15 ventures selected to pitch at Africa Tech Summit London
Fifteen startups have been picked to pitch to investors at the eighth Africa Tech Summit (ATS) London at the London Stock Exchange on June 7. The ATS conference series provides insight and networking with the African tech ecosystem in London, Kenya, and West Africa, bringing together tech leaders, MNOs, banks, international investors, entrepreneurs, governments, trade bodies, media, and leading ventures to drive investment and business in African tech. They are digital addressing solution OkHi, carbon finance platform Earthbond, e-health platform OneHealth, AI healthcare service PBR Life Sciences, energy solutions startup Rana Energy, clean energy venture So-Cool, and fintech startup VeendHQ. “As we celebrate the eighth ATS London, we are delighted to spotlight 15 ventures defining the future of tech innovation. With several of our past ATS Investment Showcase participants securing funding and partnerships, we’re excited to see what the future holds for these ventures,” said Lauren Adair, director at Africa Tech Summit.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 14, 2024 13:39 UTC
Yasmine Barka analysed Morocco-Algeria's Relations
19 - Yasmine Barka analysed Morocco-Algeria's Relations Play Episode Pause Episode Mute/Unmute Episode Rewind 10 Seconds 1x Fast Forward 30 seconds 00:00 / 20:59 Share Share Link EmbedIn the last episode of the Geopolitical Report Podcast, our discussion with Yasmine Barka shed light on the current state of relations between Morocco and Algeria and which factors can further increase the regional geopolitical risk. Yasmine Barka is a PhD candidate in international relations at Corvinus University of Budapest. She also specialises in the geopolitical relations in North Africa, notably in interaction with its adjacent regions of the Euro Mediterranean and the Sahel. Yasmine is also interested in relations between Morocco and Central European countries. Furthermore, Barka highlighted the recent intensification of disputes between Algeria and Morocco and the factors contributing to this escalation.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 14, 2024 13:06 UTC
Hailstorm impacts agriculture in north Kashmir and Himachal
On Sunday afternoon, north Kashmir's Tangmarg experienced a sudden change in weather, leading to a hailstorm that caused significant damage to the agricultural sector. According to thekashmirimages.com, the heavy hailstones left fruit trees in a devastated condition, greatly diminishing the expected yield. Hailstorm impacts Himachal mango cropApproximately 15% of the mango crop in the district of Hamirpur was damaged due to a hailstorm. In the district, both hybrid and local mango varieties play a crucial role in the livelihoods of farmers. A local farmer from Bhumpal village in the Nadaun subdivision, observed an exceptional flowering on his mango trees and was expecting a lucrative return.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 14, 2024 12:52 UTC
Nema putting the cart before the horse on biodegradable plastics
But the recent push by the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) for mandatory biodegradable bin liners for organic waste feels like putting a fancy Band-Aid on a gaping wound. In recommending the shift to biodegradable garbage bags, there is a need for Nema to recognise the glaring gaps and weaknesses in Kenya's waste ecosystem. Granted, the Sustainable Waste Management Act 2022 has various provisions that are yet to be implemented, including enforcement on the closure of illegal dumpsites or landfills. Worryingly, Nema has not made public what standards would be used to determine what would constitute biodegradable garbage bags. Biodegradable materials should be broken down by microbial action, chewed up, and turned into natural byproducts like biomass and methane.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 14, 2024 12:44 UTC
Egyptian fintech startup MNZL raises $3.5m seed funding round to scale
Egyptian fintech startup MNZL has raised US$3.5 million in seed funding to enhance its technology and scale operations to empower more Egyptians. Founded in 2023 by Sameh Saleh, Ahmed Eldessouky and Bassem El Shaer, MNZL allows users to transform their assets like homes and cars into liquidity for their projects and needs. This shift not only empowers families by providing financial leverage but also contributes to broader economic prosperity in the region,” Saleh said. MNZL has now raised a US$3.5 million seed round of funding, led by P1 Ventures, Localglobe, and Ingressive Capital, with additional support from 500 Global, Flat6Labs, First Circle Capital, Enza Capital, Beenok, and other angel investors. “We are thrilled to support Sameh and the MNZL team as they build a transformative platform.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 14, 2024 12:43 UTC
Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria among largest global wheat importers – The North Africa Post
Egypt will be the largest global wheat importer in 2024/25 (July-June) as the country recovers from a foreign exchange reserve crisis and seeks to rebuild inventories, the US department of agriculture USDA said. Drought conditions will necessitate larger imports in other North African countries, most notably Morocco,” USDA said in a recent report. Algeria is expected to be the second largest wheat importer in Africa at 8.5 million tons, followed by Morocco with 7.5 million tons, while Nigeria will be the fourth largest importer at 4.8 million tons. Global wheat production for 2024/25 is forecast at 798.2 million tons, up 10.5 million from the previous year, it said. High wheat prices in Pakistan resulted in higher planted area, in turn yielding a larger crop, up 1.8 million tons.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 14, 2024 12:42 UTC
Global Defense Spending Annual Part 4 – Europe & USA
In this final part of the Global Annual Defense Spending Snapshot series, Forecast International analysts examine defense spending trends in regions shaping 56% of the global landscape — Europe and the USA. EuropeEuropean defense spending has been on the rise since 2014, but many countries struggled to meet NATO’s goal of spending 2% of GDP on defense. In response to these efforts, Europe’s share of global defense spending reached 15 percent last year. It currently accounts for a whopping 41 percent of global defense spending. To further explore these insights and additional spending forecasts from Forecast International analysts, please download our Global Defense Spending Annual Snapshot series at www.forecastinternational.comShare this:TweetPrintEmail
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 14, 2024 11:44 UTC
Amb. Al-Awadhi: Cultural activities helpful to cement Kuwait-UK ties
Al-Awadhi: Cultural activities helpful to cement Kuwait-UK tiesLONDON: The State of Kuwait Ambassador to the United Kingdom Badr AlAwadhi has affirmed significance of cultural and artistic exhibitions for bolstering the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Kuwait and the UK. Ambassador Al-Awadhi expressed gratitude to the two countries’ foreign departments, Al-Sadu Society, represented by Chairperson Sheikha Bibi Duaij Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, for supporting such a distinguished cultural event that promotes creative works of Kuwaiti citizens. Cultural activities contribute to diplomacy and constitute a substantial foundation for strengthening bonds and ties between the two countries, he said. AlSadu Society launched the exhibition as part of the International Crafts week event, which coincides with the 125th anniversary of the Kuwaiti-British partnership. Al-Sadu Society is a non-profit, self-sustained organization dedicated to preserving, documenting, and promoting Kuwait’s rich and diverse textile heritage.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 14, 2024 11:04 UTC
Internet outage hits Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda – The North Africa Post
Millions of users in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda complained of internet outage that operators blamed on undersea cable failures. Internet service in the region was disrupted after problems in the cable that connects the region with the rest of the world through a cable that crosses South Africa, the BBC reported citing experts. On Monday, internet was slow in Kenya where operators told clients they were still working on the issue. In March, a similar problem occurred leaving users in Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Benin, Ghana, and Burkina Faso without internet due to undersea cable problems. The outages disrupted economic activity that rely on the internet, including international bank transfers.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 14, 2024 10:15 UTC
500 Global and Sanabil Investments announce Batch 7 of the Sanabil 500 MENA Seed Accelerator Program
Valdosta, GA (31601)TodayThunderstorms, accompanied by locally heavy rainfall at times. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%..TonightScattered thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with more showers at times. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 14, 2024 08:49 UTC
Full agenda announced for Vision Northwest North Carolina
State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, CanadaZip Code
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 14, 2024 08:42 UTC
North Macedonia’s new president seeks to sidestep disputes with EU neighbors
SKOPJE, North Macedonia — European Union candidate North Macedonia sought Monday to calm disputes with EU neighbors Greece and Bulgaria that flared up following the landslide election victory of a conservative-backed coalition and president. North Macedonia changed its name from Macedonia after a 2018 landmark agreement with Greece that ended a years-long quarrel over the name, which had been claimed by Greece for one of its regions. At a swearing in ceremony Sunday, President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova referred to her country as “Macedonia,” prompting a heated response from Athens.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 14, 2024 03:31 UTC
Niger: More Russian Weapons and Military Instructors Land in Niamey
The departure of the French and American troops from Niger created an opportunity for the Russians to replace them. In Niger, the Russian presence is not as dense as it is in neighboring Mali, where Russia’s Wagner Group is actually an extension of the Malian military. On 4 May 2024, a third Russia cargo flight landed in Niger, loaded with military equipment and instructors. In early May, a strange transition took place when Russian troops entered into base 101 near the international airport where American soldiers were already settled. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov spoke of the development of Russia’s relations with several African countries, without confirming or denying the Russian presence in Niamey.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 14, 2024 02:36 UTC
Middle East CEOs and boards more concerned about leadership attraction, development, and retention compared to global peers: Report, ETHRWorldME
Dubai, UAE - A new survey launched by Heidrick & Struggles today has found that Middle East leaders are more concerned about leadership attraction , development, and retention , as well as leadership succession and turnover, compared to their global peers. Thegathered insights from 112 chief executive officers ( CEOs ) and board members in the Middle East on their most pertinent concerns and challenges.According to the World Bank, the Middle East and North African economies are expected to grow by 2.7% in 2024 – up from 1.9% in 2023. Unsurprisingly, Middle East leaders cited economic (56%), as well as geopolitical (56%) uncertainty and volatility as the most significant issues facing their organisations in 2024. Their global peers share the same sentiments, with the global average sitting at 63% and 39% respectively.Where Middle East leaders feel most differently from their global counterparts, however, is in the issues relating to leadership. 29% of Middle East CEOs and board members surveyed report leadership attraction, development and retention as their biggest challenge (24% as the global average), while 22% see leadership succession and turnover as their chief concern (17% as the global average).
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 14, 2024 00:37 UTC
Prescribed burn projects continue north, west of Flagstaff
State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, CanadaZip Code
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 14, 2024 00:31 UTC