Strive Masiyiwa says data infrastructures are important for intra-African trade as Liquid telecoms signs $400 million agreement with Telecom Egypt
In an interview with Ventures Africa soon after the signing of a $400 million agreement between Liquid Telecoms and Telecom Egypt in Egypt, Group Executive Chairman of Econet, Liquid Telecom’s parent company, Strive Masiyiwa stressed the importance of data movement in intra-African trade. The movement of Data is also important, and Econet Group Chairman Strive Masiyiwa believes data infrastructures like fiber networks are important to connecting Africa together. Behind the mobile operators are companies like Liquid Telecoms who own physical infrastructures. Pan-African telecom group, Liquid Telecom signed a partnership agreement with Egypt’s state telecom company Telecom Egypt on the sidelines of the Africa 2018 Forum held in Egypt’s resort town of Sham El Sheikh last week. The 3-year 400 million USD agreement will see Liquid Telecom construct fiber network infrastructures in Egypt, and also build data centers in the country.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 15, 2018 05:01 UTC
Berber, a North African restaurant and theater, opens in Russian Hill
Berber is a North African restaurant and supper club opening Saturday, Dec. 15 in San Francisco’s Russian Hill neighborhood. “San Francisco is an international city. The back dining room will be where the entertainment will happen for the full experience.”The restaurant is a joint venture between Garnicki and Borhen Hummami (Marrakech Restaurant, Café Chanta). The dining room will have artwork sourced from the same region, including a door that’s more than 100 years old, imported from Morocco. The San Francisco chef was putting the final touches on the Berber menu as of Friday afternoon.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 14, 2018 22:52 UTC
Morocco King Calls on Ombudsman Institution to Uphold Rule of Law
King Mohammed VI has urged the Moroccan Ombudsman institution to continue its contribution to upholding the principles of the rule of law, transparency and good governance in the management of public services. The Sovereign, who appointed on Thursday Mohamed Benalilou as Ombudsman, also called the Mediator institution to continue making recommendations aimed at “guaranteeing the equality of citizens before the law and the administration and improving the quality of services provided by public institutions, State services and local authorities”, said a statement released by the Royal Office. On this occasion, the King underlined the role of the Ombudsman Institution, an independent national body, which endeavors to end injustices and defend the rights of citizens against any abuse within the frame of the respect of the principles of the rule of law, justice and equity, added the statement. The Mediator Institution handles complaints lodged by citizens regarding several issues including expropriation, enforcement of court judgement, taxation, misuse of administrative procedures…It issues proposals and recommendations for the simplification a complex administrative procedure, or a law whose firm implementation or incompatibility with the changing realities may cause unfairness and harm to the complainants. The Mediator Institution also seeks to bridge the gap between citizens and the public administration in a bid to restore a trust-centered relationship based on the spirit of good citizenship, rule of law and principles of human rights, justice and equity.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 14, 2018 16:30 UTC
King Mohammed VI Leads Fight against Corruption
King Mohammed VI has renewed zero tolerance against corruption and expressed his unwavering resolve to combat this scourge, which undermines the public trust and investors’ confidence. The King also underlined “its impact on services for citizens, or the negative repercussions of this plague on the different sectors of the national economy and the achievement of a sustainable and balanced development”, said a statement issued by the Royal Office. The national authority for probity, prevention and fight against corruption also seeks to streamline public life, uphold the principles of good governance, promote public service culture and the values of responsible citizenship. Morocco, which ratified the UN Convention against Corruption in 2007 and aligned its legislation with international standards, adopted in 2015 a national strategy against corruption. Spanning over a 10-year period, this strategy aims to bolster citizens’ trust, promote integrity, improve the business environment and enhance the Kingdom’s international standing.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 14, 2018 16:18 UTC
EU Trust Fund for Africa: new actions adopted to support vulnerable migrants, foster socio-economic development and improve border management in North of Africa
The new actions under the EU Emergency Trust for Africa will reinforce assistance to vulnerable migrants, foster labour migration and mobility, and contribute to improving the capacity of Morocco and Libya to manage their borders. The new support will also reach migrants living in Morocco, as well as Moroccan nationals living abroad, while contributing to the development of the country. It will provide concrete technical and financial support to protect and save people, address irregular migration, foster regional mobility and develop border management systems. BackgroundA new regional initiative (€15 million) will promote legal migration and mobility between North of Africa, its southern neighbours and Europe. In Libya, the support provided by the EU Emergency Trust for Africa on border and migration management is being expanded with €45 million.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 14, 2018 16:18 UTC
Morocco Improving Sustainable Energy Indicator- WB Report
Morocco got a score of 74, according to the report of RISE, which informs investors of the sustainable energy policies and regulations of a given country. The report gave Morocco a score of 74 points for sustainable energy indicators, including access to electricity (100 points), energy efficiency (56 points), and renewable energy (67 points). In terms of energy efficiency, Morocco scored high with 80 points in the national energy efficiency planning indicator, 100 points in energy efficiency indicator, and 96 points in energy efficiency incentives from electricity rate structures. Regarding renewable energies, Morocco did well in the legal framework for renewable energy (100 points), planning for renewable energy expansion (83), and attributes of financial and regulatory incentives (83 points). RISE assesses countries’ policy support for each of the three pillars of sustainable energy – access to modern energy, energy efficiency, and renewable energy.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 14, 2018 16:07 UTC
Morocco Gets Over $96 Loan to Improve Access to Employment
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced a $96.6 million loan to Morocco to enable the country to implement a program on improving access to employment through vocational training. The program is also meant to support Morocco in the implementation of its strategies targeting employment promotion and vocational training upgrading. In November, the African Development Bank lent Morocco €117 million to finance a project destined to ensure the sustainability and security of access to drinking water in several provinces, which have a combined population of 2.5 million people. The partnership between Morocco and the AfDB, which is nearly half a century old, includes more than 160 projects worth more than $10 billion. The funding, devoted mostly to basic infrastructure, covers several sectors including energy, water, transport, agriculture and social development.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 14, 2018 13:52 UTC
North vs south: Egypt, SA bid for 2019 AFCON
South Africa's bid, confirmed on Friday by South African Football Association (SAFA) spokesperson Dominic Chimhavi, puts Africa's only World Cup host in line to help tournament organiser the Confederation of African Football (CAF) out again. South Africa hosted the 2013 African Cup of Nations five years ago, standing in when Libya couldn't hold that tournament. An African Cup in Egypt would also provide an intriguing storyline for Egypt striker Mohamed Salah, currently the continent's best player. Egypt's bid does have logistical advantages for CAF, though, with the African soccer body based in the Egyptian capital Cairo. South Africa is considered the country with the best infrastructure in Africa and hosted the continent's first World Cup in 2010.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 14, 2018 08:15 UTC
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Africa faces vast rural-urban gap in access to power, clean cooking
While 32 per cent of urban population in Africa, excluding North Africa, has access to cleaner fuels for cooking, around 90 per cent of the rural population cooks with charcoal. It says that in Africa (excluding North Africa), only 35 per cent of schools have access to electricity. Only around 25 per cent of the African population has access to clean cooking solutions and the rural-urban gap continues to exist. It also advocates promoting access to clean cooking solutions, including establishing cooking stoves standards, as well as wood/charcoal sector regulations. Thus, calling for urgent measures to increase production and expand access to electricity across Africa, the report demands for a sustained political commitment to the national electrification programmes for expanding access to electricity and ensuring “electricity access for all”.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 14, 2018 08:03 UTC
Boeing delivers the 787th 787 Dreamliner to AerCap
Since 787 Dreamliner's first delivery in September, 2011, the 787 family has flown nearly 300 million passengers on more than 1.5 million flights around the world. Boeing delivers the 787th 787 Dreamliner to AerCapDec 14, 2018: Boeing has delivered the 787th 787 Dreamliner to AerCap, the world's largest lessor and one of the 787 customers. This marked a special milestone for the super-efficient airplane family and the fastest-selling twin-aisle jet in history. "Reaching this milestone delivery is a testament to our amazing Boeing team who build the world's most capable and reliable airplanes," said Kevin McAllister, president & CEO for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "This delivery also reflects the special capabilities of the 787 Dreamliner.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 14, 2018 07:07 UTC
Egypt in surprise bid to be new African Cup of Nations host
The Egyptian Football Association says it has submitted a bid to replace Cameroon as next year's African Cup of Nations host, a surprise pitch by the North African country which wasn't initially thought of as a contender. Egypt's bid, announced on Thursday to meet Friday's deadline, came after Morocco said this week it wouldn't put itself forward as a candidate. Morocco had been considered the frontrunner after being a candidate to host the 2026 World Cup. The Confederation of African Football has given countries until the end of Friday to submit bids for the 2019 African Cup, which was taken away from Cameroon last month because of poor preparations and a violent uprising in parts of that country. South Africa is another possible stand-in host, but the South African Football Association has not confirmed it will bid and says it needs government approval before any decision.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 14, 2018 06:45 UTC
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Bots’ Toyota 1,000km Desert Race shifts base
0By Bakang MhaladiGaborone - One of Africa’s biggest off-road motorsport race, the Toyota 1,000km Desert Race, will shift base next year, from the south to the north-eastern part of Botswana. The desert race forms the third round of the South African Cross Country Series (SACCS) and is used as a qualifier for the Dakar Rally. Described as the toughest automotive race on the continent, which tests driver’s endurance to the limit over three days, the desert race will be held away from desert-like conditions for the first time. The race organisers are expected to draw a route which goes closer to the South African border, near the Limpopo province. South African drivers have particularly dominated the special and production vehicle categories, with Toyota dominant since 2012.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 14, 2018 05:37 UTC
Mohamed Benalilou, Morocco’s New Ombudsman
King Mohammed VI on Thursday named Mohamed Benalilou, a magistrate, as the Kingdom’s Ombudsman. He also urged the institution to foster public awareness about its role and powers and its interaction with complainants. Mohamed Benalilou, born in 1975, is holder of a Masters degree in law. He practiced at the Tangier First Instance Court, the former Special Court of Justice and the Rabat Court of Appeal. He held several positions at the Justice Ministry from 2012 to 2018, including that of counsellor on Criminal Policy.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 13, 2018 22:30 UTC
Explore Tunisia’s century-old Festival of the Sahara celebrating desert life and heritage
Initially known as the Camel Festival, the festival was started in 1910 by the French rulers for the sole purpose of camelback riding on the desert which had become a favourite pass time for them. After attaining independence in 1956, the locals decided to maintain the festival as part of their heritage and celebrated it as the Camel Festival for 11 more years. Even though the camelback riding was still a part of the festival, the festival was renamed the Festival of the Sahara. During the festival, visitors can camp close to venues that are well protected. The Festival of the Sahara has become Tunisia’s top media event drawing in huge revenue for the country.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 13, 2018 18:56 UTC
Farmers upbeat as private millers increase maize prices
Counties Farmers upbeat as private millers increase maize pricesThe cost of maize has increased from Sh1,200 to Sh1,800 per 90 kilogramme bag in most parts of the North Rift. FILE PHOTO | NMGMaize prices have started rising after more private millers commenced buying the produce from farmers. The move has triggered increase in maize flour prices with a two kilogramme packet going at Sh85 up from Sh70, putting pressure on most households. “We expect the prices to improve further as more millers have expressed willingness to buy the produce,” said Hezron Kebenei from Trans-Nzoia County at the Kitui Millers buying centre. “We are still waiting directive from the government on when to start buying maize from farmers and at what price,” disclosed Titus Maiyo, the NCPB Corporate affairs manager.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 13, 2018 18:56 UTC