The Pan African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) is proud to announce the entry of Banque Centrale de Tunisie (BCT) into its network as its thirteenth Central Bank member, further strengthening its commitment to promoting seamless cross-border payment services and enhancing financial integration across the African continent. In 2022, BCT also joined the inter-Arab payment and settlement System (BUNA), in continuation of its commitment to the country’s strategic priorities. “We are thrilled to welcome Banque Centrale de Tunisie as our thirteenth member and first Central Bank in North Africa. With this development, the Tunisian commercial banks can now commence their onboarding process onto the PAPSS system. Additionally, it is anticipated that more central banks will join the platform throughout the current year.

As Morocco faces its sixth consecutive year of drought, water-intensive agricultural projects are under scrutiny. Climate change poses a major threat to the country, impacting the vast agricultural sector which employs 39% of the workforce. Concerns are mounting over the environmental impact of water-intensive crops like avocados, cultivated by foreign companies. The irrigation of avocado trees, assuming usage of drip irrigation, could consume between 4,000 to 8,000 m3 of water per hectare. This water usage equates to the consumption of the entire city of Casablanca for 134 days.

Martin Mugarra, has rallied Members of Parliament to push for increased funding for Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), with the aim of fighting human-wildlife conflicts in Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth national parks. UWA has constructed dams in Lake Mburo National Park to keep animals from going to the communities, but they still stray. It is important that we start catering for Ugandan travelers who are now over 60 percent of Lake Mburo visitors. He argued that Lake Mburo once sufficiently funded to improve on infrastructure is able to considerably boost its annual revenue presently at Shs3.2 billion. At the Queen Elizabeth National Park, MPs learnt of the plan to domesticate wild but edible rats called cane rats which are among the most poached mammals.

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis fired two missiles at a Greek-operated vessel reportedly carrying corn to Iran through the Red Sea on Monday, causing damage to the vessel but no casualties. The vessel, the Star Iris, failed to escape Houthi attacks near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea despite the fact that its cargo was bound for Iran, with the Houthis describing the vessel as American-owned. The ultimate owner of the vessel is Greek-based Star Bulk Carriers Corp, which is traded on the New York-based NASDAQ stock market. This latest attack intensifies concerns related to shipping through the Red Sea en route to or from the Suez Canal, as it remains unclear what the Houthis will consider an “American” vessel. In the meantime, China is said to be ramping up Red Sea voyages, hoping to maintain what it views as immunity from Houthi attacks.

Every click on an online store exposes us to viruses, malware, and phishing attacks, threatening our personal and financial security. Despite shopping on seemingly secure websites, we may unknowingly fall victim to replica sites designed to deceive and steal sensitive information. Adhering to a few fundamental rules can enhance our online safety:– Opt for trusted sellers and secure websites displaying a padlock symbol. Lack of awareness and training in basic IT security processes leaves many vulnerable, underscoring the importance of prioritizing online safety, especially during the holiday rush. Before embarking on your online shopping spree this season, conduct research, and exercise caution.

In addition, Flowserve will also participate in investor meetings during Citi's 2024 Global Industrial Tech and Mobility Conference on February 22, 2024 in Miami, Florida. About Flowserve: Flowserve Corp . The forward-looking statements included in this news release are based on our current expectations, projections, estimates and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. All forward-looking statements included in this news release are based on information available to us on the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

February 12, 2024 — Dubai (AFP)The IMF and World Bank warned on Monday that the Gaza war and the related attacks on shipping through the Red Sea pose threats to the global economy. The Israel-Hamas war raging since October has already hit the Middle East and North Africa region's economy, said the International Monetary Fund's managing director Kristalina Georgieva. Its knock-on effects could impact the world the longer the fighting drags on, Georgieva told the World Governments Summit, an annual gathering of business and political leaders in Dubai. "Right now we see a risk of spillover in the Suez Canal," she said, as Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels have attacked Red Sea shipping leading to the crucial maritime passage. Also speaking at the summit, World Bank President Ajay Banga said that "what's going on Gaza, but also the challenges of Ukraine... and the Red Sea" are among the top challenges to the global economic outlook.

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 12 February 2024 – Smith Myers and AgustaWestland Aviation Services (AWAS) have formed a partnership to bring Smith Myers award-winning ARTEMIS mobile phone detection, location and communication systems to existing Leonardo’s helicopter users in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Regions. We see the MENA region as a significant market for our airborne ARTEMIS suite of systems,” said Andrew Munro, Managing Director of Smith Myers. Smith Myers ARTEMIS suite of SAR products has been saving lives around the world. The National Search and Rescue Centre (NSRC) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also selected ARTEMIS for installation across their fleet of Search & Rescue Helicopters. ARTEMIS has been designed to accurately locate mobile telephones in the challenging airborne environment using only two small antennas.

In AFCON VAR is used exactly the way it should be used. Greywolf Dawidi said:”Wide expectations and suspicion was that African refs were largely corrupt and European refs were objective. Afcon proved that European var refs/ officials are corrupt. Tatenda Masunda suggested: “Honestly the way VAR was used at afcon was exceptional. Premier league PGMOL needs to seriously consider the lessons from Afcon for the growth of their own game.”– CAJ News

Pre-seed venture capital (VC) fund and accelerator Catalyst Fund has made investments in six African climate-tech startups in the last four months, having announced a first close of its US$40 million fund in September. Catalyst Fund is a pre-seed VC fund and accelerator backing high-impact tech startups that seek to improve the resilience of underserved, climate-vulnerable communities. Focused on startups building solutions to improve the resilience of climate-vulnerable communities in Africa, Catalyst Fund in September of last year announced the successful first close of its targeted US$40 million fund, with over 20 per cent committed. The fund, which offers US$100,000 of equity investments as well as US$100,000 of hands-on venture-building support, has since then announced six investments. Catalyst Fund’s climate-focused fund has garnered significant backing from investors including FSD Africa, FSDAi, Cisco Foundation, USAID Prosper Africa, and seasoned tech investor Andrew Bredenkamp.

On 19th January, the final competitor crossed the sand dunes of Saudi Arabia to finish the 46th Dakar rally. For example, the 2024 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia received of news and broadcasting across 190 countries and 70 channels. Perhaps the current Dakar rally (Saudi Arabia) offers a view of the event’s potential to attract and nurture investment. Africa’s rich history of racingAlthough the official Dakar Rally may have permanently relocated to the deserts of Saudi Arabia. The African Rally Championship, a further series governed by the FIA, offers additional rally action across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda and Burundi.

North America’s largest public crypto miner is Florida-based Marathon Digital. It has US operations in Texas, Nebraska and North Dakota. Its already mining in the United Arab Emirates and Paraguay, and is now eyeing expanding in Africa. Ethiopia has seen an increased inflow of miners recently as companies in the segment search for low-cost energy. Chinese firms in particular have flocked to Ethiopia.

Franchisee Mad Vision Group is seeking to open a total of 15 Gong cha stores in the North African country, adding to its current Gong cha footprint in Belgium and France. In addition to developing its partnership with Mad Vision Group, the deal also advances Gong cha’s focus on the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region. “Mad Vision Group have been an excellent partner for Gong cha. Our east-to-west story continues with our 24th country opening,” said Paul Reynish, Global CEO, Gong cha. In addition to Gong cha, Belgium-based Mad Vision Group also operates the fast-food brands O’Tacos, Chick & Cheez and Go Fish across the Benelux region.

RALEIGH – The State of North Carolina has transitioned to Oracle (NYSE: ) Fusion Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) to enhance the financial management of state agencies. The implementation of Oracle Cloud ERP allows North Carolina to manage financials on a unified cloud-based suite, which is anticipated to increase productivity and enhance control mechanisms. The move to Oracle Cloud ERP by North Carolina reflects a broader trend of government entities modernizing their IT infrastructure to better serve their constituents. This transition is based on a press release statement and represents a strategic step for North Carolina in leveraging cloud technology for state financial management. Oracle (NYSE: ORCL) is a global provider of integrated applications and secure, autonomous infrastructure within the Oracle Cloud.

African startups have been invited to apply for Archipelagos, a multi-year international cooperation programme that aims at supporting the growth of African SMEs and facilitating their access to capital markets. Developed by Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), the Italian financial institution for international development cooperation, with the support of the European Commission, Archipelagos will assist up to 1,000 SMEs from across the continent with access to a dedicated capacity-building programme. Through the Archipelagos digital platform, SMEs will have access to a vast learning catalogue of online courses, with differentiated learning paths according to the specific needs and stage of development. On top of the asynchronous component, webinars will contribute to make the learning journey even more stimulating, engaging, and interactive. Interested parties can apply here until June 30, with applications evaluated on a rolling basis.