Libya grants foreign oil licences for first time since 2011 but risks keep many away
But with energy production and exports at their strongest since then, Libya is seeking to draw major global energy companies. The National Oil Corporation (NOC) did not announce the cost of the licences, and said there would be another bidding round later this year. “The TotalEnergies and ConocoPhillips deal showed that you can do gré-à-gré with the NOC and get better terms,” Porter added. Last month, Libya signed agreements worth more than $20 billion of investment by TotalEnergies and ConocoPhillips, to increase oil production over 25 years. Dbeibah, who announced the deal, said the goal was to boost daily oil production by 850,000 barrels within that time frame.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 12, 2026 09:44 UTC
NATO kicks off ‘Arctic Sentry’ operation following Greenland brouhaha
The operation will tie together various allied activities in the region, including Denmark’s Arctic Endurance exercises, NATO said in a statement on Wednesday. “There is every need to make sure that we protect this vital part of NATO territory.”Arctic Sentry will be led by Joint Forces Command Norfolk and overseen by Allied Command Operations, NATO said. The operation will also benefit from “the latest technological insights” from Allied Command Transformation, the secretary general said. Arctic Sentry will be an “increased vigilance activity” similar to the alliance’s Baltic Sentry and Eastern Sentry operations, under direct authority of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, according to Rutte. U.K. forces are expected to play a “vital role” in Arctic Sentry, with military planning underway, according to the MoD.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 12, 2026 08:34 UTC
AFCI board includes newly elected commissioners from South Africa and Japan
The Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) has revealed its board of directors for 2026, including commissioners from North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania. Gina Black, from Australia’s Gold Coast Film Commission, continues as secretary, and Steven Davenport of Screen Ireland as treasurer. Newly elected to the board are Jacqueline Rainers-Setai, from South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, and Mariko Sugisaki, of Japan’s Tokyo Film Commission. Re-elected board members include Black, Gee, Parikh, Bega Metzner, of the Moab to Monument Valley Film Commission, and Stefan Roesch, from New Zealand’s Film Otago Southland. This diverse and experienced group of board leaders will help AFCI continue to support film commissions and production partners worldwide.”
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 12, 2026 07:43 UTC
Libya awards Chevron and four other firms oil and gas exploration rights
Libya’s National Oil Corp. (NOC) has awarded new oil and gas exploration rights to five foreign firms, including US oil major Chevron, aiming to revive the country’s oil and gas sector after nearly two decades of stagnation. NOC Chairman Engineer Masoud Suleman said the success of this round of bidding marks a turning point in the development of the Libyan oil sector. He noted that attracting international companies to the sector will double Libya’s crude oil production, leading to an economic revival, while also safeguarding the country’s crude oil reserves. Libya currently produces around 1.5 million barrels a day, but it holds Africa’s largest oil reserves at an estimated 48.4 billion barrels. “Libya has significant proven oil reserves and a long history of producing its resources.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 12, 2026 07:31 UTC
Conflict-torn Congo closes in on debut international bond
“The priority for us is going into the international capital market, not just to raise funds, but to build a curve, for the private sector to raise also money and to come and invest in the country,” Finance Minister Doudou Fwamba Likunde told Reuters in London where he was meeting investors.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 12, 2026 07:30 UTC
Zambia: Central Bank cuts policy rate by 75 bps to 13.5% in second consecutive move
Zambia: Central Bank cuts policy rate by 75 bps to 13.5% in second consecutive moveZambia’s central bank surprised markets by cutting its policy rate by 75 basis points to 13.50%, marking a second consecutive reduction and a larger move than analysts had anticipated. Inflation eased sharply at the start of the year, falling below 10% in January. This strengthens expectations that inflation could return to the central bank’s official 6% - 8% target range as early as the second quarter. Looking ahead, the central bank has revised its inflation forecasts downward, now expecting average inflation to fall below 7% in 2026, followed by further moderation in 2027. This marks a potential turning point after several years of persistently high inflation amid a prolonged debt crisis.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 12, 2026 03:40 UTC
IOC awards broadcast rights in Middle East and North Africa to beIN MEDIA GROUP
IOC President Kirsty Coventry said: “We are pleased to continue our partnership with beIN MEDIA GROUP in the Middle East and North Africa, and I’d like to thank the beIN team for all their support. beIN’s multi-language Olympic coverage began last week with the live broadcast of the Opening Ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, which will run until 22 February. About beIN MEDIA GROUPbeIN MEDIA GROUP is a leading independent global media group and one of the foremost sports and entertainment networks in the world. beIN MEDIA GROUP acquired Digiturk, the leading pay-tv operator in Türkiye, in August 2016, and in 2022 launched its premium OTT service, TOD, across MENA and Türkiye. For more information on beIN MEDIA GROUP, please contact: mediaoffice@bein.com.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 11, 2026 21:05 UTC
CMA CGM updates FAK rates from Indian Subcontinent
CMA CGM has announced new Freight All Kinds (FAK) rates for dry cargo shipments from the Indian Subcontinent and the Middle East Gulf to North Europe, the Mediterranean, and North Africa. Cargo destined for North Africa will be charged USD 3,700 per 20-foot container and USD 3,700 per 40-foot container. From the Middle East Gulf, CMA CGM has set FAK rates at USD 2,600 per 20-foot container and USD 2,600 per 40-foot container to North Europe and the Mediterranean. Shipments to North Africa will be charged USD 3,600 per 20-foot container and USD 3,600 per 40-foot container. All rates apply to dry cargo only and remain subject to applicable surcharges and local charges.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 11, 2026 20:12 UTC
10 Adorable Small Towns In Northern California
Northern California is full of charm, with charming small towns that reveal their adorable personalities—whether it's the breathtaking coastline, the golden nuggets of the Sierra during the gold rush, or the majestic redwoods in the national parks. More in NoCalDiscover the 11 cutest small towns in Northern California. Ferndale is a charming town in Northern California, often underrated yet cherished by those who find it. Choose one of the small towns to explore all this and more, each with adorable character and an atmospheric downtown area to sightsee, shop, and eat your way through. Next UpExplore the 12 most picturesque small towns in Northern California.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 11, 2026 20:06 UTC
Libya issues rare oil exploration licences to foreign firms
Libya has assigned new oil and gas exploration rights to foreign firms, aiming to revamp the sector after years of civil strife. The country’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced the results of its first licensing round since 2007 on Wednesday. The licensing awards signal some renewed interest in Libya’s oil sector, which foreign investors had long been wary of after the country erupted into conflict in 2011 with the overthrow of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi. Libya remains politically divided between rival administrations in the east and west, and disputes over the central bank and oil revenues often disrupt production at key oil fields. Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah, who announced the deal, said the goal was to increase daily oil production by 850,000 barrels within that timeframe.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 11, 2026 19:41 UTC
Morocco Launches Idarati X.0 Digital Platform Unifying Public Service Access Through Single Interface – The North Africa Post
Morocco advanced administrative modernization Tuesday with eight conventions signed in Rabat deploying Idarati X.0, a meta-application designed to unify citizen access to digital public services through a single interface. The Digital Transition and Administrative Reform Ministry spearheads the project coordinating with the National Data Protection Commission (CNDP). The system establishes an integrated national digital wallet within secure architecture anchored to electronic national identity cards issued by the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), guaranteeing reliable user identification and frameworks compliant with personal data protection requirements. The digital wallet enables users to group and utilize different official documents or certificates via secure digital spaces. Ultimately, Idarati X.0 ambitions constituting unified national frameworks for digital interactions between state and users through interoperability logic, digital sovereignty, and sustainable administrative modernization.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 11, 2026 18:40 UTC
Middle East & North Africa Yearbook 2026: Major Domestic Political Developments, Foreign Policy, Major Developments, and Socio-economic Trends
Dublin, Feb. 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Middle East & North Africa Yearbook" directory has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Middle East and North African Yearbook cover major domestic political developments, foreign policy, and socio-economic trends in the MENA region - all related to developments in one calendar year. The Yearbook contains articles on all Middle East and North African countries, each of the two sub-regions (Middle East, North Africa) focusing on major cross-border developments and sub-regional organizations. The definitive one-volume guide to all of the Middle East and North African countries, providing invaluable economic, political, statistical, and directory data. Directory of MENA organizations, research centers, and foundations.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 11, 2026 16:14 UTC
African wind: high performance meets challenges
Despite high performance in large onshore wind projects, African countries’ ability to secure investment into new generation assets continues to be hampered by high financing costs, limited grid capacity and delays in contracts and permitting. AdvertisementUAE-based fund manager Alcazar Energy Partners’ Niat onshore wind farm along the Suez Canal in Egypt exemplifies this. Despite data limited to a few countries, Africa’s high levels of performance for onshore wind have its benefits. This was on par with Europe, a region with a more established onshore wind market. But there are signs of progress in procurement by heavy industry and mining in South Africa from independent power producers.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 11, 2026 15:59 UTC
Air & Space Forces Magazine
C-130J Deliveries Paused due to Technical Issues, Air Force Says Breaking Defense Deliveries of Lockheed Martin-built C-130J aircraft to the U.S. Air Force have been halted due to a problem with integrating a new communications upgrade, according to the service. VIDEO: Strategic Attack: Maintaining the Air Force’s Capacity to Deny Enemy Sanctuaries The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Analysts from AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies and retired Gen. Tim Ray, former Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, discuss the institute’s newest report on the need for new long-range stealthy bombers and fighters that can deny sanctuaries to adversary forces wherever they are located. AFA, USAA Send Wounded Airman to Super Bowl LX with CeeDee Lamb AFA The Air & Space Forces Association and USAA coordinated a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to send retired Air Force veteran and Purple Heart recipient Tech. China ‘Just Not There Yet’ on H-20 Stealth Bomber: Global Strike Command’s Top General The War Zone The head of U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command has downplayed the current significance of Chinese efforts to develop new long-range strike aircraft with more global reach. ‘Wake-Up Call’ for Greece as Air Force Officer Accused of Spying for China The Guardian A Greek air force officer arrested on suspicion of spying for China has been detained pending trial after appearing before a military judge in a case that is seen as exposing Beijing’s determination to infiltrate Europe’s security and intelligence services.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 11, 2026 14:46 UTC
Algeria uses force to silence flood victims – The North Africa Post
Protesters from the wilaya’s 38 communes denounced the collapse of key infrastructure, prolonged power and sanitation failures, and shortages of drinking water, fuel and basic food supplies. Many said on social media the situation had deteriorated sharply since the floods, accusing authorities of failing to provide meaningful assistance. Beyond brief visits from the governor and a short stopover by Interior Minister Saïd Sayoud two weeks earlier, residents say no concrete support has been delivered. Videos circulating on social media showed large crowds demanding the restoration of essential services and access to indispensable goods such as potable water, electricity, fuel, milk, oil and legumes. Residents said flood victims had been “left to their own and abandoned” for weeks, with communities cut off from drinking water, electricity, fuel and basic food supplies as authorities failed to deliver meaningful assistance.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 11, 2026 14:32 UTC