Utilizing International Air Transport Association (IATA) data, the list reflects passport strength through visa-free access to countries. As usual, Europe dominates this ranking, with no less than 27 countries appearing in the top 10 places. The first African country is in 26th place in the Henley & Partners ranking: the Seychelles, with 156 destinations accessible without visas. The majority of African countries follow one another in the list, with Somalia still occupying the unenviable position of the weakest African passport, in 99th place with 36 destinations…. Here are the 10 most powerful passports in Africa:Seychelles (156 destinations)Maurice (150)South Africa (108)Botswana (91)Lesotho and Namibia (80)eSwatini (78)Kenya and Malawi (76)Tanzania (73)

Due to ongoing climate and water issues with the Panama Canal, Maersk is modifying its Oceania – Americas service. Maersk informed customers that its northbound and southbound OC1 service, operating between Oceania and the Americas, would cease transiting the Panama Canal. "The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has had to reduce the number and weight of vessels that can pass through the canal due to current and projected water levels in Gatun Lake. Vessels that previously used the Panama Canal will now bypass it, using a "land bridge" that employs rail to transport cargo across Panama's 80 km width. We remain in close contact with the Panama Canal Authority to provide timely updates," Maersk concluded.

blinking-dot Live updates Live updates,Israel’s war on Gaza live: Attacks intensify as health system collapsingUN spokesman says just one-fifth of the 5,000 beds required to meet trauma and emergency needs in Gaza are available.

GreenCape has released an opportunity brief that introduces the role of Black Soldier Fly frass in fostering regenerative horticulture. Regenerative horticulture is of interest because one way to unlock the circular economy is to integrate Black Soldier Fly into economies. Many insects, including Black Soldier Flies (BSF), act as waste/processors or decomposers – converting organic material into body mass and nutrient-rich excrement called frass. Black Soldier Fly frassThe business opportunities presented by BSF are documented and on the rise in South Africa. Read the Black Soldier Fly Agriculture: Waste to Frass to Fertiliser Opportunity brief on GreenCape’s website.

There are 24 national teams from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) battling to be crowned Kings of the Continent in the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations over the next month. The 2023 tournament is being held in Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and kicks off on Saturday 13 January, 2024. This year, Nigeria will make their 19th AFCON appearance, having been crowned champions three times prior; in 2013, 1994, and 1980. Their most recent AFCON campaign was in 2019 when they finished in third place after a 2-1 loss to eventual champions Algeria in the semi-final. Find out how you can watch every single one of their games at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations below.

The amount of renewable energy capacity added to energy systems reached almost 510GW in 2023, with solar PV accounting for three-quarters of that. Increases in renewable energy capacity in Europe, the US and Brazil also hit all-time highs. Renewable energy capacity as agreed at COP28The IEA’s latest analysis is the first comprehensive assessment of global renewable energy deployment since COP28. It shows that under existing policies and market conditions, global renewable power capacity is expected to grow to 7,300GW between now and 2028. Of referenceThe collective energy transition ambition to date is not enoughTripling renewable energy capacity by 2030 means different things to different countriesThe report presents an accelerated case in which more rapid policy implementation would drive renewable power capacity growth 21% higher than in the main forecast.

An Israeli politician is taking a bold stance against the genocide he says his country is perpetrating in Gaza. Ofer Cassif, who declared his backing for South Africa on social media, will support the country’s legal bid when it comes before the ICJ on Thursday and Friday this week. Yossi Mekelberg, an associate fellow with the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House, called Cassif “an anomaly in Israeli politics”. Cassif is one of just 400 Israelis, in a population of nearly 9.5 million, to sign a petition supporting South Africa’s lawsuit against Israel. Ofer Neiman, a pro-Palestinian Israeli activist from Jerusalem, said he believes that Cassif is too “soft” on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Kenyan startup Badili, a reverse commerce, or “re-commerce”, platform for refurbished phones, has secured an undisclosed amount of seed funding from E3 Capital to help it expand into more markets across East Africa. It has now followed that up with seed capital from E3 Capital, which invests in early-stage businesses enabling digitised, decentralised, and decarbonised business models across Africa. “We are proud to welcome E3 Capital, a seasoned African VC, as the lead investor in our latest seed round. Paras Patel, managing partner at E3 Capital, said supporting Badili aligned with E3’s ethos of fostering digital innovation while advocating for environmental sustainability. “It’s noteworthy that refurbished phones reduce associated CO2eq emissions by 87 per cent compared to new models, underscoring the positive climate impact of Badili’s business.

Several of the American hamburger chain’s markets in the Middle East and some outside the region “are experiencing a meaningful business impact due to the war and associated misinformation that is affecting brands like McDonald’s”, the group’s CEO Chris Kempczinski wrote in a letter published on LinkedIn on 4 January. Beyond the Middle East, the brand’s franchises in Morocco and Egypt have been the subject of a massive boycott campaign in response to Israel’s retaliation against Hamas in Gaza.

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As seen on the Bank’s official website, the bank was able to launch key flagship programs to help with crisis management and aid shared growth. ADVERTISEMENTMauritania and Mali:The bank disbursed an estimated $273 million to help both countries jointly implement the 225 kV electrical interconnector project between them. Morocco:ADVERTISEMENTThe Bank disbursed about $800 million to Morocco for several projects, including the development of health infrastructure in rural areas, and funding of SMEs. Egypt:Egypt received just over $677 million, with $134 million of that money going to the support of the private sector in the country. Tunisia:Tunisia received about $178 million to fund projects such as the treatment of wastewater, the bolstering of the Agricultural sector, and the development of solar energy programs.

Offshore staffABERDEEN, UK — bp has asked Wood to perform modifications for the subsea tieback of the Murlach Field to the Eastern Trough Area Project (ETAP) central processing platform in the UK central North Sea. One of the priorities of the two-year contract is to repurpose existing equipment on the platform for the two-production well development. The cost-reimbursable agreement follows Wood’s earlier delivery of pre-FEED and FEED services for Murlach and its recent completion of brownfield scopes on bp’s Seagull Field, another subsea tieback to ETAP that came onstream last year. The company’s team in Aberdeen will support the Murlach project.

The Sedibeng grid-connected power project’s solar panels incorporate single-axis tracking technology to follow the sun. Designed, built, commissioned, owned and operated by SOLA Group, the ground-mounted solar PV project (pictured here) is valued at around R95 million, with AIIM as partner equity funder and Nedbank as debt provider. 14,000 ground-mounted solar PV panels provide 6.5MW of power directly to a brewing facility. The 19- hectares project generates 17,000MWh annually and is the largest freestanding solar plant within the Heineken global group. The power plant began producing power in May 2022 and is the largest freestanding solar plant powering a brewery in South Africa and, indeed, the largest in the Sedibeng district municipality.

Follow us on Image Source : FREEPIK Know these benefits of DatesThe unassuming date, known as ‘khajur’ in Hindi, is more than just a delicious treat. This humble fruit, native to the Middle East and North Africa, packs a powerful punch of nutrients and health benefits. Here are 5 key benefits of khajur that make it a worthy addition to your diet. Natural energy boost:The natural sugars present in dates, including glucose, fructose, and sucrose, provide a holistic and sustained energy boost. By including khajur in your diet, you actively support a healthy cardiovascular system, promoting long-term heart health.

In 2023, the African Development Bank Group provided more than $2 billion to North Africa to finance a series of key operations in a range of strategic sectors. We are proud to contribute to improving the daily lives of millions of North Africans”. Mauritania also received $23.7 million in funding from the African Development Bank Group’s concessionary African Development Fund. These operations will help improve the business environment, strengthen the framework for competition and commercial justice, promote key productive sectors and diversify the sources of green growth. he African Development Bank Group's multinational operations in North Africa reached nearly $450 million.