UK Network

03/07/2024

https://www.africa.com/tyla-bags-best-international-act-and-best-new-artist-at-bet-awards/

South African singer Tyla triumphed at this year's BET Awards, winning Best New Artist and Best International Act, two of the night’s most coveted prizes. She

24/06/2024

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/nhs-nurses-take-legal-action-over-transgender-policy-pmt25g7pd

Nurses claimed colleagues have experienced panic attacks after being required to change into work clothes in front of a sexually active biological male

12/06/2024

𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐚 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐍𝐮𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬

Russia and Guinea have signed a memorandum of understanding to build floating nuclear power plants in Guinea, according to a report by Russian newspaper Sputnik. The floating nuclear power plant will be designed with autonomy in mind and built on a platform at sea. It will provide electricity, heat, and desalinated water to remote and arid areas in the West African country. The project will be handled by the Russian energy corporation Rosatom, which revealed in a statement that both parties will explore the feasibility and terms of implementing the project. This initiative is likely part of Russia’s broader strategy to strengthen ties with African allies. Recently, Rosatom has been active in Africa with recent reports revealing the company is in the final stages of a nuclear deal with Burkina Faso. It is also working on an Egyptian nuclear power plant, and in discussion with other African nations to provide a similar service.

11/06/2024

𝐔𝐒, 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧, 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐡, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐠𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐩

Congolese authorities charged over 50 defendants, including six with US, British, Canadian, and Belgian citizenship, to court on Friday for participating in the May 19 failed coup attempt. The defendants were allegedly part of a group of armed men, led by US-based Congolese politician Christian Malanga, who briefly occupied a presidency office in Kinshasa during the attempt. While Malanga was killed in the ensuing confrontation with security forces, his son, Marcel Malanga, two other US citizens, and three others with Canadian, British, and Belgian citizenships all face charges of illegal arms possession, criminal conspiracy, and terrorism, among others. All of them have Congolese roots and, if found guilty, face lengthy prison sentences or death. The defendants were charged during their court appearance but were not allowed to enter pleas. Richard Bondo, a lawyer for one US detainee, revealed they are presumed innocent and that it was too soon to discuss extradition.

10/06/2024

𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐬-𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐀 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐬-𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐨, 𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭

CAIRO, Egypt, 5 June 2024 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- Continuing its expansion in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Swiss-Belhotel International, announced today the signing of an agreement for Swiss-Belresidences Rivan, an upscale new residential development, located in Cairo, Egypt.
The agreement was formalised at the Swiss-Belhotel International’s regional headquarters in Dubai on May 14th and the official launch event took place in Cairo on 2nd June, 2024.
This sealed the deal between the owning company Al Tameer Al Arabia for Real Estate Development and Investment Sae and Swiss-Belhotel International.
Eng. Marzouk Mansour Abdelrazek Namnam, owner and CEO of Al Tameer Al Arabia for Real Estate Development and Investment Sae, said, “With our extensive experience in real estate and collaborations with major global companies and consultancy firms, we are unveiling a new vision to revolutionise real estate in Egypt. Our goal extends beyond creating residential, administrative, or commercial units; it is about crafting environments that enhance daily life through upscale and sustainable developments. Our collaboration with Swiss-Belhotel International for developing Swiss-Belresidences Rivan reflects our commitment to creating a new standard for high-end living in Cairo, while contributing positively to the city’s growth.”
Gavin M. Faull, Chairman and President of Swiss-Belhotel International, said, “We are glad to partner with Al Tameer Al Arabia for Real Estate Development and Investment Sae to bring this project to life. The Swiss-Belresidences Rivan in Cairo embodies our commitment to providing high-quality accommodation options in prime destinations. Our growth in the MENA region continues to be a key focus of our global expansion strategy. With our winning partnership philosophy, we work hand in hand with owners and investors to achieve the desired business objectives that the Swiss-Belhotel International is known for globally.”
Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President – Operations & Development, EMEA & India; Senior Vice President – Group Human Resources & Talent Development at Swiss-Belhotel International, added, “We are delighted to expand our footprint in the MENA region with Swiss-Belresidences Rivan that promises to provide an unmatched living experience to residents in Cairo. The high-end residences will feature facilities tailored to meet the needs of residents that are well-travelled, successful, well-educated and are looking for urban living spaces. With cutting edge technology, on-call services of housekeeping, outdoor catering and community activities, it will fit the rich modern lifestyle requirements. We are committed to fostering a mutually successful long-term business partnership with Al Tameer Al Arabia for Real Estate Development and Investment Sae and grateful for the opportunity extended to us.”
Swiss-Belresidences Rivan, a high-end residential community, is scheduled to open in 2026. Located in the prestigious R7 district of the New Capital, overlooking Central Park, it features landscaped gardens, water features, exclusive clubhouses, and comprehensive security. It is part of Rivan Square, a vibrant shopping, dining, and entertainment destination with retail outlets, restaurants, cafes, and other attractions. The complex also includes Rivan Tower, a 10-floor residential and administrative tower offering panoramic city views.

07/06/2024

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐮𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭-𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

President Ruto has reiterated Kenya’s commitment to maintaining a balance between the US and its rival China and is “neither facing east nor west” but facing forward. Ruto made this statement during a recent interview with the Al Jazeera news network where he emphasized Kenya’s balanced foreign policy. Ruto’s recent trip to the US, the first by an African head of state in 16 years, highlights his country’s growing partnership with America, especially after President Biden designated it a non-NATO ally. However, Ruto maintains that Kenya is an independent country that will choose its own friends and not inherit enemies from others. He explained that his mission to the US was about both countries’ shared interests, including climate change, trade relationship, and the rule. Regardless, it continues to engage with China, its largest trading partner, and the funding source for a $4.7 billion high-speed railway that traverses the country.

06/06/2024

𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚’𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐮𝐭

Sara Sabry has achieved multiple firsts as the first Egyptian, Arab, and African woman to go to space. After she was selected by Space for Humanity to be the second Citizen Astronaut to journey to space, she launched aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket on August 4, 2022. With that single event, she made history, carrying her home country and the African continent with her. Sabry, a 31-year-old mechanical and biomedical engineer, shared her journey at GITEX Africa in Marrakesh. Over the course of her life, Sabry faced nay-sayers who doubted her ability. Beyond that, she faced limitations due to her nationality. She stated she would never have had the opportunity to access the space field without effort to create opportunities for herself. Because of her experience, she founded the Deep Space Initiative with the goal of increasing accessibility and opportunity in space for every human.

05/06/2024

𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝟗𝟖% 𝐨𝐟 $𝟖𝟓𝟎 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬

Nigeria has settled 98% of its $850 million backlog owed to international airline operators, leaving $19 million pending verification by its Central Bank. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced this development in a statement where it commended the authorities for their efforts and urged them to see to the payment of the residual $19 million. Due to an acute dollar shortage, Nigeria had been unable to allow foreign airlines to repatriate their earnings, peaking at $850 million owed in June 2023. In January 2024, airlines threatened strikes and some of them scaled back operations due to only $61 million being settled. The CBN’s payment of the money owed to airlines is part of a broader effort to clear FX backlogs of over $7 billion in a bid to stabilize the country’s exchange rate.

04/06/2024

𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐎𝐛𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 $𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐋𝐨𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Nigeria has secured a $500 million World Bank loan to enhance power distribution. The Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) announced that the loan, approved in 2021, was included in the government’s borrowing plan after meeting certain milestones. The loan aims to improve the financial and technical performance of distribution companies, which have struggled since the sector’s privatization. Funds will rehabilitate networks, install electric meters, and improve service quality. This development comes after the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) raised tariffs for a section of its customers last month in an attempt to reduce the drain, via subsidy payments, on public finance. The move has seen fierce opposition from stakeholders, businesses, labor unions, and the public, and is one of the reasons why the country’s labor unions have embarked on strike.

03/06/2024

𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦

Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, who jointly make up the Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area, this week launched a new destination brand, “Rivers of Life,” during an event at the KAZA summit in Livingstone, Zambia. The group, which states conservation as a core value, will be rolling out the brand campaign on various platforms in coming months. The visual identity of the new tourism destination brand features a graphic depiction of an elephant, a keystone species whose migratory nature highlights the need for transboundary collaboration among the five KAZA countries.

30/05/2024

𝐒𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐧 𝐎𝐢𝐥 𝐏𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬, 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐬

A ruptured oil pipeline in Sudan, damaged during February’s conflict, has been repaired and is expected to resume operations within two weeks, according to a South Sudan oil ministry official. The Petrodar pipeline, one of two operating in the country, transports about 100,000 barrels of crude oil each day. Its damaged pump station, located in territory controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in neighboring Sudan, led to the halt. While the damage to the pipeline has been fixed, there is still some work to be done before it can resume operations. South Sudan’s Dar Blend crude requires heating to ensure it doesn’t solidify in the pipeline. Unfortunately, the lull in operations means some of it has congealed. South Sudanese authorities will now turn their attention to this problem especially since its restoration is critical if the country is to avoid economic meltdown as oil accounts for 90% of its foreign exchange earnings.

29/05/2024

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐃𝐀 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐓𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐈𝐧 𝐔𝐒𝐃$𝟕𝟎𝟎 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝-𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚

Standard Bank, Africa’s largest banking group by assets and MiDA Advisors, will be partnering with Acorn Holdings, an established real estate developer, in mobilising USD$700 million Kenya Shilling (KES) equivalent in long-term blended finance commitments for green, affordable student housing in Kenya.

Upon approval, the transaction will comprise up to USD$180 million commitment from the United States Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to secure over USD$380 million in equivalent KES financing arranged jointly by Stanbic Bank Kenya (a member of Standard Bank Group) and MiDA Advisors, and over USD$315 million in equivalent KES financing from Kenyan capital markets. The partners plan to raise roughly USD$700 million in total blended finance over an 18-year timeframe.

Kenny Fihla, Standard Bank Group’s Chief Executive for Corporate and Investment Banking, says the collaboration is consistent with the group’s commitment to driving Africa’s socio- economic development.

“This transaction will further entrench our commitment to facilitating sustainable investments on the continent. We have set ambitious targets of raising between R250 billion and R300 billion for sustainable finance by the end of 2026,” he says.

The collaboration will result in the construction of 35 certified green housing projects, creating approximately 48,000 new student beds over the next 10 years, making it the single largest investment into student housing in Africa. This project will be key to alleviating the shortage of quality and affordable accommodation for tertiary students in Kenya. The initiative will create an estimated 15,000 direct jobs and 35,000 indirect jobs.

This is not Standard Bank’s first collaboration with Acorn Holdings. The Bank was instrumental in bringing the first-ever green bond to East Africa, in association with Acorn Holdings, for environmentally friendly student housing in Nairobi. Standard Bank also facilitated the largest purchase of Acorn Holdings’ Income and Development Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) through the Unquoted Securities Platform.