Zambia, Zimbabwe Pledge $440M To Revive Batoka Gorge Hydropower Project
News InfrastructuresZambia and Zimbabwe each pledge $220 million for Batoka Gorge revival2,400 MW hydro project aims to supply 1,200 MW per countryFunding boost seeks investors amid delays, drought-hit regional power supplyThe governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe have pledged $220 million each to revive the Batoka Gorge hydroelectric project, which carries an estimated total cost of $4.2 billion. The decision was taken after a meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) in late 2025. Located in the Zambezi River basin near Victoria Falls on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the Batoka Gorge hydroelectric plant is designed to have an installed capacity of 2,400 megawatts (MW). In early 2025, Lusaka and Harare authorized the Zambezi River Authority to seek new investors for the project. Restarting the Batoka Gorge project forms part of a broader strategy to secure electricity supply in both Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 12, 2026 12:19 UTC
MATCH STATS: Nigeria vs Morocco – TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Semi-final
Nigeria won the previous clash in 1980, triumphing 1-0 with Felix Owolabi scoring the winner in the 9th minute en route to their first title. In the knockout rounds at AFCON, Nigeria have faced hosts five times, winning only once against Mali in the 2002 third-place match. · Have scored in their last 12 AFCON matches, last failing to score in the Round of 16 loss to Tunisia in 2021. · Victory would see Nigeria reach a ninth AFCON Final and their second consecutive finals after 1988 and 1990. · Victory would take them to a second final and their first in over 21 years.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 12, 2026 11:50 UTC
Benin’s Eagle Travel joins FasterCapital’s EquityPilot programme
Benin’s Eagle Travel and Logistic (ETL), which specialises in high-end intercity transport, has entered into a strategic partnership with FasterCapital through its EquityPilot programme. Founded by Frobenius Joël Gangbo, ETL aims to transform intercity transport from a simple service into an experience. ETL has now partnered with FasterCapital through its EquityPilot programme. Joining the EquityPilot programme provides access to a global network of investors, experts and mentors, giving ETL the resources it needs to structure its growth. “Eagle Travel and Logistics perfectly illustrates the type of innovation we want to support: a bold vision, a solid model and a clear response to an unmet need.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 12, 2026 11:30 UTC
5 Trends Shaping African Energy Investment in 2026
African energy investment in 2026 is poised to reflect not just growth in capacity, but a strategic shift in how the continent engages global demand, geopolitics and domestic priorities. LNG and Gas Growth Amid Global Supply ShiftsWith Europe and Asia scrambling to diversify supply away from Russia and the Middle East, African gas projects are attracting unprecedented attention. The continent’s growing LNG export infrastructure and upstream gas developments are central to this shift. TotalEnergies and partners are expected to sanction the Venus oilfield development in Namibia’s Orange Basin in 2026, marking a significant deepwater investment in a relatively new African oil frontier. Strategic Export Infrastructure Expands Supply ChainsAfrican nations are also investing in export terminals, ports and processing infrastructure to capture more value from global supply diversification.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 12, 2026 10:52 UTC
Fed Chair Powell says he’s under criminal investigation, won’t bow to Trump intimidation
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said Trump’s “assault on the Fed’s independence continues,” adding that the president is threatening the strength and stability of the U.S. economy. “This is the kind of bullying that we’ve all come to expect from Donald Trump and his cronies. Anyone who is independent and doesn’t just fall in line behind Trump gets investigated,” Schumer said in a statement. “Jay Powell and the Fed aren’t the reason Trump’s economy and his poll numbers are in the toilet. If he’s looking for the person who caused that he should look in the mirror.”
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 12, 2026 08:37 UTC
Morocco to halt frozen Sardine exports from February 2026 amid domestic shortages
Morocco will halt the export of frozen sardines starting February 1, 2026, in a move aimed at safeguarding domestic food supplies and stabilizing prices for one of the country’s most widely consumed sources of protein. The suspension comes amid declining sardine stocks along Morocco’s Atlantic coast, which supports the world’s largest sardine fishery. Morocco’s sardine industry is a cornerstone of the country’s maritime economy. The decision to restrict exports highlights the tension between maintaining Morocco’s position in global markets and meeting domestic food demand. Several West and North African countries rely heavily on seafood exports for foreign exchange while simultaneously grappling with domestic food security pressures.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 12, 2026 08:25 UTC
The Cost Of Living Like A Billionaire Hit A New High In 2025
By the time the final gavel fell at last fall’s Keeneland Yearling September Sale, wealthy buyers had smashed through records at the world’s largest thoroughbred auction, spending $532 million on racehorses, driving up the average price of a yearling to nearly $650,000, the most ever and 23% more than 2024. A major reason for such largesse: among the tax breaks in President Trump’s sweeping One Big Beautiful Bill Act was a provision cementing the ability to write off 100% of a racehorse purchase in the first year of ownership. “[The bill] has been a big thing for a lot of people, to know that they can turn around and write off a substantial amount of what they’re spending, depending upon what the rest of their tax situation looks like,” says bloodstock editor at equestrian publication BloodHorse Eric Mitchell. “Over and over again, we heard that from people who were buying at the auction.”
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 12, 2026 04:25 UTC
Edmonds powers West Stokes past North Forsyth
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Source:The North Africa Journal
January 11, 2026 23:55 UTC
Amazigh North Africa: Beyond the “Maghreb” Concept
In-depth academic research reveals that North Africa is primarily built upon an ancient Amazigh foundation, whose recognition is crucial for understanding the region’s complex historical and identity-related dynamics. Archaeological and historical evidence attests to a continuous human presence in North Africa since prehistoric times. The Tamazight language, belonging to the Afro-Asiatic family, is part of this continuity and represents one of the major foundations of North African identity. The term Tamazgha is thus used to designate the Amazigh historical and cultural space that extends across all of North Africa. Its exclusive use can lead to a reductive interpretation of North African history, privileging the Arab-Islamic period at the expense of the millennia of Amazigh history that preceded it.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 11, 2026 22:52 UTC
The 5 most popular stories on Africa Private Equity News the past week
** For the best experience, download the free Africa Private Equity News app Android | iOS **A MESSAGE FROM OUR SUPPORTERSPwC: The shifting landscape of global capital marketsOpportunities for Africa today and tomorrow. Read moreHere are summaries of the five most widely read stories the past week on Africa Private Equity News. European LP commits $50m to DPI fundGerman development financier DEG has disclosed an investment of $50 million in African Development Partners IV, the fourth private equity fund managed by Development Partners International. The fund provides growth capital to mid-size companies across Africa in diverse industries such as healthcare, education, FMCG, retail, financial services, transport and logistics. Get Africa Private Equity News’ monthly Dealmaker’s Log – a database of reported investment deals, exits, and fundraising closes.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 11, 2026 17:44 UTC
Looking Ahead in 2026
As we move into 2026, we would like to extend our warm wishes to our readers, partners, contributors, and supporters around the world. We are grateful for your continued engagement with our work across The Chronicle and Fanack Water. As part of our planning for the year ahead, we are entering a period of strategic focus. At the same time, Fanack Water is actively seeking strategic partnerships to further expand its reach, impact, and collaborative work. We look forward to the year ahead and to continued dialogue with our community.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 11, 2026 16:21 UTC
Morocco’s dam reserves improve to 45% after heavy rains – The North Africa Post
Morocco’s dam reserves have risen to 45.2% of capacity after months of rainfall, offering the country rare relief following several years of severe water shortages, official data showed. Stored water volumes increased from 5.6 billion cubic meters to 7.6 billion m³ over four months, a gain of nearly 2 billion m³, driven mainly by a new precipitation cycle that began in late autumn. The Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah dam, which supplies the capital Rabat, climbed from 67% to 99%, while the Oued El Makhazine dam reached full capacity. The Al Massira reservoir, Morocco’s second largest and essential for irrigation in the Doukkala plain, increased from 3% to just 8%, holding 215 million m³, far below its designed capacity. Levels at Bin El Ouidane, Ahmed El Hansali and Mansour Eddahbi also remain concerning, reflecting uneven rainfall across the country.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 11, 2026 15:21 UTC
Salah scores and Egypt eliminates Ivory Coast to join Nigeria in Africa Cup semifinals :: WRALSportsFan.com
— RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Mohamed Salah scored and Egypt eliminated defending champion Ivory Coast to move into the Africa Cup of Nations semifinals after a 3-2 victory on Saturday. “We just fight for our country and hopefully we go through the next game as well," Salah said. Ivory Coast finally pulled one back in the 40th when Egypt defender Ahmed Fotouh bundled in a dangerous Yan Diomande free kick that Kossounou headed on. Victor Osimhen scored one goal and set up another for Nigeria to down Algeria 2-0 for its place in the semifinals. It would help make up for the disappointment of failing to qualify for the World Cup — in contrast to Algeria.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 11, 2026 13:51 UTC
Pop-up brings North Texas classic back to life
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Source:The North Africa Journal
January 11, 2026 12:22 UTC
Sandy Springs invites community to celebrate MLK Day
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Source:The North Africa Journal
January 11, 2026 11:40 UTC