H.E. Lerato D. Mataboge, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure & Energy, was warmly received by H.E. Mark-Alexandre Doumba, Gabon’s Minister of Digital Economy, at Léon-Mba International Airport ahead of #STCCICT6. We thank Gabon for its warm hospitality! 🇬🇦

🌍 Commissioner Mataboge calls for accelerated implementation of Africa’s digital transformation priorities ahead of #STCCICT6 in Libreville, Gabon, 26–30 October. Ministers will review progress and advance cooperation on AI, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure. Read more: au.int/en/pressreleases/2026…

📢 Deadline extended! Submit your design for the AU Theme of the Year 2027 Logo Competition by 31 October 2026, 23:59 EAT. Help shape Africa’s story through your creativity! 🔗 accreditation.au.int/en/form… #AUTheme2027 #AfricanUnion @_AfricanUnion @NEPAD_Agency @GIZAfricanUnion

AUC and World Bank Review Cooperation on Air Transport Integration and Digital Transformation African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, H.E. @LDMataboge, met Mr @BeleteNathan, Director for Regional Programs, Africa, at the World Bank, to review progress and explore ways to deepen cooperation between the African Union Commission and the World Bank on continental integration. The meeting took stock of areas of joint work. The Building Institutions and Systems to Harness and Realize Agenda 2063 (BIASHARA) Project supports the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), including work on intra-African air connectivity, aviation infrastructure, and air cargo and trade facilitation. The West Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP), in which the Commission takes part alongside ECOWAS and Smart Africa, supports broadband connectivity and the foundations of a single digital market in West Africa. Discussions also turned to the AU Theme of the Year 2027, “AU at the Dawn of its 25th Anniversary: Leveraging the Full Potential of SAATM and New Technologies for Continental Integration”, and to moving from studies and policy commitments towards projects ready for implementation. The Infrastructure and Energy Department, in the implementation of Agenda 2063, continues to work with the World Bank to connect African markets through efficient air transport and reliable digital infrastructure. The @WorldBankGroup. @_AfricanUnion Commission. 23 October 2026, Addis Ababa.

🇿🇲 Zambia at 62. A New Road to the Atlantic On 24 October, the Republic of Zambia, a land-linked nation at the centre of Southern Africa, marks 62 years of independence. Zambia has always reached the sea through its neighbours. The TAZARA railway has carried the Copperbelt's trade east to Dar es Salaam since 1975, whilst the North-South Corridor runs south across the Kazungula Bridge, built with Botswana, to the port of Durban. A third road is now in preparation. The Lobito Corridor would run the Copperbelt's trade west through Angola to the Atlantic, on a planned railway of some 800 kilometres from Chingola in Zambia to Luacano in Angola, roughly 500 kilometres on the Zambian side and 280 on the Angolan, where it joins the existing Benguela line to the port of Lobito. Financing is under way, with construction targeted for the end of the decade. A country once described by its distance from the sea would reach two oceans by rail. As Zambia celebrates its 62nd Independence Anniversary, the African Union Commission's Infrastructure and Energy Department joins the Government and people of Zambia in celebrating the country's contribution to a more connected and integrated Africa. Looking ahead, the Department, in the implementation of Agenda 2063 and PIDA, the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa, continues to support Zambia's transport infrastructure and its place at the crossroads of the corridors of Southern and Central Africa. Happy 62nd Independence Anniversary to the Republic of Zambia and its people. One Zambia, One Nation!

Introducing the AfSEM Monitor, Issue 01, From Decisions to Delivery The @_AfricanUnion Commission’s Infrastructure and Energy Department launches the AfSEM Monitor, the official biannual publication tracking the progress, readiness and investment outlook of the African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM). Issue 01 sets the baseline under the theme “From Decisions to Delivery”. The Monitor reports progress and constraints side by side, tracking what has been achieved, where the bottlenecks sit and what the priorities are for the road ahead. Issue 01 covers: - AfSEM’s governance and coordination structures - Progress in regulatory readiness and regional market integration - Validated pre-feasibility studies for 9 cross-border interconnectors involving 20 countries - Six key signals to watch over the next 12 to 24 months In her foreword, H.E. @LDMataboge, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, writes: “AfSEM is ultimately about more than electricity. It is about creating the infrastructure and market conditions that allow Africa’s economies to trade, industrialise and prosper.” Read Issue 01 and contribute to building Africa’s integrated electricity market. Issue 02 follows in six months: 🔗 drive.google.com/file/d/11ZL… For engagement, contact the AfSEM Strategic Planning and Coordination Unit at [email protected].

📅 Save the dates! 🇬🇦 Libreville | 26–29 October 2026 “Africa’s Digital Future, Africa’s Voice: Advancing Innovation, Digital Inclusion and Shaping Africa’s Narrative” 6th AU Ministerial Meeting on Communication & ICT. More: au.int/en/newsevents/2026102… #STCCICT6

𝗔𝗨 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗴𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸’𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗼 The @_AfricanUnion and African Export-Import Bank (@Afreximbank) reaffirmed their commitment to deepen collaboration on infrastructure development to unlock trade, facilitate the movement of people and advance regional integration. On Monday, 19 October 2026, H.E. Lerato D. Mataboge (@LDMataboge), African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy @au_ied , met with Afreximbank President Dr George Elombi at the Bank’s headquarters in Cairo. The Commissioner presented the department’s priorities across transport, energy, digital transformation and the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA). Discussions also focused on cooperation to implement the AU Theme of the Year 2027, “𝗔𝗨 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘄𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝟮𝟱𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆: 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗔𝗔𝗧𝗠 & 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.” Particular emphasis was placed on mobilising financing for the aviation sector to support the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). The Theme offers an opportunity to address persistent barriers to air transport access, connectivity and sustainability, linking political commitment with financing to deliver a more connected continent.// linkedin.com/feed/update/urn…

🌍 Final Week | African Union Theme of the Year 2027 Logo Competition As we enter the final week of the African Union Theme of the Year 2027 Logo Competition, the African Union Commission @au_ied invites young African creatives aged 18–24 from across its 55 Member States to submit their original designs and contribute to shaping the official visual identity of the 2027 Theme. Under the theme “AU at the Dawn of its 25th Anniversary: Leveraging the Full Potential of SAATM and New Technologies for Continental Integration,” the competition provides an opportunity for young Africans to express their creativity and vision for a more connected, innovative and integrated continent. 🏆 Prizes: USD 5,000 (First Place) | USD 2,000 (Second Place) | USD 1,000 (Third Place) 📅 Submission deadline: 23 October 2026, at 23:59 East Africa Time (EAT). We encourage eligible young creatives to take advantage of this opportunity and submit their entries before the deadline. 🔗 Competition details and submission guidelines: lnkd.in/dS9_KHe6

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮’𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 | 🇪🇬 𝗖𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗼, 𝟭𝟴–𝟭𝟵 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, H.E. @LDMataboge, met with 𝗛.𝗘. 𝗟𝗶𝗲𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗞𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗹 𝗘𝗹-𝗪𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗿, 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗯 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗴𝘆𝗽𝘁, in Cairo to discuss transport connectivity and the delivery of priority regional infrastructure projects. The meeting is part of the Commission’s ongoing engagement with Member States to align national infrastructure efforts with continental priorities and strengthen cooperation on regional project delivery. Commissioner Mataboge commended Egypt’s substantial infrastructure investments, including the railway link connecting Cairo to the New Administrative Capital, and the visionary leadership guiding the country’s infrastructure transformation. Discussions covered the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), including its Priority Action Plan II mid-term review, as an opportunity to assess progress, consider onboarding new priority projects and address implementation bottlenecks. The Commissioner reaffirmed her commitment to reinvigorating the Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative (PICI), working closely with Egypt and other Member States. The initiative provides an instrument for mobilising high-level political leadership to overcome cross-border coordination challenges and unlock progress on strategic regional projects. Egypt expressed its readiness to support continental infrastructure development by sharing its experience and technical expertise. As the Commissioner’s visit continues today, further engagements will explore cooperation on Africa’s connectivity and integration priorities, including a visit to the project office for the Establishment of a Navigational Line between Lake Victoria and the Mediterranean Sea (VICMED), a PIDA project that aims to connect East and Central Africa to the Mediterranean through an integrated waterway and multimodal transport network, facilitating trade and regional integration.//

October marks Cybersecurity Month, observed from 1 to 31 October, a time to raise awareness of the everyday steps that keep people, institutions and countries safe online. Many online scams begin with a single click. Before you open a link or an attachment, three quick checks can make the difference. 1️⃣ Who sent it? A familiar name can still hide an unfamiliar sender. 2️⃣ Is the address exactly right? One changed letter in an email or web address is often all it takes. 3️⃣ Did you expect it? An unexpected message asking for urgent action, a password or a payment deserves a second look. If something feels off, pause and confirm through a channel you already trust. The protection of personal data sits at the heart of the @_AfricanUnion Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection, commonly known as the Malabo Convention, and of the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020–2030). Safe habits online are where that protection begins for each of us. The Infrastructure and Energy Department, in the implementation of Agenda 2063, shares practical steps throughout Cybersecurity Month 2026 that keep Africa’s digital space safe for all. H.E. @LDMataboge. Cybersecurity Month 2026.

AUC–OECD Engagement Explores Cooperation on Infrastructure Connectivity and Regional Integration 12 October 2026, Addis Ababa. African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, H.E. @LDMataboge, held a bilateral engagement with H.E. Frantisek Ruzicka, Deputy Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (@OECD). The engagement took up the Enhanced OECD–Africa Partnership. The Commissioner set out the Commission’s priorities on infrastructure connectivity and regional integration across energy, transport and an African-led digital transformation, anchored in the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa. Discussions explored where the two institutions can work together: harmonising regulation across borders, preparing bankable infrastructure projects, building the skills of the workforce of tomorrow, including in artificial intelligence, and strengthening data and analysis for evidence-based policymaking. The Infrastructure and Energy Department, in the implementation of Agenda 2063, carries the engagement forward with the OECD.

🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea at 58. Two Shores, One Harbour Story On 12 October, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, a nation of an island and a mainland on the Gulf of Guinea, marks 58 years of independence. The country lives on two shores. Malabo, the capital, sits on the island of Bioko beneath its volcano, whilst Bata, the largest city, stands on the mainland coast of Río Muni. The sea between them is the country's main street, and its ports hold the nation together. At Bata, the deepwater port receives vessels of up to 50,000 tonnes at berths of 16 to 18 metres, the main gateway for the mainland's trade, whilst the port of Malabo serves the island. Between them, the coastal highways of the mainland link Bata to the interior and to Gabon and Cameroon beyond. As Equatorial Guinea celebrates its 58th Independence Anniversary, the African Union Commission's Infrastructure and Energy Department joins the Government and people of Equatorial Guinea in celebrating the country's contribution to a more connected and integrated Central Africa. Looking ahead, the Department, in the implementation of Agenda 2063 and PIDA, the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa, continues to support Equatorial Guinea's transport infrastructure and its place in the ports and corridors of the Gulf of Guinea. Happy 58th Independence Anniversary to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and its people.

🇺🇬 Uganda at 64. The Nile Powers Uganda On 9 October, the Republic of Uganda, a land-linked nation on the shores of Lake Victoria, marks 64 years of independence. The Nile leaves the lake at Jinja and works its way north through Uganda, and the country has built its power on that river. At Karuma, six turbines of 100 MW each turn beneath the Nile, the largest power station in the country's history, in commercial operation since 2024. Its 400 kV lines carry that power to the national grid and toward the borders. Uganda's grid is part of a wider one. The country trades power with Kenya under the Eastern Africa Power Pool, whilst the planned 400 kV interconnector to South Sudan, designed to carry up to 1,000 MW, would extend that network to the youngest nation on the continent. As Uganda celebrates its 64th Independence Anniversary, the African Union Commission's Infrastructure and Energy Department joins the Government and people of Uganda in celebrating the country's contribution to a more connected and integrated East Africa. Looking ahead, the Department, in the implementation of Agenda 2063 and the African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), which will create one market for electricity across the continent, continues to support Uganda's energy infrastructure and its role in the shared grids of the region. Happy 64th Independence Anniversary to the Republic of Uganda and its people.

Bilateral With Cameroon's Permanent Representative to the African Union Takes Up Africa's Digital Agenda Ahead of the STC-CICT 08 October 2026, Addis Ababa. African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy H.E. @LDMataboge held a bilateral engagement with H.E. @EwumbueMonono, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cameroon to the @_AfricanUnion and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (@ECA_OFFICIAL). The discussion centred on Africa's digital transformation and the instruments through which the Union carries it: the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020-2030), the Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy, the AU Data Policy Framework and the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection, whose ratification by Member States remains a continental priority. The engagement also took up preparations for the Sixth Ordinary Session of the Specialised Technical Committee on Communication and ICT, convened by the African Union Commission in collaboration with the Gabonese Republic in Libreville from 26 to 30 October 2026, where Ministers will consider progress on these frameworks and the new instruments before them, and Africa's preparation for the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha. The Infrastructure and Energy Department, in the implementation of Agenda 2063, carries the engagement forward with the Permanent Mission of Cameroon and Member States on the road to Libreville. Bilateral Engagement. Permanent Mission of Cameroon to the African Union.

In her message for African Cybersecurity Month, H.E. @LDMataboge underscores why cyber resilience is essential to Africa’s development, trade and security. With over 1.1 billion mobile subscriptions across Africa and 55% of reported cybercrime now AI-enabled, the need to strengthen the continent’s cyber resilience is increasingly urgent. Building on the legal foundation of the Malabo Convention, the African Continental Cybersecurity Strategy provides a common direction for protecting people, critical infrastructure and Africa’s growing digital economy.

🇱🇸 Lesotho at 60. The Mountain Kingdom Shares Its Water On 4 October, the Kingdom of Lesotho, a land-linked nation in the Maloti Mountains, marks 60 years of independence, its Diamond Jubilee. Lesotho's greatest resource falls from the sky. Through the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, agreed with South Africa in 1986 and governed by the two nations together, 780 million cubic metres of water a year flow from the Katse and Mohale dams through tunnels in the mountains to the Vaal River system, whilst the 'Muela station turns the same water into power for Lesotho's own grid on its way. Phase II is now under construction. The Polihali dam, 165 metres high, and a 38 kilometre tunnel to Katse will raise the transfer to 1,270 million cubic metres a year, with water delivery expected toward the end of the decade. The project is listed under PIDA, the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa, as a model of shared water and power between neighbours. As Lesotho celebrates its Diamond Jubilee, the African Union Commission's Infrastructure and Energy Department joins the Government and people of Lesotho in celebrating 60 years of progress and the kingdom's contribution to a more connected and integrated Southern Africa. Looking ahead, the Department, in the implementation of Agenda 2063 and PIDA, continues to support Lesotho's water and energy infrastructure and its place in the shared grids and corridors of the region. Happy 60th Independence Anniversary to the Kingdom of Lesotho and its people. Khotso, Pula, Nala!