Nigerian digital identity solutions provider Seamfix has raised US$4.5 million in funding to scale its technology infrastructure, improve data flow crucial for continental trade and integration, and kickstart the expansion of its digital ID and credential services into five new African countries. Founded by Chimezie Emewulu and Chibuzor Onwurah, Seamfix provides identity management, data capture and process automation solutions for large businesses and government agencies across the world. It is now planning further growth and expansion after securing US$4.5 million in funding from Alitheia IDF, a US$100 million gender-lens fund that identifies, invests in, and grows SMEs led by gender-diverse teams. The new funding represents Seamfix’s first institutional investment, and will enable the company to expand its services to Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Uganda. “We are thrilled to announce this new funding, which marks a significant milestone in our journey of shaping the future of digital ID verification in Africa and connecting Africa to the rest of the world.

To achieve these targets, the North African countries are launching new licensing rounds, paving the way for enhanced cooperation with global E&P players. EGPC and Ganope are currently evaluating proposals from two licensing rounds that concluded on April 4, 2024, comprising a total of 23 onshore and offshore blocks. The two companies are also seeking an operator to develop the Zarat Oil and Gas Field -Tunisia’s largest undeveloped offshore oil and gas field. Algeria 2024 Bid RoundAlgeria is expected to launch a licensing round offering between 10 and 12 onshore blocks in late 2024. The bid round forms part of the country’s strategy to maximize its gas and LNG potential.

ROME — Italy’s aviation authority has barred humanitarian migrant rescue groups from using a Sicilian airport to launch search and rescue flights over the Mediterranean, in the government’s latest move to regulate their activities. An ordinance from ENAC’s western Sicilian office said the flights interfered with the Italian coast guard’s exclusive role in coordinating search and rescue efforts and put migrant lives at risk. Non-governmental rescue groups that continue using the Lampedusa, Sicily airport risk unspecified fines and the seizure of their aircraft, it said.

The £145m scheme has delivered several major railway improvements between Manchester and Sheffield including the upgrade of Dore & Totley station, increasing connectivity between Bamford and Hathersage, and completing general track renewals. The improvements will increase the number of trains that operate between the cities from two fast trains to three fast trains per hour. The Dore & Totley station upgrade has created a new platform and accessible footbridge with lifts at Dore & Totley Station, a railway loop between Bamford and Hathersage and a new overbridge at Hathersage West, replacing the current foot crossing to improve safety. The successful delivery of this project reinforces our partnership with Network Rail and underscores our capability to contribute to significant infrastructure development schemes. This project will provide multiple advantages for the North of England and will enhance passenger connectivity and reliability.

MoneyHash Teams Up with Visa to Empower Secure and Enhanced Digital Payment ExperiencesMoneyHash, a pioneering force in the Middle East and Africa’s payments and revenue operations sector, proudly announces its collaboration with Visa, a world leader in digital payments, for delivering secure and enhanced digital payments experiences. It also allows MoneyHash to leverage Visa's global reach, capabilities, and security - key elements in Visa’s mission to connect the world through the innovative, reliable, and secure payment network across MENA. "It empowers our customers to enhance their payment infrastructure, ensuring secure, fast, and reliable payment experiences. "We thrive to empower our partners with the tools and resources necessary to provide secure and seamless payment solutions." Recognized for its innovative approach, MoneyHash addresses key challenges that businesses face in the realm of digital payments.

Who is chef Hichem Ameur? Chef Hichem Ameur has lived in Evansville for a little over a year and is ready to bring you the food of his heart. He’s from Tunisia, a North African country situated on a wedge of coast between Algeria and Libya. To contact Chef Hichem Ameur about catering, visit Sahara's Facebook page, call 812-459-3262, or e-mail at hichemferniz16@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Tunisian chef Hichem Ameur catering in Evansville

According to the plan, the US will pull back around 75 troops of its Army Special Forces from Chad and above 1,000 deployed troops from Niger. According to the Associated Press, the US is seeking to reach an agreement with both governments in a view to maintain certain military presence there. Teng pointed out that with the removal of the US troops and the entry of Russian military forces, there will be a significant shift in the power dynamics within the Sahel region of Africa. For example, Russia's food aid endows the people in underprivileged African countries with enhanced prospects of survival. Comparatively, African countries exhibit a stronger inclination to accept the existence of Russia rather than Western countries including the US in the locality.

North Macedonians go to polls to vote in parliamentary and presidential elections that can present a test for the Balkan state’s European Union ambitions. Victory for the nationalist party would set the stage for tension with neighbouring Greece and Bulgaria, threatening to weigh on already slow EU accession talks. Opinion polls suggest that VMRO-DPMNE is set to win the parliamentary elections by a double-digit margin. North Macedonia has lost about 10 percent of its population to emigration over the past two decades. In 2001, NATO pulled North Macedonia back from the brink of civil war during an ethnic Albanian rebellion and promised faster integration into the EU and NATO.

An agritech initiative based out of the UK and Malawi has won the $1 million Milken-Motsepe Prize in Green Energy. Image Source: Milken-Motsepe Prize. Green energy competition enters the business end for innovatorsMilken-Motsepe PrizeThe Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation announced the winners at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles yesterday. This is the second in the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Programme. Of interestInvestor confidence in African private capital industry persistsThe Milken-Motsepe Prize in Fintech will offer $2m in prize money.

Rescuers make contact with 11 survivors buried under rubble after building collapses in George, Western Cape province. At least six people have been killed and dozens of others are unaccounted for after a building collapsed in South Africa. “We are in contact with 11 people” trapped under rubble, Colin Deiner, head of rescue operations, told a news conference in Cape Town. A construction crew of 75 people was on site at the time of the collapse, authorities said. At least 11 of those injured were in “red” conditions, authorities said, indicating that “emergency” care was needed for critical injuries under South Africa’s triage procedures.

The company is also tying up with local companies to create cross-selling opportunities by working closely with tourism boards in the region. The company has also signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with regional tourism boards like Qatar and Saudi Arabia to expand its collaboration in the Middle East. “We recently had a joint promotion with the Saudi Tourism Authority and SAUDIA airlines where we bundled air tickets with hotels to attract Chinese travellers – it recorded an overwhelming response. We are looking to forge similar partnerships with other tourism boards in the region,” he added. In North Africa, Trip.com Group is mainly focusing on Egypt and Morocco primarily.

Long-term megatrends such as sustainability and wellness were predictably visible at the Inspired Home Show, with rising messaging for durability, recyclability and energy saving. Of more immediate interest (and shouting loudly at this event) were three lifestyle trends directly impacting growth opportunities and product choices in 2024. The Elevating the Experience trend was behind Riedel's "best in show" award, and visibly gains momentum in dining and hosting 2024 innovation. Elevating the ExperiencePart of this trend covers recreating the restaurant experience at home. It was takeaway and delivery that rescued the sector; restaurant food is popular again, but dining at home remains strong, mixing home-cooked and restaurant food consumption.

The balmy weather of recent days is giving way to storms and a drop in temperature in various parts of the country. The weather began to turn on Wednesday night due to the arrival of a low-pressure front which started from the Gulf of Sirte in Libya. It moved towards southwest Turkey and will affect the weather in Greece as well, according to the Meteo weather service. It will mainly impact the west and south of the country first, with localized showers, storms, gradually strengthening winds and a drop in temperature. A possible transfer of dust from North Africa on southern winds is not being ruled out.

Morocco earned the 6th place in the first FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking after completing an unbeaten season with a stunning performance. Brazil sit at the summit of the first FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking. Russia ranked 7th followed by Kazakhstan, Thailand and France. The top five-ranked nations, along with hosts Uzbekistan, will be the Pot 1 seeds in the upcoming draw for this year’s FIFA Futsal World Cup. Pot 2 will comprise Morocco, Kazakhstan, Thailand, France, Ukraine and Paraguay.

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