Latest news with #Afrique
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Casino to introduce Franprix and Monoprix retail brands in Morocco
French convenience retailer Casino Group has partnered with Moroccan conglomerate H&S Invest to introduce its retail brands in Morocco. The collaboration seeks to establish 210 Franprix and Monoprix stores across the country by 2035. The alliance is part of Casino Group's international growth plan through franchising. The group, with operations spanning 30 nations, already collaborates with 472 franchised outlets outside mainland France, contributing to 3.5% of its net sales in 2024. Casino Group CEO Philippe Palazzi stated: 'This partnership with H&S Invest Holding is fully in line with our strategy of expanding internationally through franchising. It illustrates our ability to leverage the strength of our brands, our logistics know-how and our expertise in convenience retailing in a market as dynamic as Morocco. 'Thanks to H&S Invest Holding's deep local roots and solid operations, we will be able to rapidly roll out a network of high-performance convenience stores in step with changing consumer habits in Morocco.' H&S Invest views the partnership as an opportunity to diversify its retail division. The introduction of Franprix and Monoprix is expected to improve the Moroccan convenience retail landscape. Franprix operates convenience stores in cities and towns while Monoprix offers food, apparel, home goods, beauty products and leisure items. The inaugural stores will launch in 2026 and will offer a curated selection of fresh goods, and a substantial quantity of local products. H&S Invest Holding chairman Moncef Belkhayat stated: 'We are proud to be partnering with a major international player like Casino Group. This strategic partnership will enable us to offer a new customer experience in the Moroccan market. By 2030, we aim to create more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs across the Kingdom through the roll-out of the Franprix and Monoprix banners.' In the first quarter of fiscal 2025, net sales of the Monoprix brand dropped 0.6% and Franprix's sales by 1.7%, compared to the same period in fiscal 2024. "Casino to introduce Franprix and Monoprix retail brands in Morocco" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Zawya
26-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Tunisia: Prime Ministry announces key aspects of State's economic and social programme
Tunis – The Prime Ministry, on Saturday afternoon, announced the main pillars of the state's economic and social programme following a Cabinet meeting held on the same day at the Government Palace in Kasbah, chaired by Prime Minister, Sara Zaafrani Zenzri. The state's economic and social programme covers several key sectors, including health, finance, education, science, industry, energy, youth, sports, culture, administration, and various public services, according to a Prime Ministry statement. Promoting Employment and Improving Living Standards The programme primarily focuses on employment, improving living standards, strengthening the social protection system, and enhancing human capital, particularly by developing social policies to achieve social justice. Several measures will be adopted to preserve the purchasing power of low- and middle-income groups, expand social support for vulnerable populations, and provide guidance and assistance for project startups, the statement noted. Additionally, the programme aims to accelerate measures related to income improvement, boost economic and social integration mechanisms, create job opportunities, ensure decent working conditions, and eliminate precarious employment. It also seeks to facilitate access to housing, strengthen social cohesion, enhance public services, and develop social security and coverage systems. Implementing Legislative Reforms The state's economic and social programme also includes legislative reforms as a fundamental lever to translate economic and social approaches into tangible reality, adapting the legal framework to the current phase's requirements and challenges, according to the same source. Reforming the education system The programme also focuses on reforming and developing the education, higher education, and vocational training systems to align with labor market demands. It aims to improve the healthcare system, promote cultural, youth, and sports activities to enhance human capital, and boost investment within a comprehensive framework that encourages entrepreneurship and fosters its culture and improves the business climate. Driving investment in a comprehensive framework This approach is also based on promoting investment through a holistic strategy that includes liberating private initiative, spreading a culture of entrepreneurship, improving the business environment, optimising real estate assets, advancing public projects, and developing transport infrastructure. This involves modernising ports and airports, strengthening rail networks, expanding road networks, enhancing trade, territorial planning, ensuring food security, developing industry and tourism, digitising public services, protecting the economic fabric, regulating imports, supporting exports, streamlining customs procedures, and enforcing trade defence mechanisms. The state programme also includes accelerating the energy transition and increasing the share of renewable energy in electricity production to address growing climate and energy challenges, protecting the coastline, and promoting a circular economy. Boosting regional development dynamics The programme adopts a regional development approach based on constitutional principles to drive growth in regions, which will contribute to shaping their priorities through a new participatory methodology. This process starts with proposing programmes and projects at the local council level, then the regional council, followed by the district council, and finally at the national level. Based on this, the 2026-2030 Development Plan will be prepared, alongside supporting the system of communitarian enterprises, the statement added. Advancing the digital transformation of administration The programme also includes the digital transformation of the administration, accelerating interconnections that will serve as a pivotal lever for the state's economic and social programme. This transformation will modernise administration, ensure transparency, facilitate transactions, open new horizons for the digital economy, stimulate youth initiatives, develop remote administrative services, advance the digital economy, protect the national cyberspace, and strengthen digital trust. The Prime Ministry emphasised that an advanced methodology will be adopted to monitor the implementation of all measures and projects under the economic and social programme. This will be based on performance indicators linked to specific timelines, using modern technological monitoring tools to proactively address challenges, ensuring the timely realisation of these measures and projects, according to the statement. © Tap 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
25-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Morocco secures €300mln from EIB and KfW to strengthen grid, boost renewables
Morocco's National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) has secured €300 million in financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the German development bank KfW to strengthen its electricity transmission infrastructure and support the country's energy transition. The funding, which includes €170 million from the EIB and €130 million from KfW, will be used to upgrade and extend the national grid by 731 km and increasing its evacuation capacity by 1,850 MVA, accordinng to a Frenck language press statement by EIB. The investment is part of ONEE's broader 220 billion Moroccan dirhams ($21.7 billion) roadmap through 2030, with MAD 177 billion dedicated to the power sector. The financing complements earlier investments such as the 270 MW Jebel Lahdid wind farm, co-financed by the EIB, KfW, and the European Union. ONEE has an installed capacity of 12,017 megawatts (MW), 45.4 percent of which comes from renewable energy, and is developing 12.5 gigawatts (GW) of additional capacity by 2030. Morocco is aiming for 56 percent of installed capacity from renewables by end-2027. (Writing by Majda Muhsen; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
Jordan Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Jordan Times
Online or on stage, C.African comics try to break through
BANGUI, Central African Republic — Under a mango tree in a residential area of Bangui, the filming of "Problem Booth" is under way, a series of skits imagined by Lemuel Luther-King Godonam and a few fellow comedians. Filming, then uploading the videos to build a following is an uphill struggle in the Central African Republic (CAR), a war-scarred country that is one of the world's poorest and where Internet penetration is just 15.5 per cent. But Godonam, a 19-year-old high school student, is undeterred. As "Luther LG" he leads the troupe, playing the harassed owner of a shop dealing with problem customers and the girl selling peanuts next door. He just wants to make a name for himself. "It's a new thing for us," he said, explaining the lack of scripts and dialogue, and the use of a simple sign as scenery. "You can count comedians here on the fingers of one hand," he added. 'People need this' A few curious locals stopped to see how it was all done. "I thought they just did this on the phone but there's real effort behind it," said 21-year-old student Kharl Malibangar, marvelling at the booms, mics and cameras."I want to encourage them, like their channels, subscribe and give them likes," he added. "Humour helps a lot of people. We've been through war and people need this to escape and relax." Godonam said he wants to take comedy from the CAR "to another level" and win fame outside the country. That is why the young performers, aged between 19 and 24, speak in French rather than Sango, one of the country's official languages. "It's not just Central Africans who follow me," said Godonam, who dreams of being as popular as Cameroonians, Ivorians or Beninese on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram."Foreigners also need to understand what's being said, so I have to do it in French." Posting the videos online however is a challenge. "There isn't good internet connection here, which stops me from posting on certain networks," said one of the other comedians, Jessie Pavelle. "It stops me from getting noticed." Sometimes, the 2,000 CFA francs ($3.40) that 19-year-old Pavelle puts on her phone as credit is used up even before her video is online. Such problems mean they cannot rely on an online presence alone. Professionalise - But the Central African capital is sorely lacking in the kind of comedy venues or events that Ivory Coast, a launchpad for comedians, enjoys. Niger's Mamane, whose "very, very democratic Republic of Gondwana" mocks dictatorial tendencies in Africa, has run the "Abidjan: capital of laughter" festival for the last 10 years. Ivory Coast's economic capital also boasts filming locations, where production companies create comedy shows, bars where stand-up nights are held regularly -- and even, in recent years, comedy schools. "Ivory Coast is the country of comedy," Mamane told AFP as he recorded his "Parliament of Laughter" show, broadcast on French channel Canal+. "You've just got to arrive at the airport in Abidjan and get off the plane... the Ivorian sense of humour is everywhere, it's become legendary and spread across west Africa and all of central Africa." Mamane said he could have spent his career in France. But he wanted to come back to help develop professional comedy in Africa. Next generation The Central African Republic is not quite there yet, said Gervais Symphorien Kpignon, from the famous Bangui Parrots troupe. Comedy spots are often limited to official political ceremonies or events organised by NGOs where the aim is to "raise awareness, sensitise and educate the population" through humour, he said. That's a far cry from the new wave, which is focused on more lightweight topics such as romantic relationships. To bridge a gap and ensure the future of Central African comedy, Yvon Cyrille Gone -- also known as Dr Mandjeke -- created the "Bangui Laughs" festival seven years ago. He also trains a new generation of young Central African comedians. "The young people who are coming up are good but they don't have enough experience so I decided to give them a hand," he said. That night, he added Jessie Pavelle's name at the last minute to perform alongside more experienced comedians. It was only her second time in front of an audience. The white plastic chairs at the Missy-Momo cultural space in Bangui were all taken and the audience burst out laughing when she joked about big guys being generous and skinny ones being stingy. "I really want to become the best-known Central African comedian in the world," she said after finishing her set. Page 2
Malay Mail
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
In war-scarred Central African Republic, teens battle bad internet and broken systems to make world laugh
BANGUI (Central African Republic), May 22 — Under a mango tree in a residential area of Bangui, the filming of 'Problem Booth' is under way — a series of skits imagined by Lemuel Luther-King Godonam and a few fellow comedians. Filming, then uploading the videos to build a following is an uphill struggle in the Central African Republic, a war-scarred country that is one of the world's poorest and where internet penetration is just 15.5 per cent. But Godonam, a 19-year-old high school student, is undeterred. As 'Luther LG' he leads the troupe, playing the harassed owner of a shop dealing with problem customers and the girl selling peanuts next door. He just wants to make a name for himself. 'It's a new thing for us,' he said, explaining the lack of scripts and dialogue, and the use of a simple sign as scenery. 'You can count comedians here on the fingers of one hand,' he added. 'People need this' A few curious locals stopped to see how it was all done. 'I thought they just did this on the phone but there's real effort behind it,' said 21-year-old student Kharl Malibangar, marvelling at the booms, mics and cameras. 'I want to encourage them, like their channels, subscribe and give them likes,' he added. 'Humour helps a lot of people. We've been through war and people need this to escape and relax.' Godonam said he wants to take comedy from the CAR 'to another level' and win fame outside the country. That is why the young performers, aged between 19 and 24, speak in French rather than Sango, one of the country's official languages. 'It's not just Central Africans who follow me,' said Godonam, who dreams of being as popular as Cameroonians, Ivorians or Beninese on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram. 'Foreigners also need to understand what's being said, so I have to do it in French.' Posting the videos online however is a challenge. 'There isn't good internet connection here, which stops me from posting on certain networks,' said one of the other comedians, Jessie Pavelle. 'It stops me from getting noticed.' Sometimes, the 2,000 CFA francs (RM14.50) that 19-year-old Pavelle puts on her phone as credit is used up even before her video is online. Such problems mean they cannot rely on an online presence alone. Professionalise But the Central African capital is sorely lacking in the kind of comedy venues or events that Ivory Coast, a launchpad for comedians, enjoys. Niger's Mamane, whose 'very, very democratic Republic of Gondwana' mocks dictatorial tendencies in Africa, has run the 'Abidjan: capital of laughter' festival for the last 10 years. Ivory Coast's economic capital also boasts filming locations, where production companies create comedy shows, bars where stand-up nights are held regularly — and even, in recent years, comedy schools. 'Ivory Coast is the country of comedy,' Mamane told AFP as he recorded his 'Parliament of Laughter' show, broadcast on French channel Canal+. 'You've just got to arrive at the airport in Abidjan and get off the plane... the Ivorian sense of humour is everywhere, it's become legendary and spread across west Africa and all of central Africa.' Mamane said he could have spent his career in France. But he wanted to come back to help develop professional comedy in Africa. Next generation The Central African Republic is not quite there yet, said Gervais Symphorien Kpignon, from the famous Bangui Parrots troupe. Comedy spots are often limited to official political ceremonies or events organised by NGOs where the aim is to 'raise awareness, sensitise and educate the population' through humour, he said. That's a far cry from the new wave, which is focused on more lightweight topics such as romantic relationships. People react during a comedy sketch at the Missy Momo cultural center during an event marking the beginning of the cultural season in Bangui March 2, 2025. — AFP pic To bridge a gap and ensure the future of Central African comedy, Yvon Cyrille Gone — also known as Dr Mandjeke — created the 'Bangui Laughs' festival seven years ago. He also trains a new generation of young Central African comedians. 'The young people who are coming up are good but they don't have enough experience so I decided to give them a hand,' he said. That night, he added Jessie Pavelle's name at the last minute to perform alongside more experienced comedians. It was only her second time in front of an audience. The white plastic chairs at the Missy-Momo cultural space in Bangui were all taken and the audience burst out laughing when she joked about big guys being generous and skinny ones being stingy. 'I really want to become the best-known Central African comedian in the world,' she said after finishing her set. — AFP
