Kuwait in the FATF “Cage”
According to the Task Force’s statement, since the adoption of the follow-up report in June 2024, Kuwait has made progress on several recommendations. Corruption and Money LaunderingThe FATF classification comes amid developments in Kuwait over recent years related to money-laundering cases. The transactions followed a route involving companies in Kuwait and China, through dealings described as fictitious and involving forged contracts. Second, it must ensure the accuracy of the beneficial ownership registry and impose deterrent penalties for violations. Al-Subaie, for his part, sees Kuwait’s new FATF classification as an opportunity to enhance the effectiveness of its regulatory and judicial systems.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2026 18:58 UTC
EIB Increases Support for Morocco in 2025, Cementing Rabat-Brussels Partnership – The North Africa Post
While the European Union has endorsed lately Morocco’s autonomy plan in the Sahara, the European Investment Bank (EIB) announced a record €740 million funding to the Kingdom in 2025. The growing political and financial partnership between Morocco and the European Union seeks a shared economic growth, prosperity and regional stability. This means that the EU rallies behind the historic Resolution 2797 adopted by the UN Security Council, endorsing the Autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty. On the economic front, EU’s financial arm has increased its support for Morocco’s resilience and sustainable transition. The EIB funding operations carried out in 2025 backed the efforts engaged by the Moroccan government to foster the country’s economic, social and climate resilience.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2026 16:24 UTC
Mohammed Menfi Establishes High-Level Economic Advisory Committee Amid Currency Crisis – The North Africa Post
The Head of the Presidential Council, Mohammed Menfi, has constituted a specialised advisory Committee to assess Libya’s worsening economic landscape and recommend corrective measures. The report is expected to identify systemic risks with implications for national security and propose actionable economic and governance reforms in the short and medium term. Members of the committee include Al-Taher Al-Jehimi, Mohamed Abousenina, Idris Al-Sharif, Ezzedine Ashour, Ayoub Al-Farsi, Nasser Al-Maarefi and Ahmed Bin Amer. In announcing the decision, Menfi cited the “continued deterioration of macroeconomic indicators” as a pressing concern, cautioning that the trajectory now poses a threat to stability, national security and citizens’ rights. The formation of the advisory committee signals a renewed institutional effort to restore economic equilibrium and reinforce fiscal discipline at a time of mounting financial strain.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2026 16:24 UTC
Daily Memo: Russia-Cuba Talks, Nuclear Weapons in Europe
We are a global leader in geopolitical forecasting. We deliver cutting edge analysis and intelligence so you can stay ahead of the news. Unbiased analysis of global eventsDaily geopolitical briefingLong-term forecasts to help you prepare for the futureNo paid advertising - 100% subscriber-supportedLooking for group or institutional subscriptions? Get in touch for custom pricing.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2026 15:47 UTC
Algeria and Niger Relaunch Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline After Diplomatic Freeze
Algeria and Niger have formally reset strained bilateral relations and announced the operational relaunch of the long-delayed Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project, signaling a significant geopolitical and energy shift across North and West Africa. The diplomatic thaw was accompanied by a concrete economic announcement: construction of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, often referred to as TSGP, will begin shortly after Ramadan, which concludes in mid-March. A Strategic Energy Corridor RevivedThe Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline is a proposed 4,000-kilometer infrastructure project designed to transport natural gas from Nigeria through Niger to Algeria, where it would connect to existing export infrastructure toward Europe. From Algeria, gas could be exported to Europe via the TransMed pipeline linking North Africa to Italy, or liquefied and shipped as LNG. Competing Pipeline VisionsThe relaunch of the Trans-Saharan project also has broader strategic implications.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2026 13:15 UTC
EIB Reaffirms Full Commitment to Advancing Morocco–EU Partnership with Record €740 Million in 2025 Financing
(3 Minutes Read)The European Investment Bank (EIB), the financial arm of the European Union (EU), has reiterated its strong commitment to turning the priorities of the Morocco–EU partnership into tangible outcomes. Adrien de Bassompierre, Head of the EIB Representation in Morocco, announced that €740 million in financing was signed in 2025 — the highest annual level since 2012. In 2025, EIB operations in Morocco were carried out through EIB Global, the Bank’s branch dedicated to activities outside the EU. The Morocco–EU partnership continues to rest on robust technical and financial cooperation, amounting to MAD 3.5 billion in total funding in 2025. This dynamic partnership fosters growth, employment, and stability on both sides of the Mediterranean, serving as a cornerstone of shared development.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2026 11:42 UTC
North Africa is moving deeper into global value chains. Can progress withstand tighter capital flows?
North Africa is emerging as one of the most closely watched growth stories of early 2026. The February 2026 report, North Africa: Connecting Continents, Creating Opportunities, outlines how geography, infrastructure expansion and structural reform are reshaping the region’s economic trajectory at a time of global fragmentation. Manufacturers in North Africa can reach key EU markets in days rather than weeks, an increasingly valuable proposition as firms rethink global supply chains. North Africa recorded one of the steepest contractions, highlighting the gap between policy ambition and available global capital. The IMF argues that continued fiscal consolidation, regulatory reform and infrastructure execution will determine whether North Africa can convert geographic advantage into sustained economic leadership.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2026 11:37 UTC
Air Arabia breaks fiscal record in 2025
Air Arabia posted a record pre-tax net profit of AED1.8 billion for the full year ended 31 December 2025, reflecting a 14% increase compared to AED1.6 billion in 2024. During the year, Air Arabia continued to execute its growth strategy by expanding its network across its six operating hubs, adding 30 new routes. In the fourth quarter ending 31 December 2025, Air Arabia reported a record net profit of AED405 million, up 15% from AED351 million in the same quarter last year. Network· Air Arabia added a total of 30 new routes to its global network across its operating hubs in the UAE, Morocco, Egypt and Pakistan, bringing the total network size to 219 routes. (Source: Air Arabia)
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2026 11:19 UTC
Protests, Strikes in Morocco Highlight Growing Discontent Over Government Policies – AL24 News
Morocco is witnessing a wave of protests and strikes that lay bare the failure of government policies and their inability to address the deteriorating situation across a number of sectors. In this context, the National Coordination of Preschool Education Teachers organized protests outside regional education directorates on Tuesday, coinciding with a countrywide strike. Protests were held against what the coordination described as a policy of exploitation and job insecurity within the sector, and constitutes a bold message exposing the government’s failure to protect workers in the sector and ensure the stability of public education. In the context of ongoing protests, the Higher Education Union affirmed that the sector is experiencing a state of heightened tension following the final adoption of the Higher Education Law, amid the absence of stakeholder participation and the reversal of previous commitments related to the demands of workers. The union reaffirmed its opposition to the law and announced an escalation of its protest actions in defense of the autonomy of public universities and their academic freedom.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2026 09:10 UTC
ZAWYA-PRESSR: Emirates NBD’s new Carbon Calculator links financial wellbeing and environmental action
Emirates NBD’s new Carbon Calculator will be available within the ENBD X Mobile Banking app, allowing nearly two million users to link financial wellbeing with climate action. Offering personalised insights, the feature then encourages behavioural changes based on localised calculations and recommendations, using a monthly breakdown of the customer’s carbon footprint. Additionally, banking customers can access educational insights that centre on reducing emissions over time, with a personalised questionnaire for Emirates NBD customers. Vijay Bains, Chief Sustainability Officer and Group Head of ESG at Emirates NBD, said: “Emirates NBD is resolute in its Net-Zero 2050 commitment and actively forging the UAE's low-carbon future through deep, strategic investments. Emirates NBD is the leading financial services brand in the UAE with a Brand value of USD 4.54 billion.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2026 08:20 UTC
North Carolina's Caleb Wilson adjusts to cast, to return 'soon'
Open Extended ReactionsOne week after suffering a fractured left hand, North Carolina star Caleb Wilson is learning to play with a cast on his non-shooting hand and is inching toward returning "soon," coach Hubert Davis said. "I think if I said 'OK,' I think he would play with his cast on or his splint. North Carolina's Caleb Wilson, who suffered a fractured left hand on Feb. 10, has been trying to learn to play with a cast and will be back "soon," coach Hubert Davis said. Prior to Wilson's injury, North Carolina was ranked ninth in adjusted offensive efficiency since Jan. 3, according to barttorvik.com. What a great example of when things weren't particularly going his way in regards to his hand, he's still a great teammate."
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2026 03:14 UTC
Prince Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud Hosts Sherif Walid in Buraidah as Saudi–Algeria Ties Advance
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...BURAIDAH, Saudi Arabia — Prince Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud, Governor of Qassim Region, received Sherif Walid, Algeria’s Ambassador to the Kingdom, in Buraidah on Sunday, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The meeting focused on issues of mutual interest and explored opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation and expand exchanges between the two countries. Discussions also addressed ways to enhance collaboration across various sectors in line with the broader trajectory of Saudi–Algerian relations. Saudi Arabia and Algeria maintain longstanding diplomatic relations, with both countries engaging across political, economic and cultural spheres. The meeting in Buraidah reflects ongoing diplomatic engagement at the provincial level, reinforcing bilateral dialogue beyond national capitals.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2026 01:00 UTC
Eni Expands African Exploration Footprint with Major Discoveries in Ivory Coast, Angola
Eni Expands African Exploration Footprint with Major Discoveries in Ivory Coast, AngolaEnergy major Eni continues to deliver on its exploration drive in Africa, announcing two major hydrocarbon discoveries in February 2026. As the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) commends Eni for its sustained commitment to African exploration. Large-scale discoveries in Ivory Coast and Angola are not only commercial wins – they are strategic victories for the continent. For emerging producers such as Ivory Coast, discoveries of this scale fast-track energy independence and domestic gas-to-power expansion. A Continental Exploration DriveEni’s Ivory Coast and Angola discoveries come as the company advances a bold exploration strategy across the broader African market.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2026 00:13 UTC
'I wish I had died,' says migrant after weeks of rape
A new UN report has found that asylum seekers being returned to Libya are facing serious human rights violations in detention camps, including torture and rape. Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Libya – including young boys and girls – are facing "systematic and widespread human rights violations" including torture and rape, according to a United Nations report published on Tuesday. Libya: UN report reveals human rights abusesBut Tuesday's UN report said migrants are often rounded up and abducted by criminal trafficking networks, some with ties to the Libyan authorities and networks abroad. "They are separated from their families, arrested, and transferred to detention facilities without process, often at gunpoint, in what amounts to arbitrary detention," said Thameen Al-Kheetan, a spokesman for the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva, Switzerland. The document describes "a brutal and normalized reality" and denounces "an exploitative model" that preys on migrants' "heightened vulnerability."
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 17, 2026 18:17 UTC
French diplomat to replace Jack Lang as head of Paris’s Arab World Institute
The Arab World Institute in Paris, known as the Institut du monde arabe or IMA, has appointed Anne-Claire Legendre—a French diplomat close to president Emmanuel Macron—to replace Jack Lang as chair. Epstein was convicted of soliciting prostitution and soliciting a minor in 2008. He died in prison in 2019 in what was ruled a suicide, while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Legendre has had a long diplomatic career, centred on the Arab world. m institute includes an art gallery, auditorium, library and restaurant, and records around 750,000 visitors annually.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 17, 2026 17:46 UTC