Selling weapons and sealing deals: Is Russia a reliable defense partner for Africa?
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Source:The North Africa Journal
November 27, 2023 14:04 UTC
The long and curious journey of the British Museum's Asante Ewer
This will probably be held in 2025-26, when the British Museum curator Lloyd de Beer is publishing a scholarly book. The Asante Ewer was seized when British troops ransacked the Asante king’s compound in Kumasi during the Anglo-Ashanti Wars in January 1896. It was acquired by a senior officer, Charles St Leger Barter, who sold it to the British Museum for £50. Along with the Asante Ewer, two other smaller and simpler jugs were also looted by the British at Kumasi. The Asante Ewer is at present displayed in the British Museum’s medieval gallery, although the smaller ewer is not on show.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 27, 2023 13:07 UTC
Bamako-Tuareg war marks erosion of Algeria’s role in Sahel – The North Africa Post
Malian forces have taken Kidal the stronghold of Tuareg rebels marking the end of a deal brokered by Algiers in 2015 and the erosion of Algeria’s diplomacy in its Sahel neighborhood. As the war escalates between Malian forces and Tuareg rebels, Algeria looks impotently at the real risks of a spill over. Algiers’ deal crumbled under the rule of an anti-French and pro-Russian military junta that has asked Algeria literally to mind its business. As the Sahel burns, Algeria’s voice has become inaudible in its own neighborhood. Sahel military juntas are not ready to receive lessons from Algeria, another military-ruled country behind a thin civilian curtain.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 27, 2023 12:52 UTC
Executive Secretary of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States assumes office in Tripoli – The North Africa Post
Ado Al-Hajji Abu, the Executive Secretary of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) began Saturday November 25 work from the organization’s permanent headquarters in Tripoli, in Libya. The Cen-Sad Secretary General and his delegation are scheduled to attend this Monday November 27 the work of the Conference of Labor Ministers in Tripoli. The CEN-SAD is the largest grouping in Africa, and includes more than half of the member States of the African Union. The grouping aims at creating a free trade area within a region of Africa. President of the Libyan Presidential Council (PC), Mohamed al-Menfi in March 2022 welcomed the final arrangements for the return of the organization to its headquarters.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 27, 2023 12:28 UTC
The African Development Bank, Libya strengthen cooperation, sign funding agreements
TRIPOLI, Libya, le 27 November 2023 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/The African Development Bank has signed three technical assistance grant agreements with the government of Libya, reaffirming its commitment to the North African country. The supplies, which were swiftly arranged by the bank, became necessary following the Derna floods which devastated the eastern part of the country. “We appreciate the support of the Bank, namely the timeliness and efficiency demonstrated to approve the grants,” he said. Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of African Development Bank. The post The African Development Bank, Libya strengthen cooperation, sign funding agreements appeared first on African Media Agency.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 27, 2023 12:22 UTC
Voices from the Middle East and North Africa
“We can’t openly celebrate Christmas and sing Christmas songs here in Iran because of terrible oppression”, shares Keyvan from Iran. “If we celebrate Christmas openly the government will find out and they will cause problems for us. Any investigation by the authorities would soon reveal a believer’s Christian faith and almost certainly lead to persecution. These believers can celebrate Christmas without fear of a neighbour, or even someone within the group, reporting them to the authorities. This Advent, pray for the people of the Middle East and North Africa by ordering our free Advent prayer guide: sat7uk.org/advent-prayer
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 27, 2023 11:53 UTC
Libya: Three technical assistance grants for water and sanitation
The African Development Bank has signed three technical assistance grant agreements with the government of Libya in country capital Tripoli for water and hygiene materials. “We appreciate the support of the Bank, namely the timeliness and efficiency demonstrated to approve the grants,” he said. “Thanks to this support UNICEF will focus on safe water provision, hygiene promotion and water quality monitoring, as well as supplies for school reopenings and for the delivery of psychosocial services. Strengthening resilience to climate changeThe two other technical assistance agreements draw on the Bank’s Middle-Income Technical Assistance Fund (MIC TAF). The second is the result of engagements between the Bank and Libya’s Ministry of Finance to advance the government’s public finance management reform agenda.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 27, 2023 11:15 UTC
BNY Mellon and Lunate commit $300 million to MENA fintech Alpheya
BNY Mellon (NYSE: ), a leader in financial technology, together with investment firm Lunate, have injected $300 million into Alpheya to develop an end-to-end digital platform tailored for asset managers and investment houses in MENA. This move aligns with broader efforts to establish Abu Dhabi as a central hub for finance. BNY Mellon's Chief Growth Officer Akash Shah pointed out their expertise as crucial in advancing portfolio management technology. As part of this collaboration, stakeholders expect Alpheya to simplify complex technological challenges faced by wealth managers and foster seamless integration with global providers. With this strategic partnership, the companies aim to reshape MENA’s wealth management scene and further details on Alpheya's operational framework are anticipated in the near future.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 27, 2023 10:28 UTC
Sasol , Air Liquide sign another PPA for supply of renewable energy
Sasol and Air Liquide have concluded their third power purchase agreement (PPA) this year which will help feed its operations with renewable energy. The PPA is for the long-term supply of renewable power to Sasol and Air Liquide at Sasol’s Secunda operations. From here, Air Liquide operates the world’s largest oxygen production site. This is the third set of PPAs signed by Sasol and Air Liquide after those announced in the first quarter of 2023. World’s biggest oxygen production site signs more renewable energy PPAsCompanies securing renewable energy supplyNicolas Poirot, Air Liquide’s Chief Executive Officer of the Africa, Middle East & India hub, said: “Together with our long-term partner Sasol, we have secured massive amounts of renewable energy generation capacity.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 27, 2023 10:16 UTC
Morocco: pro-Palestinian rally held in Casablanca
Moroccans rallied in support of Palestinians in Casablanca on Sunday, calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and for an end to diplomatic relations with Israel. Tens of thousands lined the streets of Casablanca, waving Palestinian flags and wearing the distinctive black and white keffiyeh scarves. Protesters called for an end to relations between Morocco and Israel, three years after their normalisation in 2020 as part of a broader process between Israel and several Arab countries. In the years since, the number of pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the North African country had seen a marked decline but the war between Israel and Hamas, which began following the Hamas attack on October 7, has sparked a fresh wave of pro-Palestinian sentiment. "What we need is not a truce, but a definitive ceasefire so that we can sit down together and give peace a chance," said Socialist MP Nabila Mounib.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 27, 2023 10:01 UTC
North Cameroon Road improvements planned
Further funding is being secured for more road improvements in North Cameroon. A loan worth US$224.6 million is being provided by the African Development Bank. The 137km stretch of National Road 12 road linking Magada-Yagoua will be upgraded. Also benefiting from improvements will be the 36km stretch of National Road 1 between Moutourwa and Maroua. This news follows close on the heels of new on financing being provided via The Saudi Fund for Development (SDF) for two road projects in North Cameroon.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 27, 2023 09:49 UTC
Palestinian diplomat appeals for Gaza truce to be extended as EU and Arab nations meet in Spain
The event in past years has largely become a forum for cooperation between the EU and the Arab world. “The two-state solution cannot remain a talking point.”Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, was invited to the event. Spain is one of the EU countries that has called for Israel to cease its assault, while also condemning the Hamas attack. Speaking alongside Al-Malki, Spanish Foreign Minister José Albares said that Hamas cannot be part of the solution. Al-Malki is the foreign minister for the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority, whose forces were driven out of Gaza by Hamas when it seized power in 2007.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 27, 2023 09:28 UTC
Tunisian retail-tech startup Winshot secures 6-figure funding to improve customer experience
Tunisian retail-tech startup Winshot has secured a six-figure round of funding to enhance operational efficiency and elevate the overall customer experience for brands, retail chains and franchise leaders. Winshot aims to tackle the intricate challenges of retail distribution networks by focusing on two pivotal elements – fostering stronger connections, deeper involvement, and heightened engagement among internal teams operating both in the field and at the point of sale; and utilising real-time monitoring to ensures seamless application of processes and adherence to brand standards at every point of sale within a distribution network. The startup recently concluded a six-figure round of funding, led by the Tunis-based VC firm 216 Capital, which it will use to establish high-calibre marketing and sales teams to solidify a robust market presence in both France and Tunisia. “A fantastic team and a product that addresses a real need in a promising market – these are the reasons why we invested in Winshot. Our investment reflects our confidence in their potential and our commitment to supporting their journey to success,” said Dhekra Khelifi, partner at 216 Capital.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 27, 2023 09:02 UTC
Malawi: Solar, battery storage project to up country’s energy output
Malawi’s electricity utility has broken ground on a solar power and battery storage project aimed at increasing the country’s power generation capacity. This is the first phase of the scalable 20MW Salima solar power plant that will be implemented in two phases of 10MW each. The Electricity Generation Company (Malawi) Limited (EGENCO) said the plant will incorporate an advanced battery storage system of 2.5MWh capacity. “Once commissioned, Salima Solar Power Plant will provide an alternative source of electricity and supplement the already existing sources of electric energy. Golomoti was the first utility-scale plant in the region to include a battery energy storage system (BESS).
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 27, 2023 09:00 UTC
ALNET Technologies partners with AllCloud to revolutionise loan management in South Africa – Intelligent CIO Africa
ALNET Technologies specialises in innovative software solutions for the financial services industry and brings a wealth of IP and experience to this partnership. With a track record of implementing innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiencies, ALNET Technologies is well-positioned to introduce this revolutionary loan management system to financial service providers (FSP’s). AllCloud – a leading cloud services provider and loan management specialist – brings its extensive knowledge of cloud-based solutions to the table with expertise in cloud architecture, data management and security. This ensures the new loan management system is not only efficient but also highly secure and scalable. “AllCloud Lending Technology offers excellent configurability and ease of use to serve retail, commercial, private, and corporate, loan facilities throughout Africa,” concludes Govender.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 27, 2023 08:58 UTC