Year: 2017

6 African entrepreneurs take part in Berlin-based programme

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Six African entrepreneurs attended this year’s Westerwelle Young Founders Conference in Berlin, Germany, learned about German initiatives to foster entrepreneurship and pitching their businesses. Disrupt Africa reported in March the Westerwelle Foundation had opened applications for the Westerwelle Young Founders Programme, looking for outstanding young entrepreneurs from developing and emerging countries to participate at the Young Founders Conference. After more than 2,000 applications were received from all over the world, a cohort of 21 young entrepreneurs from 15 countries was selected to take part. The cohort included six entrepreneurs from Africa, namely Zilla…

Empowering people and building peaceful societies: Cooperation between the EU and UNDP in the Arab States region

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Peace and stability are key to achieving the Global Goals in the Arab States, EU-UNDP report says First report on the partnership between the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Arab States was released today in Brussels. Entitled “ Empowering people and building peaceful societies”, the report showcases results of the many initiatives carried out by the EU and UNDP, impacting the lives of millions of people across the region. “From constitutional change that finally recognizes the voices of women, to democratic elections, to…

South Africa: SA Companies Explore Opportunities in Tunisia, Algeria

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A delegation of South African companies is currently on a trade and investment mission in Tunisia and Algeria, where they are exploring export markets. The trade and investment mission, which is led by the Department of Trade and Industry (dti), will serve to promote South African products and service offerings, while creating partnerships between the business communities of the respective countries. The trade mission, which got underway on Sunday, will conclude on Thursday. Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies said the mission is aimed at advancing Tunisia, Algeria and…

China Donates Advanced Maritime Equipment to Tunisia Following Industry Sector Boost

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Last month, Tunisian Ambassador to China Mohamed Sahbi Basly expressed optimism regarding the relationship between the two countries. The Chinese Embassy to Tunisia reports that China has donated maritime control and surveillance equipment to the African Nation. A donation of two mobile scanners which cost US$4.8 million was presented to Tunisian customs. Prime Minister Youssef Chahed expressed gratitude for the gesture, saying “The surveillance system will concern the maritime and land borders, and thus immunize the national economy against contraband and parallel trade.” The equipment is to aid in beefing up security at Tunisia’s…

UN says Libya rivals made progress in Tunis talks

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Representatives of Libya’s rival authorities have made progress on amending a deal on a political transition for the North African country, the special UN envoy said on Sunday. UN envoy Ghassan Salame opened new talks in Tunisia between the rival Libyan administrations on Tuesday, less than a week after presenting a plan to end the chaos in the conflict-wracked country. Years of political turmoil since the 2011 overthrow of long-time dictator Moamer Kadhafi have left Libya divided between rival governments and beset by violence as militia forces battle for power.…

As political parities gather in Tunisia for UN-brokered agreement, war rages on in west Libya

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Military conflict and intense fighting have entered the third week in the coastal city of Sabratha, leaving about 26 persons killed, 170 injured and thousands displaced, according to Health Ministry and the Libyan Red crescent. Sabratha is a very crucial regional and coastal city both for Libya and for Europe. It is number one destination for illegal immigrants and it harbors the most powerful human trafficking networks, besides being a Roman relic. Since mid-September, clashes erupted between Al-Wadi (or Fighting IS) Operations Room and Brigade 48, which are both under…

Tunisia rescues 140 migrants off its coast

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The Tunisian navy rescued 98 Tunisians fleeing to Europe when their boat started to sink off Kerkenah on the southeast coast late on Saturday, the national guard said. Separately, the army said it had arrested 43 illegal migrants rescued from four boats off Zarzis, also on the southeast coast. Tunisia has been praised for its democratic progress after a 2011 uprising against autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali but successive governments have failed to create jobs for young people, some of whom head illegally to Europe to seek work. Tunisia arrested…

Italy provides 60 million euros to Libya and Tunisia to tackle migration

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The Italian Foreign Ministry has announced an assistance package of 60 million euros for migration management in Libya and Tunisia to regulate the illegal immigration flows. In a statement, the ministry said that the Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano had planned a 60 million euros in aid to Libya and Tunisia as significant states in terms of controlling the flow of illegal immigration, adding that the ministry urged Italian NGOs capable of working in crisis areas to provide professional input through coordinating with the Libyan authorities and local NGOs. Libya Observer

Mainstreaming migration for poverty reduction –in diverse country contexts

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I recently visited a number of countries on a monitoring mission for the joint IOM-UNDP Global Project on Mainstreaming Migration in National Development Strategies. Funded by Switzerland, this project is implemented in eight countries (Bangladesh, Ecuador, Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Morocco, Serbia and Tunisia) and provides some successful examples of how migration and development intertwine. As a development organization, our role is to ensure that development issues such as governance, economic opportunities, conflict prevention, climate change adaptation, environmental management are embedded in the short, medium and long term support provided to migrants,…

A Costly Victory Angela Merkel won the elections, but right-wing populists are spoiling the party.

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Angela Merkel has won a fourth term as chancellor. Yet her grand coalition got badly drubbed. Most worryingly, the huge success of the right-wing AfD reveals a country deeply split. t’s still the same country, with Angela Merkel confirmed as chancellor for another four years – a stable, liberal, prosperous place. And yet, so much has changed overnight. For the first time since the early years of the then West German republic, a far-right party has entered the Bundestag, and in force. With its support particularly strong in the eastern…