Senegal: New e-bus fleet launched to combat congestion, pollution
An e-bus fleet is to be introduced into Senegal’s capital Dakar as part of the country’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. Four years in the making, the project reached a significant milestone on Sunday, 14 January 2024, when President Macky Sall inaugurated the fleet. The Dakar BRT generated support from the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, IFC, MIGA, the government, and the private sector. The Dakar BRT is expected to ease traffic congestion and reduce air pollution. Image Source: XThe World Bank says that a typical trip from Dakar’s periphery to the central business district generally takes around 90 minutes or more.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 17, 2024 09:30 UTC
Solid waste management practices in Africa need to change
Challenges facing solid waste management in AfricaMarulanda finds that the two main challenges she faces in her work is behaviour and finance. When it comes to financing, solid waste management (SWM) is not rocket science – solutions are known. But, people across Africa are not used to paying for solid waste management services. This makes ensuring financial sustainability of solid waste management all that much harder. A lot of cities are testing things and setting up systems.”She doesn’t think it is too late to change waste management practices in Africa.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 17, 2024 09:11 UTC
Italy's regulations on charities keep migrant rescue ships from the Mediterranean
The year has gotten off to a slow start for the rescue ship that typically plies the Mediterranean Sea looking for migrants and refugees in distress. The year has gotten off to a slow start for the rescue ship that typically plies the Mediterranean Sea looking for migrants and refugees in distress. (AP Photo/Paolo Santalucia)The Sos Mediterranee-run charity rescue ship, Ocean Viking, is moored in Bari, southern Italy, Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. The year has gotten off to a slow start for the rescue ship that typically plies the Mediterranean Sea looking for migrants and refugees in distress. The year has gotten off to a slow start for the rescue ship that typically plies the Mediterranean Sea looking for migrants and refugees in distress.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 17, 2024 08:33 UTC
World Economic Forum 2024 | UN chief Guterres, French President Macron, Argentina's Milei to speak at Davos on Jan 17
French President Emmanuel Macron, recently reappointed Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Argentina's new president — self-described “anarcho-capitalist" Javier Milei — will take the podium on Jan. 17 afternoon, after a morning address by Guterres. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, after a day of meetings Monday including one with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is scheduled for a broadcast conversation with New York Times columnist Tom Friedman. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian will speak with CNN's Fareed Zakaria. It came hours after one missile strike earlier on Jan. 16 hit a U.S. vessel. “Please, strengthen our economy, and we will strengthen your security,” the Ukrainian leader said.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 17, 2024 07:52 UTC
Cameroonian payments startup OnDjoss plots expansion after initial traction
Cameroonian startup OnDjoss, which has developed an instant messaging app which allows inter-operator mobile money transfers, is planning expansion after strong initial uptake at home. Founded in March 2022, OnDjoss has developed a messaging platform with numerous innovative features, the key one being a payments facility that went live in August. So far, it has already garnered 300,000 downloads, and facilitated thousands of dollars of money transfers. CEO and Co-founder Kenyo Valdo said the OnDjoss app had received acclaim for its efficiency, security, and ease of use. “We are seeking EUR870,000 (US$950,000) in seed funding to support our growth efforts and developing more features.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 17, 2024 07:41 UTC
When and where to watch Unionistas v FC Barcelona
Having seen off Barbastro in the previous round, and with far greater difficulties than might have been imagined, FC Barcelona now face another lower league side in their quest to win the Spanish Cup trophy. It's an early evening 7.30pm start local time, and this page will help you to work out what time that is going to be where you are in the world. If for whatever reason you can't watch it, or if you wish to complement your viewing with additional information, don’t forget that we have full coverage of the game, including the build-up live from the stadium and post-match reactions in our Match Center here on the official website. However, despite listing them here, we CANNOT guarantee that they will actually show the game as it does not depend on us, so you should check their websites for details. Football 3, Sportbox.ru, matchtv.ruGeorgia (10.30am)AdjarasportAfricaNorth Africa (Morocco 7.30pm, Tunisia 8.30pm, Egypt 9.30pm)Sub-Saharan Africa (Senegal, Ghana 6.30pm, Nigeria, Cameroon 7.30pm, South Africa, Zambia 8.30pm, Addis Ababa 9.30pm)Startimes World Football, StarTimes AppAsiaArab countries (Mecca 9.30pm)SSC (Saudi Arabia)Central Asia (Afghanistan 11.00pm, Uzbekistan 11.30pm, Kazakhstan 12.00am)Indian Subcontinent (Pakistan 11.30pm, India 12.00pm, Bangladesh 12.30am)FanCodeFriday 18 JanuarySoutheast Asia (Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam 1.30am, Philippines 2.30am)Indonesia (1.30am)Sportstars, K-Vision, Vision+China (2.30am)PPTVSouth Korea (3.30am)CoupangJapan (3.30am)WowowOceaniaAustralia (Perth 2.30am, Sydney 5.30am)New Zealand (7.30am)
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 16, 2024 19:22 UTC
Cleary Gottlieb Leads in M&A League Table Rankings for Full Year 2023
1 for Any French Involvement Announced M&A (By Value) – RefinitivNo. 1 for Any Sub-Saharan Involvement Announced M&A (By Value) – Refinitiv Emerging MarketsNo. 1 for Any South African Involvement Announced M&A (By Value) – Refinitiv Emerging MarketsNo. 3 for Any Latin American Involvement Announced M&A (By Value) – Refinitiv Emerging MarketsNo. 5 for Any Middle East and North Africa Involvement Announced M&A (By Value) – Refinitiv Emerging MarketsNo.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 16, 2024 19:21 UTC
Why Chinese Foreign Minister's Visit Focuses on North and West Africa
Wang has made the African continent his first international port of call at the start of every year since becoming foreign minister in 2013. This year’s trip started in North Africa, in Egypt, a key player in Middle East politics. Togo and Ivory Coast are in West Africa, a region that’s increasingly been severing ties with former colonial power France. Football stadium diplomacyThere are several events taking place in Africa while Wang is there that also could be reasons for his country choices. After Africa, Wang heads to Jamaica and Brazil, two more countries that show China’s increasing focus on engagement with the so-called Global South.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 16, 2024 18:38 UTC
Cyclone Belal: Mauritius assesses damage after flash flooding
"There are no longer any risks of having cyclonic conditions over Mauritius but other environmental risks exist," it said, urging people to remain in safe places and not to go out to sea, or walk along shorelines, because of the potential for storm surges.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 16, 2024 18:08 UTC
South Africa Had a Better Case to Make Against Israel Than Genocide
On Dec. 28, South Africa filed a claim against Israel with the International Court of Justice, a United Nations body in which states can sue one another for violations of international law. The 84-page filing alleges that Israel’s actions in Gaza since Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7 amount not simply to disproportionate force but to genocide against the Palestinian population. The case is indeed a distraction, but not for the reasons that Israel and the U.S. claim. For one thing, Israel’s claims of self-defense and the applicability of the laws of war have no bearing on the matter. Genocide can occur in armed conflicts and even in situations where both sides are engaging in it.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 16, 2024 17:37 UTC
Stellantis names new North America COO
Stellantis (NYSE: ) has announced the appointment of Carlos Zarlenga as the new Chief Operating Officer for North America, succeeding Mark Stewart. The carmaker aims to capitalize on "further improvements" in regional performance with this change. While Stewart departs from the automaker, Stellantis has not provided additional details regarding his future plans or the specific reasons behind the leadership change. Stewart served as the Chief Operating Officer for North America for three years, a role he assumed following the merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA to form Stellantis. Group CEO Carlos Tavares expressed gratitude to Mark Stewart in a statement, extending best wishes for his future endeavors in his new position.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 16, 2024 16:56 UTC
THREE60 Energy secure BW Offshore contracts
THREE60 Energy (THREE60) has secured two engineering and construction contracts with global offshore floating energy solutions provider, BW Offshore (BWO). THREE60 will provide extensive engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) services for BWO’s Catcher and Adolo FPSOs, delivering complex brownfield modifications through innovative multi-discipline engineering solutions to the assets located offshore in the UK and Gabon. Expanding an ongoing relationship between the two companies, THREE60 has provided expertise of multi-disciplinary engineering and construction teams to deliver responsible, fit for purpose EPCC solutions, particularly in production enhancement, debottlenecking and obsolescence, for the past 2 years. These evergreen contracts demonstrate THREE60’s capability in successfully delivering projects for FPSOs in the North Sea and internationally and is part of a broader global expansion of THREE60’s EPCC service line. This has included delivering services to clients and assets located in 14 different countries throughout Europe, North Africa, West Africa, South East Asia and South America.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 16, 2024 15:46 UTC
Jindal SAW Q3 Results: Profit grows twofold; order book swells
India's Jindal SAW on Tuesday reported an over twofold growth in its third-quarter profit, as demand in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region remained steady and its order book grew.The company posted a consolidated profit after tax of 5.32 billion rupees ($64.1 million) for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2023 from 2.14 billion rupees a year ago.The company, which makes pipes for the energy, transportation and water sectors, said its order book for iron & steel pipes rose to $1.49 billion from $1.32 billion a year ago. "Higher exports, improved volumes and range-bound raw material prices have contributed towards margin improvement," the company said in a statement.Exports accounted for over 35% of its order book, which analysts said helped offset the effect of falling domestic steel prices, as global prices remained elevated.Its UAE-based unit recorded an order book of $135 million. Jindal SAW's international clients include companies like Shell , Saudi Aramco, and Schaeffler Group "We expect the business scenario to remain positive in the coming quarters despite the volatile geopolitical situation in the MENA and GCC ( Gulf Cooperation Council ) region." it said.Sales of pipes jumped 15%, while production rose 19%, the company said.Its revenue from operations jumped nearly 10% to 56.56 billion rupees, while its raw material costs dropped 5%.Shares of the company jumped 2.9% to hit a record high after results.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 16, 2024 15:13 UTC
Thousands march in Paris demanding end to Algerian occupation of Kabylie region – The North Africa Post
Thousands marched on January 14 to renew their call for an independent Kabylie and denounce the atrocities and rights violations of the Algerian regime there. The celebration of the Amazigh year 2974 took place in the Kabylie region in a gloomy atmosphere amid an intensifying crackdown on the kabylie people under the military regime. The restive Kabylie region has for long been the hotbed of demands for a democratic Algeria. The Algerian regime banned 100,000 Kabylians from leaving abroad, in a series of repressive measures denounced by global rights groups. The US state department 2023 terrorism report criticized the Algerian regime for using terrorism to silence dissent.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 16, 2024 15:06 UTC