August 23, 2022

Rwanda Hosts 11th African Peering and Interconnection Forum (AfPIF)

Annual event serves as a platform to expand and develop the Internet in Africa

KIGALI, Rwanda, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Rwanda is for the first time hosting this year’s Africa Peering and Interconnection Forum (AfPIF) in Kigali. The forum is organized by the Internet Society (ISOC) and the African IXP Association (AFIX) in collaboration with the Rwanda Internet Community and Technology Alliance (RICTA). Running from 23 to 25 August at the Marriott Hotel, the event has convened stakeholders from across the continent and globally including Meta, Google, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Microsoft, the Internet Initiative Japan Lab, and Africa Data Centers, among others.

The annual event, now in its 11^th edition, serves as a platform to expand and develop the African Internet. It connects infrastructure, service, and content providers to identify ways to improve network interconnection, lower the cost of connectivity, and increase the Internet’s resiliency and experience for local users. It also provides participants with global and regional insights for maximizing opportunities to help grow Internet infrastructure and services in Africa.

AfPIF was created to address the fact that most of Africa’s local Internet traffic is exchanged outside the continent. Exchanging traffic locally through Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) reduces Internet access costs and network delays and increases content access speeds.

IXPs are technical infrastructures that enable a faster, cheaper, and more reliable Internet experience by bringing multiple networks from the private, public, and educational sectors together to connect and exchange Internet traffic. Instead of using expensive international transit routes, Internet traffic is exchanged locally and access speeds for content can be up to 10 times faster as result.

This year’s AfPIF focuses on Internet interconnection dynamics, content distribution, and transit obstacles at local and regional levels. The Kigali forum marks a return to in-person meetings since AfPIF’s postponement in 2020 due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Quotes:

Rwanda Permanent Secretary for the Ministry ICT and Innovation Mr. Yves Iradukunda said: “Broadband Internet access and utilization have a profound impact on the improvement of services delivery across all sectors of our economy. Today, Internet usage enables better outcomes in learning, delivering healthcare, managing better our energy resources, and achieving higher citizen engagement with the Government.

We are, therefore, very pleased to host this year’s Africa Peering and Interconnection Forum, a meeting that will discuss how to improve network interconnection locally and within the region.”

Michuki Mwangi, Distinguished Technologist, Internet Society said: “We have made considerable progress in the establishment of new Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) while supporting the growth of existing ones. However, we have yet to realize the full impact of exchanging Internet traffic at the 49 IXPs across 35 countries in Africa. For this to be achieved, we are taking lessons from the report ‘Moving Toward an Interconnected Africa: The 80/20 Initiative‘ and focusing on growing the number of local, cross-border, and international networks that connect at IXPs. We believe this is possible with enhanced collaboration between Internet service providers, mobile network operators, content providers, large enterprise networks, and policy makers.https://www.internetsociety.org/resources/doc/2021/moving-toward-an-interconnected-africa-the-80-20-initiative/”

Grace Ingabire Mwikarago, Chief Executive Officer, RICTA, said: “We are honored to host this unique conference. The importance of IXPs in contributing to the overall socio-economic development of Africa cannot be overstated, especially in critical situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic. IXPs enable online learning and remote work in such circumstances. Email, videoconferencing, mobile communication, and messaging also make social distancing more bearable, helping people adapt to the new normal. Without these technologies, thousands of companies would not be operational.”

Kyle Spencer, Co-Coordinator of the African IXP Association, said: “Rwanda is a small landlocked country that promoted its economic development and regional independence by combining progressive telecommunications policy with an investment-friendly business climate. As a key gateway between East and Central Africa, Rwanda is an ideal venue for discussing the challenges and opportunities in our region.”

Ben Roberts, Group Chief Technology and Innovations Officer at Liquid Intelligent Technologies, said: “At the heart of the accelerated digital transformation in Africa are the peering and exchanges of the Internet and digital infrastructure. Therefore, it is vital for people from the Internet community to reconvene in person to understand the advancements made and the journey ahead. Liquid Intelligent Technologies is a critical player in the TMT industry, and we are proud to be the platinum sponsor of AfPIF 2022.”

About the Internet Society

Founded by Internet pioneers, the Internet Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the open development, evolution and use of the Internet. Working through a global community of chapters and members, the Internet Society collaborates with a broad range of groups to promote the technologies that keep the Internet safe and secure, and advocates for policies that enable universal access. The Internet Society is also the organizational home of the Internet Engineering Task Force.

About AF-IX

The African IXP Association is a group of Internet Exchange Point (IXP) operators from across Africa, brought together by a shared need to coordinate and exchange knowledge. It aims to foster an enabling environment for IXP operators, improve connectivity within the continent, and increase the Internet’s value for all. AF-IX was established in 2012, joined the Internet Exchange Federation in 2014, and now organizes the annual African Peering and Interconnection Forum (AfPIF).

About RICTA

RICTA is a not-for-profit organization representing the interests of the Rwandan Internet community. It was formed in 2005 with the objective of managing the .rw country code top-level domain and the Rwanda Internet Exchange Point, as well as promoting the localisation of local content. RICTA’s impartial position ensures that it enhances and promotes Internet usage in Rwanda.

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August 23, 2022

Casio va lancer des montres G-SHOCK avec lunette et bracelet intégrés

TOKYO, 23 août 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Casio Computer Co., Ltd. a annoncé aujourd’hui la sortie des toutes dernières nouvelles montres antichocs G-SHOCK : quatre modèles GA-B001 et GA-B001G dotés d’une toute nouvelle conception de lunette et de bracelet intégrés.

Avec les modèles GA-B001 et GA-B001G, Casio fait preuve d’ingéniosité en matière de design externe pour obtenir une conception intégrée de la lunette et du bracelet dans une montre résistant aux chocs. Ce sont les premières montres G-SHOCK à présenter cette structure innovante, qui se compose de deux éléments distincts reliés aux positions 9 et 3 heures. La conception moulée suit les lignes du poignet, minimisant l’espace entre celui-ci et la montre pour un meilleur ajustement.

Le design de ces nouvelles montres évoque une passerelle vers des univers de réalité virtuelle. Dotées d’un cadran géométrique et d’un index rond, ces montres sont une illustration avant-gardiste du design de demain. GA-B001-1A／GA-B001-4A／GA-B001G-1A／GA-B001G-2A

En matière de couleurs, les modèles GA-B001 affichent le coloris noir de la marque G-SHOCK et une nouvelle nuance de rouge, tandis que les modèles GA-B001G adoptent un dégradé de couleurs sur des matériaux translucides pour la lunette et le bracelet.

Ces montres sont toutes équipées de la fonction Mobile Link pour le couplage avec un smartphone via Bluetooth®. Lorsqu’elle est utilisée avec l’application CASIO WATCHES dédiée, la montre se règle automatiquement sur l’heure exacte. En outre, la fonction d’information de l’appli envoie des notifications sur la montre lorsque l’appli reçoit des actualités sur les nouveaux produits et d’autres informations.

Le nom et les logos Bluetooth^® sont des marques déposées appartenant à Bluetooth SIG, Inc. et toute utilisation de ces marques par Casio Computer Co., Ltd. se fait sous licence.

Pour en savoir plus : https://www.casio.com/intl/news/2022/0823-ga-b001/

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August 23, 2022

Casio to Release G-SHOCK with Integrated Bezel and Band Construction

TOKYO, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Casio Computer Co., Ltd. announced today the release of the latest new G-SHOCK shock-resistant watches – four GA-B001 and GA-B001G models featuring an all-new integrated bezel and band construction.

With the GA-B001 and GA-B001G, Casio brings ingenuity to exterior structure to achieve an integrated bezel and band construction in a shock-resistant watch. These are the first G-SHOCK watches to feature this innovative structure, which comprises two separate components that connect at the 9 and 3 o’clock positions. The molded construction follows the lines of the wrist, minimizing the space between the wrist and watch for an enhanced fit.

The design of these new watches evokes a gateway to virtual reality worlds. Featuring a geometric dial design and round index marks, these timepieces are a study in near-future design. GA-B001-1A／GA-B001-4A／GA-B001G-1A／GA-B001G-2A

When it comes to color, the GA-B001 models feature the black G-SHOCK brand color and a new shade of red, and the GA-B001G models employ gradated color print on translucent materials for the bezel and band.

These watches are all equipped with Mobile Link features for pairing with a smartphone via Bluetooth®. When used with the dedicated CASIO WATCHES app, the watch automatically adjusts to the correct time. In addition, the App information function sends notifications on the watch when the app receives updates on new products and other information.

The Bluetooth^® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Casio Computer Co., Ltd. is under license. Integrated bezel and band construction (GA-B001G)

More information: https://www.casio.com/intl/news/2022/0823-ga-b001/

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August 23, 2022

Des ophtalmologues chinois apportent leur aide à leurs homologues africains

– Échanges académiques et culturels par le biais du cours de formation sur la « Belt and Road Initiative » (Nouvelle route de la soie) pour les ophtalmologues africains

SHENYANG, Chine, 22 août 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Accueilli par le ministère du Commerce de la République populaire de Chine et co-organisé par l’Université normale de Shenyang et le groupe hospitalier ophtalmologique He, le cours de formation d’un mois pour les ophtalmologues des pays de la Nouvelle route de la soie a été officiellement lancé en août.

Des ophtalmologues, des optométristes et des infirmiers de six pays, dont le Kenya, la Zambie, le Nigeria, l’Afrique du Sud, le Malawi et le Botswana, ont assisté à la formation.

Pendant la période de formation, les organisateurs ont réalisé des conférences en ligne, des séminaires et des observations à distance d’opérations chirurgicales pour les participants sur des sujets tels que la cécité globale, les tendances et les perspectives de l’ophtalmologie, les modèles de prévention et de traitement de la cécité avec des caractéristiques chinoises, les nouveaux progrès en matière de prévention de la cécité, les théories des sous-spécialités de l’ophtalmologie et les opérations de la cataracte.

Cette formation propose également un programme d’échange culturel unique : « China on the Cloud – A Virtual Tour » (La Chine sur le Cloud – Une visite virtuelle). Les participants peuvent découvrir le charme de la technologie de la réalité virtuelle et des arts visuels à travers six visites virtuelles, qui leur font découvrir tour à tour les différentes cultures, l’histoire et les paysages naturels de cinq villes de Chine, à savoir Shenyang, Dalian, Pékin, Chongqing et Shanghai.

Dans la première classe de visite virtuelle, He Wei, président du groupe hospitalier ophtalmologique He et directeur de thèse, et Liesse Gateka, étudiante internationale du Burundi, ont emmené les participants dans une visite virtuelle du Palais impérial de Shenyang pour apprécier le charme visuel de l’architecture ancienne.

The first stop of "China on the Cloud – A Virtual Tour." He Wei (left), Chairman of He Eye Hospital Group and doctoral supervisor, and Liesse Gateka, a Burundian student, led the participants on a virtual tour of Shenyang Imperial Palace

Le programme de formation en ophtalmologie de la Nouvelle route de la soie est un programme de formation d’aide étrangère parrainé par le ministère du Commerce, qui vise à fournir aux jeunes ophtalmologues des pays participants à l’initiative de la Nouvelle route de la soie une formation avancée en matière de raisonnement diagnostique ophtalmique, de concepts de traitement et de techniques chirurgicales, afin d’améliorer leurs compétences professionnelles et de combler la pénurie de la demande locale en ophtalmologues. La mise en œuvre de ce projet revêt une importance positive pour améliorer la santé oculaire de la population des pays situés le long de l’Initiative de la Nouvelle route de la soie et pour renforcer les échanges et la coopération approfondis entre la Chine et ces pays dans le domaine de la santé oculaire.

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August 23, 2022

African health ministers endorse new strategy to curb chronic disease crisis

Lomé, 23 August 2022 – With the burden of cardiovascular disease, mental and neurological disorders and diabetes rising in the region, African health ministers today endorsed a new strategy to boost access to the diagnosis, treatment and care of severe noncommunicable diseases.

The health ministers, gathering for the Seventy-second session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa in Lomé, Togo, adopted the strategy known as PEN-PLUS, A Regional Strategy to Address Severe Noncommunicable Diseases at First-Level Referral Health Facilities. The strategy supports building the capacity of district hospitals and other first-level referral facilities to diagnose and manage severe noncommunicable diseases early, resulting in fewer deaths.

Severe non-communicable diseases are those chronic conditions that that lead to high levels of disability and death among children, adolescents and young adults if left undiagnosed or untreated. In the worst cases patients live no longer than a year after diagnosis. In Africa, the most prevalent severe noncommunicable diseases include sickle cell disease, type 1 and insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes, rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, severe hypertension and moderate to severe and persistent asthma.

“Africa is grappling with an increasingly hefty burden of chronic diseases whose severe forms are costing precious lives that could be saved with early diagnosis and care,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “The strategy adopted today is pivotal in placing effective care within the reach of patients and marks a major step in improving the health and wellbeing of millions of people in the region.”

In most parts of Africa, severe non-communicable diseases are treated at tertiary health facilities, which are mostly in large cities. This exacerbates health inequities, as it puts care beyond the reach of most rural, peri-urban and lower-income patients, who can often only easily access district hospitals and local health centres. These facilities lack the capacity and resources to effectively manage severe non-communicable diseases.

The strategy adopted today urges countries to institute standardized programmes to tackle chronic and severe non-communicable diseases by ensuring that essential medicines, technologies and diagnostics are available and accessible at district hospitals. Only 36% of countries in the African region reported having essential medicines for noncommunicable diseases in public hospitals, according to a 2019 WHO survey. Governments should also ensure that people seeking care in private hospitals can access services for severe non-communicable diseases.

Additionally, countries should bolster the protocols for prevention, care and treatment of chronic noncommunicable diseases through training and strengthening the skills and knowledge of health workers.

Non-communicable diseases account for most of the out-of-pocket spending of patients in Africa and due to their chronic nature often lead to catastrophic health expenditures. By offering non-communicable disease care as a package of services available at primary and district health facilities, patients will find their expenses decrease as they spend less money on transportation, lodging in cities and less time in commuting to the health facilities.

The PEN-PLUS strategy adopted today builds on existing WHO initiatives for integrated detection, diagnosis, treatment, and care of non-communicable diseases in primary health care facilities. It has shown promising results in Liberia, Malawi, and Rwanda, with a significant increase in the number of patients accessing treatment for severe noncommunicable diseases and, a concomitant improvement in outcomes for these patients.

Source: World Health Organization

August 23, 2022

Eight African countries set to start trading using AfCFTA

ACCRA— Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Herbert Krapa, has announced that Ghana, together with seven other countries are set to commence trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

So far, 54 African countries have signed the AfCFTA agreement with 46 including Customs Union having submitted their tariff offers.

According to Herbert Krapa, 87.7% of tariff lines have been agreed upon under the rules of origin negotiations and phase two negotiations on investment, intellectual property rights, competition policy, women and youth in trade and digital trade were ongoing.

Speaking at the Export Trading Company Seminar in Accra, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry said, “Actual trading is starting between Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda, Tanzania, Tunisia and Ghana.

In the coming weeks, the dream of our forebears will be off the ground, and historic as the moment may be.”

He further commended Afrexim Bank for setting up export trading companies across Africa to facilitate trade across the continent.

AfCFTA was introduced in 2018 and it aims at creating a single market for Africa, as well as, ensuring the free movement of goods and services on the continent which will help expand Intra-African trade.

This implies that goods will be sold at a relatively cheaper price because of the increase in production which will, in turn, create both direct and indirect jobs for the teeming unemployed youth.

The free trade area also allows traders and/or importers to stay competitive.

Businesses when conducted in a free and safe environment will help reduce poverty in member states as well as create sustainable development.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK