Author: WAJ Editor

South Africa’s increasing reliance on fuel imports poses supply risks that require enhanced infrastructure for storage and transportation, according to the state-owned logistics firm, Transnet SOC Ltd. The country, which is Africa’s most industrialized, imported 61% of its petroleum products in 2023, a significant jump from just 22% four years earlier. This shift is largely due to the closure of several refineries, Transnet noted in a recent presentation. The growing dependence on imports has made South Africa’s fuel pipeline system vulnerable to disruptions, which could lead to temporary fuel shortages. To address this, Transnet is planning investments in Durban’s port,…

In a bid to boost domestic tourism and reconnect citizens with Uganda’s natural heritage, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has announced free access to the country’s iconic national parks for two days. From October 17th to 18th, Ugandans will have the chance to explore breathtaking landscapes and wildlife at no cost, a move aimed at revitalizing the tourism sector, which has been hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sam Mwandha, Executive Director of UWA, emphasized the importance of the initiative in shifting the focus of tourism inward, encouraging Ugandans to appreciate the beauty within their borders. “For too long, tourism in…

Senegal, an emerging oil and gas producer, is planning to invest around 12.8 trillion CFA francs ($21 billion) in development over the next five years, while aiming to attract an additional 5.7 trillion CFA francs in private sector investment, according to a draft government plan. Public spending on key sectors like education and energy infrastructure is expected to grow by an average of 14.7% annually between 2025 and 2029, based on the plan shared by the finance ministry. However, the document is still under revision and may change, according to a presidency official. The plan is being developed by President…

Wael Badawi, Deputy Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Migration, Refugees, and Combating Human Trafficking, announced that Egypt is home to more than 10 million migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. He emphasized that the country treats them as guests, providing them with the same basic services as Egyptian citizens. Badawi underscored the need for international cooperation to share the responsibility and burden of supporting this large number of refugees and migrants alongside the host community, ensuring the sustainability of essential services. This statement was made during Egypt’s participation in the second regional review meeting on the implementation of the Global…

For centuries, Africa and the global Black population have faced systemic injustice, colonial exploitation, and economic marginalization. However, the rise of Black billionaires is reshaping this narrative, proving that significant wealth can be created and sustained within African and Black communities. The concentration of wealth among Black and African individuals offers a powerful tool for driving economic growth in their regions. Despite Africa’s wealth of natural resources, many of its economies remain underdeveloped due to poor infrastructure, governance issues, and dependence on foreign funding. Black billionaires are breaking this cycle by injecting capital into African businesses, infrastructure projects, and social…

The Organisation for the Development of the Senegal River (OMVS) issued a warning on Sunday about the risk of severe flooding along the Senegal River, based on the latest hydrological data. The current situation mirrors the historic floods of 1999, with exceptionally high water levels and river flows. The Manantali Dam, crucial for flood control, has reached a critical level of 208.28 meters IGN, surpassing its normal operational limits. Concerns are growing about water flows in the region. In Kayes, western Mali, river flow is forecast to reach 4,236 m³/s on October 13, increasing to 5,751 m³/s by October 16.…

Tunisia’s recent trade data presents a mixed scenario of both strengths and challenges. While the country enjoys significant trade surpluses with some key partners, it also faces notable deficits, reflecting broader economic hurdles. In the first nine months of 2023, Tunisia’s trade deficit reached 13.5 billion dinars ($4.2 billion), driven largely by high import costs from countries like Russia, China, and Algeria, where imports far exceed Tunisian exports. Despite this, Tunisia has seen success in other markets. It posted a trade surplus of 1.55 billion dinars ($486 million) with Libya, along with substantial surpluses of 3.9 billion dinars with France,…

Private sector companies from Libya and Indonesia signed several trade agreements in Jakarta on Friday, covering industries such as aviation, food products, paper, and stationery. These deals were finalized during the “Expo Indonesia 2024” event, organized with the support of the Indonesian Embassy in Libya. Alaa Eldeen Deekna, Director of Quality and Compliance at Oya Airlines, revealed that the company signed a memorandum of intent to lease four light aircraft, with an option to buy. These planes will be used for domestic flights, oilfield services, as well as for training pilots and support staff. Additionally, Indonesian chargé d’affaires, Dedi Rifai,…

President Kais Saied of Tunisia received congratulations from several world leaders following his re-election for a second presidential term, securing 90.69% of the vote in the recent elections. This overwhelming mandate underscores the Tunisian people’s trust in his leadership during a critical period for the nation. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan extended his congratulations via phone call, wishing President Saied success in leading Tunisia toward further progress. Sheikh Mohamed emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral ties between the UAE and Tunisia for the benefit and prosperity of both nations. In response, President Saied expressed gratitude for the…

The Head of the Presidential Council, Mohammed Menfi, emphasized that the council is not involved in Libya’s internal conflict. In a joint meeting with the African Union delegation led by Mauritania’s President Mohammed Ould Cheikh El-Ghazouani, Menfi highlighted the council’s ongoing communication with all parties, ensuring none were excluded from the reconciliation process. He reaffirmed the commitment to fostering national partnership and achieving a Libyan-owned solution. Menfi praised the meeting, stating that it reflected Africa’s dedication to assisting Libya in overcoming its challenges and underscored Libya’s integral connection to the African continent. According to the council’s media office, the meeting…

Sudan reiterated its claims against the United Arab Emirates, accusing it of backing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the ongoing conflict and urging the UN Security Council to act against what it termed “continuous aggressive activities.” In a letter to the Security Council President dated October 11, Sudan provided what it claimed was new evidence of the UAE’s military, financial, and logistical assistance to the RSF. This follows a formal complaint Sudan filed against the UAE on March 29, alleging the Gulf state was attempting to incite war and was aiding the RSF with support from Chad. The letter…

At the 32nd Arab Music Festival at the Egyptian Opera House, acclaimed composer Sayyid Khalid bin Hamad al Busaidy was honored for his 42 years of contributions to music. Since beginning his career in 1982, he has composed over 200 works and collaborated with various Omani and Arab singers, playing a crucial role in preserving traditional Omani music. The festival included 14 diverse musical nights featuring artists from across the Arab world and honored 19 other artists, including an Omani-themed night showcasing Oman’s rich musical heritage. In addition to his musical achievements, Sayyid Khalid is a prominent social media influencer…

A regional governor from Kenya has been arrested in connection with clan violence in the coastal Tana River county, which has resulted in multiple fatalities. Dhadho Godhana, along with a local lawmaker, was arrested separately for ignoring summons related to the clashes, according to police reports on Saturday. Neither individual has publicly addressed the allegations. At least 14 people have died in the violence in southeastern Kenya, leading authorities to classify two areas in the county as dangerous and unstable for the next 30 days. The interior ministry has increased security in these regions and prohibited residents from carrying weapons.…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved reforms that will reduce borrowing costs for its members by 36% and exempt eight heavily indebted countries from paying additional borrowing fees. The IMF’s executive board agreed to a series of changes, including adjustments to the surcharges imposed on countries with high debt levels, such as Ukraine and Argentina, according to a statement released on Friday. These reforms, effective from November 1, will raise the debt threshold at which surcharges are applied, removing the requirement for eight nations to pay extra borrowing costs. The affected countries are Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Georgia, Moldova,…

A shallow earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 struck near Liberia, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, on the morning of Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 11:43 am local time. The Colombian Geological Service (SGC) reported the quake at a depth of 10 km, meaning it was felt more intensely as it occurred close to the surface. The magnitude, epicenter, and depth could be adjusted as seismologists analyze more data or as additional reports from other agencies are released. Another report from the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) registered the quake at a magnitude of 6.1. Preliminary data suggests the earthquake was…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group (WBG) have selected Tanzania as the second country, after Madagascar, to benefit from the Enhanced Cooperation Framework for Scaled-Up Climate Action. This initiative aims to address the severe effects of climate change in Tanzania. A statement released on Thursday highlighted that the IMF’s Executive Board approved the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) arrangement in June 2024, alongside the WBG’s active involvement in Tanzania’s climate action efforts. Both institutions emphasized their commitment to supporting Tanzania due to its vulnerability to climate change, which poses risks to its economic stability, fiscal health, and…