Europe's growing interest in Africa's green hydrogen potential
European Union and individual countries and companies have begun making massive commitments to green hydrogen and other forms of green energy in Africa, including provisions for exports from the continent to serve Europe’s domestic needs. The recent signing of a US$34 billion dollar agreement for a giant green hydrogen project in Mauritania is just one of those developments. A 2022 EIB report, dubbed Africa’s extraordinary green hydrogen potential, projects the continent will reach an annual production capacity of 50 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2035 at a competitive price of below $2 per kilogram. Africa’s large potential capacity for green hydrogen production and the resultant competitive pricing has seen the continent referred to as the world’s new energy powerhouse. Australia, Saudi Arabia and British firms are also showing a growing interest in Africa’s emerging green hydrogen sector.
Source:The North Africa Journal
March 15, 2023 21:52 UTC
SELT Marine Group to invest $7.5mln to expand operations in Tunisia
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Source:The North Africa Journal
March 15, 2023 20:44 UTC
Freddy — Potentially the Longest-Lived Storm On Record — Kills 200 in Africa
Cyclone Freddy is unlike any tropical cyclone we have witnessed in the recent past. Throughout its journey, the storm kept intensifying again and again to retain its strength as a devastating tropical cyclone! Cyclone Freddy first developed off the North Australian coast on February 6 and then tracked across the entire Indian Ocean. Tropical Cyclone Freddy continues to bring rain to Mozambique and Malawi. The UN agency has set up an expert committee “to evaluate whether tropical cyclone Freddy has broken the record as the longest-lasting tropical cyclone on record.”In addition, Freddy has also nabbed records for rapid intensification and the highest energy dispersed.
Source:The North Africa Journal
March 15, 2023 19:59 UTC
Morocco’s Wind Energy Industry to contribute $1.7 Bln in Country’s Economy – The North Africa Post
The wind energy Industry in Morocco is expected to create 75,000 additional jobs and contribute $1.2 billion in the country’s economy during the four coming years, according to a report released by Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). This involves a target of producing over half of its energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030, up from around 15% today. The GWEC says Morocco has excellent wind resources, and currently has one of the largest onshore wind fleets on the African continent, after South Africa and Egypt. Under an accelerated transition scenario, the North African Kingdom could install 43% more onshore wind energy capacity in the next five years, says the report. Further plans aim to have 80% of the energy supplied by renewable energy by 2050.
Source:The North Africa Journal
March 15, 2023 19:30 UTC
Mali junta cracks down on social media influencers, arrests Rokia Doumbia
A prominent social media influencer in Mali was detained Wednesday after lambasting the ruling military junta as a “failure” with regards to insecurity and inflation, prosecutors told AFP. Doumbia, known for her popular posts against soaring prices, told AFP she had been arrested Monday after a live TikTok broadcast in Bamako. “Ras Bath” was detained after a rally Saturday marking the renewal of Keita’s party, the Alliance for Solidarity in Mali (ASMA). Mali is in the throes of an 11-year-old security crisis triggered by a regional revolt in the north that developed into a full-blown jihadist insurgency. Since then the military junta has severed ties with France, the country’s traditional ally, which has pulled its troops out of Mali, while seeking closer ties with Russia.
Source:The North Africa Journal
March 15, 2023 18:06 UTC
Morocco and France: the historic alliance hanging in the balance
Its alliance with Morocco has deteriorated to the point of jeopardising what for many was one of the strongest partnerships in North Africa. PHOTO/CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT - French President Emmanuel Macron and Moroccan King Mohammed VI inaugurate a high-speed train line at the Tangier train station. PHOTO/AFP - Combination of images of French President Emmanuel Macron and Algeria's President Abdelmadjid TebbouneThere are several reasons for the rift between Rabat and Paris - some more difficult to understand than others. To this must be added the smear campaign of which Morocco accuses France. Thus, France is jeopardising its greatest ally in North Africa while Morocco strengthens its ties with other countries in the face of French passivity.
Source:The North Africa Journal
March 15, 2023 05:01 UTC
Cleary Gottlieb Shortlisted for Two Middle East Legal Awards 2023
Cleary Gottlieb has been shortlisted for two Middle East Legal Awards 2023 by Law.com International. The nominations include:Corporate Team of the Year (for Brookfield’s acquisition of Magnati)(for Brookfield’s acquisition of Magnati) Infrastructure and Energy Projects Team of the Year (for Fertiglobe’s investment in Egypt Green)The Middle East Legal Awards, now in their 11th year, recognize outstanding achievement, excellence, and innovation among legal practitioners and firms in the region. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on May 18 in Dubai. To learn more, click here.
Source:The North Africa Journal
March 15, 2023 03:10 UTC
Diabetic Patients in Middle East, Africa Overburdened by ASCVD
Nearly all of the diabetic patients—regardless of ASCVD diagnosis—were considered to be at high or very high risk for cardiovascular events, report investigators. He described diabetes as a “recalcitrant problem” in the region, with the Middle East and Africa having a disproportionate burden of diabetes and diabetes-related complications. In Bahrain, 37% of diabetic patients had ASCVD, while a little less than one-third had ASCVD in UAE. Given the global burden of ASCVD and diabetes, Verma emphasized the importance of implementation science when it comes to the basics. The disease burden in Africa and Middle East should be “a call to action,” said Verma, adding that knowledge has no value unless it’s applied.
Source:The North Africa Journal
March 15, 2023 02:53 UTC
Human rights groups call on Nigerian govt to end sectarian violence – The North Africa Post
Amnesty International and other human rights groups have condemned the recent attacks in northern Nigeria that left at least 35 people killed and called on the country’s authorities to end the sectarian violence. In the latest attack, armed men at the weekend invaded a village in the local district of Zangon Kataf and killed 15 people, most of them women and children. It is quite unacceptable,” AI’s spokesperson Aminu Hayatu said. According to local police authorities, the latest attack in Kaduna could have been reprisal for the killing of a herder who was tending to his animals a few days earlier. Nigeria has been battling a range of security challenges including insurgency, kidnappings, and communal clashes.
Source:The North Africa Journal
March 15, 2023 01:56 UTC
dynaCERT and Cipher Neutron Signs MOU with Safe Energy and Astec in India, Europe & Middle East
AstecAstec is an engineering solutions provider that specializes in high-pressure flow technologies and joint reduction for industries such as green hydrogen, railway, automotive, and oil & gas. Connecting Green Hydrogen MENA 2023Safe Energy & Astec Group Companies are leading exhibitors at the “Connecting Green Hydrogen MENA 2023” in Dubai featuring the AEM Technology of CN and dynaCERT. Connecting Green Hydrogen MENA 2023 (CGHM2023) is at the forefront of expediting the development of green hydrogen in the Middle East and North Africa, gathering policymakers, power producers, investors, suppliers, and technical service providers internationally to build business partnerships. READER ADVISORYExcept for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
Source:The North Africa Journal
March 14, 2023 21:29 UTC
Flat6Labs launches $95 million Seed fund to back early-stage startups in Africa
Flat6Labs is a Mena-focused Seed and early-stage venture capital firm that manages a number of Seed funds with a total capital worth $85 million. Press release:Flat6Labs, MENA’s leading seed investor, has announced the launch of a new $95 million Seed Fund to nurture the growth and development of early-stage tech startups on the African continent. Headquartered in Egypt, the Africa Seed Fund (ASF) will focus on three main investment territories in Africa: North Africa, West Africa, and East Africa. Ramez El-Serafy, General Partner for ASF, says, “We are extremely excited about the launch of the Africa Seed Fund. With the Africa Seed Fund, Flat6Labs will be investing in 160 companies that are in Pre-Seed up to Pre-Series A stage, with tickets ranging from $150,000-$500,000 through the Flat6Labs’ Africa Seed Program and will also be providing seed tickets to seasoned founders independently of the program.
Source:The North Africa Journal
March 14, 2023 20:56 UTC
Denmark PM Frederiksen Concerned About Europe's Isolation During Africa 'influence' Trip
Frederiksen is currently visiting Egypt as part of what she has referred to as "a battle of influence on the African continent". According to Frederiksen, Europe will have to understand "not one, but two unpleasant truths about Africa". This strategy represents a shift in Danish foreign policy. A collaboration that is commensurate with how important the North African countries are to Danish interests," the Danish Foreign Ministry said in the strategy. Overall, Frederiksen ventured that preserving European influence in Africa and elsewhere requires a comprehensive effort.
Source:The North Africa Journal
March 14, 2023 19:36 UTC
South Africa-Algeria-Iran coalition is the destabilising axis in the Maghreb
Hilale stated that the North African country regrets that the South African Permanent Mission serves as an intermediary for an illegitimate entity not recognised by the UN. Threats to Pretoria's historic roles in the region stem from Morocco's encroachment on several African nations. However, after all these years, South Africa finds itself in front of half of the African nations that have opened consulates in the Moroccan Sahara, and 90 nations around the world have expressed a favourable attitude. Moreover, the fact that its ally in the region has been launching propaganda messages in recent days does not help. The second is to win backing in the Maghreb for Algerian policies.
Source:The North Africa Journal
March 14, 2023 18:02 UTC
Cognigy Strengthens Executive Team to Further Momentum, Support Continued Enterprise Demand for Conversational AI
Ongoing adoption of Generative AI will help to further transform enterprise customer service and contact centers by creating advanced conversational experiences and driving efficiency. Cognigy is at the forefront of a truly transformational shift in contact center operations and has recently introduced a Generative AI solution for enterprise contact centers. Before joining the Cognigy team, Ranger spent six years at LivePerson leading global market development. In his new role as vice president of global alliances and partnerships, Thomas Roll will be instrumental in growing Cognigy’s global partner business. About CognigyCognigy, a market leader in Conversational AI, Powers Up enterprise contact centers to exceed customer expectations, improve agent satisfaction, and rapidly respond to market changes.
Source:The North Africa Journal
March 14, 2023 18:00 UTC