North Africa’s Economy
OPEC cartel set to extend production cuts, but outlook is grim
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to weigh on global oil demand, the OPEC oil producers' club on Monday began a meeting in which they are expected to decide on an extension of production cuts. "2020 continues to be a year of immense challenges caused by the...
Economy: Drought threatens Morocco’s agriculture
Parched fields stretch as far as the eye can see on plains overlooking Agadir in southwestern Morocco, as precious water resources are diverted from the drought-hit agricultural heartland to households. "These trees are nearly 20 years old -- they're dead, there is no...
While Algeria needs hospitals, schools and cash, its leaders are opening Africa’s biggest mosque
Algeria's Grand Mosque, the world's third-biggest and Africa's largest, will host its first public prayers on Wednesday, a year and a half after construction was completed. Known locally as the Djamaa El-Djazair, the modernist structure extends across 27.75 hectares...
Dire labor market in Morocco: government chooses mass layoffs to deal with pandemic effects on businesses
Morocco’s labor marker is in disarray. Even if you believe the government’s unreliable statistics, the country is bracing for a 15% unemployment rate by the end of this year. The projection, although bad enough, does not seem to take into account the thousands of...
Libya: As Libyans hope of some normalcy, Afriqiyah Airways resumes Tripoli-Benghazi flights
Flights between the Libyan capital and Benghazi resumed Friday after an 18-month halt, amid an a easing of tensions between a Tripoli-based administration and rival authorities in the eastern city. "An Afriqiyah Airways plane... landed on Friday morning at Benina...
Tunisia: Worsening economy risks destabilizing Tunisia
Tens of thousands of Tunisians have lost their jobs in a worsening economic crisis exacerbated by efforts to stem rising cases of novel coronavirus, a key employers' federation has warned. "The first wave of the epidemic (March to June) resulted in the loss of 165,000...
Tunisia’s tourism sector collapses with 60% drop in earnings
Tunisia's tourism sector has collapsed, officials warned Saturday, with earnings plunging 60 percent and swathes of hotels at risk of closing permanently. The sector, a major employer that accounts for 14 percent of the North African nation's GDP, has been hit hard by...
Libya: Russian and other mercenaries still impeding oil sector activity in Libya
"force majeure continues on the oil fields and ports that confirmed the presence of elements of Wagner gangs and other armed groups that impede the activities and operations of the National Oil Corporation". Libya's state oil firm lifted force majeure on what it...
Libya: Warlord Khalifa Haftar wants money from oil revenues as condition to lift blockade of oil fields
Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar announced Friday a conditional lifting of a months-long blockade on oilfields and ports by his forces. "We have decided to resume oil production and export on condition of a fair distribution of revenues" and guarantee they "will not be...
Economy: Plethora of problems are hitting Algerian winemakers hard
Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria - Algerian winemaker Dahmane Hamamouche used to rise early and rush to work each morning, but he no longer bothers, as his firm chokes on a cocktail of woes. Long accustomed to nasty surprises including unpredictable weather patterns and...