Rehearsals. Emirates teams work very closely with airport authorities and partners to make sure each rehearsal is a supportive and successful experience for the families. Sami Aqil Abdullah, Senior Vice President, Emirates Airport Services Outstation & Business Support, commented; ‘The Emirates Travel Rehearsal programme has been a resounding success across 6 continents, with impressive collaboration and drive shown by all stakeholders, from our own Emirates teams to our airport partners, and the parents and teachers who trusted us to support their children. We will continue to amplify this success with more locations, more teams involved, and more families positively impacted and empowered to fly with confidence.’ What is an Emirates Travel Rehearsal? As the world’s first autism certified airline, Emirates is aware that for many families, international air travel is a highly challenging experience, or something to be avoided completely due to the high level of sensory stimuli that is involved. A survey on AutismTravel.com revealed that 78% of families are hesitant to travel or visit new locations for these reasons. For many people with autism, planning and predictability is critical – and an airport represents a world of unknown processes and stimuli. Emirates Travel Rehearsals are a purposeful community collaboration and learning exercise arranged by Emirates, with the support of international airport teams, Border Control and Security teams, and schools and centres for autism based all around the world. The travel rehearsals empower neurodivergent people to participate in a real-time journey through the airport, practicing the actions of checking in, dropping baggage, going through immigration and security, and experiencing the hustle and bustle of retail and dining areas. While familiarising themselves with the airport, participants are also issued mock boarding passes and given the chance to meet the many uniformed staff encountered along the way. In some airports, Emirates’ teams managed to arrange access to real aircraft for the children and young adults. Positive feedback from participants Now on an international level - parents, therapists, teachers, young adults and children involved in the travel rehearsals so far have reported to Emirates that the experience has been invaluable in helping them have a safe and successful flight, by offering the comfort of preparation and familiarity, as well as trained staff to support. “The relief experienced when institutions like Emirates have considered children with neurological differences in their operational strategies! To know a parent is welcomed with massive support during travels is such a beautiful feeling. It’s like a road to freedom for my child.” From an Autism Center founder and parent, Accra. “Now I am not afraid anymore! Maybe we can fly again next year. Before it was terrible. But now I can leave my fears somewhere else.” From Noah in Dusseldorf, 13 years old. “A real highlight of the day was watching the Emirates A350 arrive on stand, with the Captains waving to the children - a moment that sparked huge excitement. By the end of the evening, smiles were everywhere, and the atmosphere was filled with pride and joy. The children headed home with their bags they had “checked in,” filled with Emirates goodies, making the experience even more memorable. It was an incredibly rewarding day, and we’re grateful to everyone who took part and supported this.” From an Autism Group Leader, Edinburgh. “It is heartwarming to see and feel that in this busy world, there is still time taken to think of those who need just a little extra care. Thanks to this experience, our child can finally form a real picture of what to expect from an air‑travel holiday, because with explanations alone, he simply cannot imagine it. We found it incredibly fun and very helpful to experience this together with our son! Thank you!” From a Parent in Brussels. “Interesting! I was allowed to control the baggage belt. Everything was great. Especially the picnic room (lounge), the weapon control (security), the aircraft, just everything!” From Oskar in Dusseldorf, 7 years old. “Thank you for yesterday’s experience. From what participants have said, I think it couldn’t have been better, Mario is still saying that it was the best day of his life.” Parent from Fundación Friends, Barcelona. “The effort that Emirates put into creating more awareness, understanding, and sensitivity towards people with an invisible disability deserves the highest appreciation. Your approach shows insight, respect, and genuine commitment, making the world a better place and the lives of people with disabilities more liveable. It is inspiring to see how much care and attention you put into this. Hopefully, other airlines will follow your example, and awareness for people with disabilities will continue to grow. Thank you very much for this wonderful experience.” From an Autism Group leader in Brussels. “Unusual, I have never been to an airport. Very strange bus, it had doors on both sides. Cockpit was very cool! I was surprised to receive a present, I was very happy! Everything was unusual but fine and I could understand everything what was explained.” From Erik in Dusseldorf, 19 years old. ‘I was buzzing with excitement as the day approached with my students. Emirates’ team were incredibly welcoming and supportive, going above and beyond to make our travel experience both exciting and comfortable. From sensory-friendly spaces to tailored support, every detail was thoughtful. We had so much fun with the staff they truly understood us and were thrilled to have us. Thanks for making it a memorable day’. From a Class Teacher in Accra. “The experience you’ve given us is invaluable. We continue to be overwhelmed by the welcome we received. We loved all the details and preparation of the tickets at check-in, controls, boarding, and meeting the crew. We consider it a very significant step forward. The boys and girls came back very happy and after a week they are still remembering and talking about the visit. The feedback from families has also been very positive.” Representative from the Fundación Aucavi, Madrid. “Thank you can feel so light at times like these. To think of our children with autism was such an honor for families. You unpacked travel aspirations they have, their desired destinations. One parent said they never ever asked their son where he would like to visit thinking he knows no destinations.” Representative from the Regional Development Office for Autism, South Africa “Thank you, Emirates. It helped us a lot that we could go through the check-in process all the way to boarding the plane (the problem for us was/is the transportation on the passenger bridge, but now we know that it’ll be fine for our child too). Special thanks for your hospitality, and for the patience of Emirates staff. Our little boy had a great desire to board a plane, we returned home enriched with positive experiences. He also went to school today in the hat he received.” Parent from Hungary “I haven’t travelled in ten years out of fear for my child. After this experience, I feel more confident and hope to plan a trip with him.” Parent from Angola “A million thanks for organizing, your team was incredibly professional and kind. My gratitude to the crew member who showed Nore around, it made his day! He was also over the moon with the goodie bag he received, his smile got bigger and bigger as we reached home. You really did an amazing job when he finished his day by raising his arms and shouted: “I love being an autist”!” Parent of Nore from Oslo. “It was more than an airport experience. It was a gesture of respect, care, and recognition of everyone’s right to belonging, to travel, and to live fully. Each smile, each achievement, and each emotional glance from our little ones and their families revealed the true meaning of inclusion: creating safe, welcoming, and accessible spaces for everyone.” Doctor from Kuzola Mona Children Development Centre, Angola. “Wow what an experience you provided our students on Friday. As a teacher of students with specialist needs for over 20 years this was one of the best things I have attended. Everyone commented on the care and attention from the whole Emirates team and the ground crew at Christchurch airport. We now have families who feel confident to give travel a go! Emirates aircraft model now has a new home, at the school reception.” Teacher from Pītau-Allenvale School, Christchurch. Emirates’ continuous support for neurodiverse customers Emirates will continue to arrange Travel Rehearsals across its global network throughout 2026, inviting more schools and centres to participate. Emirates’ range of sensory products and fidget toys (http://apo-opa.co/3QmXkiT) for customers of all ages continue to be available onboard in all cabin classes, for passengers who are neurodiverse, anyone who is struggling onboard or is a nervous traveller. Emirates Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub (http://apo-opa.co/3QmXs1R) on Emirates.com has been designed to contain all the information needed for accessible and inclusive travel, featuring accessibility-friendly navigation that allows customers to find information easily and explore the many ways that Emirates can provide travel assistance and support. Aiming to reduce anxiety before travelling, customers can choose to view and explore sections by disability, including Hidden Disabilities. If preferred, customers can search by looking at specific parts of the journey, which have been clearly arranged – Before your flight, Departure from Dubai, Onboard your flight, Connecting in Dubai and Arriving in Dubai. A third option allows customers to browse by specific needs, including Prepare for travel with the autism-friendly guide and Explore Dubai Airport (DXB) Map and Sensory guides.

Emirates completes more than 40 Travel Rehearsals for youth with autism...

April 26, 2026

“The plant is offered for sale on an ‘as-is, where-is’ basis, either as a going concern or as an asset acquisition,” the notice stated. Sasini did not disclose reasons for the planned sale. The firm ventured into avocado farming between 2017 and 2020 as part of efforts to diversify beyond its core tea and coffee businesses. The development comes as Sasini returned to profitability in the financial year ending September 2025, posting a net profit of Sh188 million compared to a loss of Sh562.9 million a year earlier. The sale could reshape the company’s agribusiness portfolio as it reassesses investments within the horticulture segment.

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Community Networks Key to Connecting Africa, says Internet Society

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