标签: Africa

非洲

  • Emsteel nine-month revenue gains 10%, eyes sustainable growth

    Emsteel nine-month revenue gains 10%, eyes sustainable growth

    Emsteel, a leading steel and building materials manufacturer in the region, has unveiled an impressive financial performance for the first nine months of 2025, driven by robust market demand and strategic operational enhancements. The company reported a 10% year-on-year increase in revenue, reaching Dh6.5 billion, while its Ebitda surged by 28% to Dh823 million, boosting margins to 12.7% from 11% in the previous year. Net profit soared by an extraordinary 209% to Dh283 million, partly attributed to a low comparison base following a one-off provision in 2024. Operationally, Emsteel achieved a 9% rise in total steel sales volumes, with finished steel products climbing 21% to 2.4 million tonnes. Cement and clinker sales also advanced by 17% to 2.3 million tonnes, supported by strong UAE demand and optimized capacity utilization. The Emirates Steel division remained the cornerstone of the business, contributing Dh5.8 billion in revenue and Dh680 million in Ebitda, marking a 38% year-on-year increase. Emirates Cement posted Dh652 million in revenue, a 21% rise, while the Pipes & Other segment, currently under divestment, added Dh133 million. Emsteel’s financial position strengthened further, with net cash reaching Dh711 million as of September 30, compared to Dh337 million at the end of 2024. Third-quarter results highlighted this momentum, with revenue up 13% and Ebitda more than doubling. Beyond financials, Emsteel accelerated its sustainability initiatives, unveiling TrueGreen, a new identity consolidating decades of decarbonization efforts and introducing digital carbon tracking to help clients meet emissions targets. The company also launched the world’s first Electric Process Gas Heater (ePGH) pilot in steelmaking, cutting over 2,200 tonnes of CO₂ annually. In landmark projects, Emsteel supplied 5,000 tonnes of U-type sheet piles for Egypt’s Floating Movable Bridge across the Suez Canal and delivered the region’s first hydrogen-based rebar for Abu Dhabi’s inaugural net-zero carbon mosque. The company also became the first in Mena to earn ResponsibleSteel certification, reinforcing its leadership in sustainable steel production. Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group CEO, stated, ‘Our strong performance reflects Emsteel’s agility and resilience in a dynamic market. Guided by our TrueGreen™ framework, we remain committed to building a stronger, more sustainable industrial future for the UAE and our stakeholders worldwide.’ Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Emsteel operates 16 state-of-the-art plants with annual capacities of 3.5 million tonnes of steel and 4.6 million tonnes of cement, serving over 70 international markets. Majority-owned by ADQ, the company plays a pivotal role in supporting the UAE’s industrial strategy and Net Zero 2050 ambitions.

  • Design You Can Feel: ASUS Brings Emotion Back to Technology at Dubai Design Week 2025

    Design You Can Feel: ASUS Brings Emotion Back to Technology at Dubai Design Week 2025

    ASUS took center stage at Dubai Design Week 2025, held from November 4 to 9, with its groundbreaking exhibition titled ‘Design You Can Feel.’ Following its successful debut at Milan Design Week earlier in the year, the tech giant showcased a fusion of material innovation, cultural storytelling, and human-centered design. The exhibition aimed to transform the way users interact with technology, emphasizing emotional connections over mere functionality. Highlights included the unveiling of the world’s lightest Copilot+ PC, the Zenbook A14, and the Zenbook Ceraluminium Signature Edition, both exemplifying ASUS’s commitment to crafting devices that resonate on a sensory level. ‘We believe in the power of sensory experiences to forge meaningful connections with design,’ said Coraline Lin, ASUS Marketing Director. ‘Our goal is to create products that users can feel and connect with emotionally.’ A key innovation was Ceraluminium, a revolutionary material combining the aesthetic appeal of ceramic with the durability of aluminum. This lightweight, scratch-resistant material, crafted with precision akin to luxury watchmaking, aligns with the Zen philosophy of finding beauty in simplicity. ASUS also leveraged AI to enhance design, using data-driven insights to fine-tune every detail, from thermal performance to sound quality. The brand’s focus on personalization was evident in its tailored Zenbook models, each designed for specific lifestyles, from multitaskers to urban commuters. ASUS’s vision for the future of laptop design centers on merging tactile materials, sensory intelligence, and human emotion, ensuring that technology not only performs but also inspires.

  • Dubai’s Samana Developers to launch IPO next year, offload around 20% stake

    Dubai’s Samana Developers to launch IPO next year, offload around 20% stake

    Dubai-based property developer Samana Developers has announced plans to launch an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in late 2026, aiming to offload approximately 20% of its equity. The company’s CEO, Imran Farooq, revealed in an interview with Khaleej Times that the first step in this journey involves raising $300 million (Dh1.1 billion) through a Sukuk issuance by the end of the first quarter of 2026. Standard Chartered, Dubai Islamic Bank, and Emirates NBD have been appointed as lead banks for this financial maneuver. The IPO is expected to be listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), with the company’s valuation projected to approach Dh20 billion. Samana Developers, which currently holds a 4% market share in Dubai’s property sector, has significantly benefited from the post-pandemic real estate boom. The Dubai property market has seen a surge over the past five years, driven by an influx of expatriates and high-net-worth individuals investing heavily in real estate. This has led to a substantial increase in property prices and rents, with some communities experiencing more than a doubling in values since 2020. The UAE’s IPO market has also been vibrant, with 19 companies and funds across various sectors planning to list on regional exchanges, according to the EY Mena IPO Eye Q3 2025 report. Farooq added that a ratings agency has been engaged to issue a report within the next six to eight weeks, which will be crucial for the IPO process. The final advising bank will provide guidance post the successful Sukuk issuance.

  • French relief as Algeria frees jailed novelist at centre of diplomatic crisis

    French relief as Algeria frees jailed novelist at centre of diplomatic crisis

    In a significant diplomatic development, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has granted a pardon to French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, allowing him to leave the country nearly a year after his arrest. Sansal, 81, who is battling prostate cancer, was en route to Germany for medical treatment on a military plane on Wednesday evening. His release follows a direct appeal from German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who cited Sansal’s advanced age and fragile health as reasons for clemency. Steinmeier acted as a ‘trusted third party’ in the negotiations, leveraging his strong relationship with Algeria’s leader. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed gratitude to Tebboune for this ‘act of humanity,’ emphasizing France’s role in maintaining respect and calm throughout the process. Sansal had been sentenced to five years in prison in July for undermining national unity through remarks questioning Algeria’s borders. His case had exacerbated tensions between France and Algeria, already strained by France’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and other diplomatic spats. The release marks a potential thaw in relations, though tensions persist, particularly over the imprisonment of French sportswriter Christophe Gleizes. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot praised diplomatic efforts and expressed hope for Gleizes’s imminent release.

  • ABG launches Marketer of the Future Middle East: Region’s defining event for the future of marketing

    ABG launches Marketer of the Future Middle East: Region’s defining event for the future of marketing

    The Advertising Business Group (ABG) has unveiled its flagship event, *Marketer of the Future Middle East (MOTF)*, set to take place on November 2025 at the TODA Theatre in Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. This groundbreaking event aims to bring together global and regional leaders from marketing, media, technology, academia, and government to shape the future of the industry. Designed as the region’s most forward-thinking marketing gathering, MOTF will explore the trends, technologies, and transformations that will define the next decade of marketing. The event will feature a diverse lineup of thought leaders, including Trevor McFarlane, Founder & CEO of EMIR Intelligence, Stephan Loerke, CEO of the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA), and Daniel Floyed, Chief Growth Officer of The Brandtech Group, among others. Key discussions will focus on topics such as AI-driven marketing, sustainability, and the evolving role of Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs). Exclusive roundtables, such as *The Performance Imperative* and *Responsible Advertising in the Gulf*, will offer attendees unique insights into marketing effectiveness and ethical communication. Eleni Kitra, Executive Director of ABG, emphasized that MOTF is not just a conference but a catalyst for progress, empowering the industry to evolve with purpose. The event is supported by leading sponsors, including Digital Media Services (DMS), TikTok, Snapchat, and Publicis Groupe Middle East.

  • Court hears case to disqualify Central African Republic’s president from December election

    Court hears case to disqualify Central African Republic’s president from December election

    In Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), the nation’s constitutional court commenced hearings on Wednesday regarding a petition seeking to bar President Faustin Archange Touadera from contesting the upcoming December presidential election. The petition, lodged by the Observatory for Democratic Governance, a civil society organization, contends that Touadera fails to meet the constitutional prerequisites for presidential candidacy. Elysée Nguimalé, the group’s president, has raised concerns over the origin of Touadera’s name, asserting that it implies an ambiguous lineage. Nguimalé argued that the name ‘Touadera’ in the president’s native tongue translates to ‘a child abandoned by his maternal uncles,’ suggesting an unknown paternal lineage. This, he claims, violates Article 65 of the country’s Family Code, which mandates clear ancestry for presidential candidates. Territorial Administration Minister Bruno Yapandé dismissed the petition as an attempt to ‘sow confusion among the public.’ The court’s decision remains pending, with no clear timeline for a verdict. The controversy unfolds as Touadera seeks a third term, made possible by the abolition of term limits in 2023. The election is set against a backdrop of a lingering security crisis and Touadera’s efforts to secure Russian support. Meanwhile, opposition leader Anicet Georges Dologuélé faces potential statelessness after the government refused to issue him a passport. The final list of candidates for the December 28 election has yet to be released.

  • Sharjah Ruler awards Konexio Africa for empowering refugees with tech skills

    Sharjah Ruler awards Konexio Africa for empowering refugees with tech skills

    Konexio Africa has been awarded the prestigious 9th Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy and Support (SIARA) for its groundbreaking efforts in leveraging technology to create opportunities for young refugees. The ceremony, held in the presence of Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, was organized by The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF) in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Selected from 970 nominations, Konexio Africa was recognized as a leading model in humanitarian work for its success in equipping refugees and vulnerable youth with digital skills and connecting them to online employment opportunities.

    Konexio Africa’s Digital Inclusion Programme, launched in 2019, has been instrumental in bridging the digital divide for underserved communities. The initiative, which began in Malawi’s Dzaleka Refugee Camp, has since expanded to Kenya, serving both urban refugees in Nairobi and camp-based refugees in Kakuma. The programme focuses on digital literacy and job-specific training, enabling participants to access sustainable employment. An impressive 84% of trainees report increased income upon graduation, transforming the lives of hundreds of families.

    Fabien de Castilla, Director of Konexio Africa, expressed gratitude for the award, emphasizing its significance for the over 8,000 individuals trained across Africa. He highlighted the tangible impact of the programme, including improved food security, steady income, and access to education for children. Looking ahead, Konexio Africa plans to expand its operations and integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) training into its curriculum, further enhancing the skill sets of its beneficiaries.

    The SIARA award underscores the UAE’s and Sharjah’s commitment to humanitarian excellence, celebrating initiatives that promote resilience, dignity, and opportunity for refugees and displaced populations. During the ceremony, TBHF also announced the launch of a second documentary film, following the success of “The Story of a Neighborhood,” which has been recognized at 25 film festivals. Nominations for the 10th edition of the SIARA award are now open.

  • Trump’s decision that the US boycott the G20 summit is ‘their loss,’ South African president says

    Trump’s decision that the US boycott the G20 summit is ‘their loss,’ South African president says

    CAPE TOWN, South Africa — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has labeled the United States’ decision to boycott the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg as “their loss.” The U.S. government’s absence from the November 22-23 meeting of global leaders was announced last week by President Donald Trump, who cited controversial and widely disputed claims about the persecution of South Africa’s white minority. Ramaphosa, speaking outside the South African Parliament on Wednesday, urged the U.S. to reconsider its stance, stating that boycott politics “doesn’t work” in his experience. He emphasized that the G20 summit would proceed as planned, with other heads of state in attendance, and that the U.S. absence would not hinder the event’s outcomes. Trump’s decision follows months of criticism directed at South Africa’s Black-led government, including its stance on Israel and allegations of anti-white racism. Ramaphosa also highlighted the U.S.’s role as the world’s largest economy, suggesting that its absence undermines its global influence. The G20, established in 1999, brings together major economies to address global economic and developmental challenges. The U.S. is set to assume the G20 presidency from South Africa at the end of the year. Trump’s claims about violence against Afrikaners have been echoed by conservative U.S. media figures and South African-born entrepreneur Elon Musk, who has accused the government of racism due to its affirmative action policies. Ramaphosa’s administration has dismissed these allegations as misinformation, while U.S.-South Africa relations have reached their lowest point since the end of apartheid in 1994.

  • OMODA&JAECOO International Summit concludes with a vision for a smarter, greener future

    OMODA&JAECOO International Summit concludes with a vision for a smarter, greener future

    The 2025 OMODA&JAECOO International User Summit, held in Wuhu, China, concluded with a resounding vision for the future of intelligent and sustainable mobility. The event, themed “Co-Creation for a Smarter, Greener Future,” brought together users, partners, and media representatives from nearly 100 countries, including the UAE, to celebrate the brand’s latest innovations in green technology and intelligent mobility. The summit highlighted OMODA&JAECOO’s alignment with global sustainability goals, particularly the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 vision. A standout moment was the unveiling of the OMODA O4 ULTRA, a futuristic crossover designed to meet the demands of tech-savvy drivers, blending cutting-edge design with advanced digital connectivity. Attendees also experienced the OMODA O4 Experience Showcase, offering a glimpse into the future of smart driving. The Hybrid Marathon Challenge, covering 600 km, demonstrated the efficiency and reliability of OMODA&JAECOO’s hybrid models, including the OMODA 5 SHS-H and JAECOO 5 SHS-H, which are well-suited for diverse terrains like those in the Gulf region. The brand’s parent company also renewed its three-year partnership with UNICEF, pledging $6 million to support education initiatives in underserved communities, aligning with its sustainability pillars of Green Mobility, Environmental Protection, and Educational Equality. The summit also introduced AIMOGA, an intelligent AI assistant integrating emotional interaction and deep learning, symbolizing OMODA&JAECOO’s vision of combining automotive and robotics technologies. The event concluded with a focus on global collaboration, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to user-driven innovation and its expanding presence in the UAE, including new model launches and showroom openings.

  • Dharmendra discharged from hospital as family decides to take him home: Doctor

    Dharmendra discharged from hospital as family decides to take him home: Doctor

    Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra, aged 89, has been discharged from Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital on Wednesday morning. According to an official statement from his son Sunny Deol’s team, the legendary actor will now continue his recovery at home under medical supervision. The family has requested privacy and urged the media and public to refrain from speculation regarding his health. Earlier, the family had to refute false reports of his death, clarifying that he was responding well to treatment during his hospital stay. Dharmendra was admitted to the hospital on Monday after his health deteriorated, sparking concern among fans and fellow celebrities. Prominent Bollywood figures, including Salman Khan, Govinda, and Ameesha Patel, visited the hospital to show their support. His family, including wife Hema Malini, sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, and grandchildren Karan and Rajveer Deol, were also present during this time. The family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love, prayers, and well-wishes from fans and well-wishers, emphasizing their hope for his continued recovery and long life.