Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Home Blog Page 1220

Orange Energies opens up its digital platform, Orange Smart Energies, to enable all energy producers to secure their revenues and further support energy inclusion

-
0

Orange Energies announces it is opening up its digital platform Orange Smart Energies to all energy producers in Africa. The goal is to increase energy inclusion by providing easy, prepaid access to energy through solar kits and smart meters. This IOT platform provides a solution to the profitability challenges faced by energy producers in Africa, by reducing the risk of non-payment.

Developed by Orange and enhanced in 2021, Orange Smart Energies is a software platform now open to all energy producers in Africa and the Middle East that guarantees payment by their customers via mobile money. The business model, based on a partnership between Orange and energy producers, enables Orange Energies to provide a digital service and a distribution network that makes it easier for everyone to access energy in rural areas, down to the last kilometer. This universal platform is the only one on the market that supports both pay-as-you-go solar equipment and prepaid smart meters.

Since its launch in 2017, Orange Energies’ ambition has always been to make energy more accessible by becoming the preferred partner of energy producers in a region of the world where one in two Africans lives without electricity and where electricity companies want to improve the efficiency of accounts receivable collection. Operating in 12 countries (DRC, Madagascar, Cameroon, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Mali, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Jordan), with more than 300,000 households benefiting from its services every day, Orange Energies continues to expand its customer base and regional coverage across the continent. You can find more information about Orange Energies here: http://apo-opa.co/4b9DVGY.

Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa says: “Using digital technology to improve the energy inclusion of African people has been our ambition since day one. By opening up our Orange Smart Energies platform to all energy producers, we are taking a major step forward in our commitment to universal access to energy in Africa and the Middle East.”

Nat-Sy Missamou, Senior Vice President of Orange Energies for Africa and the Middle East added: “We are working with energy producers to help them sustain their business in African markets. Leveraging existing digital and financial inclusion solutions, our pay-as-you-go service is delivered through a distribution model tailored to African markets.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Orange Middle East and Africa.

Press contacts:
Stella Fumey:
stella.fumey@orange.com

Krista Stephens:
krista.stephens@orange.com

About Orange:
Orange is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators with sales of €43.5 billion in 2023 and 129,500 employees worldwide as at March 31, 2024, including 72,500 in France. The Group had a total customer base of more than 282 million customers on March 31, 2023, including 243 million mobile customers and 21 million fixed broadband customers worldwide. The Group is present in 26 countries (including non-consolidated countries). Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies under the brand Orange Business. In February 2023, the Group presented its “Lead the future” strategic plan, built on a new business model and guided by responsibility and efficiency. “Lead the Future” capitalizes on network excellence to reinforce Orange’s leadership in service quality. 

Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA) and on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol ORAN). 

For more information (online and on your mobile): www.Orange.com, www.Orange-business.com and the Orange News app or to follow us on X: https://apo-opa.co/4ewNlPx. 

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited. 

About Orange Africa and Middle East (OMEA):
Orange is present in 18 countries in Africa and the Middle East where it had over 149 million customers on December 31, 2023. With €7.1 billion in turnover in 2023, Orange MEA is the Group’s main growth region. Orange Money, with its money transfer and financial services offer is available in 17 countries and has 90 million customers. Orange, a multi-service operator, benchmark partner of the digital transformation, provides its expertise to support the development of new digital services in Africa and the Middle East.

Hydrogen Energy Technologies to Drive Demand for Africa’s Platinum Group Metals (PGMs)

-
0

The global market for platinum group metals (PGMs) – which include platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, osmium and ruthenium – will record a 4.47% increase between now and 2029, according to market research firm Mordor Intelligence. In part, market growth will come from growing demand for PGMs in green technologies, including hydrogen energy technologies, in turn generating opportunities across Africa’s mining and hydrogen value chains.

https://apo-opa.co/3Rzawim

The Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) Summit, taking place on November 6-7 in Cape Town, will unpack the nexus between PGMs and green hydrogen and their evolving role within the African and global energy transition. The continent is home to the world’s largest PGM reserves, with South Africa alone possessing over 80% of global resources and Zimbabwe also holding substantial reserves. These metals play a vital role in fuel cell technology, enabling the production of electricity from hydrogen and oxygen. As African countries – including Namibia, South Africa, Mauritania and Egypt – intensify their green hydrogen activities, long-term PGM demand is expected to grow substantially, powering a wide range of applications from hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to stationary power generation to industrial processes.

Africa’s Green Hydrogen Potential

The African continent holds substantial potential for green hydrogen production given its abundance of co-located renewable resources. According to the European Investment Bank, Africa has the potential to produce 50 million tons of green hydrogen per annum by 2035, which could help meet power, transportation and industrial energy needs, decarbonize heavy-polluting industries, as well as be used for global export.

Namibia represents a pioneer of green hydrogen on the continent, having secured billions in investment for green hydrogen projects from various investors, including the USAID, the Development Bank of Southern Africa and Japanese investment firm ITOCHU. Green energy firm Hyphen Hydrogen Energy is implementing a $10-billion project, with the capacity to produce 350,000 metric tons per year using 7 GW of renewable energy and 3 GW of hydrogen electrolyzers. Last May, Belgian port operator Antwerp Bruges partnered with the Namibian Ports Authority to develop a EUR 250-million hydrogen and ammonia storage facility at Walvis Bay Port to facilitate the transport of hydrogen to regional and global markets.  

Realizing the potential of green hydrogen to drive regional energy security, South African tourism, trade and investment agency Wesgro signed an agreement last month with the Northern Cape Economic Development, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, Namibia’s Environmental Investment Fund and infrastructure company Gasunie and Climate Fund Managers. The agreement paves the way for the parties to assess the feasibility of developing a green hydrogen corridor connecting the Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces of South Africa with Lüderitz in Namibia.

https://apo-opa.co/3KR5JVJ

https://apo-opa.co/3XvTSnz

Furthermore, green energy companies Hive Energy UK and Genesis Eco-Energy are developing a R105 billion green hydrogen and ammonia project in the Coega Special Economic Zone in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The project will add 14,400 MW of electricity to the grid and produce 900,000 tons of green ammonia for export to global markets, increasing the country’s export revenue. South Africa has also established a $1-billion fund in partnership with the Netherlands, aimed at accelerating the deployment of green hydrogen projects to feed growing demand in Europe.

https://apo-opa.co/3xdxaWM

Private and public sector entities in South Africa are demonstrating the potential for synergy between PGMs and green hydrogen, specifically in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Last October, mining firm Anglo American entered into a partnership with automotive firm BMW South Africa and international energy firm Sasol to develop South Africa’s PGMs and green hydrogen value chains. Anglo American will provide PGMs used in hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, while Sasol will provide the green hydrogen and BMW the vehicles.

https://apo-opa.co/3XBI9UJ

As global demand for green hydrogen rises due to carbon emission reduction policies and growing energy needs, a parallel surge in PGMs demand is also anticipated. Given that Africa is home to the overwhelming majority of these critical minerals, CMA 2024 will explore the latest policies, projects and developments ensuring that the continent capitalizes on green hydrogen as a key growth driver.

Organized by Energy Capital&Power, CMA is the largest gathering of critical mineral stakeholders in Africa. Taking place from November 6 – 7 in Cape Town, the event positions Africa as the primary investment destination for critical minerals. This year’s edition takes place under the theme Innovate, Enact, Invest in African Critical Minerals to Sustain Global Growth, connecting African mining projects and regulators with global investors and stakeholders to untap the full potential of the continent’s raw materials. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.

Finding Solutions for Refugees in Ethiopia: A Shared Goal for Both Countries

admin
-
0
Finding Solutions for Refugees in Ethiopia: A Shared Goal for Both Countries

As the world marks World Refugee Day on June 20, the U.S. Embassy renews its partnership with the Government of Ethiopia to find solutions for refugees residing in Africa’s second most populous country.  Since October 2023, our countries have partnered to welcome over 2,600 refugees to the United States to re-start their lives, and we are working with Ethiopia to receive 2,400 more.  World Refugee Day commemorates the resilience and courage of millions of refugees forced to flee violence and oppression to seek a better life for themselves and their families.  We remember and honor those lives lost in search of safety.  World Refugee Day is also about celebration.  We celebrate the life of each refugee who found protection and shelter and could begin a new life with dignity and safety.  We celebrate the diversity and gifts that refugees have brought to communities around the world including economic growth, new perspectives, cultural and culinary contributions, and so much more.

But challenges remain.  UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in its annual Global Trends report announced the number of people displaced by war, persecution, violence, and human rights violations globally exceeded 117 million, the largest number recorded in modern history.  Of this number, nearly 45 million people are refugees and asylum seekers, meaning they crossed an international border seeking protection. These numbers are expected to increase as war, deadly conflicts, and climate disasters continue to displace the most vulnerable around the world.  World Refugee Day therefore is an occasion for the United States and Ethiopia to ask, “How can we address these challenges more effectively?”

The United States and Ethiopia: Humanitarian Leadership in Refugee Assistance and Resettlement

World Refugee Day represents a unique opportunity to elevate humanitarian leadership, encourage others to protect the most vulnerable in our society, engage refugees directly, and support communities that host refugees in all parts of the world.  Ethiopia has one of the largest refugee populations in Africa, hosting more than one million people from countries around the region.  In Ethiopia, over a million men, women, and children have been displaced from South Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan, and other countries—many for years—with little hope for a solution.

The ongoing fighting in Sudan has upended the lives of Sudanese people and refugees from other conflicts who had previously sought shelter within Sudan, triggering massive movements of people, including more than 50,000 who have sought asylum or protection in Ethiopia since April 2023.  Many refugees who were residing in Sudan were forced to flee again to find protection in Ethiopia and other countries.  In 2023, the U.S. Government, through the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), provided nearly $140 million dollars in humanitarian assistance for refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and conflict victims in Ethiopia. 

We thank the Government of Ethiopia’s Refugees and Returnees Service for their support of refugees and engagement with the UN and other partners in preparing to implement Ethiopia’s ambitious pledges made during the 2023 Global Refugee Forum, including steps for greater refugee inclusion and durable solutions for refugee populations.  Today, we renew our support to refugees and the organizations, donors, and partners who have stepped up to provide these vulnerable populations with life-saving care, services, and assistance. 

Our assistance would not be possible without the partnership of UNHCR, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and other UN and international organization partners and non-governmental organizations delivering support to individuals in need throughout Ethiopia. We coordinate with the World Bank and UN partners to strengthen refugee inclusion in Ethiopia because when refugees are allowed to resettle, work, or start businesses, they contribute to the economy and strengthen host communities. 

In Ethiopia, through USAID support to the UN World Food Program, generous U.S. taxpayers have provided $80 million dollars worth of food assistance in Fiscal Year 2023 to support refugees, helping them to survive, feed their families, and regain stability and dignity.

The United States has welcomed more than 3 million refugees for permanent resettlement since 1980.  Last year, we launched Welcome Corps to enable Americans to sponsor refugees arriving through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and directly support refugee resettlement.  This year, President Biden signed the Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year 2024 with the plan to welcome 125,000 refugees to the United States from around the world, a level not achieved in three decades.  The United States has resettled more than 2,600 refugees living in Ethiopia since October 2023.  We could not have done this without the support of the Government of Ethiopia, UNHCR, IOM, and many other partners.

The Government of Ethiopia’s support has allowed thousands of refugees to start new lives in the United States, and we look forward to the approval of exit permits for 2,400 more this summer. Two months ago, I joined Director General Teyiba Hassen of Ethiopia’s Refugee Service to wish hundreds of refugees farewell and good luck as they boarded a charter flight to the United States – one of the high points of my tenure here as ambassador.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

No single country can provide solutions for millions of displaced people on its own.  This is a global phenomenon that requires a coordinated response, and we must do all we can to protect the most vulnerable.  Durable solutions, which include efforts to integrate refugees into the communities in which they live, as well as providing opportunities for resettlement to third countries, are key to addressing our shared global challenge of displacement. 

U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa is committed to supporting inclusive solutions for refugees and other displaced persons.  The United States is proud to be the largest single provider of humanitarian assistance worldwide and leads the effort on third-country refugee resettlement.  Humanitarian funds provide millions of refugees and internally displaced persons with lifesaving assistance. Given the urgency of their situations, we ask much from our partners and will continue to do so as we seek Government of Ethiopia approval for additional exit permits.

In my travels around Ethiopia, I have had the opportunity to meet refugees who fled violence and persecution in their countries.  Refugees face challenges in Ethiopia, including addressing the significant trauma experienced while fleeing conflict, food insecurity, lack of livelihood opportunities, access to safe water, healthcare, and educational opportunities.  We are working with our partners to support access to asylum and refugee registration, promote refugee integration into national systems and development plans, and improve access to sustainable employment to increase self-reliance.  Welcoming refugees at home and supporting refugees in other countries, such as Ethiopia, is who we are as Americans— a nation founded by those fleeing religious persecution.  Together, we can create a more hopeful and brighter future — one that embodies our highest values.  I am proud to stand with Ethiopia as we partner to care for refugees in Ethiopia and help resettle 2,400 more refugees in the United States to start new lives. Let us together show solidarity #WithRefugees.

Noureddine Naybet: “The FIFA World Cup 2030™ will be a historic moment for international football”

-
0

World Cup 2030™ – Bid Ambassadors

Noureddine Naybet is considered one of the best defenders in the history of African football. He began his professional career with Wydad Casablanca in 1989, winning three Botola championships. After stints in France with FC Nantes and in Portugal with Sporting CP, Naybet will undoubtedly be remembered for his time at Deportivo La Coruña, where he played for eight seasons, helping the team win a famous La Liga victory in 2000, as well as a Copa del Rey and two Spanish Super Cup trophies.

Internationally, Naybet is an iconic figure of the Moroccan national team, playing for 17 consecutive years and amassing an impressive total of 115 caps, remaining the only Moroccan to have surpassed 100 international matches. He notably participated in the Olympic Games, two FIFA™ World Cups in 1994 and 1998, and six Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

Q1: Noureddine, thank you for speaking with us. Let’s start with your recent appointment as an ambassador for the Morocco, Portugal, and Spain bid for the FIFA World Cup 2030™. What does this role mean to you?

A: It was a true honor to be chosen as an ambassador for this bid. As a Moroccan, seeing my country host its first FIFA World Cup™ in line with the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, would be incredibly special, and I think it would have an incredible impact on the entire country. I also greatly appreciated my time in Portugal and Spain, two countries I know well and believe would be excellent hosts for the World Cup. Bringing these three countries together to organize the first transcontinental FIFA World Cup™  is a historic opportunity for international football, and I am excited to be part of this journey.

Q2: As you mentioned, you played in all three potential host countries – in Morocco with Wydad Casablanca, in Portugal with Sporting CP, and in Spain with Deportivo La Coruña. How would you describe these experiences?

A: I had very positive experiences in all three countries. I am proud to be Moroccan and it was through my journey in Morocco, particularly with Wydad, that I was shaped as a football player capable of adapting both on and off the field. I greatly enjoyed my time playing in Botola and the CAF Champions League. In Portugal, where I played for one season, and in Spain, where I spent seven seasons, I also felt at home. I played alongside and against exceptional players, but what I remember most is the dedication of all the fans. Their love for football is inspiring. There is a lot of respect, friendship, and tolerance in the stadiums and beyond. All these elements will be assets to make the FIFA World Cup 2030™ the best ever organized.

Q3: You are still active in football, as a mentor and coach of young talents. How do you see the current evolution of Moroccan football and what are your expectations for the national team in 2030?

A: Moroccan football has never been in a better position. This is largely due to the support of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who has provided a clear vision for the development of football, as part of Morocco’s sports development plan. This is already bearing fruit, with a historic performance by the men’s team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup™, and the qualification of the women’s team for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup™, a first in our history.

Morocco is investing in football in the best possible way, offering more opportunities to young people and providing them with top-quality infrastructure and coaching. We are creating national teams capable of competing internationally, thus inspiring the next generation. By 2030, I think you can expect a very competitive Moroccan team!

Q4: Morocco has also hosted more and more international football events. What do you think of those organized so far and what lessons can be learned for the FIFA World Cup 2030™ bid?

A: The main lesson is that we are ready! As you pointed out, Morocco has hosted some of the biggest international football events in recent years, including the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup™ and the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which attracted record crowds. The commitment of our fans to creating an incredible atmosphere has been remarkable.

This has not gone unnoticed by CAF and FIFA, and we will continue to host major events in the coming years, including the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™  from 2025 to 2029. We will learn from each experience and, with the continued support of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco will be more than ready to welcome the world in 2030.

Q5: In your opinion, what will be the impact of the FIFA World Cup 2030™ in Morocco?

A: Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2030™ will be a true transformation for our country. From a footballing perspective, I can’t think of a more impactful way to encourage continued engagement and support for the sport, especially among young people. I think it will help our country continue to develop and be competitive in the years to come.

But the impact will go beyond football. I fully support the vision of the bid for the FIFA World Cup 2030™, which is focused on social cohesion, sustainability, investment opportunities, and innovation. Our country has immense potential in many areas, and I am very excited to see what we can achieve together.

Q6: We are witnessing many achievements in African football, on and off the field. Can hosting the World Cup in an African country benefit the entire continent?

A: The answer is clearly yes. Hosting the FIFA World Cup™ could be transformative for Africa. Football can be a catalyst for large-scale development across the continent. We often forget that this would only be the second time the FIFA World Cup™ is held in Africa in 100 years of history. I have no doubt that it will inspire millions of young footballers across the continent. But beyond inspiration, the FIFA World Cup 2030™ will bring innovative solutions to improve football across Africa. All successful ideas, innovations, and new standards developed will be shared with football associations worldwide, including in Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of YallaVamos 2030.

1...1,2191,2201,221...4,122Page 1,220 of 4,122

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

ABOUT US

 

Capital is the longest-established private English newspaper in Ethiopia

Contact us: info@capitalethiopia.com

+251911637862 | +251944732300 | +251116183253
 

FOLLOW US

© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv