Free electricity: New allocation for poor SA households on the cards
At last week’s Windaba in Cape Town, Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said the two organisations are “computing” how many units of free electricity can be allocated. At a media briefing in August, Ramokgopa said that more than 10 million households qualify for free basic electricity. The FBE rate is the rate at which municipalities compensate Eskom for providing free basic electricity units to qualifying customers. Free basic electricity is the amount of electricity deemed sufficient to provide basic electricity services to qualifying households. “It is in our favour to collectively solve the tariff issue.”Computing a new free electricity allocationRamokgopa suggested that smart meters could assist with free basic electricity allocation in addition to providing an accurate billing system.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 07, 2024 11:04 UTC
Future Blockchain Summit 2024: Pioneering Innovation in Blockchain, AI, & Decentralized Technologies
div > div > Future Blockchain Summit 2024: Pioneering Innovation in Blockchain, AI, & Decentralized Technologies by EVENTFAQS Bureau Industry Watch | October 7, 2024 | NewsThe Future Blockchain Summit 2024, the region's largest and most immersive blockchain event, is set to take place at the iconic Dubai Harbour from October 13-16, 2024. Since its launch in 2018, in alignment with the Dubai Blockchain Strategy and Emirates Blockchain Strategy, the Future Blockchain Summit has become the premier event for blockchain innovation across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Peter Brady, Associate Vice President Technology Cluster, Dubai World Trade Centre said, "Future Blockchain Summit 2024 will once again serve as a dynamic platform designed to empower disruptors and ignite sector growth. We are excited to bring together the brightest minds and leaders to foster collaboration, inspire transformation, and solidify Dubai's position as a global hub for blockchain innovation." Sponsors for this year's summit include Bitpanda, Coin W, DMCC, Fastex, Toobit, Sui, Coindesk Indices, M2, Fasset, and others, all of whom are at the forefront of blockchain innovation.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 07, 2024 09:28 UTC
15 startups winners of 4th Egypt’s Entrepreneur Awards
Winners were announced at a ceremony on September 21 in Cairo, with startups emerging victorious across 15 categories. The Outstanding Youth Entrepreneur Award went to Sight founder Hussein Shahbender, while the Sports and Wellness Award went to SR Padel and the Disruptor of Traditional Industries Award to ILLA Logistics. The Environmental Sustainability Award went to Mozna, the Fashion Vanguard Award to Pepla, and the Fintech Excellence Award to Menthum. The winner of the Global Reach Achievement Award was Technobit, and the Local Hero Award went to Raw African. Taking home the Product Design & Innovation Award was SAL, while Willy’s won the Quick Serve Restaurant Champion Award and Reme-D the Rising Star Award.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 07, 2024 09:25 UTC
Egypt: A Strategic Partner In Shaping The Future Of African Entrepreneurship
These 20 entrepreneurs represent 11 countries and span eight critical industries: from healthcare, agriculture, and education to financial services, ICT and logistics. This was crucial, as the future of African entrepreneurship extends beyond securing funding; it’s about providing entrepreneurs with the support systems necessary for long-term success. Egypt, with its thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, served as the perfect backdrop for executing this approach. Egypt, in this sense, was not just a venue; it was a strategic partner in shaping the future of entrepreneurship across the continent. The future of African entrepreneurship is bright, and Egypt’s rise as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship remains a vital part of that story.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 07, 2024 08:36 UTC
It takes two: North Africa-Europe interconnectors could deliver 24 GW of clean energy
Wind power in Europe peaks during the winter while solar power peaks in the summer, offering a chance to balance power supply fluctuations. Noor I and II employ concentrated solar power (CSP) technology and 12-meter-tall mobile parabolic mirrors, while Noor III utilizes a solar tower. Additionally, Africa’s largest wind power projects are found in Egypt, notably the 580-MW Gabal El Zeit and 545-MW Zaafarana wind farms. North Africa also boasts significant wind potential, with wind speeds averaging between 7 to 10 meters per second. The timely completion of renewable energy projects in North Africa is primarily hindered by supply chain constraints.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 07, 2024 08:13 UTC
Pro-Palestinian, pro-Israeli crowds rally on eve of Oct. 7 anniversary
PARIS — Crowds were participating in pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protests and memorial events across Europe, North Africa and Asia on Sunday on the eve of the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel. The crowds chanted “Bring them home” and waved Israeli flags and placards with the faces of hostages still held by Hamas. In the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, a massive pro-Palestinian rally was organized by the country’s largest religious political party, Jamaat-e-Islami. … We’re watching the violence play out on livestream, and they’re doing nothing.”In Melbourne, supporters of Israel held up posters showing Israeli hostages who are still missing. Nearly 100 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, with fewer than 70 believed to be alive.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 06, 2024 21:37 UTC
Tunisia's Kais Saied poised for landslide election victory after crackdown on opposition
Tunisia's incumbent President Kais Saied is set to win the presidential election with 89.2 percent of the vote, exit polls revealed on Sunday, despite a low turnout. Supporters of Tunisian President Kais Saied celebrate as exit poll shows Saied won the presidential election in Tunis, Tunisia, October 6, 2024. Advertising Read moreTunisia's incumbent President Kais Saied is set to win the country's presidential election with 89.2 percent support despite a low turnout, according to exit polls broadcast on national television Sunday after polls closed. "The results announced by the exit polls are very close to reality," he told national television. Shortly after the exit polls were announced, hundreds of supporters took to the street celebrating his expected win.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 06, 2024 21:33 UTC
Nuffic MENA Scholarship Programme 2025 for Study in the Netherlands (Fully Funded) – Opportunities For Africans
Applications are now open for the 2025 Nuffic MENA Scholarship Programme. The MENA Scholarship Programme aims to contribute to the societal development of the participating countries in the Middle East and North Africa region. It also seeks to build capacity within organisations by enabling employees to participate in short courses in various fields of study. You are working in one of the priority areas matching the thematic approach of the MENA Scholarship Programme in your country. For More Information:Visit the Official Webpage of the Nuffic MENA Scholarship Programme
Source:The North Africa Journal
August 09, 2024 17:41 UTC
Debby spreads torrential rain and tornado threat north as it accelerates toward the Northeast
A tornado watch was issued for parts of North Carolina to the DC-Baltimore region. Debby’s shift to the Northeast comes after its death toll rose to six Thursday when a destructive tornado killed a man in Lucama, North Carolina. Parts of Springfield Middle School lay on the ground after being ripped off by a tornado, spawned by Debby, in Lucama, North Carolina, Thursday. A tornado in Snow Hill, North Carolina early Thursday was described as “large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly.” A tornado watch is in effect through 8 p.m. ET for 6.8 million people in parts of eastern North Carolina and southern Virginia, including the cities of Raleigh, Virginia Beach and Richmond.
Source:The North Africa Journal
August 09, 2024 16:56 UTC
Malawi uranium mine to resume operations
Malawi uranium mine to resume operationsPublished by: Robert Li on 09/08/2024Uranium company Lotus Resources has signed an agreement with the Malawian government, paving the way to r... Uranium company Lotus Resources has signed an agreement with the Malawian government, paving the way to restart production at the currently suspended Kayelekera facility. Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)-listed natural resources company Lotus Resources has entered into a mine-development agreement (MDA) with the Government of Malawi regarding the Kayelekera uranium mine, a major step towards restarting production at the facility. The Kayelekera uranium mine, the world’s fourth largest, is located in the East African country’s northern region, and is 15% owned by the Malawian government. Lotus acquired rival uranium producer Paladin Energy’s 85% stake in March 2020, following the project’s entering a ‘care and maintenance’ – essentially mothballing – stage since 2014 in the wake of low global uranium prices, which had rendered the facility loss-making.
Source:The North Africa Journal
August 09, 2024 16:31 UTC
Opinion: How can the Trudeau government fix its immigration mess? Press ‘Rewind’
No matter the chosen immigration level, this country can be – must be – highly selective about who we admit. Most are temporary foreign workers and students; the latter largely a subset of the former. Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault wrote earlier this week on X that, “abuse & misuse of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program must end.”What an excellent idea. It should be quick and easy for a Canadian business to get a temporary work visa to fill a specialized, high-wage position. The temporary foreign worker streams must become smaller and more selective.
Source:The North Africa Journal
August 09, 2024 16:27 UTC
Rising Waters From Tropical Storm Debby Put North Carolina Waste Sites at Risk
As Tropical Storm Debby moved over North Carolina and raised the threat of flooding across the state, on Friday morning officials were monitoring more than 90 sites, including dams, wastewater treatment plants and lagoons holding animal waste, a number that more than doubled since Thursday. At least 17 of the sites were animal feeding operations, according to an email from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality on Thursday. At least three had taken on enough water from Tropical Storm Debby to raise the waste within the lagoons to higher levels than permitted, although they were not overflowing. Most of these animal operations are large-scale hog lagoons that mix the urine, feces and other waste from swine with water and anaerobic bacteria. The pollution enters waterways when open pits overflow or when the earthen walls of a pit fail.
Source:The North Africa Journal
August 09, 2024 15:55 UTC
African Energy Week (AEW) 2024’s Upstream Exploration & Production (E&P) Forum to Ignite Onshore, Offshore Investments
To stimulate further investment in Africa’s upstream sector, African Energy Week: Invest in African Energy 2024 – scheduled for November 4-8 in Cape Town – will host an Upstream Exploration&Production (E&P) Forum. AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Additionally, the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues its 2022 bid round with 24 onshore blocks, while Tanzania’s fifth licensing round features 26 blocks. Uganda’s third licensing round targets the Albertine Graben basin; Somalia’s 2024 licensing round offers 26 offshore blocks; and Kenya’s first licensing round features 45 blocks. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Source:The North Africa Journal
August 09, 2024 15:38 UTC
Daybreak Africa: US urges probe of Police handling of Kenya’s protests, rights violations
On Daybreak Africa: The United States has condemned Kenya government’s handling of youth-led anti-government protests and is demanding immediate action against human rights violations. Plus, Analysts say African protests to drive change often fall short of their desired goals. Tunisia, the birth of the Arab Spring, appears to be moving in the opposite direction ahead of presidential elections in October. Indigenous peoples still face discrimination worldwide on this Indigenous People’s Day Friday. For these and more, tune in to Daybreak Africa!
Source:The North Africa Journal
August 09, 2024 15:03 UTC