Fintech takes knocks, but remains out front in midst of African tech’s “funding winter”
African fintech startup funding fell by one-third in an extremely difficult 2023, but the sector remains way out in front as the investor favourite within the wider African tech space. After bucking global trends in a record-breaking 2022, African tech saw a reset of sorts in 2023, as the global capital shortage began to bite. The number of funded ventures, and the total funding raised, declined for the first time since 2016, though not as dramatically as many had feared. Essentially, the fall in fintech funding mirrored that of the general market, meaning there were plenty of sectors that suffered more badly. Nine sectors saw larger percentage drops in total funding, including, in the case of e-commerce and retail-tech, its traditionally largest competitor, which saw the biggest decline of all at almost 80 per cent.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2024 06:19 UTC
Morocco hands over PA-UfM Presidency to Spain – The North Africa Post
Spain took over from Morocco the rotating presidency of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM) for a one-year term. During the handover, Francina Armengol, President of the Congress of Deputies of Spain and Vice-President of the PA-UfM, commended Morocco’s efforts during its presidency and for hosting the 17th session. She noted that Spain, like Morocco, would share its expertise in this area with all Euro-Mediterranean countries, to promote justice, economic prosperity, and social cohesion in the region. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean is a platform that promotes Mediterranean dialogue and cooperation. Permanent observers to the Assembly include the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union, Libya, the European Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2024 18:51 UTC
The four big clashes of the African Union heads of state summit
AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat said that over his past seven years at the helm, he has noticed “a decline in the beautiful spirit of African solidarity and pan-Africanism, the soul of our renaissance” daily. There's more to this story Get unlimited access to our exclusive journalism and features today. Our award-winning team of correspondents and editors report from over 54 African countries, from Cape Town to Cairo, from Abidjan to Abuja to Addis Ababa. Subscribe Now cancel anytime Already a a subscriber Sign In
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2024 15:53 UTC
NYT's The Mini crossword answers for February 18
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe. With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it. If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered. Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024:AcrossNorth Africa's ___ MountainsThe answer is Atlas.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2024 15:41 UTC
Africa dominates list of the world’s 20 fastest-growing economies in 2024—African Development Bank says in macroeconomic report
Africa will account for eleven of the world’s 20 fastest-growing economies in 2024, the African Development Bank Group said in its latest Macroeconomic Performance and Outlook (MEO) of the continent released on Friday. The MEO report provides an up-to-date evidence-based assessment of the continent’s recent macroeconomic performance and short-to-medium-term outlook amid dynamic global economic developments. 2024 Macroeconomic Performance and Outlook (https://apo-opa.co/3UHdVhm)President Adesina’s speech (https://apo-opa.co/49H7oaV)Pictures (https://apo-opa.co/48jUVZu)Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB). Media Contact:Emeka AnuforoCommunication and External Relations Departmentmedia@afdb.orgAbout the African Development Bank Group:The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF).
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2024 14:19 UTC
Lake Billy Chinook pumping project moves forward as North Unit tries to overcome water shortage
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Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2024 13:33 UTC
Sahara: Dublin Does Not Recognize Self-Proclaimed SADR, a Slap in the Face of Polisario and Algerian Junta – The North Africa Post
The Irish diplomacy has affirmed that it does NOT recognize the self-proclaimed SADR, dealing another hard blow to the Algerian regime and its Polisario puppet, becoming a liability and persona non-grata worldwide. Both the Algerian junta and the Polisario have been ridiculed for falsely labeling a private visit paid lately by Polisario chief to Dublin as an official visit to the Republic of Ireland for geopolitical gains. “Ireland does NOT recognize SADR. In a brief statement, the Irish presidency also said: “President Michael D. Higgins receives Brahim Ghali, secretary-general of Polisario, on a courtesy call”. Yet, the Algerian regime and Polisario media outlets tried to deceive their public opinion, reporting a diplomatic achievement in a bid to divert attention from worsening socioeconomic crises in Tindouf camps and Algeria.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2024 13:12 UTC
UPDATE 3-Fighting, fuel shortages knock out Gaza’s second-largest hospital
The Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis still sheltered scores of patients suffering from war wounds and Gaza’s worsening health crisis, but there was no power and not enough staff to treat them all, health officials said. “It’s gone completely out of service,” Gaza health ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qidra told Reuters.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2024 12:53 UTC
Ghana: Fostering community readiness to respond to public health emergencies in Ghana
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of communities as foundational bedrock for dealing with public health emergencies. Countries need to regularly assess their operational readiness of preparedness activities, especially at the community level to detect and respond to outbreaks of epidemic and pandemic potential more effectively. The community readiness simulation exercise was aimed at enabling stakeholders to identify strengths, gaps and reflect on priorities that will help strengthen communities’ readiness, working with the health workforce to detect, notify and respond to public health threats before they escalate. Participants were taken through a series of scenarios designed to assess community readiness to possible health outbreaks. The outcome will provide useful information to inform the WHO Community Readiness Checklist, including transferable lessons for other communities and countries.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2024 11:31 UTC
South Africa v. Israel: Killer Administration Gets Off Easy
On January 26, 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a preliminary ruling in the case of South Africa v. Israel. The Israeli military is organized into a command organization; Israeli troops and pilots carried out the illegal orders given by the Netanyahu administration. The next day, on February 13, South Africa requested the ICJ examine if more emergency measures are necessary to safeguard Palestinians. The central question in South Africa’s case — whether or not there has been genocide in Gaza — has not yet been decided by the court. This means that while there are hollow and vacuous accusations made against the State of Israel, Netanyahu’s genocide remains essentially unaffected.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2024 10:16 UTC
Can Africa profit from Red Sea crisis? – DW – 02
Cai Nebe02/17/2024 February 17, 2024Global shipping companies are diverting valuable cargo around the African continent to avoid Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. But can coastal African nations seize the opportunity presented by the extra merchant traffic?
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2024 05:35 UTC
How Hunan's new African trade hub could help landlocked Chinese province 'catch up' with coastal powerhouses
Jiang said the China-Africa Deep Economic and Trade Cooperation Pioneer Zone's six centres would be built around three themes - innovation, economic and trade cooperation, and industrial chains - with a conference centre or meeting venue. By 2027, the zone is expected to be "a significant international platform for opening up and cooperation with Africa", Hunan authorities said. The African trade hub is part of Beijing's plan to encourage economic growth in landlocked provinces. However, Hunan's economic and trade cooperation with Africa has grown 23.1 per cent annually on average over the past three years. Photo: Reuters alt=Employees work at a Sany Heavy Industry factory in Changsha, Hunan province in 2019.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 18, 2024 00:05 UTC