Morocco and Pakistan have agreed to strengthen their military cooperation, mainly in training, joint drills, cyber-security, defense industry and military health. The two countries also agreed on the exchange of experience & expertise and other fields of mutual interest under a MoU sealed Tuesday in Rabat during the visit Pakistan’s Defense minister Muhammad Asif Khawaja is paying to Morocco. During the meeting, the two officials stressed the importance of partnership between the two countries and discussed ways of fostering military cooperation focusing on areas of mutual interest. Morocco is diversifying its international partners in developing its own defense industrial ecosystem which is expanding. Morocco’s Private-Public Partnership (PPP) formula is attracting a growing number of military contractors and investors from U.S., Europe, Latin America and Asia.

Rising energy demand and expanding production are sharpening focus on Africa’s energy distribution infrastructure, much of which still relies on road transport rather than fixed pipeline networks. Oil and gas production and fuel imports are largely coastal, while major demand centers and industrial hubs sit inland. The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), a 1,443-kilometer system linking Uganda’s Lake Albert oilfields to Tanzania’s port of Tanga, is one of the most significant. Further west, the proposed Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline represents a more ambitious vision. Building that connectivity will be central to delivering affordable energy, industrial expansion and long-term resilience – objectives that AEW 2026 will continue to place at the forefront of the continental energy agenda.

TranscriptIn the energy sector, the European Union has two objectives: to continue the low-carbon transition in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and to increase its energy sovereignty in a context of rising geopolitical tensions. At first sight, these objectives are convergent, since lower dependence on hydrocarbon imports improves energy sovereignty. The trade war between the United States and China is disrupting the clean tech value chain. For example, by keeping the role of gas as a transition energy or by increasing the need for significant investments in electricity storage capacities. It will be a key factor in further progress of low-carbon transition and energy sovereignty.

Imran Akram, IA Cement, summarises the Cement 2026 research report, which analyses the global demand trends and economic forces set to shape global cement markets in 2026. The Cement 2026 research report, published by IA Cement in London, is a comprehensive document looking at expected trends in 2026. Spanish cement has been the regional star performer in 2025, with strong housing growth expected to boost cement demand again in 2026. Prospects for 2026 indicate a mild recovery in cement demand. Malaysia is expected to report solid cement demand growth in 2026, although the pace may slow slightly from recent years.

This involves supplying advanced gas turbine technology for Qatar's Facility E Independent Water and Power Project (IWPP). The project will be powered by Mitsubishi Power's cutting-edge M701JAC gas turbines, renowned for their reliability, efficiency, and hydrogen readiness. With a flexible operating profile and the ability to co-fire hydrogen, these turbines will play a crucial role in stabilizing Qatar's electricity power grid. The Facility E IWPP project is a significant step in addressing Qatar's rising energy demand while ensuring the stability and resilience of its power grid. The Facility E project is expected to begin operations in 2028, significantly contributing to Qatar's energy security and helping the country achieve its strategic sustainability and growth objectives.

Despite an international environment marked by weakening external demand and tightening European regulatory constraints, the national economy demonstrates resilience, driven primarily by internal engines. The High Commission attributes the slight growth acceleration essentially to strong performance in agricultural and tertiary activities, with combined contributions reaching 2.9 percentage points. Services, particularly non-market services, tourism, transportation, and leisure, continue supporting economic activity. Moderate European demand, rising American customs duties, and intensifying Chinese competition continue weighing on Moroccan exports. Meanwhile, inflation continued its decline for the third consecutive quarter, reaching -0.1% in the fourth quarter 2025 due to falling food and energy prices.

This is their second meeting in an AFCON semi-final. At the 2000 AFCON, Egypt defeated Senegal 1–0 in a group match, while two years later, in 2002, Senegal exacted revenge with a 1–0 victory. Egypt won the first leg 1–0 in Cairo on 25 March 2022 through a fourth-minute own goal by Saliou Cissé. Senegal won the second leg 1–0 in Dakar on 29 March 2022, with Boulaye Dia scoring the only goal in the fourth minute. Coach Pape Thiaw was at the helm when Senegal won the 2022 CHAN tournament, defeating Madagascar 1–0 in the semi-final.

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The High Commission for Planning reports that inflation continued its downward trajectory for the third consecutive quarter, reaching -0.1% in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to 2% at year’s beginning. This reversal resulted from a 0.7% contraction in food prices combined with a 0.4% increase in non-food products. The sharp food inflation retreat was driven by significant olive oil price decreases, facilitated by an abundant national harvest, alongside falling meat prices. This favorable inflation environment provides Moroccan monetary authorities with greater flexibility in managing economic policy while supporting household purchasing power recovery. However, pockets of price pressure in fresh products and imported commodities like coffee indicate that localized inflationary forces persist despite the overall downward trend in price growth.

Still, Wood Mackenzie has predicted that operators will continue to add strategic, new growth opportunities in several regions across the globe. To wit, the Middle East and North Africa are slated to add at least 20 billion barrels of oil equivalent through the 2030s through licensing rounds and contract negotiations. The move aligns with Libya's goal to reach 2 million barrels per day (bpd) production, a level near pre-2011 crisis output. This initiative is seen as a landmark moment, opening a significant, resource-rich market to international energy companies. This is a major offshore oil and gas find by Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) east of Failaka Island, containing estimated reserves of 2.1 billion barrels of light oil and 5.1 trillion cubic feet of gas (about 3.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent).

Morocco and the African Development Bank are consolidating their partnership following high-level discussions in Abidjan that showcased significant Moroccan participation. Finance and Economy Minister Nadia Fettah attended the inaugural Strategic Dialogue of the African Development Bank, a premier platform for exchanges among African decision-makers, particularly finance and economy ministers. The first edition focused on domestic resource mobilization, bringing together fifteen African countries to share best practices and ongoing reforms in this strategic domain. The minister highlighted Morocco’s progressive reform approach covering major state taxes including income tax, corporate tax, and value-added tax. Regarding the AfDB’s role in promoting best practices for resource mobilization, Fettah stressed its vocation as an aggregator and catalyst for initiatives already launched continentally under African tax and customs administrations’ supervision.

As a politically and financially independent nonprofit organization, Greenpeace MENA is part of the global Greenpeace network, comprising 27 independent national and regional organizations across 56 countries. As part of its organizational development and Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Safety (JEDIS) commitments, Greenpeace MENA is embarking on an internal decolonization journey. Purpose of the ConsultancyGreenpeace MENA is seeking a short-term consultant to provide technical expertise and facilitation support to co-lead the implementation of this decolonization initiative. Co-design and deliver learning and reflection processes that strengthen staff understanding of decolonization and its practical implications for Greenpeace MENA’s work. Exact dates will be agreed upon with Greenpeace MENA.

Nigeria’s government is reportedly poised to pass a law designed to regulate AI, giving the country’s lawmakers power over data, algorithms and digital platforms. The regulation will take aim at “higher-risk” AI systems, particularly those used in fields such as finance, surveillance and public administration. Abdullahi also said it would make Nigeria one of the first countries in Africa to adopt nation-wide regulation on AI, noting that other countries like Egypt, Mauritius and Benin have AI strategies, but not legislation. SubscribeContain bad actorsAs part of the law, Nigerian lawmakers will be given the power to demand information, suspend or restrict AI systems that are deemed unsafe or non-compliant and introduce controlled environments for testing under supervision. Abdullahi explained the country was taking steps to ensure AI being built in the country was within its guardrails.

As 2026 stretches out before you, a world of travel possibilities awaits. Whether you have long been planning a landmark trip to a destination off the beaten track, or you’re looking for an exceptional villa for a family gathering, the companies and destinations featured here offer plenty of rich inspiration. From exploring China with an expert guide or staying in an ice cube-shaped home with your own sauna and stunning views of the Nordic wilds, to a luxury escape amid the vineyards of Provence or five-star R&R on the Med – there’s so much here to have you reaching for your passport. So, whether it’s a city break in a beautifully preserved 19th-century Belgian post office or a golf and spa stay in north Africa, surely the only question is: “How soon can we go?”

The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks the international prices of cereals, vegetable oils, meat, sugar, and dairy products, averaged 127.2 points. It marks a halt in the decline of basic food prices, which had reached peaks following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The dairy index stood at 146.9 points, its second highest level since 2008, while the meat index reached a record 123.2 points. In Sub-Saharan Africa, vegetable oils are the second most imported product category after cereals. For the current year, observers estimate that price tensions could continue, with sustained pressure expected for vegetable oils.