North-West University Becomes First in South Africa to Adopt Official AI Policy
North-West University has become the first South African university to adopt an official artificial intelligence policy, positioning the institution as a leader in AI governance in the higher education sector. Prof. Anné Verhoef, director of the NWU AI Hub, called the move a milestone that will help shape national conversations about responsible AI use in higher education and research. He said NWU’s AI strategy focuses on embracing AI in a human-centered, ethical and responsible way across teaching and learning, assessments, research and postgraduate supervision. He said the university’s policy places AI governance within the IT department, recognizing AI as an IT tool or application. NWU said the policy sets a national benchmark for responsible, human-centered and sustainable AI in higher education.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 17, 2026 19:10 UTC
Egypt Bets Big on Renewables as Foreign Investment Accelerates
The new investment announcements follow a major bet on the renewable energy sector by the Egyptian government last year. Last year, Egypt opened the door to foreign investment in green energy, announcing the aim of mobilising over $10 billion in private investment in the sector, including wind and solar power production. By 2024, Egypt had a total installed capacity of renewable energy of almost 7.8 GW, including hydropower, as well as wind and solar energy. The New and Renewable Energy Authority estimated that Egypt’s total renewable installed capacity reached approximately 8.6 GW last year. Egypt has significant green energy potential, and the government has begun to introduce new policies aimed at rapid sectoral expansion.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 17, 2026 16:42 UTC
Innovative asphalt with recycled plastic developed by North-Caucasus Federal University scientists
Researchers at the North-Caucasus Federal University (NCFU) have created an innovative asphalt mix incorporating plastic waste. According to the university’s portal , the new material is designed to enhance the durability of road surfaces while simultaneously reducing the volume of plastic sent to landfills. The source stated that over 600,000 tonnes of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic are consumed annually in Russia. NCFU scientists studied the binding properties of modified PET waste and proposed using it as an additive in asphalt concrete. Based on the results, technical guidelines will be developed to support the implementation of this technology throughout Russia’s road construction industry.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 17, 2026 15:02 UTC
6 Victoria Towns That Were Frozen In Time
MaldonRustic buildings and businesses along the Main Street in Maldon, Victoria. Clunes’ gold rush history is preserved at the Clunes Museum, which showcases artifacts and exhibits on the town’s mining past. WalhallaThe quaint shopping precinct of the historic gold mining town of Walhalla, VictoriaWalhalla sits in a steep valley amid dense forest. Famous for its remote setting and small population, it was one of Victoria’s wealthiest gold mining towns in the late 1800s. In Victoria, historic towns offer a vivid tableau of architectural and cultural preservation, with the legacy of the gold rush era and traditional practices meticulously maintained.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 17, 2026 14:57 UTC
Path appears clear for sale of North Country HealthCare
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Source:The North Africa Journal
January 17, 2026 14:34 UTC
Cavotec to supply TAKRAF with equipment for Morocco project ‣ WorldCargo News
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Source:The North Africa Journal
January 17, 2026 13:26 UTC
George Answers Your Questions: Trump and Greenland
George Friedman is an internationally recognized geopolitical forecaster and strategist on international affairs and the founder and chairman of Geopolitical Futures. Dr. Friedman is also a New York Times bestselling author. Dr. Friedman has briefed numerous military and government organizations in the United States and overseas and appears regularly as an expert on international affairs, foreign policy and intelligence in major media. For almost 20 years before resigning in May 2015, Dr. Friedman was CEO and then chairman of Stratfor, a company he founded in 1996. Friedman received his bachelor’s degree from the City College of the City University of New York and holds a doctorate in government from Cornell University.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 17, 2026 13:03 UTC
Chinese EVs are making inroads in North America. That worries industry experts
ShareDETROIT (AP) — Chinese automakers have been making inroads around the world with growing sales of their high-tech, stylish and affordable electric vehicles. “They’ve found a way to make small and mid-sized cars — cars that people want — at a reasonable price,” said Sam Fiorani, vice president at AutoForecast Solutions. Much of the global auto market is electrifying, an ideal opportunity for advanced Chinese automakers to capitalize on. Countries have attempted to regulate Chinese EVs from entering their markets for several reasons. In 2024, former President Joe Biden set a 100% tariff on Chinese electric cars.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 17, 2026 12:59 UTC
Quorso partners with Circle K to implement Intelligent Management in stores across North America
Quorso, the Intelligent Management Platform for store operators, announced today the expansion of its partnership with Circle K.NEW YORK CITY, NY, UNITED STATES, January 8, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Quorso, the Intelligent Management Platform for store operators, announced today the expansion of its partnership with Circle K, a global leader in mobility and convenience, to over 7,800 locations in the United States and Canada after a successful deployment across Circle K’s European network last year. Quorso’s Intelligent Management Platform eliminates the complexity and overwhelm of too much data, too many tasks, and too many systems. We’re looking forward to Quorso helping our store teams to enhance the in-store experience, deliver on our commitment to be fast, friendly, and customer ready and, ultimately, unlock new growth for our business.”“We’re proud to extend our partnership with Circle K after delivering great success across more than 4,000 Circle K stores in Europe,” Julian Mills, CEO of Quorso, added. We do not accept any responsibility or liabilityfor the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in thisarticle. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 17, 2026 07:05 UTC
Transport services still snagged after election chaos
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Source:The North Africa Journal
January 17, 2026 03:42 UTC
Inetum to Deploy New EES Border Equipment at Ports of Algeciras and Tarifa
Inetum España has been selected to deploy new border control infrastructure tied to the EU’s Entry/Exit System at the passenger terminals of the ports of Algeciras and Tarifa, according to Spanish reporting. The project is linked to the EU’s effort to modernize border processing for non-EU travelers through biometric enrollment and automated checks. The reported equipment scope includes both automated and assisted border control components. Spanish coverage references self-service kiosks, automated border control e-gates, and assisted control posts or booths. Additional elements described across outlets include tablets for supervision, verification, and registration processes, as well as supporting infrastructure such as CCTV, digital signage, and specialized cabin or container-based installations.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 17, 2026 00:26 UTC
French Development Agency Committed to Implementing Development Projects in Morocco’s Southern Provinces – The North Africa Post
The French Development Agency (AFD) is committed to implementing the commitments made during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Morocco in October 2024, notably development projects in the Kingdom’s Southern Provinces, the Agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Rémy Rioux, said on Thursday in Rabat. Speaking at a press briefing following talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, the AFD CEO said the meeting provided an opportunity to review the implementation of the commitments made during that visit, as well as the progress of various projects in the fields of railway cooperation, water and sanitation, in addition to the Agency’s investments in the Southern Provinces of the Kingdom. Rioux, who recalling his visit last year to Laayoune and Dakhla to identify investment opportunities, stressed that the AFD is currently working on financing ports through the National Ports Agency, as well as exploring the possibility of supporting the newly created Regional Multi-Service Companies (SRMs) in these two regions of Morocco. “We are currently working both on financing ports via the National Ports Agency, but also on the possibility of directly financing these two regions (Laayoune and Dakhla), as well as the regional multi-service companies that have just been created for public services,” he said. On this occasion, he praised the high quality of the organization of the continental tournament, as well as the performance of the Moroccan national team during the competition.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 16, 2026 15:03 UTC
Rome Resources encouraged by early signs of second phase drilling at Kalayi
Rome Resources encouraged by early signs of second phase drilling at KalayiRome Resources Plc has reported progress from its ongoing drilling operations at the Bisie North project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where two drill rigs are active at the Mont Agoma and Kalayi prospects. “We are encouraged by the early indications from this second phase of drilling at Kalayi, where the intersection of a tin-rich zone at depth is consistent with the company’s structural model and expectations for high-grade extensions beneath the known mineralisation,” said chief executive Paul Barrett. At Kalayi, drillhole KBD019 intercepted a six-metre tin-rich zone from 129 metres to 135 metres depth. At Mont Agoma, hole MADD034 reached 94 metres and served as a control point. Paul Barratt added: “Drilling at Mont Agoma is also progressing well as we move toward the deeper parts of the system where we believe tin grades may strengthen.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 16, 2026 14:45 UTC
Eni Launches Coral North FLNG Hull as Mozambique Moves Toward LNG Expansion
Coral North will be the second FLNG unit deployed in the Rovuma Basin offshore Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, following Coral South. With a liquefaction capacity of 3.6 million tons per annum (mtpa), Coral North will double Mozambique’s total LNG output to around 7 mtpa. The ultra-large Coral North FLNG unit measures 434m in length and weighs around 123,000 tonnes at launch. Eni has operated in Mozambique since 2006 and discovered major gas resources in the Rovuma Basin between 2011 and 2014. Coral South, the first project to produce gas from the basin, has delivered more than 135 LNG cargoes to date.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 16, 2026 13:12 UTC
Middle East and North Africa Key Themes 2026: Growth to strengthen
2026 MENA key theme 1GCC consumers will be standout performersThe outlook is bright for GCC consumers as we expect them to outperform their international peers. 2026 MENA key theme 3Fiscal policies divergeMuted oil revenues are prompting divergence in fiscal strategies across the region. 2026 MENA key theme 4Could AI be the next tourism sector for the region? MENA 2026 economic outlook: Stronger growth, but rising divergenceTaken together, these themes point to stronger regional growth in 2026, alongside increasing divergence in policy paths and economic drivers across countries. Our report MENA Key themes 2026, explores these key trends in detail.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 16, 2026 12:45 UTC