UAE operator du penned a deal with satellite player Intelsat to improve mobile connectivity in remote areas across its home market, backing a national digital ambition. In a statement, du CTO Saleem AlBlooshi described the role of digital connectivity in shaping the UAE’s socioeconomic landscape as irrefutable, noting the partnership is in line with the company’s commitment to push innovation and improve customer experience. Rhys Morgan, VP and GM at Intelsat, cited the UAE’s efforts in enhancing its telecoms and infrastructure capabilities, claiming his company is “well-positioned” to support the country’s connectivity plans. In January 2023, du used Intelsat rival SES’ satellite to conduct a proof-of-concept for satellite-enabled 5G backhaul. Intelsat and SES notably entered into merger talks in March 2023, but ended discussions a few months later.

Nigerian logistics startup Fez Delivery has launched Fez Safe Lockers, a network of automated lockers designed to transform last-mile delivery in Nigeria. Founded in 2018, Fez Delivery has built a last-mile delivery platform that bridges the gap between businesses and markets. Fez Safe Lockers offers a secure option for online shoppers, eliminating the need for cash-on-delivery exchanges and minimising the risk of theft. Fez Safe Lockers are unlocking. By modernising logistics, and promoting sustainability, we’re building a delivery ecosystem that benefits everyone,” said Seun Alley, CEO and co-founder of Fez Delivery.

Africa Logistics Properties, part of Maris’ property division, appointed Raghav Gandhi as their new CEO. “Raghav is a real estate professional specialising in emerging markets, with an impressive track record in South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa,” reads the release. "Under Richard’s leadership, ALP has won numerous industry awards and best-in-class environmental credentials, including IFC Global EDGE Champion," it reads. “On behalf of the entire board of ALP, I would like to thank Richard for his diligence and dedication over the past 6 years, says Charlie Tryon, Maris CEO and Chairman of the ALP Board. We are delighted to welcome Raghav as the new CEO and I look forward to working closely with him as he seeks to set out a new strategic direction for ALP.”

After years of political turmoil and economic malaise, the time when the world looked to Egypt as a source of political inspiration can seem like ancient history. The way Egypt’s revolt in January 2011 then attracted global attention reflected the country’s regional influence, buoyed by the charisma of past leaders such as Gamal Abdel Nasser and Anwar el-Sadat. With concerns growing over Egypt’s own stability, Cairo’s inability to play a substantial geopolitical role creates a vicious cycle, increasing the likelihood that the chaos around it further exacerbates Egypt’s own internal problems. It is not easy to pinpoint the exact moment when Egypt began to lose its position of regional pre-eminence. But his own failed military adventure in Yemen and the collapse of his attempt to unify Egypt with Syria in the early 1960s marked a first major setback.

It requires a mindset that is open to that perspective,” Mr. Blinken said. “But that can only happen through peace for the Palestinians, through a Palestinian state,” he said. “Let me be very clear — the phaseout of fossil fuels is essential and inevitable,” Mr. Guterres said in a speech at Davos. Mr. Blinken, after meetings on January 15 with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and others, was asked in a conversation with New York Times columnist Tom Friedman whether Jewish lives matter more than Palestinian lives. Recently reappointed Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Argentina's new president — self-described “anarcho-capitalist" Javier Milei — also will take the podium.

While the study forecasts a booming African trade landscape in 2024 with senior executives predicting a surge in intra-African trade, fueled by new trade pacts and tech investments, African firms remain cautious as inflationary pressures, economic uncertainty and political instability threaten to impact growth. African business poised for intra-African trade growthIn light of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), executives across the continent expect intra-regional trade to grow in 2024. Almost three-quarters agreed that government actions, like enhancing regional trade agreements, have positively impacted their supply chain strategies, the study added. 38% of executives identified using digital tools for improved inventory management as the primary strategy to reduce overall trade and supply chain costs in Africa. Mohammed Akoojee, CEO & managing director, sub-Saharan Africa, DP World said: “Regional trade agreements, exemplified by AfCFTA, stand out as powerful tools to address the intricate challenges within the region’s trade and supply chain infrastructure.

Ibrahim Traore, Burkina Faso’s transitional leader, has announced that the West African country reeling with terror activities has acquired more powerful missiles and other military equipment to help in the fight against terror groups. “We have acquired much more powerful missiles. Some are 2, 3, 5, 10 times more powerful, and others keep coming. Burkina Faso under Ibrahim has turned to Russia, Turkey, and North Korea for defense cooperation at the expense of former colonial power France. The country has been since 2015 confronting activities by jihadists after a series of terrorist attacks.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk Tuesday January 16 indicated that Moscow is keen to expand trade, economic and investment ties, and trade turnover with Niger, Sputnik reports. Overchuk made the comment during a meeting with Niger’s Premier Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine. He is in the Russian capital as part of an international tour seeking to identify opportunities and diversify partners of the West African country. Zeine arrived in Moscow late Monday January 15 accompanied by a high-key delegation composed of the ministers of Defense, Oil and Gas, Agriculture, Trade, Youth, and Sports. Ties between Russia and Niger have quickly developed under new Niger authorities, a junta that seized power on July 26, after removing West-backed elected leader Mohamed Bazoum.

APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the premier award-winning Pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, is delighted to announce the appointment of Rania El Rafie as Vice President of Public Relations and Strategic Communications. She joined APO Group as Account Director in 2020 and was promoted to Group Account Director shortly thereafter. APO Group’s VP of Public Relations and Strategic Communications is one of the most important and influential roles in the African PR industry. Rania’s performance as Group Account Director made her the unanimous choice among the APO Group leadership team when the position of VP of Public Relations and Strategic Communications became available. More than anything, I’m excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.”Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), of which CERNA is a part, firmly communicated its refusal to bless same-sex unions in statement on January 11. It asserted that "extra-liturgical blessings proposed in the declaration Fiducia supplicans cannot take place in Africa without exposing themselves to scandals." The various conferences of bishops in Africa had until the second half of January to express their views and work on a common response to the declaration. Apparently, SECAM did not wait to receive the thoughts of the Church leaders in North Africa. "The positive reception of Fiducia supplicans is therefore more theoretical than practical," he noted.

Sumsub joins the MENA FinTech Association (MFTA) to drive business growth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), raise identity fraud awareness, and foster innovation in the fintech sector. Founded in 2018, the MENA Fintech Association is globally recognized as one of the top-4 fintech groups in the world, bringing together fintech companies, startups, investors, regulators, influencers and academia. Nameer Khan, Chairman of the MENA Fintech Association and Founder of FILS, commented: "We are pleased to welcome Sumsub to the MENA Fintech Association. Andrew Sever, co-founder and CEO of Sumsub, added, "For Sumsub, partnering with the MENA Fintech Association marks a new level of presence in the region. About the MENA Fintech AssociationThe MENA FINTECH ASSOCIATION (MFTA) is an inclusive, not for profit association that fosters an open dialogue for the MENA Fintech community; shaping the future of financial services in the region.

In a move that promises to redefine the digital infrastructure landscape, Convergence Partners has officially taken the reins of Datacentrix Group through its Digital Infrastructure Fund (CPDIF). Convergence Partners’ Enthusiasm UnveiledConvergence Partners is equally thrilled about this strategic move. This momentous step places Convergence Partners in a prime position for continued success across Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and the Middle East. A Symphony of Growth in the Digital RealmIn this unfolding saga of digital evolution, Convergence Partners and Datacentrix join hands to script a narrative of growth and innovation. Join us as we embark on this exhilarating journey towards unlocking new potentials and shaping the future of digital infrastructure.

An e-bus fleet is to be introduced into Senegal’s capital Dakar as part of the country’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. Four years in the making, the project reached a significant milestone on Sunday, 14 January 2024, when President Macky Sall inaugurated the fleet. The Dakar BRT generated support from the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, IFC, MIGA, the government, and the private sector. The Dakar BRT is expected to ease traffic congestion and reduce air pollution. Image Source: XThe World Bank says that a typical trip from Dakar’s periphery to the central business district generally takes around 90 minutes or more.

Challenges facing solid waste management in AfricaMarulanda finds that the two main challenges she faces in her work is behaviour and finance. When it comes to financing, solid waste management (SWM) is not rocket science – solutions are known. But, people across Africa are not used to paying for solid waste management services. This makes ensuring financial sustainability of solid waste management all that much harder. A lot of cities are testing things and setting up systems.”She doesn’t think it is too late to change waste management practices in Africa.

The year has gotten off to a slow start for the rescue ship that typically plies the Mediterranean Sea looking for migrants and refugees in distress. The year has gotten off to a slow start for the rescue ship that typically plies the Mediterranean Sea looking for migrants and refugees in distress. (AP Photo/Paolo Santalucia)The Sos Mediterranee-run charity rescue ship, Ocean Viking, is moored in Bari, southern Italy, Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. The year has gotten off to a slow start for the rescue ship that typically plies the Mediterranean Sea looking for migrants and refugees in distress. The year has gotten off to a slow start for the rescue ship that typically plies the Mediterranean Sea looking for migrants and refugees in distress.