Morocco cuts water use due to drought – The North Africa Post
Morocco’s interior ministry ordered a ban of using drinking water to irrigate public parks, swimming pools, and cleaning streets due to a shortage of rainfall. Rainfall was 67% lower so far this year, compared to an average year, auguring ill for a rain dependent farming sector. The desalination plants launched by OCP in El Jadida and Safi are also planned to start pumping fresh water in 2024, he said, as the government plans a larger plant in Casablanca to be ready by 2027. Drought means lower economic growth as the farming sector represents 14% of Morocco’s GDP. It would also trigger higher fresh produce prices and higher unemployment in rural areas.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 29, 2023 14:34 UTC
Africa’s Hydrogen Race: TAQA Morocco to Develop $27B Green Hydrogen Plant
The project will generate 6,000 MW of renewable energy, which will be used to produce and export green hydrogen to meet global demand for decarbonized energy. The investment is expected to help reach Morocco’s goal of becoming a leading player in the global green hydrogen sector and attract further investments in the region. This has triggered a series of renewable energy investments by both public and private sector Emirati companies, including Infinity Power, AMEA Power and Masdar, among others. Among these agreements, AMEA Power signed over eight Memoranda of Understanding with Mozambique, Uganda, Ethiopia and Mauritania, focusing on solar, hydropower and green hydrogen projects. This mission will be at the forefront of the upcoming Invest in African Energy 2024 forum, taking place in Paris next May.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 29, 2023 13:56 UTC
Prognosis and predictions: Connie Ochola-Iseme, Regional Manager East Africa, Lucy Electric
In our annual power and energy prognosis and predictions feature, Connie Ochola-Iseme, Regional Manager East Africa at Lucy Electric, applies her mind to a prognosis of happened in the energy sector during 2023 and her predictions for 2024. Prognosis of 2023Capitalising on the opportunities of renewable generation were amongst key themes for energy across the African continent at the start of the year. The renewable energy agreements for Africa ramp up at COP28While funding alone won’t solve this, the availability of finance flowing into the continent to grow a broad range of renewable energy sources has presented a challenge for many African nations. Some countries in Africa, such as in Kenya, have seen EV-related investment, but the pace has been slow. Where clear priorities for public investment in grid infrastructure exist, whether to improve reliability or expand supplies to a wider population, private investment will also step forward.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 29, 2023 13:04 UTC
How Egypt’s Ostafandy makes building your own home more efficient and affordable
Egypt’s Ostafandy helps homeowners and engineers estimate and finish home renovations, maintenance and finishing projects through its app, patent pending smart quotes and algorithmic pricing engine. Founded in 2017, Ostafandy allows homeowners and construction professionals to estimate and finish building projects. Ostafandy aims to reinvent the home finishing industry with a scalable and automated business operating system. The startup for now only operates in Egypt, but plans to expand to Senegal, Kenya and Nigeria, as well as Saudi Arabia. Ostafandy was recently selected to take part in the fourth edition of Startupbootcamp AfriTech’s ASIP Accelerator Programme, securing US$18,000 in funding and three months of mentorship, access to resources, and networking opportunities.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 29, 2023 12:01 UTC
Subdued El Gouna Film Festival opens window on Palestine, Sudan
The war in Gaza resulted in the cancellation of several North African festivals, including the Cairo International Film Festival, which is the region’s oldest festival and Tunisia’s Carthage Film Festival. El Gouna Festival has partnered with the Palestine Cinema Days festival, which showcases around 60 films in seven cities in Palestine and spotlights Palestinian films and stories from around the world. Africa in El GounaWhile Palestine was present in the programming of El Gouna this year, Africa has been on the radar since the first edition. El Gouna screened Talking About Trees (2019) by Sudanese director Suhaib Gasmelbari and was awarded the Grand Jury Prize. The festival director described the documentary as a tribute to Sudan – a living poem and a heartfelt love letter to the country.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 29, 2023 11:23 UTC
Inaugural Digital Skills Forum in Congo Garners 700+ Attendees - IT News Africa
Smart Africa successfully hosted the inaugural Digital Skills Forum, a pan-African event dedicated to promoting the development of digital skills. Organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy (MPTEN), the Centre Africain de Recherche sur l’Intelligence Artificielle (CARIA), and the Africa Digital Academy (ADA), the forum, held over three days under the theme “Building a Digital Talent Pipeline for Africa,” aimed to underscore the critical need for developing digital skills among African pupils and students. The main focus areas of the event included digital education, professional training, digital inclusion, access to infrastructure and technologies, and the promotion of entrepreneurship and digital innovation. The Smart Africa Youth Chapter is specifically geared toward equipping youth and entrepreneurs with essential digital competencies. That’s what this forum is all about.”The Digital Skills Forum included lively discussions, training sessions, masterclasses, and keynotes by digital skills experts.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 29, 2023 10:13 UTC
Leaders of Egypt and Jordan call for Gaza ceasefire
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Source:The North Africa Journal
December 29, 2023 09:45 UTC
Zayed Sustainability Prize opens submissions for 2025 cycle
Press Office: Zayed Sustainability PrizeSmall and medium enterprises, nonprofit organisations and high schools are invited to submit entries before the 23 June 2024 deadlineThe Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s pioneering global sustainability and humanitarian award, has officially announced that the 2025 cycle is now open for submissions. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, and COP28 President, said: “Since 2008, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has honoured the legacy of Sheikh Zayed by fostering inclusive sustainable and humanitarian development around the world. The most recent Zayed Sustainability Prize winners were recognised at an Awards Ceremony held during COP28 UAE. For the Global High Schools category, projects should be led by students, and must demonstrate innovative approaches to address sustainability challenges. Winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize will be announced at an Awards Ceremony during the 2025 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 29, 2023 08:58 UTC
Jacob's Ladder Africa wants young people in the green economy
Sellah Bogonko, co-founder and CEO of Jacob’s Ladder Africa, wants to grow the company to predominantly focus on addressing climate change and preparing young people for the continent’s green economy. She describes Jacob’s Ladder Africa as an organisation that is youth-centric. “We have a mission to create and catalyse 30 million jobs in the green economy by 2033. The second is that Jacob’s Ladder Africa runs an early-stage startup incubator for young people in Africa. Africa’s green energy sector gets multi-year German investment pledgeBogonko’s vision for Jacob’s Ladder Africa is to create and to catalyse 30 million jobs in the green economy.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 29, 2023 07:20 UTC
Battle for influence: US private security firm in talks with CAR govt to counter Russia’s Wagner – The North Africa Post
The US private military company Bancroft Global Development is reportedly in talks with the government of Central African Republic (CAR) over “future activities,” as the Russian mercenary group Wagner is in the process of reorganization following the death of its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. The death of Wagner’s leader has created a window of opportunity in the CAR for Western powers to offer an alternative. “The United States is also offering the [CAR] to train its soldiers, both on Central African soil and on American soil,” he added. As this battle for Influence rages in the heart of Wagner’s operations in Africa, experts point out that the CAR government’s shifting policy priorities could see the Russian mercenary group’s influence challenged in the conflict-riven country. In any case, experts believe that rivalry between powers in the region was set to intensify in the coming year.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 29, 2023 05:23 UTC
Kim Jong Un orders North Korea military to accelerate war preparations
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered its military, the munitions industry and the nuclear weapons sector to accelerate war preparations to counter what he called unprecedented confrontational moves by the U.S., state media said on Thursday. Click here"He (Kim) set forth the militant tasks for the People's Army and the munitions industry, nuclear weapons and civil defence sectors to further accelerate the war preparations," KCNA said. North Korea has been expanding ties with Russia, among others, as Washington accuses Pyongyang of supplying military equipment to Moscow for use in its war with Ukraine, while Russia provides technical support to help the North advance its military capabilities. The North has suffered serious food shortages in recent decades, including famine in the 1990s, often as a result of natural disasters. The days-long assembly of the party and government officials has been used in recent years to make key policy announcements.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 28, 2023 16:57 UTC
Daily Memo: Azerbaijan and Armenia Negotiate Details of Peace Treaty
We deliver cutting edge analysis and intelligence so you can stay ahead of the news. Take it from them: I can't emphasize enough my appreciation for you and the rest of the staff at Geopolitical Futures. Kevin G. Some times the politics and journalism of the world gets in the way of clear thinking (at my own peril). Full accessto our content With any paid subscription you get full access to our entire content. Azerbaijan sent Armenia five principles that it says should form the basis of a draft peace agreement.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 28, 2023 16:36 UTC
Benin lifts ban on exports to Niger – The North Africa Post
Benin’s Cotonou port authority (PAC) lifted Wednesday December 27 the ban on the exportation of goods to neighboring Niger. Bart Van Eenoo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Cotonou Port Authority, signed the notice lifting the ban. The ban came after a group of soldiers headed by General Abdourahamane Tiani removed elected leader Mohamed Bazoum from power. Eenoo’s decision comes few days after Benin leader Patrice Talon told lawmakers about his keenness to thaw ties with the junta-led power in Niger. Talon also argued that Tiani-led power in Niger is responsible for providing assurance to the regional organization and the international community for a power transition.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 28, 2023 15:28 UTC
Engineering Exports Dip In First Eight Months Of FY24: EEPC
He said, "Given the above situation, we seek guidance and support from the government to face these difficult times. Factors such as raw material prices and the high cost of logistics are becoming an additional burden for Indian exporters in the face of this global trade depression. We urge the government to look into these matters and continue supporting us to keep us competitive in the global market."
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 28, 2023 15:10 UTC
Israel-Hamas war live: Children among the dead as Israeli strike hits Rafah
blinking-dot Live updates Live updates,Israel-Hamas war live: Children among the dead as Israeli strike hits RafahStrike hits near Al Jazeera team; many casualties streaming into nearby Kuwaiti Hospital.
Source:The North Africa Journal
December 28, 2023 14:41 UTC