First Independent Mena Newspaper
China has announced plans to waive 23 interest-free loans to 17 African countries that were due in 2021 amid a growing rivalry with the West and accusations that it is creating “debt traps” on the continent. The relief was announced on 18 August in an address to Chinese and African diplomats at a follow-up meeting […]
Since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia — the second largest international exporter after China — the prices of fertilizers in West Africa have skyrocketed, severely aggravating the ongoing food crisis in countries such as Burkina Faso. In the last few months, the Sahel region has been hit by the worst drought in over a […]
Following in the UK’s footsteps, also Germany has now signed an agreement to transfer ownership to Nigeria of the Benin Bronzes, among Africa’s most culturally significant artifacts, looted in the 19th century. The Foundation of Prussian Cultural Heritage (SPK) and Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) inked the deal on Thursday (25 August) […]
Markets will be re-opened and schools re-built along the shared border between Cameroon and Nigeria after the area was declared free of Boko Haram militants — this is the latest plan presented by governors from both countries. Governor of Nigeria’s Borno state, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Thursday (25 August) said President Muhammadu Buhari instructed governors […]
The State Department has approved the sale to Morocco of Ground Command and Control and related equipment for an estimated cost of $141.1 million. According to the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the North African Kingdom has requested to buy six Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio Systems (MIDS-JTRS) and additional secure communications, cryptographic […]
The disruption in the fossil fuel market due to geopolitical tensions hastened the energy transition agenda of Morocco and Germany which now see new opportunities in fostering energy cooperation, notably in terms of green hydrogen and renewables. At a press conference in Rabat, both foreign ministers of Germany and Morocco attached priority to energy cooperation […]
The EU reaffirmed its position in support of a fair, lasting, political and mutually acceptable solution to the Sahara issue and welcomed Morocco’s “credible” efforts to that end. The European Union (EU) remains committed to its position on the Moroccan Sahara dispute, recalls loud and clear that it takes “positive note of the serious and […]
The government of Germany has reaffirmed its strong backing to the autonomy plan offered by Morocco for a lasting resolution of the Sahara regional conflict. The German supportive stand comes in a joint statement released following the meeting held Thursday in Rabat between Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita and German peer Annalena Baerbock, who is […]
The Jeddah port has contributed to enhancing commercial ties with Morocco and supporting Saudi exports through six new maritime lines and basic services that played a key role in increasing trade exchanges volume by 117 pc, reported Saudi news agency. This major stride, achieved thanks to the deal sealed by the Federation of Saudi Chambers […]
Alphabet Inc launched its Google Wallet in South Africa on Tuesday (23 August), after rival Apple Inc introduced its Apple Pay mobile payment system in the country last year — a sign that the tech giants try to gain a foothold in the continent’s rapidly growing digital payments space. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the […]