The North Africa Journal

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ANALYSIS

By Arezki Daoud
Editor,
The North Africa Journal

Advice For Algeria: Go Back To The Drawing Board

In preparing for this issue of The North Africa Journal, we spent a great deal of time checking what North Africa is doing in building up its infrastructure to prepare for a 21st century economy. We were rather astonished at the numbers we tallied as to the amounts each country is spending. Algeria is no exception. In fact, the money that country has amassed over the past few years is fueling an economic activity unparalleled to what we know of, and Algeria may be a leading spender on such infrastructure build up in the region. Continue here.

TOPICS

Energy/Mining Industries/Markets Finance/Banking Agriculture/Tourism Economy/Trade
Security /Politics
Corporate Affairs
Social/Labor Affairs
The Environment
Other Issues

217th. issue - October 2009

Industries & Markets
North Africa's Infrastructure Sector on the Move
This special report looks at the current state of North Africa's infrastructure invesments and projects. Download the PDF file for access [Click here]

Deconstructing Libya Part 2
Positive Economic Outlook Despite Global Crisis

Libya’s economic transformation began in earnest after 2003. While the country’s economic infrastructure remains below international standards, its hydrocarbons wealth is enabling the channeling of its oil revenues into an aggressive domestic development program.

Corporate Affairs/Telecom
Maroc Telecom: A Key Player in Morocco’s Economic Development

It has been a busy decade for telecom carrier Maroc Telecom and the road ahead is an ambitious one too. In 1999, the company was transformed from a state-owned bureaucracy to become a vibrant private-sector firm. The primary enablers of such swift transformation have been its privatization, Vivendi’s acquisition of majority equity of 53%, and its entry into the stock market. Later, its transformation into an international player was enabled when Maroc Telecom acquired majority stakes in a series of African peers, such as Mauritania’s Mauritel, Gabon Telecom of Gabon, Onatel of Burkina Faso, and more recently Sotelma of Mali.

Economy
Mauritania’s Financial Distress Hits the Import Sector and Adds Further Sovereign Risk

The state of Mauritania is in deep financial distress. The global financial meltdown of the past year has had a major dragging effect on the country’s own financing and credit capabilities, a turmoil that has accelerated with its disastrous political environment. The August 10, 2008 coup that toppled the president and the July 2009 elections have further exacerbated and eroded the country’s already meager finances.

Human Rights
Human Rights Watch Asks Libya to Free all Political Detainees

While welcoming Libya’s release of 88 prisoners on October 15, 2009, Human Rights Watch (HRW) says the decision is not enough as it should follow with a complete release of all prisoners detained in Libyan jails.

Environmental Affairs
Mauritanian Lawyer Files Lawsuit against Australian Mining Company over Pollution Allegations

Australian mining firm MCM is in hot water over pollution allegations in the poor African nation of Mauritania. Various press sources, including the Xinhua news agency reported that a lawsuit has been filed against the company for causing harm and health hazard to the population living around its Mauritanian mine site known as Akjoujt. Located more than 250 kilometers north of the capital Nouakchott in the Inchiri region, Akjoujt is a copper producing mine. Vancouver-based First Quantum Minerals Ltd (TSX: FM)(LSE: FQM) holds an 80% interest in MCM.

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