The African Energy Bank has announced the appointment of Egyptian Helmy Ghazi as its first president. This appointment was reported by Fraternité Matin on October 31, 2026. Helmy Ghazi, an Egyptian national, brings extensive experience to his new role. The African Energy Bank is a significant institution focused on energy development across the continent.
In a separate development, two organizations, Amani and the Coordination nationale U-Report de Côte d'Ivoire, have signed a partnership with the support of the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef). The partnership aims to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services for young people in Côte d'Ivoire. The agreement was signed on October 30, 2026, at the Unicef office in Abidjan-Cocody.
The partnership between Amani, U-Report, and Unicef seeks to provide young people with reliable information, secure spaces for expression, and adapted sexual and reproductive health services. Special attention will be given to menstrual health, cancer prevention and screening, and the promotion of innovative digital solutions. This collaboration is expected to enhance the well-being and empowerment of young people in Côte d'Ivoire.
Unicef's Representative Resident in Côte d'Ivoire, Jean-François Basse, emphasized that this partnership aligns with Unicef's mandate to promote and defend the rights of every child and adolescent. He highlighted the importance of considering young people as partners and actors of change, rather than just beneficiaries. The partnership aims to support the potential of adolescents as a powerful lever for building more just, resilient, and healthier societies.
The Ivoirian government has denied allegations of corruption within the Pôle pénal économique et financier (Ppef). In a statement released on October 31, 2026, the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights rejected reports of a corruption network and extortion of funds within the Ppef. The ministry also clarified that the presence of FBI agents in Côte d'Ivoire is part of a judicial cooperation partnership between Côte d'Ivoire and the United States.
The partnership between Amani and U-Report will focus on constructing an operational framework for collaboration. This includes designing and implementing joint initiatives for information and awareness, strengthening the capacities of U-Reporters and peer educators, and mobilizing communities around reproductive health priorities. The goal is to create a secure and supportive environment for young people, particularly young girls, to make informed choices about their health and future.
Key stakeholders have committed to rapidly translating this convention into an operational action plan that is measurable and sustainable. The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from public institutions, UN agencies, and civil society organizations. The African Energy Bank's appointment of Helmy Ghazi as its first president is a significant development in the continent's energy sector.
Key points
- The African Energy Bank has appointed Egyptian Helmy Ghazi as its first president.
- Amani and U-Report have partnered with Unicef to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services for young people in Côte d'Ivoire.
- The Ivoirian government has denied allegations of corruption within the Pôle pénal économique et financier (Ppef).
