Nigerian agri-tech company ThriveAgric has partnered Heifer International to launch the AYuTe Project, which aims to empower 125,000 smallholder farmers with access to financial inclusion. The technology, an agricultural operating system, works entirely offline, dispatches USSD to farmers, and powers Android apps used by field agents to help digitally collate creditworthy farmers and gather relevant farm data. “At ThriveAgric, our driving force has always been to empower smallholder farmers for a dignified livelihood. “We are excited about this initiative we’re undertaking with Heifer International through the AYuTe Africa Challenge, and for the long term impact of this strategic partnership with VISA towards the creation of job opportunities, financial and social inclusion. Our unwavering commitment to positively impact smallholder farmers and their immediate communities across Africa will become even more evident through this project, as we power towards our goal of developing the largest network of profitable farmers in Africa.”

The GSM Association posted its Mobile Internet Connectivity Report for 2023, revealing 55% of the world's population – about 4.3 billion people – now own smartphones. According to its data, mobile internet users are 4.6 billion, with 4 billion of them accessing the services via smartphones. GSMA's report revealed a disparity between regions and their accessibility to mobile internet. The growth of mobile internet usage is not surprising, but approximately 3.4 billion people remain unconnected. According to GSMA, the global percentage of people living in areas with mobile broadband but not using it is 38%.

In a joint statement released online, al-Qaeda’s branches in North Africa and West Africa, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and the Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), respectively, praised the massive Palestinian assault on Israel. Unlike the statement from Shabaab, the joint AQIM-JNIM statement is explicit about its praise for the Iranian-backed group of Hamas. In a similar manner to the statement released by al-Qaeda’s East African wing, however, AQIM and JNIM also state that “Know, our dear brothers, that you can continue on this path. Our ranks are stacked together, loud and boastful.”Interestingly, the joint statement also addresses Palestinians living in the West Bank, inciting further violence against Israel from that front. “And to the lions of the West Bank, know that God is asking you about this crucial moment for the Palestinian cause,” the statement reads.

In response, Israel has bombed and blockaded Gaza, and is gearing up for a ground offensive. Richard first talks to Azmi in Gaza about life for Gazans under the Israeli bombardment and their views of Hamas. He then talks with Mairav about Israelis’ shock at the horrific attacks, the intelligence failures that Hamas exploited and the mood among Israelis. At the end of the episode, Richard speaks to Azmi again after his displacement from Gaza City. For more analysis of the conflict in Israel-Palestine, you can check out our latest commentary A Second October War in Israel-Palestine and our Israel/Palestine page.

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Ladies and gentlemen,This tragedy has shown that authentic Moroccan values have prevailed. These rallying national values are enshrined in the Kingdom’s Constitution. • Secondly: The national values underpinning the Moroccan nation, and which are based on the monarchy. • Thirdly: The values of solidarity and social cohesion between groups, generations and regions; this makes Moroccan society closely-knit, with different segments supporting and reinforcing one another. Therefore, I have always sought to make sure the conditions conducive to family cohesion are in place.

Israel has used white phosphorus in its continuing military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, putting civilians at serious risk, Human Rights Watch has said, following an investigation. HRW said the use of white phosphorus in densely populated areas violates Israel’s obligation under international law to take all feasible precautions to avoid harm to civilians. “There are legitimate uses of white phosphorus, for marking and screening, but they are very, very few,” Castner told Al Jazeera. “The current accusation made against the IDF [Israeli military] regarding the use of white phosphorus in Gaza is unequivocally false,” it said in a statement. Israel used white phosphorus extensively during its bombardment of Gaza in 2009, drawing widespread condemnation.

How War Has Disrupted the Management of Patients With Breast Cancer in SudanAdvertisementAhmed Elhaj, MDNada Suliman Haj Mukhtar, MDMoawia Mohammed Ali Elhassan, MDSudan is the third-largest country in Africa, spanning 1,886,068 km2. Furthermore, cancer treatment centers outside the capital are experiencing a shortage of chemotherapy supplies, supportive treatment, and materials necessary for cancer diagnosis. For example, almost all chemotherapeutics have been consumed, and tamoxifen is the only hormonal therapy currently available for patients with breast cancer. Eltayeb MA, Faggad A, Abbadi OS, et al: Characteristics of breast cancer at first presentation in Sudanese patients attending the National Cancer Institute–University of Gezira. Dr. Mukhtar is Consultant Histopathologist at the Khartoum Breast Cancer Centre.

Tunisia - Fitch Ratings, on Wednesday, affirmed the National Ratings of eight Tunisian leasing & factoring companies & upgraded the National Long-Term (LT) Rating of Enda Tamweel SA (Enda) to 'BBB(tun)'/Stable from 'BBB-(tun)'/Stable. They are BTK Leasing (BTKL), Arab Tunisian Lease (ATL), Attijari Leasing (AL), Compagnie Internationale de Leasing (CIL), Hannibal Lease SA (Hannibal), BH Leasing (BHL) and Tunisie Leasing et Factoring (TLF), as well as one factoring company, Union De Factoring (Unifactor; UF). Fitch has also upgraded the long-term rating of microfinance institution Enda Tamweel to BBB stable from BBB -" stable. The National Ratings of BTKL, CIL, Hannibal, TLF, Enda and UF are driven by their standalone creditworthiness. The rating agency believed that this microfinance institution was less negatively affected by the continued challenging Tunisian operating environment when compared to leasing and factoring peers.

Morocco has been successfully re-elected in the person of Nadia Amal Bernoussi to the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee (HRCAC) for the 2023-2026 term. The members of the Human Rights Council (HRC) conducted the elections during the 54th session of the HRC this October 13, 2023, in Geneva, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release. Moroccan candidates have consistently gained the trust of UN member states across various UN bodies responsible for promoting human rights, with Moroccan experts being elected to nearly all human rights treaty bodies. Bernoussi, a member of the Venice Commission and the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee since 2020, is a prominent figure in the field of human rights, both nationally and internationally. The Human Rights Council Advisory Committee comprises 18 experts and serves as a think-tank focusing on the promotion and protection of all human rights.

Tunisia – Economic draft laws and decrees were approved during a cabinet meeting held, Thursday morning, at the Prime Ministry in Kasbah. They are:- A draft Complementary Finance Law for 2023 which includes an update of the 2023 State budget. Regarding the draft decrees, these are the following decrees:- A draft decree on the recognition of the occurrence of natural disasters which require intervention from the Fund of Compensation of Agricultural Damage Caused by Natural Disasters. - A draft decree related to the identification of major crop areas affected by drought for the 2022-2023 agricultural season. - A Draft decree amending Decree No.

EventPro-Palestinian rallies, both organized and spontaneous, in response to the conflict between Israel and Gaza-based militant groups will almost certainly persist across the Middle East and North Africa through October. Similar rallies, with varying turnouts, were held in Algiers, downtown Amman, Beirut, Cairo, Doha, Muscat, Sana'a, and Tunis. Demonstrators in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan could organize rallies near the shared borders with Israel. Attacks/Violent IncidentsIncreased security is also likely near Jewish, Israeli, and overtly Western sites where the threat of violence is elevated. Allies of Israel, including states with no official relations, such as Saudi Arabia, have condemned the attack, while supporters of Hamas, including Iran and Hizballah, have welcomed it.

Following the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared, “Citizens of Israel, we are at war. Regardless of where one stands on the issue of Israeli-Palestinian relations, Hamas’ direct targeting of civilians was a war crime. In my WPR column last week, I wrote about how the war in Ukraine is fraying the global security order. I referenced numerous crises and could sadly have referenced many more, but I wrote that piece before the Hamas attack. Can one claim that it, too, is a product of the larger international factors enabling conflicts from Kosovo to Nagorno-Karabakh?

The countdown is on, and the excitement is building as we approach the highly anticipated 2023 Manufacturing Indaba, set to take place in Sandton, Johannesburg in less than two weeks’ time. Manufacturing Indaba is the premier platform for manufacturers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to come together and discuss the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the manufacturing sector. Key Event Details:Date: 24 – 26 October 2023Location: Sandton Convention Centre, Sandton, JohannesburgTheme: Capitalising on Manufacturing Growth in AfricaWhat to Expect at this year’s eventDynamic Keynote Speakers: Manufacturing Indaba will feature prominent thought leaders, industry experts, and innovators who will share their insights, experiences, and vision for the future of manufacturing. Pre-Registration: Don’t forget to pre-register for Manufacturing Indaba to ensure your spot at this must-attend event. ESI Africa is proud to be a Media Partner at the Manufacturing Indaba 2023

Bybit is making blockchain education more accessible in the CIS region. This sponsorship comprises two parts — an eight-Week Online Bootcamp on Blockchain Engineering and Decentrathon Hackathon in March 2024. Aspirants can secure their spot in the blockchain bootcamp by registering online through the official website. “Our partnership with Decentra for this blockchain bootcamp shows our commitment to fostering the next generation of blockchain developers. For more information please visit: https://www.bybit.comFor updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social MediaFor media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.comThe post Bybit and Decentra Team Up to Launch 8-Week Blockchain Bootcamp in CIS appeared first on African Media Agency.