How Netanyahu Undermined Israel’s Security
Netanyahu may have taken this approach further than any other Israeli leader but he is hardly an outlier. Benjamin Netanyahu, the longest serving Israeli Prime Minister, has made sidelining and ignoring Palestinian demands for freedom and dignity his mantra and legacy. Instead of investing in a strategic vision for solving its conflict with the Palestinians, Israel has invested its strategic energy into consolidating more military might and control. Even before Hamas’s surprise attack, 2023 was already the deadliest year for both Israelis and Palestinians in over 20 years. Some Israelis, shaken by trauma and helplessness, have called on their government to recognize the common humanity of those on the other side of Gaza’s security walls.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 12, 2023 09:21 UTC
Ferid Belhaj, vice-president, Middle East and north Africa, World Bank – View from IMF 2023
The World Bank’s VP for the MENA region talks to John Everington about how 2023’s gloomier economic outlook belies progress made on diversification, the importance of boosting female participation across the region, and priorities for Morocco’s economy.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 12, 2023 08:01 UTC
Drogba, Mikel, Mane and Hakimi named as star-studded Draw Assistants for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 Final Draw
A heavyweight quartet of Africa’s biggest current and former football superstars, Didier Drogba, Mikel Obi, Sadio Mane and Achraf Hakimi, will support the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as Draw Assistants for the Final Draw of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023. The draw will start at 19h00 local time/GMT (21h00 CAT, 22h00 Cairo) and will be live on CAF TV (YouTube). The Final Draw will be beamed in over 50 countries, with millions of viewers expected to tune in to the event on CAF’s Official YouTube channel, as well as across CAF’s Global TV partners. Drogba scored 11 goals in 24 AFCON games for the Elephants and helped Cote d’Ivoire to two AFCON cup finals in 2006 and 2012. Mane is Senegal’s all-time leading scorer with 38 international goals and has scored eight goals in 18 AFCON games for the Teranga Lions.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 12, 2023 08:01 UTC
Clarivate Report Finds Significant Adoption of AI in IP
Different roles within the IP practice and geographies significantly diverge in their attitudes towards AILondon, U.K. October 12, 2023. The report explores the effects the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) will have on IP law, practice and processes, and the legal sector. According to the survey conducted by Clarivate, IP practitioners are seeing significant adoption of AI in their field. Gordon Samson, President, Intellectual Property, Clarivate, said: “At Clarivate, we are confident that AI will add value to the IP lifecycle. Attorneys and law firms are the least comfortable with AI adoption, while non-attorneys, executives, and, most significantly, R&D respondents are more comfortable embracing AI.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 12, 2023 07:03 UTC
Ayra Starr Releases New Video “Rhythm & Blues”
Ayra Starr, the dynamic force propelling the global ascent of Afrobeats, is a testament to the transformative power of talent and determination. In 2022, Ayra Starr soared to new heights with the release of "Rush," a track that quickly became an anthem, amassing over 800 million global streams. Building on her prior successes, Ayra Starr continues to redefine Afrobeats with her latest offering, "Rhythm & Blues." The accompanying music video, released today, promises to be yet another visual masterpiece that enhances the storytelling of her music. As Ayra Starr embarks on her inaugural headline tour, the "21: The World Tour," she is poised to take her electrifying performances and captivating stage presence to audiences across North America, Africa, Australia, and Europe.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 12, 2023 05:42 UTC
Oil, gas … How will the Hamas-Israel war affect Africa?
Less than 48 hours after Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel on 7 October, the price of a barrel of Brent and its American equivalent, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), increased by almost 5%, for deliveries in November and December, while the price of gas jumped 12%. 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
October 11, 2023 21:31 UTC
MENA carbon market likely to reach around 150m tons by 2030
RIYADH: Expressing her optimism about the prospects of voluntary carbon credits, the CEO of Regional Voluntary Carbon Market Co. expects a positive response from the Middle East and North Africa region, with the market set to reach 100-150 million tons by 2030. Other companies that participated in the auction included Golf Saudi, Saudi telecom giant stc, Saudi Electricity Co., and the Saudi National Bank. The company, which allows carbon emitters to offset their emissions by purchasing carbon credits, seeks to be a global leader in the carbon market. “Not only serving the Saudi market or even the MENA region, we want to be a global market and we can do that,” she noted. “What we provide is very different than a typical carbon market because we look at it holistically from an ecosystem perspective,” ElGizy said.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 11, 2023 20:37 UTC
Africa's total exports expected to hit close to USD1 trillion by 2035, Standard Chartered report reveals
Sunil Kaushal, Regional CEO, Standard Chartered Africa Middle EastRising regional trade levels and greater connectivity will unlock high–growth corridors across Africa and beyond. Intra-Africa trade is expected to reach USD 140 bn by 2035, equating to 15 pe rcent of Africa's total exports. For over 150 years, Standard Chartered has supported Africa's growth and progress, actively contributing to the continent's infrastructure development and economic advancement. Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges. [1] https://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/october-2022/afcfta%E2%80%99s-guided-trade-initiative-takes-set-ease-and-boost-intra-african-tradePhoto - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2244434/Sunil_Kaushal.jpgSOURCE Standard Chartered
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 11, 2023 20:22 UTC
Sahara: UN Security Council starts closed-door briefings & consultations – The North Africa Post
The UN Security Council holds this Wednesday in New York a closed-door meeting on the MINURSO, whose mandate expires on October 31. Ivanko’s briefing comes following the draft report submitted to the Security Council by UN Chief Antonio Guterres on the Sahara. On October 16, UN Sahara Envoy Staffan De Mistura is expected to brief the Council on his efforts to advance the UN-led political process for the resolution of the Sahara regional conflict. The trip has enabled the UN Sahara envoy to see the tangible economic and social progress as well as the local democratic governance and inclusive development prevailing in the Sahara provinces. On September 8, De Mistura met Morocco’s foreign minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 11, 2023 20:14 UTC
Sudan’s Iranian Rapprochement Gives Control Of The Red Sea To BRICS
The move essentially passes control of the entire Red Sea and Suez Canal shipping to the BRICS and BRICS-friendly nations. Sudan & BRICS RelationsThere are other links that solidify the relationship between Sudan and the BRICS. Sudan’s top five export markets are 100% BRICS – China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, India, and the UAE. Interestingly, the LAS also includes observer nations Brazil and India, both also BRICS members, and Eritrea, an additional Red Sea nation. This trend of relocating manufacturing to the African Red Sea nations is already happening.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 11, 2023 20:06 UTC
Vodacom's virtual wheeling project ups its renewable energy push
Vodacom South Africa estimates that it will move at least 30% of its power demands onto renewable energy sources. The announcement this week follows the mobile telecommunications company’s announcement in August that it had reached a virtual wheeling agreement with Eskom. Virtual wheeling in the renewable energy spaceMonde Bala, Eskom’s Distribution Group Executive said virtual wheeling allows industrial and commercial customers connected to either Eskom or municipal networks to buy electricity directly from IPPs. “Virtual wheeling does not require changes to existing Electricity Supply Agreements (ESAs) and is not limited by municipalities that do not have wheeling frameworks. Virtual wheeling by Eskom 101NBI CEO, Shameela Soobramoney, said virtual wheeling effectively enables the transmission of renewable energy across different parts of the grid in a practical and accessible way.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 11, 2023 20:00 UTC
“Dialogue between global south and global north should be continued and nurtured”
October 11, 2023 10:04 pm | Updated 11:38 pm IST - THIRUVANANTHAPURAMErika Kraemer-Mbula, President, Globelics, and Professor of Economics at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, on Wednesday called for continuing and nurturing the dialogue between the global south and the global north on vital issues. (The terms ‘global south’ and ‘global north’ refers, respectively, to developing and developed nations of the world.) Knowledge, innovation and building competence play vital roles in developing economies and societies and for ensuring a more equitable and sustainable future, she said. In a fast-changing environment, Globelics has managed to remain a beacon of academic knowledge and leadership, bringing together scholars and policy makers to navigate and think about complex issues, according to the Globelics president. The core themes of knowledge, innovation and providing a platform for dialogue between the north and the south on which the network was founded make it all the more relevant today in the light of new global challenges, she said.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 11, 2023 19:39 UTC
New construction-tech incubator launched in Egypt
VC firms Dar Ventures and Acasia Group have joined forces to launch the DarE Incubator in Egypt, aimed at advancing the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. The two organisations have launched the DarE Incubator, a six-month programme operated by Acasia Group that empowers AEC tech founders with up to US$50,000 in equity-free funding and a comprehensive toolkit to jumpstart their startups. The incubator was launched at an event held at Founders Spaces in Cairo, attended by a group of over 50 guests and critical players in the entrepreneurship ecosystem and AEC startup space. Recognising this, we are excited to lead the charge in transforming the industry by fostering entrepreneurship and tech innovation right here in Egypt and across the MENA region,” said Zeina Mandour, venture investments manager at Dar Ventures. The DarE Incubator has opened its application for its first cohort, with interested parties invited to apply here.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 11, 2023 18:59 UTC
Moody's downgrades five Egyptian banks by one notch - note
CAIRO - Moody's downgraded five Egyptian banks, including the largest private bank, after it downgraded the country's sovereign rating over its worsening debt affordability. The agency set National Bank of Egypt, Banque Misr, Banque Du Caire and Commercial International Bank to CAA1 from B3, Moody's said in an investor note seen by Reuters on Wednesday. Bank of Alexandria was downgraded to B3 from B2. (Reporting by Nadine Awadalla and Patrick Werr, Editing by Louise Heavens)
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 11, 2023 18:43 UTC
Vivos Therapeutics secures Middle East-North Africa distribution deal and Stanford study
(via NewsDirect)Vivos Therapeutics CEO Kirk Huntsman joined Steve Darling from Proactive to share an exciting development for the company. Huntsman elaborated on the significance of this partnership, highlighting how it addresses the growing demand for effective treatment alternatives to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) for individuals suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. With this agreement, NOUM has been granted exclusive distribution rights for Vivos' innovative products and services in several key countries in the MENA region. Huntsman also revealed to Proactive that the company's flagship daytime-nighttime appliance or DNA will undergo a clinical trial at Stanford Medicine. This clinical trial represents a significant milestone for Huntsman and Vivos as it provides an opportunity to validate the efficacy of their DNA appliance in addressing OSA, a serious and widespread sleep disorder.
Source:The North Africa Journal
October 11, 2023 17:51 UTC