Category Archives: Africa

CGTN: How China, Canada promote steady, solid and sound development of bilateral ties under new circumstances

CGTN published an article on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Centered on the development of bilateral relations, the article highlighted that the two countries share broad prospects for cooperation, and explored how China and Canada are committed to promoting the steady, solid and sound development of bilateral ties under the new circumstances.

BEIJING, Jan. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Last year, a total of 125 Canadian companies participated at the 8th China International Import Expo, the world’s first national-level exposition dedicated to imports, in east China’s Shanghai, marking a record-high Canadian presence.

Based on mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, China and Canada share broad prospects for cooperation in fields such as trade, energy, agriculture and forestry, green technology and tourism.

During Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to China, which he started on Wednesday, the two countries signed multiple cooperation documents covering trade, customs, energy, construction, culture and public security, pledging to deepen cooperation in diverse sectors of mutual interest.

On Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Carney in Beijing, emphasizing that the healthy and stable development of China-Canada relations is in the common interests of the two countries and also conducive to world peace, stability, development and prosperity.

Promoting healthy, stable, sustainable China-Canada ties

During the meeting, Xi called on China and Canada to advance the building of a new strategic partnership with a sense of responsibility toward history, the people and the world.

Through the joint efforts of both sides, China-Canada relations have shown positive momentum toward recovery and improvement since last year.

In October 2025, the leaders of the two countries met on the sidelines of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in South Korea, with both sides agreeing to resume exchanges and cooperation in various fields, promote the resolution of specific economic and trade issues of mutual concern, and jointly advance the development of the China-Canada strategic partnership.

The engagement was preceded by a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Carney on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly a month earlier, followed by visits to China by senior Canadian officials, including the foreign minister.

As a gesture of goodwill, China resumed group tour services for Chinese citizens traveling to Canada through travel agencies in November, aiming to further enhance people-to-people exchanges between the two countries and foster mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Noting that China and Canada enjoy extensive common interests and opportunities, Carney said Canada is willing to work with China to build a new strategic partnership that is strong and enduring so as to deliver greater benefits to the two peoples.

Partners of common development and collaboration

Xi put forward four proposals regarding China-Canada relations – both countries should be partners in common development and collaboration featuring mutual respect and mutual trust.

The essence of China-Canada economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, with both sides benefiting from cooperation, Xi underscored, adding that China’s high-quality development and high-level opening up will continue to provide new opportunities and expand new space for China-Canada cooperation.

Economically, China and Canada remain deeply complementary. China has long been Canada’s second-largest trading partner, second-largest source of imports, and second-largest export market.

Canada exports energy products, agricultural commodities, minerals, and wood pulp, while China supplies machinery, consumer goods, electronics, and intermediate industrial inputs essential to Canadian manufacturing.

Canada possesses technological advantages in areas such as clean energy, biomanufacturing and agricultural technology, which align closely with China’s industrial upgrading needs. The “technology + market” model is emerging as a new paradigm for China-Canada cooperation.

In a joint statement released following the meeting of the two leaders, China and Canada voiced their commitment to expanding bilateral trade, strengthening two-way investment, and deepening cooperation in diverse sectors of mutual interest.

The two sides reaffirmed the importance of a fair and open business environment for enterprises of both countries, and committed to addressing economic and trade issues of mutual concern through constructive consultation, including through a renewed China-Canada Joint Economic and Trade Commission.

Xi called on both sides to increase efforts to promote cooperation and reduce the negative list, thereby strengthening the bond of shared interests through deeper and broader cooperation.

For more information, please click:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-01-16/How-China-Canada-promote-steady-solid-development-of-bilateral-ties-1JYU4eePiBW/p.html

Contact: CGTN
cgtn@cgtn.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9627513

Bitget Drops New Video With World Cup Winner Julián Alvarez, Turning Trading Into a One-Stop UEX Megastore

Bitget Drops New Video With World Cup Winner Julián Álvarez, Turning Trading Into a One-Stop UEX Megastore

Bitget Drops New Video With World Cup Winner Julián Álvarez, Turning Trading Into a One-Stop UEX Megastore

VICTORIA, Seychelles, Jan. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the world’s largest Universal Exchange (UEX), has released a new global video featuring World Cup winner Julián Alvarez, using football culture to explain a simple idea: if you want to trade the world, you should not have to shop around.

The video brings Bitget’s Universal Exchange vision to life through a familiar setting for football fans. Set inside a stylized football megastore, Álvarez browses match-day essentials that double as investment cues. Crypto takes the place of footballs, stocks show up as shin guards, and forex is laced into boots built for speed. The visual language does the heavy lifting, turning a complex multi-asset idea into something instantly intuitive: everything a trader needs, under one roof.

The creative lands on Bitget’s core proposition as it evolves into a Universal Exchange, offering unified access to crypto, tokenized stocks, gold, forex, and derivatives through a single account. Instead of switching platforms as markets move, users can rotate capital across asset classes with greater efficiency, transparency, and flexibility. The video captures this shift in a way that feels familiar to football fans and translates seamlessly to traders who value speed, coverage, and control.

“Just as a professional footballer needs access to the best equipment in one place, Bitget gives traders seamless access to diverse asset classes within one platform,” said Ignacio Aguirre, Chief Marketing Officer at Bitget. “That convenience is a competitive edge.”

Álvarez’s role in the campaign reflects the same principles behind UEX. Consistency, readiness, and the ability to adapt as the game changes. As markets become increasingly interconnected and trade around the clock, Bitget’s infrastructure is designed to support continuous access and smarter capital deployment across asset classes without compromising liquidity or cost.

The new video is now live across Bitget’s global channels and marks the latest step in the brand’s push to blend culture, sport, and trading education in the UEX era. As Bitget continues to expand market coverage and roll out additional multi-asset capabilities, the message behind the campaign stays the same. Trade smarter. Stay ready. And keep everything you need within reach.

Watch the full video here.

About Bitget

Bitget is the world’s largest Universal Exchange (UEX), serving over 125 million users and offering access to over 2M crypto tokens, 100+ tokenized stocks, ETFs, commodities, FX, and precious metals such as gold. The ecosystem is committed to helping users trade smarter with its AI agent, which co-pilots trade execution. Bitget is driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships with LALIGA and MotoGP™. Aligned with its global impact strategy, Bitget has joined hands with UNICEF to support blockchain education for 1.1 million people by 2027. Bitget currently leads in the tokenized TradFi market, providing the industry’s lowest fees and highest liquidity across 150 regions worldwide.

For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8d4d2019-ae01-4967-8323-3488e1bc1657

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1001159379

Atlanta Retains Crown as World’s Busiest Airport 2025 While Dubai Gains Ground, OAG Data Reveals

Dubai closes the gap as global capacity growth continues across regions

Key Findings:

  • Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) remains the world’s busiest airport in 2025 with 63.1 million seats
  • Dubai International (DXB) stays second globally and continues rapid long-term growth
  • Four of the world’s ten busiest airports are in North America and three in Asia

LONDON, Jan. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OAG, the leading data platform for the global travel industry, today released its annual ranking of the World’s Busiest Airports for 2025, based on scheduled airline capacity.

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) has retained its position as the world’s busiest airport, offering 63.1 million seats across domestic and international services. Capacity at ATL increased by 1% year-on-year and is now broadly in line with pre-pandemic levels.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) ranked second globally with 62.4 million seats, narrowing the gap with Atlanta. Capacity at DXB grew by 4% compared to 2024 and is now 16% above 2019 levels, underlining its continued dominance as the world’s leading international hub.

Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) remained third with 55.4 million seats, maintaining stable capacity levels and remaining slightly above pre-pandemic volumes.

Further down the rankings, Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Istanbul Airport (IST) recorded the strongest year-on-year growth among the global Top 10, increasing capacity by 8% and 6% respectively. Istanbul continues to stand out as one of the fastest-growing major hubs globally, with capacity now 22% higher than in 2019.

Overall, the global Top 10 busiest airports in 2025 reflect the strength of large domestic markets in the United States and China, alongside sustained growth in the Middle East and the continued emergence of new hub airports since 2019.

OAG Chief Analyst, John Grant, commented:

“The 2025 rankings show that global aviation has moved into a new phase of growth. Dubai’s continued expansion and Istanbul’s rise as a global hub demonstrate how airline networks are evolving, while the resilience of large domestic markets continues to underpin global capacity.”

Find full rankings and methodology on OAG’s website.

About OAG
OAG is a leading data platform for the global travel industry offering an industry-first single source for supply, demand, and pricing data.

Media Enquiries: pressoffice@oag.com
For more information visit www.oag.com/busiest-airports-world-2025

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9626260

GeekyAnts Announces Expo Feature Featuring Co-Founder Sanket Sahu on In-Browser Development Infrastructure

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sanket Sahu, the co-founder of GeekyAnts and creator of gluestack, recently shared his insights and has been featured in a technical publication by Expo.

The featured publication, ‘How I built a dev server entirely in the browser,’ offers an in-depth analysis of the pioneering browser-native architecture engineered by GeekyAnts to drive the future of development environments.

By focusing on complex organizational needs and product innovation, GeekyAnts remains at the forefront of legacy system modernization. The feature effectively highlights how our browser-based infrastructure developments continue to define the standard for the React Native ecosystem.

The full technical article, detailing the architectural shift toward sub-100ms preview updates and AI-assisted development workflows, can be accessed directly on the Expo blog:

[Link to Expo Article].

Contact Information

GeekyAnts Inc.
315 Montgomery Street, 9th & 10th Floors
San Francisco, CA 94104, USA
+1 845 534 6825
info@geekyants.com
www.geekyants.com/en-us


GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9626268

Global digital entrepreneurship ecosystem index reveals stark gap between digital readiness and scaling capacity

New global DEE Index shows that digital infrastructure alone no longer drives entrepreneurial success

Report Cover Digital Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Index

Report Cover Digital Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Index

VIENNA, Jan. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS), an independent interdisciplinary research institute based in Vienna, published the 2026 Global Digital Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Index Report, offering one of the most comprehensive global assessments to date of how digitalization translates into entrepreneurial and economic outcomes across 170 economies.

The findings point to a critical shift in the global innovation landscape. While digital infrastructure, connectivity, and basic digital skills have expanded rapidly worldwide, the ability of countries to convert these foundations into scalable entrepreneurial activity remains uneven — creating a widening gap between digital readiness and economic impact.

The DEE Index, covering the period from 2017 to 2022, measures the systemic interaction between digital infrastructure, platforms, institutions, and entrepreneurial agency. The report finds that although global digital capabilities have improved markedly, startup scaling, access to venture finance, and innovation commercialization continue to lag. As a result, entrepreneurial scaling has emerged as the primary structural bottleneck of the global digital economy.

High-income economies such as the United States, Denmark, and the United Kingdom lead the global rankings, benefiting from balanced ecosystems that combine strong institutions, deep capital markets, and mature digital platforms. At the same time, several emerging regions — including Sub-Saharan Africa and Central Asia — recorded the fastest relative growth, driven by foundational investments in connectivity and digital skills.

“We are at a turning point in the global digital economy,” said Prof. Dr. Zoltán Ács, Director of the Vienna Institute for Global Studies. “Digital access is no longer the main constraint. The real challenge is enabling entrepreneurship — particularly scaling, finance, and institutional coordination — so digital readiness can be transformed into economic value.”

The report calls on policymakers, investors, and ecosystem leaders to shift focus from expanding access toward strengthening venture finance, entrepreneurial talent, and platform-based innovation ecosystems. Without targeted interventions, the gap between digital capability and entrepreneurial impact is likely to widen further.

The full Digital Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Index – Global Report is available here.

About the Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS)

VIGS is an independent, interdisciplinary research institute specializing in entrepreneurial ecosystems, international relations, geopolitics, and well-being. VIGS produces data-driven insights to support evidence-based policy and strategic decision-making worldwide.

Contact
Naomi Besedes
vigs@vigsinstitute.at
+436648463928

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c767208d-2682-41a7-8689-8b50f295740d

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1001159093

MBAK Energy Solutions, Inc. (OTC:MBAK) Nominates Dr. Konda Shiva to the Board of Directors

SEOUL, South Korea and SHENZHEN, China and WILMINGTON, N.C., Jan. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MBAK Energy Solutions, Inc. (OTC:MBAK) has nominated Dr. Konda Shiva to the MBAK board of directors.

Holder of 8 patents and author of a dozen peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Shiva’s extensive background in electrical energy storage and distribution innovation dates back to his post-doctoral work at the University of Texas with Nobel Laureate Prof. John Goodenough and his work in battery development with Nissan’s Battery Research and Development Center in Chennai, India. Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AACCENOS Solutions Pvt. Ltd., he leads strategic initiatives in battery technology development, fast charging, and energy innovation for electric mobility and grid-scale energy storage applications. Dr. Shiva is uniquely positioned to leverage the rapidly expanding need for grid-scale electric energy as Middle Eastern countries ramp up transition to sustainable energy and build out of data centers.

Dr. Shiva has a passion for translating cutting edge scientific research into commercially viable, scalable industrial solutions. He will bring this passion and demonstrated excellence to his role as an independent director on the MBAK board.

MBAK Energy Solutions, Inc. is engaged in the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of non-fossil fuel energy products. The company has expertise in the design and production of lithium, sodium, and solid-state batteries for industrial, medical, portable electronics, and EV applications.

Contact: info@mbakcorp.com, press@mbakcorp.com

Website: www.mbakcorp.com

Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies’ contracts, the companies’ liquidity position, the companies’ ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur.

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9625477

New report from Meltwater and We. Communications reveals 90% of PR teams are integrating generative AI into their workflows

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Meltwater, a global leader in media, social, and consumer intelligence, in partnership with We. Communications, released its first annual State of PR Report, based on insights from more than 1,100 PR and communications professionals worldwide. The report highlights how PR teams are navigating rising expectations, evolving measurement demands, and using AI as a strategic advantage – while increasingly positioning themselves as strategic drivers of business value.

Key takeaways from the report:

  • AI is officially mainstream: Over 90% of PR teams have already integrated generative AI into their workflows for tasks like drafting press releases, optimizing content, and brainstorming, but only 13% say it’s highly integrated.
  • AI can supercharge teams and reduce time-sinks: Teams reported reactive work, content creation, and measurement/reporting as their biggest time sinks. Conversely, they named identifying rising trends and issues and summarization of media coverage, as the areas AI can have the biggest impact on their efforts, illustrating the efficiencies that can be gained with greater AI integration.
  • PR measurement is entering its next era: While foundational metrics such as reach and media volume are still widely used, there is growing momentum toward outcome-based measurement tied to business KPIs. More than one-third of PR professionals say aligning metrics to business goals is now a top priority. With insufficient resources and proving ROI cited as the top two challenges PR teams are facing, it’s key that evolving measurement is key.
  • Budgets are flat, but expectations are higher: More than half of respondents expect little or no change in PR investment for 2026, despite increased demand for strategic impact.
  • Leadership buy-in is key: Nearly 40% of PR pros report that company leadership has a limited understanding of their PR team’s work, despite 36% saying that PR budget is dependent on CEOs, underscoring the critical need to prove ROI to earn a seat at the table.
  • LinkedIn dominates as the PR pro platform of choice: 62% of PR professionals said LinkedIn was the most valuable platform for their work, with Facebook and Instagram as the next most popular at 10% each.

“The world of PR is defined by constant change, yet our research shows that core challenges, specifically proving ROI and fighting a persistent lack of resources, remain front and center,” said John Box, CEO of Meltwater. “What’s different now is that AI-powered tools are giving teams concrete ways to improve operational efficiency, gain the insight needed to measure brand performance and ensure the PR function achieves recognition and investment it deserves.”

Melissa Waggener Zorkin, Global CEO of We. Communications, says the report also points to the need for a pivotal shift in how communicators measure success, as AI solutions can now link communications activity to reputation outcomes and enterprise value. “PR pros do a great job measuring activity, but we’re seeing a missed opportunity when it comes to measuring impact. We now have sophisticated AI solutions that connect communications to reputation and business value in clear, quantifiable ways, giving communicators the data they need to show organization leaders how their work drives real results.”

For more insights, read the full State of PR Report here.

For more information, please contact:
Stacy Slayden
Communications Manager
pr@meltwater.com

About Meltwater
Meltwater empowers companies with a suite of solutions that spans media, social and consumer intelligence. By analyzing ~1 billion pieces of content each day and transforming them into vital insights, Meltwater unlocks the competitive edge needed to drive results. With 27,000 global customers, 50 offices across six continents, and 2,200 employees, Meltwater is the industry partner of choice for global brands making an impact. Learn more at meltwater.com.

About We. Communications
We. is a global communications agency helping brands navigate an ever-changing world. We’ve spent decades at the intersection of technology and humanity, translating new innovations into meaningful experiences that connect with people. As change accelerates and expectations evolve, we use our expertise to help brands communicate through complexity to drive connection, understanding and progress. We offer a range of solutions with this in mind, across diverse industries, audiences and stakeholders. 

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9625485

Bitget’s 2025 Review: UEX Leads the Convergence of Crypto and Traditional Markets

Bitget’s 2025 Review: UEX Leads the Convergence of Crypto and Traditional Markets

Bitget’s 2025 Review: UEX Leads the Convergence of Crypto and Traditional Markets

Bitget’s 2025 Review: UEX Leads the Convergence of Crypto and Traditional Markets

VICTORIA, Seychelles, Jan. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the world’s largest Universal Exchange (UEX), has published its year-in-review covering its Universal Exchange (UEX) model expansion across crypto, onchain markets, and tokenized traditional assets under a single, unified trading experience in 2025.

According to CoinGlass’ 2025 Crypto Derivatives Market Annual Report, Bitget ranked fourth in 2025 by derivatives trading volume, recording $8.17 trillion in total volume and an average daily volume of $25.20 billion. Bitget’s review attributes this performance to deeper liquidity conditions and a broadening mix of participants. Internal data shared in the review shows institutional spot trading volume share rising from 39.4% in January to 82% by December 2025, alongside an increase in institutional market makers’share of futures volume from 3% to 60% over the same period.

The review also detailed how UEX expanded beyond centralized markets. Bitget Onchain, launched in April 2025, recorded more than $2.4 billion in cumulative trading volume by year-end, supported by multichain access across major networks and onchain tooling designed to translate market signals into executable opportunities. In parallel, tokenized finance emerged as a major growth vertical. Bitget’s cumulative trading volume for tokenized stock futures surpassed $15 billion in 2025, and the public rollout of TradFi markets such as stocks, indices, commodities, and FX drove daily trading above $2 billion shortly after launch.

Tokenized equities gained momentum through integrations with RWA issuers, including Ondo Finance. Bitget and Bitget Wallet enabled trading for 100+ tokenized stocks and ETFs via Ondo Finance for eligible users outside the U.S.. In December 2025, Bitget captured 73% market share of trading activity in Ondo tokenized stock tokens as those assets exceeded $88 million in spot trading volume within a single week.

In product expansion, the review highlighted adoption across AI and consumer payments. GetAgent reached 500,000+ users in 2025 and facilitated 2 million conversations focused on portfolio context and strategy guidance. Bitget Wallet Card spending increased 28× year-on-year across more than 50 markets, while Stablecoin Earn Plus reached $80 million in TVL within one month and contributed to a tenfold expansion in Earn products.

“Our 2025 progress is a track record of what happens when global markets can be accessed in one place. In 2026, Bitget’s focus is UEX, AI, and compliance: expanding TradFi access with deeper liquidity and 24/7 TradFi, maintaining GetAgent’s competitive edge in the industry, and scaling licenses with stronger regulatory dialogue,” said Gracy Chen, CEO at Bitget.

Looking ahead, the review positioned 2026 around expanding compliant access to tokenized markets, advancing AI-driven execution workflows, and scaling UEX as a unified layer for trading, payments, and onchain participation across various asset classes.

To read the full report, please visit here.

About Bitget

Bitget is the world’s largest Universal Exchange (UEX), serving over 125 million users with access to over 2M+ crypto tokens, and TradFi markets such as 100+ tokenized stocks, ETFs, commodities, FX and precious metal like Gold. The ecosystem is committed to helping users trade smarter with its AI-agent to execute trade orders as a co-pilot. Bitget is driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, with LaLiga, and MotoGP™. Aligned with its global impact strategy, Bitget has joined hands with UNICEF to support blockchain education for 1.1 million people by 2027. Bitget currently leads in tokenized TradFi market providing industry’s lowest fees and highest liquidity across 150 regions worldwide.

For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/89967459-cda3-44bc-a3f1-5e2fbff5e0dd

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1001159163

Swiss-Belhotel International Strengthens Africa Portfolio with the Launch of The Gama by Swiss-Belhotel, Kilimani, Nairobi

NAIROBI, KENYA – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 January 2026 – Swiss-Belhotel International, has signed a management agreement for The Gama by Swiss-Belhotel, Kilimani, Nairobi, with Albushra Real Estate Limited, marking the global debut of its newest brand concept and underscoring the group’s strategic expansion across Africa. The latest signing builds on the group’s established presence in East Africa, where Swiss-Belhotel International operates multiple properties.

President – Operations & Development, EMEA and India, Swiss-Belhotel International and Dr. Sheikh Mohamed Shakul, CEO of Albushra Real Estate Limited

Scheduled to open within the next 12 months, The Gama by Swiss-Belhotel, is strategically located in Kilimani, one of Nairobi’s most dynamic and sought-after districts. It features 155 well-appointed guest rooms, complemented by an extensive range of lifestyle and business facilities, including two food and beverage outlets, a fully equipped gym, a rooftop swimming pool, a dedicated ladies’ sauna, and expansive ballroom and meeting facilities.

Dr. Sheikh Mohamed Shakul, CEO of Albushra Real Estate Limited, said: “The Gama by Swiss-Belhotel represents a bold and future-focused development for Nairobi. Our vision was to create a modern hospitality and lifestyle destination that reflects the energy of the city while meeting the evolving expectations of today’s traveller. Partnering with Swiss-Belhotel International, with its global expertise and strong operational standards, ensures that this project will set a new benchmark in the market.”

Mr. Gavin M. Faull, Chairman and President of Swiss-Belhotel International, added: “The launch of The Gama by Swiss-Belhotel marks a significant milestone for our group as we introduce a new brand to our global portfolio. Africa continues to be a key focus market for Swiss-Belhotel International, and Nairobi, in particular, offers tremendous potential. This signing reflects our confidence in the city’s long-term growth and our commitment to delivering brands that are relevant, contemporary, and market-driven.”

Highlighting the strategic importance of the project, Mr. Laurent A. Voivenel, SVP – Operations & Development, EMEA and India, Swiss-Belhotel International, stated: “The Gama by Swiss-Belhotel has been carefully conceptualised to resonate with the next generation of travellers – those seeking authenticity, smart design, and social connectivity without compromising on comfort or service quality. This signing not only strengthens our footprint in Kenya but also underscores our broader expansion strategy across Africa and emerging markets.”

https://www.swiss-belhotel.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/swiss-belhotel-international/
https://www.facebook.com/swissbelhotel/
https://www.instagram.com/swissbelhotel/

AACSB Opens Public Comment on 2026 Global Standards for Business Education

TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AACSB International today released exposure drafts of its inaugural Global Standards for Business Education and 2026 Accounting Accreditation Standards inviting feedback from business schools, faculty, students, employers, higher education associations, and other stakeholders worldwide.

The new Global Standards for Business Education, a revision of AACSB’s highly respected Accreditation Standards, are designed to serve all business schools, not only those that hold AACSB accreditation. They provide a globally recognized framework that any school can use to guide strategic development, strengthen performance, and demonstrate impact to learners, employers, and higher education stakeholders.

The release comes as AACSB marks its 110th anniversary, reflecting the organization’s evolution in how it advances quality and impact in business education worldwide.

“Business education is being asked to do more than ever – prepare learners for a dynamic economy, generate knowledge that informs practice, and help address societal challenges,” said Lily Bi, President and CEO of AACSB International. “These exposure drafts are an invitation to the global community to help shape a modern, practical, and values-driven standards framework that supports excellence across diverse missions and contexts. We encourage stakeholders to review these drafts and share feedback so the final standards reflect what business and accounting education need now, and what they must become next.”

AACSB’s proposed Standards come at a moment when business education is facing heightened scrutiny and rising expectations, from clearer evidence of learning outcomes to stronger connections among curriculum, research, and societal impact. “The introduction of the Global Standards for Business Education reinforces AACSB’s role as a global standard setter and strengthens the broader ecosystem of business education,” said Stephanie Bryant, Executive Vice President and Chief Accreditation Officer of AACSB International, noting that for schools, the drafts provide “a clear and adaptable framework to demonstrate quality” and to “accelerate continuous improvement.” The new Global Standards for Business Education and 2026 Accounting Standards are designed to help schools navigate evolving learner needs, workforce disruption, and rapid technological change, while keeping a consistent global benchmark for quality and continuous improvement.

What’s in the exposure drafts

The draft Standards emphasize mission-driven, outcome-focused quality across three core areas:

  • Strategic Management that aligns strategy, governance, and resources to support long-term quality and continuous improvement.
  • Learner Success that strengthens expectations for curriculum, assurance of learning, and digital agility.
  • Pathways to Impact that advance scholarly influence, academic, and professional engagement.

The Standards aim to support a wide range of institutional models and regional contexts, while maintaining a shared global language for quality in business education.

Learn More

AACSB is hosting a webinar on 12 January 2026 overviewing the key proposed changes to the AACSB business and accounting accreditation standards outlined in the Exposure Drafts. Register here

How to participate

AACSB encourages stakeholders to review the exposure drafts of its inaugural Global Standards for Business Education and 2026 Accounting Accreditation Standards and submit comments via survey until 7 February 2026. Input will inform revisions and the finalization of the 2026 Standards.

About AACSB

Established in 1916, AACSB International (AACSB) connects educators, learners, and businesses to create the next generation of great leaders. With more than 2,000 member organizations and over 1,000 accredited business schools worldwide, AACSB is the world’s largest business education network. Through its global standards, accreditation, and thought leadership, AACSB fosters engagement, accelerates innovation, and amplifies impact in business education.

aacsb.edu
mediarelations@aacsb.edu

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9623091