China’s expanding port presence in Africa sparks concerns over security and sovereignty

Chinese state-owned firms are playing a dominant role in port development across Africa, with a presence in 78 ports across 32 countries as builders, financiers, or operators, sparking concerns about China’s long-term geo-strategic aims. According to a new report by the Washington-based Africa Center for Strategic Studies, these Chinese firms are not only builders and […]

Morocco to host Africa’s 1st automotive testing center

French group Utac Ceram and German FEV have chosen Morocco to set up Africa’s first automotive development and testing centre to be operational in 2nd semester 2021. Utac Ceram, a service provider in all areas of land transport, and FEV, a globally leading service provider of vehicle and powertrain development for hardware and software, announced […]

Casablanca‑Settat becomes first Moroccan region to issue bond

Morocco’s Casablanca‑Settat region has become the first regional authority in the country to tap the capital markets, issuing 1 billion dirhams (€92 million) local-currency bond with cornerstone support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The EBRD said it invested MAD 400 million (€36.8 million) in the issuance, helping to ensure the bond’s […]