WiNE 2024 – MEA celebrates the pivotal contributions of women in the energy sector across the Middle East and Africa. This initiative is more than an event; it’s a tribute to the women whose innovative efforts and dedication have significantly advanced the cause of sustainable energy. We warmly invite women from every functional area and department to join us. This inclusive initiative celebrates the diverse contributions of women across the entire spectrum of the energy sector. Event Schedule (in chronological order):Southern Africa: 18th March, Johannesburg, South AfricaEastern Africa: 3rd April, Nairobi, KenyaMiddle East: 16th April, Abu DhabiWestern Africa: 22nd August, Lagos, NigeriaNorth Africa: Venue to be announcedThe WiNE Awards 2024 is dedicated to illuminating the achievements of women in sustainable energy, aiming to foster a more inclusive and equitable energy industry.

Therefore, it’s crucial for individuals to proactively safeguard themselves against cyber threats and enhance their cybersecurity knowledge. Utilizing apps designed to fortify device security and protect online activities is one effective strategy. NordVPN features CyberSec for blocking malicious websites and ads, along with Kill Switch to disconnect internet access if the VPN connection drops. LastPass: LastPass is a password manager that securely stores and manages passwords and sensitive data in a protected vault. Remember, staying informed and implementing robust security measures is key to safeguarding your data and online activities in an increasingly interconnected world.

Kuwaiti operator Zain Group introduced a mobile app to deliver a range of financial services to boost economic inclusion in the Middle East, with the offering initially available in Bahrain before being expanded across the company’s footprint. Bede launched through Zain’s financial technology arm and is promoted as boosting financial inclusion by providing micro-finance services compliant with local values. Zain noted there is a plan to add remittance, credit card and payment services in due course, subject to regulations and commercial considerations. Zain vice chair and group CEO Bader Al-Kharafi noted Bede’s launch is in line with the company’s 4Sight strategy, aimed at unlocking opportunities through digital offerings, along with its vision “to expand much-needed fintech services” in Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, “and soon” Kuwait and Sudan. “The introduction of a new fintech brand represents a major step in Zain’s strategic aspirations to expand its regional leadership in the fintech arena supported by our footprint, customer base and leading technologies,” Al-Kharafi added.

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Middle East and North Africa Pay TV Forecasts" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. MENA's pay TV revenues will fall by $1.6 billion between peak year 2016 and 2029, mainly due to the OTT push and widespread piracy. Pay TV revenues for 20 MENA countries will drop by 43% between 2016 ($3.8 billion) and 2029 ($2.2 billion). Simon Murray, Principal Analyst said: "Legitimate pay TV penetration has always been low in most MENA countries, but the decline is accelerating as pay TV subscribers convert to OTT platforms." Excel workbook covering each year from 2015 to 2029 for 20 countries by household penetration, by pay TV subscribers, by pay TV revenues and by major operator.

In a recent address at the Arab Fiscal Forum in Dubai, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva highlighted concerns over the sluggish growth of West Asia economies. According to Reuters, Georgieva pointed to factors such as oil production cuts and the Israel-Gaza conflict as major contributors to the region's economic challenges. Egypt's Finance Minister Mohamed Maait acknowledged the potential impact but expressed confidence in the region's resilience. Georgieva also highlighted the potential economic benefits of phasing out energy subsidies in West Asia. However, Georgieva cautioned that countries lacking the necessary infrastructure and skilled workforce to embrace AI technology risk falling behind in the global economic landscape.

The spectre of mass protests – known as the Hirak- is haunting the Algerian military regime as the country reels under an economic crisis that it failed to cover using diplomatic and ideological indulgences. The Algerian people brace to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Hirak that put an end to Bouteflika’s rule nears on Feb 22. Human Rights activist, Zaki Hannache, estimates the number of prisoners of free speech, currently in jail on charges of “terrorism”, at 228 at least. The Algerian regime which brags about defending Palestine, has ironically banned any pro-Palestinian protests following the war in Gaza, going as far as banning fans from football stadiums. Algerians “are now voiceless, badly represented by a furious regime that has no weight at the international stage,” Wrote L’orientXXI last week.

Finance and investments in Africa’s electricity grids need to more than triple by 2030 to meet sustainable development goals, including universal access. And while global clean energy investment has risen by 40% since 2020, reaching an estimated $1.8 trillion in 2023, almost all the recent growth has been in advanced economies and China. “Capital flows to clean energy projects in many emerging and developing economies remain worryingly low,” said the IEA. Some clean energy technologies, such as solar PV and onshore wind, are already cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives in many parts of the world. Access the International Energy Agency’s Reducing the Cost of Capital report.

Since the October 7 Hamas-led attacks on Israel, France has claimed to approach the war with a strategy of balance based on three pillars pertaining to security, humanitarian, and political considerations. [i] The French show of solidarity with Israel seems to confirm the persistence of Israel-friendly policies into the 2020s. On humanitarian aid, France has chosen to cooperate with two important regional players: Jordan and Qatar. Penholder on Lebanon at the Security Council, Paris has 700 blue helmets on the ground as part of UNIFIL. Many linked it to internal political concerns with France having among the biggest Jewish and Muslim communities in Europe[xiv].

Speaking on a panel at the 2024 Solar Power Africa conference in Cape Town, South Africa, five experienced speakers reflected on a clear opportunity in South Africa’s energy market to provide much-needed energy storage for energy security in a circular way. Second-life batteries, also known as “reused” or “repurposed” batteries, refer to batteries that have been removed from their original application, such as electric vehicles (EVs) or renewable energy storage systems, but still have a significant amount of remaining capacity and useful life. In an energy-strapped country like South Africa, Wido Schnabel, Business Development Director of sub-Saharan Africa for Canadian Solar, says that second-life batteries are the way to go. Managing second-life battery safetyRepurposing these batteries helps extend their useful lifespan, reduces waste, and can provide cost-effective energy storage solutions, contributing to the sustainability of battery technology and the broader energy ecosystem. If battery cell health is maintained, most battery life is still available for use after first-life degradation occurs.

The State of the World’s Migratory Species report, released today, concludes that almost half of the migratory animals on a UN list of vulnerable species are seeing population declines. They include some of the world’s most iconic animals, says Amy Fraenkel at the UN’s Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. Under the agreement, known as the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), 1189 species were identified as being of particular interest, partly because they regularly cross national borders during their migrations. Sign up to newsletterTo understand how these migratory animals are faring today, Fraenkel and her colleagues conducted a comprehensive analysis of the conservation data for all the species. The team also identified a further 399 migratory animals – including many species of albatross – that are vulnerable to extinction but that are not currently listed under CMS.

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Nigerian Christians and their religious allies are calling on the United States government to put pressure on their president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to take the threat of Islamist violence more seriously. 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

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Kaspersky has appointed Toufic Derbass as the Managing Director for the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa (META) region. With nearly three decades of experience, Toufic aims to strengthen Kaspersky’s regional presence, which spans over 16 years. Additionally, he plans to raise cybersecurity awareness in the region, contributing to Kaspersky’s mission of creating a safer digital world. Before joining Kaspersky, Toufic held prominent positions at multinational software companies, where he successfully scaled businesses through strategic partnerships and executive relationships with leading private and public sector organizations. Kaspersky’s strong market footprint in the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa region speaks volumes about its quality products and services, blending technology with human expertise.

Canon Europe announces the call for entries for the eighth edition of the Canon Student Development Programme (CSDP), a prestigious annual programme designed to help aspiring photojournalists advance their careers. Former alumni have gone on to work for reputable news agencies and internationally renowned publications and continued to build successful careers. Finalists of the 2023 programme, Ebrahim Alipoor and Fatma Fahmy, have both been selected for the 2024 VII Mentor program, run by VII Academy. To apply to be a part of the 2024 Canon Student Development Programme or view the entry criteria, please visit: https://apo-opa.co/3UFOaxZFootnotes:[i] For full terms and conditions, please go to this page: https://apo-opa.co/3SxqRUxDistributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA). Media enquiries, please contact:Canon Central and North AfricaMai Youssefe. Mai.youssef@canon-me.comAPO Group – PR AgencyRania ElRafiee. Rania.ElRafie@apo-opa.comAbout Canon Central and North Africa:Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) (Canon-CNA.com) is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe.