Sergi López on 'Sirāt': A journey that makes you look inward
(Neon via AP)This image released by Neon shows, from left, Stefania Gadda, Joshua Liam Herderson, Richard Bellamy and Sergi López in a scene from the film "Sirat." (Neon via AP)This image released by Neon shows, from left, Stefania Gadda, Joshua Liam Herderson, Richard Bellamy and Sergi López in a scene from the film "Sirat." (Neon via AP)This image released by Neon shows, from left, Stefania Gadda, Joshua Liam Herderson, Richard Bellamy and Sergi López in a scene from the film "Sirat." “Drums of war, rumors of borders closing or armies moving,” the film’s star, Sergi López, said in a video interview with The Associated Press. “Oliver’s vision has a deeply spiritual quality to it,” López said about Laxe, the 41-year-old French-born Galician director.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 28, 2026 18:17 UTC
Morocco pushes long term gas strategy to stabilize its grid – The North Africa Post
Morocco is consolidating a long-term gas strategy as record Spanish imports and major LNG and pipeline tenders signal a shift from emergency arrangements to a structured national gas system designed to cut coal dependence, stabilize the grid and support industrial demand. The rise cemented Morocco as the second‑largest destination for Spanish gas re‑exports in 2025 with a 26% share, behind France at 35%. Officials say gas now complements intermittent solar and wind generation, reducing vulnerability to renewable fluctuations and enabling a smoother transition away from coal. A second tender targets a national gas pipeline corridor linking Nador West Med to the GME and extending to industrial hubs in Mohammedia and Kénitra. Morocco frames gas as a transition fuel crucial to lowering emissions as it pursues its climate goals.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 28, 2026 18:16 UTC
Navigating uncertainty: Africa’s trade prospects with the US
Read the full chapter on leveraging technology, trade, and integration. For instance, this year, exports from Eastern Africa to the U.S. were up to where they were in 2024. This alarm was compounded by the widespread perception that the United States remains one of Africa’s main export markets. Several recent studies have indeed been warning of a large-scale reduction in Africa’s exports to the U.S.—with particularly sharp declines in Africa’s clothing exports. South Africa’s automotive components and finished vehicles), existing evidence suggests that AGOA has encouraged little economic diversification of Africa’s exports.15
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 28, 2026 17:55 UTC
Tunisia-based Luca Pacioli becomes collaborating firm of Andersen
Andersen Global has expanded its footprint in North Africa through a collaboration agreement with Luca Pacioli, a professional services firm from Tunisia. Founded in 1986 by Mongi Ben Mahmoud and now led by Managing Partner Arcelin Ben Mahmoud, Luca Pacioli is tax, accounting, and corporate services firm with offices in Tunis and Sfax. Its clients are active in numerous sectors, including financial services, manufacturing, real estate, energy, and technology. “Just as Pacioli enlightened Da Vinci’s artistic endeavors, we are dedicated to illuminating our clients’ financial journeys,” said Arcelin Ben Mahmoud, managing partner of Luca Pacioli. “Our mission goes beyond traditional accounting and tax advisory – we are the architects of our clients’ financial success.”Through the collaboration with Andersen Global, Luca Pacioli will gain access to a global network of experts with a presence in 160+ countries.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 28, 2026 17:43 UTC
Heavy rainfall boosts Morocco’s dam filling rate to 54% – The North Africa Post
Morocco’s national dam filling rate rose to 54% on Jan. 27 as sustained rainfall pushed total water reserves to 9.049 billion cubic meters, nearly doubling year-on-year, according to official data published Tuesday. The current stock compares with 4.667 billion m³ a year earlier, when the filling rate stood at 27.7%, marking a 93.8% increase in stored water over 12 months. At Al Wahda, Morocco’s largest reservoir, storage rose from 2.413 billion m³ to 2.516 billion m³, lifting its filling rate from 68% to 71%. Al Massira, the country’s second‑largest but still far below comfortable levels, rose from 342 million m³ to 361 million m³, nudging its filling rate to 13%. Oued El Makhazine was at 100% filling rate, while Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah hit 99%.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 28, 2026 17:01 UTC
Daily Memo: Russia-India Ties, Putin’s Invitation
We are a global leader in geopolitical forecasting. We deliver cutting edge analysis and intelligence so you can stay ahead of the news. Unbiased analysis of global eventsDaily geopolitical briefingLong-term forecasts to help you prepare for the futureNo paid advertising - 100% subscriber-supportedLooking for group or institutional subscriptions? Get in touch for custom pricing.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 28, 2026 15:47 UTC
Property Finder raises $170M investment
Leading Dubai-based real estate marketplace Property Finder has announced a fresh investment of $170 million, led by Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investor Mubadala Investment Company. Other key investors include another UAE-based sovereign wealth fund ...
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 28, 2026 12:46 UTC
Stephenson Harwood awarded Legal Consultant of the Year at MESIA Awards 2026
International law firm Stephenson Harwood has been awarded “Legal Consultant of the Year” at the Middle East Solar Industry Association (“MESIA”) Awards 2026. Iwan Walters, Dubai-based Projects, Energy and Infrastructure Partner, commented, “We are delighted to have won the MESIA Legal Consultant of the Year award. This award reflects our teams technical ability to deliver on leading C&I solar projects in the MENA region. Founded in 2012, MESIA is a non-profit, non-governmental trade organization promoting the solar industry’s growth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The annual awards program celebrates the exceptional talent and achievements in the MENA solar market.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 28, 2026 12:22 UTC
Morocco’s tax revenue jump 15% in 2025-minister – The North Africa Post
Corporate tax led the surge, climbing 28.6% to 91.4 billion dirhams, up from 71.1 billion dirhams in 2024, reflecting stronger company results and the impact of recent fiscal reforms, he said. Value-added tax revenues rose to 97.7 billion dirhams, compared with 89.3 billion a year earlier. Income tax receipts increased 9.4% to 65.4 billion dirhams, despite the cost of an ongoing reform estimated at 8 billion dirhams, Lekjaa said. Between 2021 and 2025, Morocco’s tax revenues rose by 127 billion dirhams, representing an average annual increase of 12.4%, driven by restructuring measures and improved compliance. The government also allocated 4 billion dirhams to the national electricity and water utility and 5.5 billion dirhams to the livestock rebuilding program.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 28, 2026 11:11 UTC
Multotec awarded SACEEC Exporter of the Year
Multotec has been named Exporter of the Year by the South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC) securing both the overall Exporter of the Year title as well as the category award, recognising the company’s sustained export growth, commitment to local manufacturing, and ability to compete globally through innovation, quality, and skills development. According to SACEEC, the Exporter of the Year Award identifies companies that demonstrate sustained export growth, strategic market expansion, strong localisation, operational excellence and long-term international competitiveness, criteria against which Multotec consistently performed. “This acknowledgement shows how Multotec has grown its international footprint while keeping manufacturing, skills and value creation firmly rooted in South Africa. Export growth directly sustains local manufacturing capacity, supplier development, and skills retention within South Africa, reinforcing the company’s contribution to the local economy. “Winning the SACEEC Exporter of the Year Award acknowledges our people, innovation and contribution to South Africa’s export economy,” concludes Smit.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 28, 2026 10:19 UTC
High-impact wells: Africa will continue to drive global drilling activity in 2026
The upstream sector is set to carry strong momentum into 2026, with high-impact wildcat drilling activity expected to remain elevated following a solid 2025. Such activity in 2026 is expected to drive exploration momentum higher in specific basins and countries, with 42 such wells identified globally. Africa is set to continue leading global activity, accounting for around 40% of planned high-impact exploration wells, driven largely along the Atlantic margin, with exploration expected to focus on the Orange Basin in Southern Africa and the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, reinforcing the region’s role in global high-impact drilling. Aatisha Mahajan, Head of Exploration, Oil & Gas Research, Rystad EnergyLearn more with Rystad Energy’s Upstream solution. Outside Africa, Asia accounts for eight high-impact wells, led by Indonesia with four, followed by India and Malaysia with two each.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 28, 2026 07:47 UTC
Russia reportedly pulling forces out of bases in Syria's north-east
Russia has reportedly begun pulling out of positions in north-eastern Syria, moving to end its military presence in an area that is still under the control of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. SDF fighters at one base next to the Qamishli airport told journalists on Tuesday that the Russians had begun moving their equipment out in recent days. There has been no official statement from Russia about the withdrawal of its forces from Qamishli. Russia is expected to retain a presence at its air and naval bases on Syria’s Mediterranean coast. The Syrian interim president is due to meet with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Moscow on Wednesday.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 28, 2026 06:51 UTC
Daily Memo: Ukraine Peace Talks, Trade Uncertainty
We are a global leader in geopolitical forecasting. We deliver cutting edge analysis and intelligence so you can stay ahead of the news. Unbiased analysis of global eventsDaily geopolitical briefingLong-term forecasts to help you prepare for the futureNo paid advertising - 100% subscriber-supportedLooking for group or institutional subscriptions? Get in touch for custom pricing.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 28, 2026 03:56 UTC
Sicily, the Cultural Crossroad With a Rich Historical Heritage
Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe first major powers to stake a claim in Sicily were the Phoenicians and the Greeks. Carthage, a rising Phoenician power, and Syracuse, the jewel of Greek Sicily, became bitter opponents, frequently clashing over control. Sicily Becomes the Breadbasket of the Roman RepublicVilla Romana del Casale’s vivid mosaics offer a superb glimpse into aristocratic life during the height of Roman Sicily, photo by Jose Luis Bernardez Ribeiro. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe Roman Republic, the predecessor of the Roman Empire, seized Sicily from the Phoenicians during the First Punic War. From Devastation to Rebirth Under Spanish RuleNoto’s Baroque facades capture the artistic legacy of Spanish Sicily after the devastating 1693 earthquake, photo by gnuckx.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 28, 2026 00:05 UTC