Beijing to revive Tazara railway as EU, US seek to challenge China’s dominance in key African trade corridor – The North Africa Post
China is reportedly on track to control the ailing African Tazara railway connecting Tanzania and Zambia, originally funded by Mao Zedong’s government in the 1970s, despite geopolitical needling over control of mineral trade routes. Amid growing geopolitical tensions over the control of trading routes for critical minerals in Africa, China has chosen the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) to negotiate a concession to operate the Tanzania-Zambia Railway line. Once upgraded, it will provide a key transport route for critical minerals used in the production of batteries for electric vehicles. They will also develop the Lobito transport corridor, which will connect inland southern DRC and northwest Zambia to regional and global trade markets via the Angolan port city. Washington is studying a US$250 million financing package to build a key transport corridor in southern Africa aimed at securing access to critical minerals like copper and cobalt used in electronics and batteries for electric vehicles.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 17, 2023 03:38 UTC
Ethiopia’s imperial ambitions, inspired by Russia, China, leave neighbors uneasy — experts – The North Africa Post
When Ethiopia’s prime minister asserted on 13 October that gaining low-cost, permanent access to a Red Sea port is “an existential matter” for his landlocked country, his seeming imperial ambitions have left neighbors uneasy. “What I wanted to talk to you today is regarding water; regarding the Red Sea Water. We can see that only a narrow strip of land separates us from the sea. The comment has spawned resentment amongst Ethiopia’s neighbors, with Eritrea saying the commentary was “excessive and perplexing to all concerned observers,” according to a statement published by Eritrea’s Information Ministry. Ethiopia’s dreams of building a ‘great power’ in the region should worry all Africans, experts say.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 17, 2023 02:56 UTC
Africa’s growing diplomatic backlash against ‘Israeli apartheid’ amid US’ Gaza-Ukraine hypocrisy – The North Africa Post
Meanwhile, as an increasing number of countries are breaking or at least downgrading ties with Israel, further alienating the Global South — including Africa — is high on the US’ list of the many diplomatic risks Washington is facing amid the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza. “Meanwhile, amid both the Ukraine war and the crisis in Gaza, some Africans feel that the continent’s own conflicts and tragedies have been ignored, a dynamic that veteran observers have warned about as well,” Thurston argues. Unlike the more distant war in Ukraine, the situation of Palestine evokes numerous solidarities all across Africa: ethnic, religious, political, and more. Those solidarities are growing amid the present conflict, undoing some of Israel’s diplomatic gains and posing long-term challenges to Washington’s own diplomatic clout. To that end, Washington may thus find it increasingly difficult to convince African leaders and the public that the US represents a particular set of universal values, Thurston concludes.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 17, 2023 02:49 UTC
How the latest packaging solutions help citrus packaging companies improve their profitability
TOMRA Food is a world leader in the manufacture of optical sorting and calibration machines for the food sector. In the citrus sector, TOMRA solutions are already being used in the US, Europe, Australia, South Africa, North Africa, South America, and Asia. Spectrim is the world's most powerful fresh produce calibration platform, featuring uniform lighting, powerful imaging, two infrared waves, and machine learning. The TOMRA 5S Advanced sorting platform is the system that handles the product in the most careful way within the industry. Another innovative technical solution is the TOMRA Insight cloud-based data platform, which turns the sorting machines into the sorting and packaging operations' digital epicenter.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 17, 2023 01:17 UTC
Chinese scientists announce plans to increase cassava production in Africa
Chinese scientists from the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) have unveiled plans to enhance cassava cultivation in Africa, where cassava is a crucial source of food. The action plan aims to introduce new cassava varieties and advanced farming techniques to more than 500,000 hectares of land in African countries. According to Xie Jianghui, vice head of CATAS, the implementation of improved varieties and techniques is anticipated to increase cassava yields to over 17 tonnes per hectare. CATAS plans to collaborate with countries such as Nigeria, Mozambique, and the Republic of the Congo to develop better cassava varieties, enhance cultivation techniques, and advance mechanization on cassava farms. The initiative seeks to contribute to food security, improve agricultural practices, and boost the economies of the involved African nations.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 17, 2023 01:15 UTC
Australia beats South Africa in thriller to set up Cricket World Cup final against India and Kohli
Australia beats South Africa in thriller to set up Cricket World Cup final against India and Kohli Nov 16, 2023 | 10:52 AMKOLKATA, India (AP) — Australia will play Virat Kohli and India for the Cricket World Cup trophy after beating South Africa by three wickets in a semifinal thriller on Thursday. After restricting the South Africans to 212, Australia eked its way to 215-7 to win with 16 balls to spare in a tense atmosphere inside Eden Gardens. Australia will be bidding to win the 50-over World Cup for a record-extending sixth time, while host nation India is seeking a third title. The championship match is in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 16, 2023 22:54 UTC
Palestine-aligned cyberespionage actor shifts infection chain tactics
Researchers warn that a cyberespionage actor that targets government entities in the Middle East and North Africa and is generally aligned with Palestinian interests has changed its infection chain tactics three times in recent months. The group is known for targeting a very small number of organizations in every campaign to deliver a custom malware implant dubbed IronWind. In previous campaigns observed during 2021 and 2022, the group’s phishing emails contained links that took users through a redirect script that checked their IP address location. In new campaigns seen in July attackers included links in their emails that directed victims to download a malicious Microsoft PowerPoint add-in (PPAM) file from Dropbox. In October the group shifted delivery tactics again and included malicious RAR attachments instead of XLL, while the lure was changed to “Report and Recommendations of the 110th Session on the War on Gaza."
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 16, 2023 22:27 UTC
Cellulant Obtains Approval to Expand Services to Egypt
Fintech company Cellulant has obtained initial approval to operate as a Payment Service Provider and Payment Facilitator in Egypt. We are excited to successfully secure these licences and solidify our operations in Egypt, making our payment solutions accessible to the regional and global businesses operating in and getting into Egypt,” Ahmed Marwan, Cellulant’s General Manager for Egypt and North Africa, said. Customers are expanding their purchase methods, necessitating businesses to expand their payment methods to alternative and locally relevant ones. According to the company, it currently powers payments for over 2000 businesses, processing 20 million monthly transactions valued at about $1bn. CBK Grants Cellulant a Payment Service Authorization – Kenyan Wallstreet
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 16, 2023 21:49 UTC
Cellulant Expands Operations To Middle East and North Africa With New Egypt payment Licenses
Payments fintech company Cellulant has today announced that it has obtained the initial approval as a Payment Service Provider and Payment Facilitator in Egypt. By The NumbersAdding these licences strengthens Cellulant’s operations in Africa, where it has the most comprehensive payment infrastructure, integrating over 370 payment methods, operating in 35 markets with licences and physical offices in 19 countries. Customers are expanding their purchase methods, necessitating businesses to expand their payment methods to alternative and locally relevant ones. “More importantly, we’re committed to intensifying our efforts to provide reliable payment options for businesses in the region. We’re excited to successfully secure these licences and solidify our operations in Egypt, making our payment solutions accessible to the regional and global businesses operating in and getting into Egypt.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 16, 2023 20:56 UTC
A Need to Bolster One Opposition Candidate for DRC Election
Representatives of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s main opposition parties began talks this week in Pretoria to decide on a potential joint candidate to challenge President Felix Tshisekedi in the December 20 general election. The electoral commission has approved a list of 25 candidates to face Tshisekedi who is seeking a second five-year term. Opposition candidates include Tshisekedi’s old rivals such as Martin Fayulu, a 66-year-old former oil executive who came second in the disputed 2018 presidential vote which he claimed to have won, and first-timers such as Congo’s renowned Nobel Peace Prize-winning gynaecologist Denis Mukwege. Moise Katumbi, the former governor of mineral-rich Katanga province and chairman of football club TP Mazembe is also in the running. SOURCE: AL JAZEERA
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 16, 2023 19:34 UTC
Malawi’s President Makes Tough Financial Decisions
President Lazarus Chakwera has suspended with immediate effect all international travel involving himself and all government officials. He has also ordered all ministers currently outside the country to return home. Speaking in a televised address on Wednesday night, he also announced restrictions on local travel and reduction by half of fuel allocation to cabinet ministers and senior government officials. The measures will be in place until the end of the financial year in March 2024. The president asked the minister of finance to make provisions for a reasonable wage increase for all civil servants in the next budget review.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 16, 2023 19:34 UTC
Payments giant Cellulant expands Middle East and North Africa operations with new Egypt payment licenses
Leading payments fintech company Cellulant (www.Cellulant.io) has today announced that it has obtained the initial approval as a Payment Service Provider and Payment Facilitator in Egypt. Adding these licences strengthens Cellulant’s operations in Africa, where it has the most comprehensive payment infrastructure, integrating over 370 payment methods, operating in 35 markets with licences and physical offices in 19 countries. Customers are expanding their purchase methods, necessitating businesses to expand their payment methods to alternative and locally relevant ones. We’re excited to successfully secure these licences and solidify our operations in Egypt, making our payment solutions accessible to the regional and global businesses operating in and getting into Egypt. The company powers payments for global brands in various sectors, such as Airlines, Telecoms, E-commerce, Ride-Hailing, Retail and Remittances.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 16, 2023 19:31 UTC
Madagascar Heads to the Polls in an Election Boycotted by the Opposition
Roland Ratsiraka, a prominent opposition candidate, emphasized that the necessary conditions for a transparent and widely accepted presidential election have not been met. His brief statement underscores the opposition’s scepticism about the integrity of the electoral process. Hajo Andrianainarivelo, another opposition candidate, clarified that their objection is not a complete boycott of the elections, as they are active participants as candidates. However, he expressed dissatisfaction with the November 16 date, asserting that the election, as currently planned, falls short of meeting the necessary standards. Ten out of 12 opposition candidates in Madagascar on Tuesday called on voters to shun a presidential election scheduled for Thursday, amid concerns about the vote’s regularity.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 16, 2023 19:29 UTC
Dakhla: Falcon Capital Dakhla inks construction of green hydrogen production plant with French HDF Energy – The North Africa Post
Moroccan utility system construction company ‘Falcon Capital Dakhla’ has signed a partnership deal with French HDF Energy to build a green hydrogen production plant for a total investment of $2 billion in the kingdom coastal region of Dakhla. The deal was signed by Majid Slimani, founder and president of ‘Falcon Capital Dakhla’ and Damien Havard, Chief Executive Officer of the French company. Damien Havard argued that the partnership deal represents the perfect synergy between two complementary entities, enabling Morocco to produce some of the most competitive green hydrogen in the world. The French company, founded in 2012, is a pioneer in large-scale green hydrogen infrastructure and high-power fuel cells. The company announced in October 2023 during the Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi (Kenya) the commencement of development studies for the first green hydrogen power plant in the eastern African country.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 16, 2023 18:19 UTC
IMF approves Sh142.7bn loan to Kenya
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced on Thursday that it had reached an agreement on a $938 million (€864 million) loan for Kenya, an East African country facing liquidity problems and economic difficulties. Kenya is under pressure "on its liquid assets, mainly due to the large Eurobond maturing" in June 2024 in the amount of $2 billion, according to the IMF, which notes, however, a recovery in the agriculture and tourism sectors. William Ruto announced that the country would repay a first tranche of $300 million in December. If approved, Kenya will have immediate access to $682 million, according to the financial institution. The cost of servicing the country's public debt, mainly to China, has risen sharply with the collapse of the currency.
Source:The North Africa Journal
November 16, 2023 16:56 UTC