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South Africa’s efforts to shift towards a low emissions economy have been strengthened by the conclusion of the negotiations for a R7.6 billion loan for the implementation of the country’s Just Energy Transition Plan (JETP) by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD). This innovative policy-based financing, the largest ever on AFD’s balance sheet, was developed in close collaboration with the JET Programme Management Unit (JET-PMU) in the Presidency and National Treasury to support the just dimensions of the Just Energy Transition (JET), maximising the social outcomes of the energy transition for local communities. This loan builds on the €300 million public policy loan provided in 2022, bringing France’s total contribution to the JETP to €700m out of the €1 billion pledged at COP26 (United Nations Climate Change Conference) in Glasgow. “The partnership with the AFD presents an opportunity for South Africa to make progress in addressing practical issues of jobs, skills, social support, and governance. South Africa’s Just Energy Transition programme is designed to ensure that the livelihoods of communities that are tied to carbon-intensive energy sources, such as coal, are not left behind in the transition to a low-emission economy, and that the energy transition is fair.

On the demand side, worldwide chargeable weight flown in week 45 was stable, WoW, with small increases from Europe, Africa and CSA origins wiped out by decreases from North America and MESA (both -4%, WoW). Compared with last year, worldwide tonnages were up, YoY, by just +2% in week 45. Comparing weeks 44 and 45 this year with the previous two weeks (a 2Wo2W comparison) reveals a +3% full-market increase in rates, 2Wo2W, driven by a +5% increase from Europe origins and a +4% increase from Asia-Pacific, taking average worldwide prices +12% higher, YoY. One market experiencing a particularly strong rise in rates is Europe to North America, where rates rose +16%, on a 2Wo2W basis, despite a -9% drop in tonnages flown on that lane. Meanwhile, worldwide flown chargeable weight in weeks 44 and 45 was down -4%, compared with the preceding two weeks, including declines of -8% from MESA origins and -5% from Europe and Africa origins.

Wizkid attends the Business of Fashion BoF 500 Class of 2024 during Paris Fashion Week at Shangri-La Hotel Paris on September 28, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Victor Boyko/Getty Images for The Business of Fashion.

Baku, November 15 (IANS): Drawing on the first comprehensive dataset of more than 2,300 renewable energy start-ups across Africa and South Asia, a team led by the University of Oxford on Friday revealed India and South Africa among solar 'business hotspots'. "Our report identifies the countries where -- all other things being equal -- proactive policies and simple social affinity have created a better-than-expected environment for solar energy," said lead author Lorenzo Agnelli. By comparing start-up activity with the cost of electricity, the report further identifies: Business hotspots: such as India and South Africa, which combine vibrant start-up ecosystems with low solar costs. "Across the Global South, it has empowered agile, dynamic entrepreneurs. The report highlights concrete actions to overcome challenges to renewable energy entrepreneurship, including localising supply chains, holding renewable energy auctions, and adopting alternative consumer payment systems.

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has formed a landmark partnership with AfriLabs to launch the NASENI Innovation Hub, which will stimulate innovation and technological growth in Nigeria. Supporting Nigerian Innovators and EntrepreneursAimed at supporting Nigerian innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups. It provides infrastructure, mentorship, and resources to nurture innovative ideas, drive industrialization, and strengthen Nigeria’s global tech ecosystem. Our partnership with NASENI represents a significant step toward nurturing Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem. We believe that by empowering innovators and providing the infrastructure they need, we can fast-track industrial growth and economic diversification for Nigeria’s future.”- Khalil Suleiman Halilu, EVC of NASENI.

Senegal prepares for crucial legislative elections that will determine the new government’s ability to implement promised reforms amid mounting economic challenges. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s recent statements regarding supporters’ safety and potential retaliation have heightened concerns about renewed unrest. The election occurs as the nation grapples with severe economic pressures, including rising inflation and youth unemployment. The government’s recent discovery of a wider-than-reported budget deficit has complicated matters, placing a $1.9 billion International Monetary Fund program on hold. The election represents a critical juncture for Senegal’s political stability and economic recovery, with voters primarily concerned about living costs and employment opportunities.

The EU said it will not renew a fisheries deal with Senegal, whom it accused of non-cooperating on illegal fishing. The EU delegation in the West African country also accused Senegal of “failures in monitoring, control, and surveillance systems” on Senegalese ships in extraterritorial waters as well as on foreign vessels in the port of Dakar. “Awaiting encouraging developments, the agreement between the EU and Senegal will not be renewed,” the delegation said in a statement. The fisheries deal will expire this Sunday. The current deal agreement signed in 2019 allows European vessels to fish in Senegalese waters but has been criticized in the country due to overfishing.

Across Africa and particularly the Sahel region, Russia-backed disinformation operations, a key part of the hybrid warfare, seek to “prop up repressive regimes and harm civilians”, reveals a new analysis published in the latest edition of the Africa Defense Forum (ADF) magazine. Russia is linked to 40% of all disinformation campaigns across the African continent, AFD reported, describing these operations as “cognitive warfare” run by the Russian Ministry of Defense. Disinformation is a key part of the hybrid warfare that Russia unleashed in Africa in a growing effort to expand its influence and gain control over the continent’s natural resources. After his death in a mysterious plane crash in August 2023, the Russian Defense Ministry took over the Wagner Group’s operations on the continent and rebranded it under the name Africa Corps. The Kremlin thus exploits Africa’s history of colonialism to whitewash Russia’s own account of civilian massacres, human rights violations and other atrocities committed in Africa.

Eutelsat Group has signed a multi-year agreement with Q-KON to expand Low-Earth Orbit satellite services across Sub-Saharan Africa. The company aims to provide high-speed, low-latency connectivity to underserved businesses and communities, especially in Southern Africa. The expanded partnership with Q-KON builds on the successful 2023 integration of Eutelsat’s OneWeb LEO satellite connectivity into Q-KON’s Twoobii Smart Satellite Services and the February 2024 launch of digital banking services. “We value our continued partnership with Eutelsat and are excited to take this next step in expanding and scaling up our LEO satellite services across Southern Africa,” said Dr. Dawie de Wet, Group CEO of Q-KON. We are excited to continue to work with Q-KON as it leverages cutting-edge satellite network solutions to meet the challenging demands for low-cost, high-availability, and trusted services in Africa.”

AZIZ TAHER / REUTERSThe United Nations Security Council has led calls condemning recent incidents that injured peacekeepers in Lebanon and humanitarian workers in Gaza as Israeli attacks continue unabated. The Security Council called on all parties to abide by international humanitarian law, while medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres urged the protection of medical facilities, health workers and civilians. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Security Council condemned several incidents that affected the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, injuring peacekeepers between Oct 29 and Nov 8. "We strongly condemn such attacks and call once again for the protection of medical facilities, healthcare workers, and civilians." The Turkish government suspended trade with Israel in May in response to Israeli attacks on Gaza.

IBM Consulting is at the forefront of integrating AI within the consulting sector, a transformative movement highlighted in our exclusive interview. IBM Consulting Advantage has been significantly enhanced with Granite 3.0 large language models. Could you elaborate on how this AI-powered platform is transforming the day-to-day operations and decision-making processes within IBM Consulting? We’ve just made Granite 3.0 large language models the default model for IBM Consulting Advantage, which brings even more speed, performance, and cost efficiency to our service delivery. IBM Consulting is committed to continuously evolving its AI capabilities to ensure we maintain our leadership in innovation.

— This makes the African energy sector highly promising.”The governments of many African countries are actively supporting this trend. According to experts, the African market now resembles China in the early 2000s: enormous potential with considerable risks. Eighteen African countries have a debt-to-GDP ratio exceeding 70%, and infrastructure constraints continue to hinder economic growth. Often, what seems like an obstacle is actually an opportunity for innovative solutions and first-mover advantage.”The year 2023 was indicative for understanding the complexities of the African market. “These cases do not so much speak to problems in the African market as they demonstrate the need for a more flexible approach to doing business” — analyzes Vladimir Kokorin.

Seoul, November 15 (IANS): North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has overseen the performance test of suicide attack drones and stressed the need for prompt full-scale mass production, the North's state media reported Friday. Kim provided on-site guidance for the tests of various types of suicide attack drones, produced by an affiliated institute of the Unmanned Aerial Technology Complex the previous day, Yonhap news agency reported quoting the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). "The suicide attack drones to be used within different striking ranges are to perform a mission to precisely attack any enemy targets on the ground and at sea," the KCNA noted. Kim affirmed that his country has "full possibility and potentiality to produce and introduce various types of drones" and would seek the possibility of combining and applying "new and promising tactical methods" as required by modern warfare. "The Workers' Party of Korea has recently attached importance to the line of perfectly combining unmanned military hardware systems with operational plans," Kim said, underscoring the need for a serial production system as early as possible and go into "full-scale mass production."

On High Royal Instructions, Morocco demonstrates its active solidarity with the Spanish people by mobilizing extensive logistical resources to support relief efforts in the areas affected by the recent flooding in the Valencia region, Morocco’s ambassador to Spain, Karima Benyaich, said. Morocco was thus one of the first countries to offer aid, pledging to send trucks and operators to support the cleanup and recovery efforts. A Moroccan convoy, comprising 24 vacuum-pump trucks and 70 operators, arrived in Spain on Wednesday to assist with relief efforts in the Valencia region, which was severely impacted by Storm Dana. According to the Moroccan diplomat, the outpouring of national solidarity with Spain was mirrored by the Moroccan community in Spain, which responded with remarkable mobilization to participate in relief efforts in the disaster regions. Benyaich took the opportunity to commend the Moroccan associations and countless volunteers whose tangible support and visible solidarity have strengthened the bonds of fraternity between the Moroccan and Spanish peoples.