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The Bank approved $74 million for the Sudan Emergency Wheat Production project, implemented by the World Food Program, which is enhancing food security and wheat production
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ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, May 23, 2024/ — The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) has reassured Sudan of its continued support in providing humanitarian and economic assistance, while addressing other priority needs amid the country’s ongoing civil conflict.
Rufus N. Darkortey, the Bank’s Executive Director representing The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Sudan, reaffirmed this commitment during discussions with Sudan’s Finance Minister and Governor of the African Development Bank, Dr Gebreil Ibrahim Mohamed Fediel. “The Bank will continue to support Sudan in reducing fragility, stabilising the economy, and fostering recovery,” said Darkortey, acknowledging the severe impact of the conflict on the country. The meeting, held in Cairo, Egypt, rather than Sudan due to the ongoing civil conflict, focused on the Bank’s ongoing support for Sudan, identifying new priorities, and discussing humanitarian aid. While recognising efforts to grant aid access in Darfur, Darkortey called for expanded access nationwide. He also urged the protection of investments within the country financed by the Bank and development partners during the conflict and lauded the outcome of the recent humanitarian donor conference in Paris, where $2.13 billion was pledged for Sudan. The Executive Director informed Governor Fediel that the African Development Bank is supporting Sudan both at national and regional levels. The Bank approved $74 million for the Sudan Emergency Wheat Production project, implemented by the World Food Program, which is enhancing food security and wheat production. This project aims to assist Sudan in becoming a net exporter of wheat in the long run. The Bank has also committed $1 million from its Special Relief Fund to support humanitarian and food security efforts for internally displaced persons, refugees, and vulnerable communities. Regionally, the Bank is co-financing a $36.4 million emergency project to support the stabilisation and recovery of refugees and host communities in the Lake Chad Basin. It is also exploring further regional support for the displacement crisis resulting from Sudan’s conflict. Minister Fediel expressed gratitude to the Bank and its President, Dr Akinwumi A. Adesina, for their robust support in helping the nation meet its immediate needs. He emphasised the need for continued humanitarian assistance and technical support to assess the conflict’s impact as peace is established. With the farming season approaching, he called on the Bank to provide urgent agricultural support, including seeds and fertilizers. Governor Fediel pledged the government’s commitment to a stronger African Development Bank by ensuring the settlement of the country’s debt arrears. He reaffirmed Sudan’s commitment to financially contribute to the ADF-17 replenishment cycle starting in 2025, as pledged in a constituency memorandum signed in 2023. This memorandum outlines plans for enhancing domestic resource mobilisation and advancing SME-led private sector growth in constituency member countries. Both officials thanked the Bank’s Sudan Country Office for its leadership during this challenging period and expressed gratitude to the Egypt Office for hosting the mission. Darkortey also met with Sudan Country Office staff, affirming the Bank’s ongoing support for their welfare. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Contact:Kwasi Kpodo Communication and External Relations About the African Development Bank Group: SOURCE |
Author: prtimesafrica
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NEWS UPDATE: African Development Bank reaffirms support for Sudan amid civil conflict.
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NEWS UPDATE: Congo lauds partnership with African Development Bank, seeks enhanced climate funding.
Congo lauds partnership with African Development Bank, seeks enhanced climate fundingThe Bank also funded fiber-optic networks connecting Congo to Cameroon and the Central African Republic and is financing studies for a road-rail bridge between the two CongosBRAZZAVILLE, The Republic of the Congo, May 21, 2024/ — The Congolese government has lauded the African Development Bank Group for its vital support to the nation’s development, particularly in infrastructure, where the Bank stands as the country’s key partner.Government representatives gave the commendation during a three-day visit by the African Development Bank Group’s Vice-President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery, Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, during which she engaged with several ministers on political dialogue and support for the Bank’s operations.
Jean-Jacques Bouya, Congo’s Minister of State for Regional Development, Infrastructure and Road Maintenance lauded the “very positive cooperation with the African Development Bank in the infrastructure field” and expressed eagerness to expand this partnership, highlighting the Bank’s comparative advantage in funding infrastructure across the continent.
The Bank Group has significantly contributed to Congo’s infrastructure development, including the construction of the Ketta-Djoum road, part of the Yaoundé-Brazzaville corridor, and the first section of the Ndende-Dolisie road linking Congo to Gabon. The Bank also funded fiber-optic networks connecting Congo to Cameroon and the Central African Republic and is financing studies for a road-rail bridge between the two Congos. Alongside Africa50, the Bank is leading efforts in resource mobilization for these projects.
Minister Bouya presented Akin-Olugbade with studies of various road projects funded by the Bank and sought support for hydroelectric dam studies on the River Congo. The Bank committed to reviewing the request to help address Congo’s energy deficit, which is hampering economic and social development. Bouya also indicated that Congo plans to present some bankable projects at the African Investment Forum, 2024 Market Days scheduled to take place in Rabat in December.
Olga Ghislaine Ebouka-Babackas, Minister of Planning, Statistics and Regional Integration, emphasized the need for capacity building to optimize development assistance. She noted the need for the Bank’s support to ensure that management units and sector-specific ministries are adept at navigating financial procedures required by international partners.
Minister of Agriculture, Livestock Farming and Fisheries, Paul Valentin Ngobo, and Akin-Olugbade discussed a mid-term evaluation of the Integrated Agricultural Value Chains Development Project (PRODIVAC). This initiative aims to bolster the maize/cassava sectors and enhance seed production capacities. Ngobo also outlined the Agenda for Agricultural Transformation in Congo (ATAC), a government program to advance the agricultural sector.
Minister for the Environment, Sustainable Development and the Congo Basin, Alerte Soudan-Nonault, highlighted the challenges in mobilizing climate finance and advocated for Congo’s access to all Bank funding mechanisms. Akin-Olugbade mentioned the Bank’s technical support for the ‘Congo Basin Blue Fund’s readiness project and ongoing efforts to create a carbon exchange and incorporate natural resources into GDP calculations for African countries.
Jean-Baptiste Ondaye, Minister of Economy and Finance acknowledged the Bank’s support in Congo’s reforms program with the International Monetary Fund. At the end of 2023, the Bank provided Congo with $92 million in budget support, helping the country address urgent challenges. Ondaye assured that Congo would meet its commitments to the African Development Bank and other partners.
Akin-Olugbade outlined the Bank’s new Ten-Year Strategy (2024-2033), focusing on accelerating the “High 5” strategic priorities, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, against the background of reforming the international financial architecture. The strategy emphasizes gender equality, youth support, and climate change, particularly mobilizing climate funding.
Discussions included the possibility of opening a Country Office in Congo and the government’s preparations to host the Bank Group’s Annual Meetings in 2026. The upcoming resource replenishment meeting of the African Development Fund, the concessional funding window for low-income African countries, was also highlighted.
Akin-Olugbade introduced Olivier Béguy as the new resident country economist, succeeding Sié Antoine-Marie Tioyé, whose mission had ended.
The Vice-President’s delegation included the Bank’s Director General for Central Africa, Serge N’Guessan, his deputy Solomane Koné, who is also the Country Manager for Congo, outgoing resident country economist Tioyé, Regional Lead economist Hervé Lohoues, and Principal Country Program Officer, Mohamed Coulibaly.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).Media contact:
Romaric Ollo Hien,
Communications and External Relations Department,About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is the premier multilateral financing institution dedicated to Africa’s development. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NSF). The AfDB has a field presence in 41 African countries, with an external office in Japan, and contributes to the economic development and social progress of its 54 regional member states.SOURCE
African Development Bank Group (AfDB) -
NEWS UPDATE: PAIX Data Centres Expands Capacity in Ghana to 1.2 MW to Boost Africa’s Digital Economy
PAIX Data Centres Expands Capacity in Ghana to 1.2 MW to Boost Africa’s Digital EconomyData centers are essential to support the creation of businesses that can thrive in the digital era, leading to increased employment opportunities and economic transformationACCRA, Ghana, May 21, 2024/ — The expansion will help meet the demand for digital infrastructure as data consumption rapidly outstrips supply in Africa. PAIX Data Centres, a leading provider of data center solutions, today announced the expansion of its facility in Accra to 1.2 MW, in a critical boost to the digital economy that will also spur job creation. The data centre, now one of the largest in Ghana, will help internet service providers (ISPs), cloud providers, and enterprises take full advantage of robust digital infrastructure and improved connectivity, to create online businesses such as e-commerce that will thrive in the digital era. The expansion comes at a pivotal time as the demand for reliable and scalable data centers in Africa is expected to exceed supply by 300% over the next two years. The current installed capacity of 250 MW will need to be significantly increased to 1,200 MW by 2030 to meet the rapidly increasing demand for data, with consumption expected to rise by 40% each year until 2025, according to industry estimates. The upgraded facility boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure and robust security measures, ensuring optimal performance and reliability for mission-critical applications and services. The data center also features advanced cooling and waste management systems, and the increased integration of renewable energy as a power source, to improve environmental impact. The strategic location in Accra offers low latency connectivity to all major regional and international network routes and subsea cables, further enhancing the overall efficiency and performance of its services. PAIX Data Centres acquired its first facility in Accra in 2018 and constructed its second data center in Kenya in 2020. Further locations are under development. The company’s mission is to drive digital transformation and foster innovation across Africa, providing world-class data centre solutions that enable businesses to thrive in a digital age. Africa50, a pioneering infrastructure investor and asset manager, backed by African and global capital, committed $20 million in equity investment to PAIX Data Centres in 2022 to support the company’s expansion into new markets and the upgrade of current facilities.
QUOTES
- Bright Tawiah, Managing Director, PAIX Data Centres, Ghana, said: “This expansion reaffirms our dedication to providing best-in-class data center solutions to our customers in Accra and beyond. As one of Africa’s digital economy hotspots, Accra plays a vital role in driving innovation and growth across various industries. We are proud to be at the forefront of this transformation, enabling businesses to thrive in today’s increasingly connected world”.
- Alexander Sulzberger, Co-Founder & CTO, Ecoband Networks says: “Ecoband Networks has been one of PAIX’s longest-standing customers, utilizing the RackAfrica datacenter in Accra since its inception in 2013. We have been extremely pleased with the continuous expansion and upgrade plans spearheaded by the PAIX management, ensuring the delivery of world-class data center services with zero downtime. This reliability provides Ecoband and our international carrier partners hosted in Accra with a solid foundation for our ISP operations.”
- Gregory Eid, CEO of Teledata ICT says: “At Teledata ICT, we are thrilled to see PAIX Data Centres expanding their capacity in Accra. This significant enhancement not only supports our mission to deliver reliable and high-speed internet services but also reinforces our commitment to fostering digital growth in Ghana. The increased capacity and advanced infrastructure provided by PAIX will enable us to better serve our customers, drive innovation, and contribute to the overall digital transformation of the region.”
- Gershon Dzandu, General Manager, at FTSToday says: “PAIX is at the heart of the colocation industry in Ghana, strategically located in the centre of Accra with expanded state of the art facilities that guarantee safety, security and unparalleled uptime. They are a dream come true for start-ups like FTSToday as they host major international providers in their Accra Facility. They have been an integral part of our growth and continued success and we are very confident that PAIX will continue being the backbone of our drive to provide future-proof ICT and telecommunication solutions geared towards positive Business Growth and value creation for our esteemed customers.”
- Wouter van Hulten PAIX Data Centres CEO says: “PAIX’s investment in our ACC-1 data centre positions it as the leading network hub that is created by the aggregation of multiple undersea cable landing points connecting to terrestrial cables, and this makes Accra a highly attractive gateway to West Africa. We are working closely with our connectivity, CDN, social media, and cloud customers seeking to serve this emerging market. We are developing thriving magnetic cloud and content hubs in Accra.”
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Make discipline, hardwork, patriotism your watchwords, Marwa charges NMS Boys . Urges them to shun illicit drugs as future of Nigerian military, seeks automatic admission into NDA for graduating boys.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has charged the Nigerian Military School (NMS) boys to always make discipline, hardwork, loyalty, and patriotism their watchwords in all they do throughout the duration of their study in the school and afterwards.Marwa who gave the charge in his remarks as the special guest of honour and reviewing officer of the 70th Foundation Day parade of the military school urged the boys to see the quality of education received in the school as a solid springboard for their future endeavours, even as he warned them against indulging in substance abuse. He noted that the school has made historic contributions in remolding boys to cater to the manpower needs of the Nigerian Army and other fields of human endeavours of the nation at large.Addressing the Class 6 Boys, Marwa said “the quality of education and solid foundation you have acquired in this prestigious institution is enough to serve as a springboard for your future endeavours. Therefore, discipline, hardwork, loyalty, and patriotism should always be your watchwords and should also guide your actions. I wish you all the best in your ongoing external examinations.” Facing the other boys, he said “you must continue to strive to maintain the level of discipline that NMS is known for. I am aware that your commandant is resolute and has maintained his resolve not to condone or spare any act of indiscipline in the school.”He urged them to make a good choice of their future by abstaining from substance abuse. “Studies and living experiences have also shown that drug abuse cannot solve any problem. Rather, it creates new complex challenges. The good news is that there is the other side of drug abuse for young people, which is intentionally embracing a drug free life, by choosing positive and healthy habits. With the world at your feet and God by your side, you have the power to take decisions on the kind of life you want to live, from now on and to set valuable goals and take actions that will lead you to a safe and productive destination. As students of this esteemed learning institution, you bear the burden of living and staying true to the ideals and spirit which we have all carried proudly over the years”, the NDLEA boss stated.He said as an ex-boy and an alumnus of the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, “the time has come for us to begin consideration for automatic admission of graduating NMS boys into NDA.”While expressing appreciation to the school management for inviting him as the reviewing officer of the 70th Foundation Day parade, Marwa recalled his own experience in the school. “On this very parade ground, I marched as a boy from 1966 to 1970. Indeed, I was one of the two stick orderlies on the foundation day parade of 20th May 1966 in my form one where then Lt Col Hassan Usman Katsina, then Military Governor of Northern region was the reviewing officer for that parade. It is therefore a great honour and privilege for me to stand before you today as the reviewing officer for the 70th Foundation Day parade of the Nigerian Military School (NMS), fifty-four years after my graduation”, he stated.He commended the school established in 1954 and saddled with the responsibility of training proficient young Nigerians to provide leadership at the junior level in the Armed Forces, adding that the NMS has since its establishment 70 years ago made tremendous contributions to national development both within and outside the Armed Forces of Nigeria.Present at the occasion were….Femi BabafemiDirector, Media & AdvocacyNDLEA Headquarters AbujaMonday 20th May 2024. -
PR TIMES AFRICA PERSON OF THE WEEK
Simpiwe “Sim” Tshabalala is Chief Executive of the Standard Bank Group.
Sim was born in Hlabisa, in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He grew up in Soweto and was educated at Sacred Heart College in Johannesburg.
Sim attended Rhodes University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1988, and a Bachelor of Laws in 1990. He went on to do a Master of Laws at Notre Dame in the US, which he was awarded summa cum laude, in 1993.
Sim was admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa in 1994. He joined Real Africa Durolink Investment Bank in 1994 and worked in its structured finance division until 2000. In that time he continued his studies on a part-time basis and completed the Higher Diploma in taxation law from the University of the Witwatersrand (‘Wits’) in 1996.
Sim joined the Project Finance Division of Standard Corporate and Merchant Bank as head of structured finance in 2000, becoming a Director in 2000 and Managing Director of Stanbic Africa in 2001. In 2006 he was appointed Chief Executive of Personal and Business Banking, South Africa. In the same year, he completed Harvard University’s Advanced Management Programme.
In March 2008, Sim was appointed as Chief Executive of Standard Bank South Africa. He was appointed as one of three Deputy Chief Executives of the Standard Bank Group in April 2009. In June 2012, Sim took on the additional responsibility for Corporate and Investment Banking’s client franchise in South Africa.
In March 2013, Sim was appointed joint Chief Executive of the Standard Bank Group, extending his responsibilities to the banking businesses in Africa beyond South Africa and to the Group’s Wealth businesses. In September 2017, Sim was appointed as the sole Chief Executive of the Standard Bank Group.
Among other non-executive responsibilities over the course of his career, Sim has served on the Boards of the Liberty Group; Standard Bank’s subsidiary in Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC; the Banking Association of South Africa, including as Chairman; the Board and Council of Business Leadership South Africa; and the board of the International Monetary Conference.
Sim currently serves on the board of the Institute of International Finance, of which he is Vice-Chairman and Treasurer. Sim is a Fellow of the Institute of Bankers of South Africa and an Honorary Professor at the University of Stellenbosch Business School.
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PARIS2024 OLYMPIC,AFRICAN ATHLETE TO WATCHOUT FOR
Joseph Paul Amoah (sprinter)
Joseph Paul Amoah (born 12 January 1997) is a Ghanaian sprinter specializing in the 100 metres and the
200 metres. He competed at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in the 100 metres and 4 × 100
metres relay, and at the 2019 African Games, he won a gold medal in the 4 × 100 metres relay.
He was also a 100 metres finalist at the 2019 African Games, finishing fourth.
Amoah has personal best times of 9.94 seconds and 20.08 seconds in the 100 metres and 200 metres
respectively. His personal best performance in the 200 metres broke the Ghanaian record previously
held by three-time Olympian Emmanuel Tuffour by 0.07 seconds. He is currently the Africa Games
champion for the 200 meters race. He won this with a time of 20.70. -
PR TIMES AFRICA SPOTLIGHT: MOHAMMED DEWJI
Mohammed Dewji is a businessman, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former politician. He serves as the President of MeTL Group, a Tanzanian conglomerate founded by his father in the 1970s. Mohammed is single-handedly responsible for increasing MeTL’s revenues from $30 million to over 2 billion between 1999 and 2022. Currently, MeTL group has investments in textiles, energy, petroleum, agriculture, insurance, mobile telephony, transport and logistics, trading, real estate, and food and beverages (FMCG). The group conducts business in 8 countries and employs over 34,800 people. To date, MeTL’s operations contribute ~3.3% of Tanzania’s GDP.
Mohammed served as a Member of Parliament from 2005 – 2015 for his hometown of Singida. In 2022, Forbes listed him as the 15th richest person in Africa, with an estimated net worth of US$1.5 billion. Forbes also described him as the youngest billionaire on the continent for 6 consecutive years. Further, Mohammed was the first Tanzanian billionaire on the cover of Forbes Africa in 2013, and in 2015 was named Forbes Person of the Year. In 2021, Mohammed was again featured on the cover of Forbes Africa for its 10-year anniversary issue. That same year, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Mohammed to serve on the investment advisory council for the Republic of South Africa, a position Mohammed still holds.
Beyond business, Mohammed has demonstrated an exemplary record of contributing to the well-being of Tanzania and beyond via the Mo Dewji Foundation, which he established in 2014. The foundation covers education, health, community development, water accessibility and gender empowerment.
In 2022, Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business awarded Mohammed an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters for distinguished leadership in business and philanthropy. He also delivered the 2022 McDonough Graduation Commencement Address.
In 2016, Mohammed joined the Giving Pledge – an initiative started by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. This pledge aims to address society’s most pressing problems by inviting the world’s wealthiest to commit over half of their wealth to philanthropy. Mohammed is the first Tanzanian and one of few Africans to have made the pledge.
Mohammed is also an investor in football, with a 49% stake in Simba Sports Club, the largest sports club in Tanzania. Since his USD$ 20 million investment 4 years ago, the club has made it to the quarterfinals of the African Champions league, and is now ranked one of the top 20 clubs in the continent.
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NEWS UPDATE: APO Group appoints Laila Bastati as Chief Commercial Officer.
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, February 22, 2024/ — APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the premier award-winning Pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, is delighted to announce the appointment of Laila Bastati as Chief Commercial Officer.Laila has more than 15 years of experience in international business development, strategic partnerships and operations with a proven track record of building and managing cross-functional and geographically distributed teams.
This experience makes her perfectly suited to manage commercial operations and strategy for APO Group, which is the only truly Pan African communications consultancy. The company’s staff are spread across the continent providing deep knowledge and expertise of Africa’s diverse and complex media landscape to more than 300 clients.
APO Group’s unique model combines strategic Public Relations knowhow with the continent’s leading press release distribution service, providing clients with unparalleled Pan-African communications support. As Chief Commercial Officer, Laila will be responsible for driving revenue and attracting new clients as APO Group looks to move to the next level of growth.
Laila comes into her role at APO Group with impressive international credentials.
Having lived in 12 countries and worked in over 50, Laila has consulted Heads of State, government officials, Fortune 500 accounts, and High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) on effective communication campaigns to attract foreign investment and has negotiated complex agreements to secure multi-million dollar and multi-year income deals.
In her previous role, Laila was Managing Director of the Commercial Division at Energy Capital & Power, Africa’s leading investment platform in the energy sector. She led the company through a new era, increasing turnover by 50% YoY and growing the commercial team by 80%.
Earlier in her career, Laila worked as Chief Operating Officer, Global Commercial Director, and Project Director at The Business Year, a global media group specializing in economic news and business intelligence. In these positions she managed 100+ employees across 14 locations, revitalized and diversified revenue streams, quadrupled annual sales volume, and spearheaded the company’s transition into the digital era.
Laila holds a B.S. in Political Science, International Commerce & Relations from the University of Padua, and an M.A. in Fashion Promotion from Marangoni Fashion Institute, Milan. She is fluent in English, Spanish and Italian, and proficient in French.
“It is a privilege to join such a diverse and dynamic team that is leading the way in African communications,” said Laila Bastati, Chief Commercial Officer at APO Group. “This role presents a fabulous opportunity to work with some of the most prestigious organizations operating on the continent, who rely on our services and our expertise every day. I am thrilled to come on board to help navigate APO Group through an exciting new chapter of expansion and innovation.”
“APO Group experienced a year-over-year revenue growth of 40% in 2021 and 60% in 2022, and I am confident that Laila is the right person to lead us to the next level,” said Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard (www.Pompigne-Mognard.com), Founder and Chairman of APO Group. “Her proven track record in managing teams across diverse commercial landscapes will help to drive collaboration, increase performance, and reach new heights. It is a pleasure to welcome Laila to the APO Group family.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.Media contact:
marie@apo-opa.comAbout APO Group
Founded in 2007, APO Group (www.APO-opa.com) stands as the premier award-winning Pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service. Renowned for our deep-rooted African expertise and expansive global perspective, we specialise in elevating the reputation and brand equity of both private and public organisations across Africa. As a trusted partner, our mission is to harness the power of media, crafting bespoke strategies that drive tangible, measurable impact in Africa and beyond.Our commitment to excellence and innovation in communication strategies has been recognised with prestigious awards, including a PRovoke Media Global SABRE Award, five PRovoke Media Africa SABRE Awards and two World Business Outlook Awards in 2023 alone, in categories, among others, including Leading Public Relations Firm Africa 2023 and Leading Pan-African Communications Consultancy Africa 2023.
Our esteemed clientele, including global giants like Canon, Nestlé, TikTok or Coca-Cola, reflects our unparalleled ability to navigate the complex African media landscape, with teams on the ground in numerous African countries, offering unmatched insights and reach across the continent.
APO Group is dedicated to reshaping narratives about Africa, challenging stereotypes, and bringing inspiring African stories to global audiences, with our expertise in developing and supporting public relations campaigns worldwide uniquely positioning us to amplify brand messaging, enhance reputations, and connect effectively with target audiences.
For more information, please visit our website: https://www.APO-opa.com
SOURCE
APO Group -
NEWS UPDATE: Yango Unveils Yango Play in Middle East and North Africa (MENA): An Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Powered Entertainment Super App with Movies, Series, Music, and Mini-Games.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, February 22, 2024/ — Yango (https://Yango.com), transforming global technologies into everyday services tailored to local needs, today announced the launch of Yango Play (https://Play.Yango.com), the first AI-powered entertainment service that combines video streaming, music, and mini-games in one place.Yango Play offers a diverse range of entertainment options, featuring exclusive premieres of both Arabic and international movies and series, personalized music streaming, and interactive mini-games, all enhanced by Yasmina, an AI-based Arabic voice assistant. Now available in the KSA, UAE, and other GCC countries, the service provides subscribers with cross-platform access on smartphones, and TVs.
The new super app places significant emphasis on upholding authentic content, celebrating regional production studios and artists. The platform not only serves as a launchpad for local talent but also ensures the diversification of the current entertainment landscape by providing its subscribers with a selection of original content that resonates with their cultural identity.
Yasmina: The Arabic-Speaking AI Assistant
Yasmina, the bilingual AI assistant integrated into Yango Play, interacts with users in Arabic and English and redefines their entertainment experience. Fluent in Khaleeji and able to understand major Arabic dialects, including Egyptian and Lebanese, Yasmina suggests the songs for listening, chats with you, and answers all kinds of questions — anything from today’s weather to this year’s Ramadan dates. Yasmina guides you through the Yango Play app and makes your experience more enjoyable.
Personalized endless music stream
Central to Yango Play’s innovation is an AI-powered endless music stream that tailors personalized playlists for users, spotlighting regional gems based on their preferences. This ensures each user’s experience is unique and reflects their personal choices. As the product continues to evolve, its recommendation technology will also adapt, ensuring a highly personalized and relevant user experience that resonates with unique preferences and cultural nuances.
Commenting on the launch of the super app, Roman Shimansky, MENA Region Business Director at Yango Play, “At Yango Play, we’re devoted to crafting a joyful entertainment experience, offering a selection of diverse content that turns every moment into a delightful adventure. Our ever-evolving platform uses AI to provide more seamless and intuitive experiences by understanding your preferences—whether by curating uplifting music for your drive, engaging shows for family time, or quick games for a brief pause in your day. We are deeply committed to enhancing these experiences through our original content and strategic collaborations with regional creatives, ensuring that each choice on our platform is a step towards discovering vibrant new emotions.”
With titles like the biggest Arabic blockbuster of 2023 ‘Mr. Ex’ and the sequel of the beloved classic ‘Awlad Harim Kareem’ already in its lineup, Yango Play is set to reveal the full catalogue with the best acquired and produced films and series in the near future.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Yango Play.About Yango Play:
Yango Play (https://Play.Yango.com), an all-in-one entertainment super app, is a pioneering AI-powered entertainment service that combines video, music streaming, and mini-games into a single platform. Launched in the GCC, it offers a seamless and comprehensive entertainment experience. Subscribers enjoy a vast selection of video content, including beloved classics and exclusive new releases, spanning movies and TV series from the Middle East, Turkey, and Hollywood, all presented ad-free and in high quality. Additionally, the app features an innovative music stream that personalizes recommendations to match user preferences, blending international hits with regional favorites. Available on both Google PlayStore (https://apo-opa.co/3OPwAnq) and iOS App Store (https://apo-opa.co/ 49p8cBA), Yango Play stands out for its diverse content library and personalized entertainment experience. For more information about Yango Play and its offerings, visit https://Play.Yango.com SOURCE
Yango Play
