Latest news with #NorthAfrican
Business Insider
16 hours ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Nigerian billionaire, Dangote, sets ambitious goal with $2.5 billion fertilizer plant
Africa could become self-sufficient in fertilizer production within the next 40 months, according to Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote. Aliko Dangote projects Africa's self-sufficiency in fertilizer production within 40 months. Dangote fertilizer plant's planned expansion aims to boost production capacity and reduce reliance on imports. Enhancing local fertilizer production could address intra-African supply gaps and improve food security. Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote has unveiled plans to expand the $2.5 billion Dangote fertilizer Plant as part of a broader strategy to accelerate industrial transformation across the continent. The expansion, which will significantly boost production capacity, is aimed at reducing Africa's heavy reliance on imported fertilizer and improving self-sufficiency in agricultural inputs. "In the next 40 months, Africa will not import fertilizer from anywhere. We have a very aggressive trajectory right now. We want to put Dangote to be the highest producer of urea, bigger and higher than Qatar - give me 40 months," Dangote said at the annual Afreximbank meeting in Abuja as per Reuters Dangote's impact in Africa's fertilizer industry Africa currently imports over 6 million metric tons of fertilizer annually, a costly dependence that hampers agricultural productivity and exposes farmers to global supply shocks. According to a trade report by Afreximbank, the value of Africa's fertilizer exports in 2021 reached $8.9 billion, more than double the continent's imports of $3.7 billion—a surplus driven largely by North African producers. Morocco and Egypt alone accounted for $6.23 billion in fertilizer exports, representing over 70% of Africa's total and highlighting the region's growing significance in global supply chains. Fifteen African countries were net exporters of fertilizer that year, emphasizing the continent's potential to play a greater role in intra-African trade. However, key markets such as Ethiopia, Côte d'Ivoire, Zambia, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo remained heavily reliant on imports. As at today, Dangote's plant, already one of the largest in the world, has the capacity to produce up to 3 million metric tons of urea per year. According to Dangote, roughly 37% of the company's urea output is shipped to the United States, making the U.S. a key market. Beyond the U.S., Dangote also exports urea to other key markets such as Brazil, which has historically relied on Russian fertilizer supplies, as well as India and Mexico.
Bangkok Post
16 hours ago
- General
- Bangkok Post
Dying breed: Tunisian dog lovers push to save age-old desert hound
RAS ANGELA (TUNISIA) - Nemcha, Zina and Zouina, three North African Sloughi hounds, play on the beach in Tunisia where their ancestors have long roamed desert plains, seemingly unaware of the existential threat to their dwindling breed. The Sloughis, known for their speed and slender physique, have for many centuries accompanied nomadic societies across North Africa, and have been featured in art and lore dating back at least to the Roman era. But nowadays breeders and advocates say that unregulated crossbreeding, the decline of nomadic lifestyles and habitat shifts due to urbanisation mean that they might soon disappear. Olfa Abid, who was walking Nemcha, Zina and Zouina along the coast in northern Tunisia's Ras Angela, said the age-old breed is "part of our heritage, our history". "We must protect the Sloughi," said Abid, a 49-year-old veterinarian, her arms wrapped around one of her dogs. Recent years have seen a spike in unregulated crossbreeding, mixing the local Sloughi with other hounds often brought in from abroad to boost its speed for dog races, according to Abid. National kennel club the Tunisian Canine Centre (CCT) has been working to raise awareness and safeguard the breed, including by creating a dedicated registry with a regulated breeding scheme. The organisation's director Noureddine Ben Chehida said it also seeks to have the Tunisian Sloughi "recognised according to international standards" as a unique breed, under the guidelines of the International Canine Federation, the world's main dog breed registry. Such recognition would give the local Sloughi population a place on the international stage and help preserve its lineage at home, Ben Chehida said. Also known as Arabian Greyhounds, today the CCT estimates that fewer than 200 pure-bred Sloughis remain in Tunisia. - 'Noble' hunters - With their short coats in sandy hues or grey and arched backs, the hounds' swift gait has earned them a precious spot in Tunisian folklore even as the desert life they once supported gradually vanishes. Historians debate how they first made it to this part of North Africa, but many attribute their arrival to nomadic tribes like the Mrazigs who live in the south of modern-day Tunisia. For centuries, or possibly even millennia, the Sloughis have been vital companions to desert nomads, helping them hunt and guard livestock. "Running like a Sloughi" is still a common saying in Tunisia. "It's a noble dog that was the pride of its nomadic owners," said Abid. "It's a primitive hunter with a purpose when food was scarce." She said the Sloughi has also had a more privileged standing compared to most dogs that are generally considered impure in Islamic cultures. Unlike other breeds, Sloughis have traditionally been allowed indoors and would even eat beside their owners, said Abid. - Ancestral heritage - In the southern town of Douz, on the edge of the Sahara desert, dog breeder Nabil Marzougui said the "proliferation of hybrid breeds" is putting the Sloughis' future at risk. "We inherited this dog from our forefathers," said Marzougui, calling for authorities to intervene to save the Sloughis as well as the ancestral tradition that they embody. The hounds require ample daily exercise, especially where hunting is no longer available or needed. This is why Abid said she had left the city to settle in the quiet coastal village of Ras Angela, on Africa's northernmost tip, where long stretches of sand serve as an ideal terrain for her three dogs to run around and roam free. Their seaside adventures, which Abid shares on social media, are now followed by thousands of people online. Hatem Bessrour, a 30-year-old agricultural engineer and the proud owner of a Sloughi named Cacahuete, called on fellow dog owners to register their pure-bred hounds with the national canine centre to support its breeding programme. The breed is part Tunisia's heritage, he said. "We must care for it just like we care for antiquities and archaeological sites."
Morocco World
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Syria's President Ahmed Al Sharaa Reportedly Interested in Visiting Morocco
Rabat – Syria is formalizing a new chapter in its diplomatic relationship with Morocco, extending traditional ties between the two countries. i24News reported, citing a Syrian source familiar with the matter, that Morocco has been officially notified of Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa's desire to visit the North African country. 'Morocco has not yet responded to this request for a presidential visit,' the news outlet said. The same source added that Syria's Foreign Affairs Ministry has sent a technical delegation to Morocco to inspect the Syrian embassy in Rabat. Ties between Syria and Morocco experienced a momentum, especially after King Mohammed VI's instruction to reopen Morocco's embassy in Damascus, which had been closed since 2012. Morocco closed its embassy 13 years ago due to disagreements with the Assad regime. King Mohammed VI stressed that the reopening of the embassy in Syria will 'open broader perspectives in the historical relations between our two countries and our two people.' Last month, Damascus authorities made a significant move aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties between Damascus and Rabat. The Syrian government officially closed premises occupied by Polisario separatists in the Syrian capital. The move dealt a heavy blow to both the Polisario and Algeria. Algeria's regime has long backed the Polisario Front's agenda in Morocco and beyond. In addition to its support for Polisario's independence claims in Western Sahara, Algiers has facilitated the separatists' activities in Syria, further entangling itself in the country's internal affairs. New reports have revealed additional evidence of the Polisario's incursions and interference beyond Morocco's borders, including operations in Syria. A 'highly confidential' document that surfaced in December last year shows a secret alliance between the former Syrian regime under Bashar Al Assad's collapsed government and the separatist group. The confidential document, which dates back to January 2012, was a correspondence from the Syrian government. It showed that the Polisario sent militias to undergo military training with the Syrian Arab army. The document also shows a series of communications between Algeria's Ministry of Defense, Syria's Ministry of Defense, and Polisario's leadership, with fighters divided into four groups. It detailed that Polisario's members traveled to Beirut in December 2011 for consultations with Hezbollah to coordinate military training missions in 'special operations' in Syria. An international appeal is now demanding the labeling of Polisario as a terrorist group. Many politicians from many countries have been urging their governments to take the initiative amid Polisario's threats and maneuvers undermining the stability of the region. Earlier this year, US Republican Congressman Joe Wilson announced that he would introduce legislation to that effect. 'I will introduce legislation to designate the Polisario as terrorists,' Wilson said . He was joined by several other politicians, like Liam Fox, former Secretary of State for Defense in the UK, who also made the same appeal earlier this year, saying : 'Like Hamas and Hezbollah, the Polisario Front is an Iranian proxy organisation. For the sake of our Moroccan allies, Western governments must move quickly to designate this group as a terrorist organisation.' Throughout recent years, several research institutions and think tanks have made similar appeals, shattering Polisario's self-portrayal as a liberation movement and unmasking its terrorist acts as an armed group that is involved in terrorist attacks, arms smuggling, among others. Tags: Ahmad al-SharaaMorocco and Syria
Morocco World
21 hours ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Trade and Investment: UK Committed To Strengthen Ties with Morocco
Rabat – The UK is determined to reinforce trade and investment ties with Morocco, stressing the importance of the North African country as a vital trade and investment partner. Michael Shanks, the UK Under Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, conveyed his country's reaffirmation on Thursday at the House of Commons– the lower house of the UK Parliament. Describing Morocco as a key partner, Shanks recalled Morocco's assets in the areas of clean energy, decarbonization, and the fight against climate change. For Shanks, the UK sees Morocco as an 'attractive and innovative destination for investment, adding that UK companies are seeking to increase their investments in the North African country He also recalled the two countries' agreement to boost their strategic partnership during the visit by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to Morocco earlier this month. Notably, the UK endorsed Morocco's Autonomy Plan as the most serious and credible political solution to end the dispute during Lammy's visit to Rabat. The UK's government affirmed that it shares Morocco's view on the urgent need for a resolution to the dispute in the interest of all parties, noting that the time has come to find a solution and move forward on the issue. The announcement comes amid an ongoing momentum marked by an international consensus supporting Morocco's position over Western Sahara. Over 113 countries have expressed explicit and public support for Morocco's autonomy initiative as a serious and credible basis to end the dispute. The UK's traditional position initially focused on supporting the UN-led political process as a basis to end the dispute. Beyond its position on the Sahara, the UK is seeking to strengthen relations with Morocco at all levels, particularly trade. Trade between the two countries is constantly growing. The total trade in goods and services between the two countries reached £ 4.2 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q4 of 2024. This shows an increase of 15.4%. Morocco was also the UK's 51st largest trading partner in the four quarters to the end of Q4 2024. This accounted for 0.2% of total UK trade. Tags: Morocco UK tradeUK Morocco tiesWestern sahara UK
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Small European island 3 hours from the UK 'overrun' with 10,000 tourists a day
The small island located a 20-minute ferry ride from the Maltese mainland is being swamped by tourists visiting the famous Blue Lagoon With its idyllic Mediterranean climate, rich history spanning more than 7,000 years, and stunning beaches, it's little wonder that this picturesque European island has become a holiday haven. Situated between Sicily and the North African coast, Malta welcomed nearly 3.6 million tourists in 2024 and is expecting even more this year. Just a 20-minute journey from the mainland lies the island of Comino, famous for its breathtaking Blue Lagoon - a natural 1.4 square-mile pool that has become a magnet for tourists. What was once a tranquil destination is now overrun with 10,000 visitors daily, according to Metro, leaving locals increasingly frustrated with the industry that brings "unsustainable" numbers to the area during peak season. In February, Malta's Tourism Minister, Ian Borg, vowed to "clean up" Comino by introducing a capacity cap to prevent commercial boat operators from overwhelming the area. "During July and August, 10,000 people descend on Comino's Blue Lagoon every day, and that's too many," the minister stated, according to The Times of Malta. He noted that the island could not "keep permitting operators to unload boatloads of 700 or 800 passengers at one time in such a small space," adding that the "plan is to reduce the number of passengers by half". Comino, with its mere two permanent residents, is not just a picturesque getaway but also a Natura 2000 marine protected area and an Important Bird Area (IBA), crucial for the 50 to 80 breeding pairs of yelkouan shearwaters it supports. Tourism experts have expressed concerns about the impact of overtourism on Comino and proposed potential solutions. Eammon Turley, CEO of MPV Rentals, expressed his full backing for Minister Borg's capacity cap to the Express: "It's a good move if Malta wants to preserve Comino for future generations and maintain its charm as a destination [in] nature." He warned about the often-overlooked impact of mass tourism: "Most tourists forget that huge crowds have tangible environmental effects- like destroying bird habitats, rodents from the garbage food, and wearing out the very shores and water tourists travelled miles to see in the first place." Turleyalso highlighted the importance of balancing tourism income with sustainability: "Something to consider here, too, is achieving balance between tourism revenue and long-term sustainability," adding that reducing visitor numbers doesn't put off tourists but rather enhances their experience. He added: "Cutting back on numbers doesn't deter tourists-it makes it smarter. I always tell tourists to get out and visit more than the biggest attractions first." Turleyencouraged visitors to explore beyond the well-trodden paths: "Malta has got so many other lovely things, like little coves, promenades, and culture that can give a fuller and calmer experience. Comino's not just about the Blue Lagoon - it's about the whole island. A more even distribution of visitors across different areas and times would be a great help in decongesting the areas." Travel expert Alexandra Dubakova, CMO at Free Walking Tours, echoed: "Even with the 10,000 tourists per day, most areas of the island are under-visited. Zejtun, for example, is one of Malta's oldest towns. Yet it is ignored because it is inland and not on cruise routes. "Last month, one of our Maltese guides cancelled a walking tour in Valletta because the streets were too congested. The guide couldn't show our clients around well enough to give them a meaningful experience without interference. The overstrain is slowly starting to collapse cultural experiences, beating the point of tourism. "I believe the solution should be better flow management. Nudge travellers to the ignored locations so tourists spread out and stay longer. Capping daily numbers without diversifying visitors' experience might turn Malta into a gated attraction." Meanwhile, Roisin Miller, who runs the travel blog roabouttown, recounted her visit to Malta from three years past and described the Blue Lagoon as "so busy we couldn't find a place to sit and could barely find somewhere to bob in the water". She expressed her lack of surprise at Minister Borg's measures, saying: "It will be sad for some tourists, but the rocks and area need protecting. Plus it was not actually enjoyable as a tourist [...] I do think more needs to be done to stop overtourism." Kanika Puri, Chief Customer Officer at Fast Cover Travel Insurance, cast a spotlight on the contentious approval of a substantial hotel set to be constructed on the island in the coming years. "Not only [is] the construction is highly disputed but it also doesn't solve the issue of curbing mass tourism in the meantime," she remarked. Heading towards luxury and exclusivity, the brand-new Six Senses Comino is set to welcome its first guests in 2027. Developed by HV Hospitality, under the wing of Hili Ventures, and to be overseen by the opulent hotel brand Six Senses—as stated by European Spa Magazine—the retreat promises to sprawl across two island bays, boasting 71 suites, 19 retreats, and an indulgent spa. Maltese-American Liz Delia of Zest for Latitudes reflected on the island's tourist density, observing that while Malta on the whole hasn't seemed more packed than other Mediterranean hotspots, Comino remains a "clear exception", with environmental concerns around the iconic Blue Lagoon looming large. "When we were there in 2023, we actually skipped Comino altogether and spent time instead exploring quieter bays and coves on Gozo and the main island. Comino is undeniably stunning, but it's hard to enjoy when it's packed with people. "That's also what I suggest to my readers: if they're set on going, try to visit in the shoulder season - May, September, or even October. Otherwise, there are plenty of equally gorgeous (and more peaceful) alternatives."
