North Africa’s Economy
Sahel: Dozens killed in ambush on convoy of Canadian gold miner Semafo in Burkina Faso
An escalation of attacks across the Sahel is now affecting mining operations, with Canadian firm Semafo reporting casualties among its employees. At least 37 people were killed and dozens more wounded according to local authorities. MEA Risk LLC reports that...
Egypt: cash-strapped Egypt wants to sell equity in its military-owned businesses
Cairo, Oct 31, 2019 - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi suggested Thursday listing military-owned companies on the stock exchange, along with other state-run firms and assets. "There must be an opportunity for the armed forces' companies. They must enter the...
Morocco: Spirit AeroSystems acquires Bombardier’s Casablanca site
London, Oct 31, 2019 - Canadian manufacturing group Bombardier announced Thursday it was selling its aerostructures business to US firm Spirit AeroSystems, involving operations in Belfast, Casablanca and Dallas, in a cash-plus-debt deal exceeding $1 billion....
Algeria: Public banks prepare to strike on 10 November
The ongoing strike of judges and lawyers is giving a new momentum to unions operating in public banks. On October 30, 2019, unions of six state-owned banks have called in a statement for a one-day strike on to be held on Sunday, November 10. Although the strike is...
Libya: After a two month-closure, Mitiga airport to reopen
Tripoli, Oct 29, 2019 - Flights are to resume at Tripoli's Mitiga airport, closed for almost two months after being bombed multiple times in the ongoing battle for the Libyan capital, the unity government said on Tuesday. Transport Minister Milad Maatoug announced...
Libya: Despite war, city of Tripoli to have its bus service for first time in three decades
Tripoli, Oct 15, 2019 - Parked in a hangar in downtown Tripoli, some 35 buses awaited this week's launch of a new urban public transport scheme -- the first in the Libyan capital in three decades. Imported from China, the brand new vehicles will make their first trips...
Algeria: Regime loses control of the economy, construction sector collapses
French version here- By Arezki Daoud - 10 October 2019: While the Algerian government is working to pass its 2020 budget and an extremely controversial petroleum law at a breath-taking speed, the statistics on the construction sector in the country are chilling. The...
Egypt: Tension escalates with Ethiopia over Nile dam
Cairo, Oct 6, 2019 - Egypt has urged international mediation over what it called "deadlock" in talks in Sudan over a massive dam under construction on the Nile River, sparking fresh tensions with Ethiopia. Negotiations between the three countries have been at a...
Egypt: Fear of more unrest prompts Sisi government to lower fuel prices
Cairo, Oct 4, 2019 - Egypt lowered fuel prices on Friday, the oil ministry said, following several rounds of price hikes as part of an austerity programme that have triggered discontent. The move comes a week after rare protests broke out in Cairo and other cities...
Sahel: Protests over bad roads continue in Mali
Bamako, Sept 11, 2019 (By Maīmouna Moro) - Like many of his fellow Malians, Ousmane Maiga used to drive regularly between Gao, in the north of the country, and the capital Bamako. Today, he balks at doing the once-familiar trip. For one thing, there is the threat...