Major International Business Headlines Brief::: 21 June 2024

[Bulls n Bears]

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Major International Business Headlines Brief:::  21 June 2024 

 


 


 


 <mailto:info at bulls.co.zw> 

 


 

 


 

ü  Africa: Container Shortage, Port Congestion to Increase Africa's Goods
Costs

ü  Africa: Sanctions On Russian Diamonds - Good or Bad for Africa?

ü  Nigeria: Documents - How $6.2m Stolen From CBN Within 24 Hours Was Shared

ü  Tanzania: Dar Fish Export Increases By 40 Pc in One Year

ü  Ethiopia: Auditor General Exposes Rampant Financial Mismanagement,
Massive Overdue Receivables

ü  Sudan: Spiking Hunger and Prices - Sudan's Neighbours Grapple With a
Widening Crisis

ü  South Africa: Rand Water Undertakes Infrastructure Maintenance

ü  Mali: Timber Logging Drives Jnim's Expansion in Mali

ü  Nigeria: Akwa Ibom Govt Reassures Readiness to Payment of New Minimum
Wage

ü  Kenya Airways Resumes Nairobi-Maputo Flights

ü  Sudan: North Kordofan Sees Fragile Calm Amidst Network Restoration

ü  Mozambique: Govt Extends Pipeline Concession for Matola Gas Company

ü  Mozambique: Competition Authority Condemns Increase in Telecommunication
Tariffs

ü  China car firms seek 25% tax on EU - state media

ü  Boeing crash families demand record $25bn fine

ü  How mobile phone networks are embracing AI

ü  Chinese 'underground bankers' accused of aiding Mexican cartel

 


 <mailto:info at bulls.co.zw> 

 


Africa: Container Shortage, Port Congestion to Increase Africa's Goods Costs

Africa faces rising goods costs as global freight charges soar, a move that
will significantly impact the continent.

 

The situation is exacerbated by a shortage of empty containers and the Red
Sea crisis, complicating global maritime trade.

 

Last week, the spot rate for sending a 40-foot container from China to North
Europe was $4,615, nearly 3.5 times higher than on May 1. This rate excludes
$10,000 "diamond tier" rates for priority shipments.

 

The current situation leaves Africa at a crossroads, with most ships
prioritising goods shipments to the Americas and Europe, which can pay a
premium, at the continent's expense, as witnessed during the COVID-19
pandemic in 2020.

 

 

During that period spot rate from China to the US East Coast was $6,061, up
from $2,772 on May 1 and peaking at $11,900 in January 2022.

 

Alternative shipping routes around Africa, for ships that are avoiding the
red sea, have added about 11,000 nautical miles (one to two weeks of transit
time) and approximately $1 million in fuel costs per voyage, significantly
pushing up freight charges.

 

In 2020, the maritime industry experienced an unprecedented shortage of
empty containers, driving the cost of shipping a 40-foot container to
historic highs.

 

"There is a cocktail of uncertainty and disruption across global ocean
freight supply chains," Peter Sand, chief analyst at pricing platform Xeneta
is quoted by Reuters.

 

"It is the speed and magnitude of this recent rate spike that has taken the
market by surprise."

 

According to container shipping market intelligence company Linerlytica,
worsening port congestion has immobilised approximately two million TEU of
ships.

 

On Thursday, Sea-Intelligence issued a note forecasting that Asia-Europe
spot prices could exceed $20,000.

 

"The pandemic set a precedent, showing that during times of severe distress,
freight rates per nautical mile can reach very high levels," said Alan
Murphy, CEO of Sea-Intelligence.

 

- Business Day Africa.

 

 

 

 

Africa: Sanctions On Russian Diamonds - Good or Bad for Africa?

Diamond-rich African nations are ramping up production to fill the gap left
by the G7 sanctions on Russian diamonds. But not all countries are happy
about the ban.

 

Earlier this year, the G7 , a group of wealthy nations comprising the US,
Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Japan, and the European Union
banned rough diamonds mined in Russia.

 

The ban was part of many sanctions on Russia imposed by Western nations and
their allies for President Vladimir Putin's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

 

But the sanctions against Russian diamonds, intended to weaken Russia's
economy in light of its aggression, could pose a potential risk to the
global diamond market's stability.

 

"When you look at the G7 suggestion that affects the global diamond
industry, you have to take into consideration that Africa is the dominant
producer collectively," according to M'Zee Fula Ngenge, head of the African
Diamond Council (ADC), told DW.

 

 

Botswana takes over from Russia

 

Before the ban, Russia was the world's leading diamond producer.

 

"What's good for one is bad for the other. We are not anti-Russia," Fula
Ngenge said. "But the fact that Russia is being considered to have sanctions
put on them moves Botswana up to the number one position."

 

Fula Ngenge said Africa could potentially put another country into the top
nine diamond producers.

 

"Most of these diamond-consuming nations are leaning on us now," he said,
adding that he sees it as an opportunity to step out of the shadow and take
on the task.

 

African diamond producers, however, feel the G7 countries should have
consulted them before implementing the ban on Russian diamonds.

 

Out of the G7 nations, only Canada is a diamond-producing country.

 

"[The G7] totally left us out of the conversation when we feel we are the
world leaders [in diamond production]. They should have come to us first,"
Fula Ngenge said.

 

 

In addition, the G7 sanctions require African countries to send their
diamonds to Antwerp, Belgium, for certification. Antwerp is considered the
central hub for the global diamond industry.

 

However, Botswana has criticized the arrangement, arguing that it has
disrupted the supply chain. Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi will meet
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on June 21 to discuss the certification
process.

 

The Kimberley process

 

Diamonds mined in Africa are already subject to the Kimberley process, which
ensures no "blood diamonds," diamonds mined in conflict zones, end up in the
market.

 

"Pushing everything to Antwerp is a step backward," Fula Ngenge said. He
stressed that African diamond producers strictly adhere to the Kimberly
process certification.

 

"We have spent the last two years trying to figure out how to stop Russian
diamonds when there hasn't been enough effort into stopping the war [in
Ukraine]."

 

Russia's diamond stake in Angola

 

Russia's state-owned Alrosa mining company has a 41% stake in Angola's top
diamond-producing mine, Catoca. Although the Angolan mine is not under
sanctions, Fula Ngenge noted that it is now under pressure due to its link
with Alrosa.

 

The African Diamond Council said it was considering taking Russia out
because "we don't want to be associated with anything negative that might
potentially impact diamonds being mined in the country unrelated to the
Russian Federation."

 

The G7 ban on Russian diamonds has given African countries a more
significant role in the global diamond trade.

 

"My job is to convince that we are powerful and influential enough to step
up front and teach some of the major diamond centers how to conduct
business."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nigeria: Documents - How $6.2m Stolen From CBN Within 24 Hours Was Shared

The sum of $6,230,000 allegedly stolen from the Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN), on February 8, 2023, was shared and invested into real estate,
according to court documents.

 

The $6.2 million, according to the special presidential investigative team,
led by Jim Obaze, that probed the tenure of the immediate past CBN Governor,
Godwin Emefiele, was removed from the apex bank's vault under the guise of
paying election observers.

 

Emefiele is standing trial on an alleged 20-count amended charge, preferred
against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

 

He was alleged to have engaged in criminal breach of trust, forgery,
conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence
when he served as central bank chief.

 

In the court documents, investigators described the theft as an insider's
job, allegedly effected by mainly, CBN officials with the connivance of two
outsiders, identified as Adamu Abubakar and Imam Abubakar.

 

 

According to the documents, investigators claimed that Odoh Eric Ocheme,
Emefiele's personal assistant, received $3,730,000 of the funds, with three
other people splitting the remaining $2,500,000.

 

Ocheme was said to have justified his lion's share by claiming he had to pay
other interests he had within the apex bank.

 

In one of the court documents, it was revealed that some of the
beneficiaries invested their shares of the loot, estimated at about N1.4
billion in real estate, part of which has now been recovered.

 

In an affidavit filed along with an extradition charge pending against Adamu
Abubakar, Imam Abubakar and Odoh Eric Ocheme before a Federal High Court in
Abuja, one of the investigators, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, gave
details of investigators' findings and progress made so far.

 

Adamu Abubakar, Imam Abubakar and Ocheme are said to be at large and are
believed to have fled the country.

 

 

This informed the initiation of extradition proceedings against them before
the Federal High Court in Abuja.

 

The Deputy Superintendent of Police was quoted to have said: "We commenced
investigation into the case and obtained copies of the withdrawal slip as
well as the accompanying documents, Central Bank of Nigeria memos, dated
07/02/2023 and 31/01/2023 respectively, staff identity card of one Jibril
Abubakar, letter dated 2/01/2023 purportedly written by Muhammadu Buhari to
Boss Mustapha and letter dated 20/01/2023 purportedly written by Boss
Mustapha to Mr Godwin Emafiele, which the Central Bank of Nigeria, Abuja
Branch relied on in making the payment.

 

"Investigation at the office of the President as well as the Secretary to
the Government of the Federation in the Stale House revealed that the
letters purportedly written by Muhammadu Buhari and for Secretary to the
Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha did not emanate from the
offices respectively, while Jibril Abubakar, whose identity card was used to
cash the money in question is not a staff of the office of the Secretary to
the Government of the Federation.

 

 

"We watched the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footages of the 08/02/2023
being the day the money in question was cashed, and the payee (Jibril
Abubakar) could not be identified by the staff of either the CBN or that of
the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, where he
falsely represented himself to be working.

 

"A further study of the Closed-circuit Television (CCTV) footage revealed
that a staff of the Abuja Branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria, identified
as Abdulmajeed Muhammad received the impostor (Jibril Abubakar) at the gate
of the bank when he arrived on the fateful date: 08/02/2023.

 

"Abdulmajeed Muhammad was consequently arrested and in his statement made on
15/12/2023, he admitted helping the impostor into the Abuja Branch of the
Central Bank of Nigeria, but claimed that he did that innocently, the
impostor having been referred to him by Bashirudeen Maishanu; a Senior Staff
of the CBN.

 

"Abdulmajeed Muhammad further revealed that prior to 08/02/2023 when the
impostor came to cash the money in question, he (Abdulmajeed Muhammad) had
been invited by Bashirudeen Maishanu to explain the procedure of public
officials making cash withdrawal from the CBN as those persons claimed to be
officials from the office of the SGF and that the then president had
approved certain fund for official assignment.

 

"We visited Kuje Correctional Centre, where we interviewed Godwin Emefiele,
who purportedly approved the memos authorising the payment, as then CBN and
he denied seeing, talk less of approving such memos.

 

"We also arrested some concerned staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who
denied any involvement in the crime, before we finally arrested Bashirudeen
Maishanu, who corroborated the account of Abdulmajeed Muhammad and further
confessed to have been involved in the crime which, according to him was
perpetrated by himself and the first to third defendants/respondents - Adamu
Abubakar, Imam Abubakar and Odoh Eric Ocheme.

 

"Bashiru Maishanu further confessed that himself, the first and second
defendants/respondents (Adamu Abubakar and Imam Abubakar) shared the sum of
$2,500,000.00 from the stolen money, while the third defendant/respondent
(Odoh Eric Ocheme), being a fellow staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria,
kept the balance of $3,730,000.00 claiming that he had other interests to
settle in the CBN.

 

"Bashirudeen Maishanu further confessed that both himself, and the first and
second defendants/respondents jointly invested the United States dollars
equivalent of the sum of N1, 440,000,000.00 into real estate business of
Afrolyk Global Ltd.

 

"The Managing Director of the said Afrolyk Ltd, Aminu Lawal has been
arrested and he confirmed the investment by Bashirudeen Maishanu, Adamu
Abubakar and Imam Abubakar, and already refunded the sum of $200 000 00 to
the Special Investigator's team as part of the money he (Aminu Lawal)
received as part of the purported investment.

 

"Cash of about $400,000 00 has also been voluntarily returned by Bashiru
Maishanu from part of his remaining share of the money in question. The
money (the $6,230,000) was received in cash from the Central Bank at Nigeria
and also shared in the same cash by the defendants/respondents and others,
making it difficult to trace the monies without arresting the
defendants/respondents.

 

"It was later revealed that the third defendant - Odoh Eric Ocheme - was the
Personal Assistant to Godwin Emefiele as the CBN governor while the first
and second defendants (Adamu Abubakar and Imam Abubakar) are businessmen and
associates of Bashirudeen Maishanu."

 

- Daily Trust.

 

 

 

 

Tanzania: Dar Fish Export Increases By 40 Pc in One Year

TANZANIA'S fish export has increased by 41 per cent within one year, thanks
to the growing sea products out- put--aquafarming.

 

The export increased to 41,271 tonnes up to April 2023/24 from 26,466 tonnes
in 2022/23.

 

The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Director of Aquaculture, Dr Nazael
Madala, said the increase was pushed by seaweed farming and the
strengthening of the management for sea products exports and processing
factories.

 

"The aquafarming played a key role in pushing the exports up particularly
sea- weed production," Dr Madala told Daily News recently.

 

To maintain the export pace, the ministry will contin- ue to strengthen and
scout for more markets for fish products overseas. In the course, the
ministry has set a target of exporting some 46,000 tonnes of fish products
in 2024/25.

 

The Minister for Live- stock and Fisheries, Mr Abdallah Ulega, when tabling
the ministry's budget said that the entire export value was 515.78bn/- by
April, this year.

 

 

Additionally, the minister said in the year under review, the country
exported 134,572 live decorative fish down from 150,308 live decorative fish
in 2022/23.

 

Also
read:https://dailynews.co.tz/tanzania-wants-africa-to-benefit-from-fisheries
/

 

On the import front, the country imports insignificant fish against what is
produced at around 0.003 per cent per year mostly salmon to cater to tourist
hotels' demand.

 

The Ministry data showed that the country imported merely 12.90 tonnes of
fish in this fiscal year to April compared to 6.92 tonnes in 2022/23.

 

The data shows that the import is a drop of water on the ocean as total fish
output stands at 472, 579 tonnes of fish in this fiscal year to April up
from 426, 555 tonnes in 2022/23.

 

The International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management--Worldfish
(ICLARM-W) said the fish consumption rate in the country was not caused by
the preferences of consumers as the demand gap for fish has been estimated
at roughly 300,000 tonnes which is a substantial amount.

 

According to (ICLARM- W), the fisheries sector in the country directly
provides jobs for about 200,000 people, while 4.5 million people, is
approximately 35 per cent of rural employment indirectly depend on fishery
activities.

 

The sector makes up about 1.75 per cent of Tanzania's gross domestic product
(GDP).

 

- Daily News.

 

 

 

 

Ethiopia: Auditor General Exposes Rampant Financial Mismanagement, Massive
Overdue Receivables

Addis Abeba — On Tuesday, 18 June, 2024, Meseret Demisse, the head of the
Office of the Federal Auditor General, presented a startling report to the
House of Peoples' Representatives.

 

The audit revealed significant overdue government income, tax revenue
arrears, and unaccounted illegal expenses involving 162 federal agencies
during the 2022/23 fiscal year.

 

In her annual presentation to lawmakers, Meseret exposed financial
mismanagement and irregularities in accounting documentation across various
federal government institutions.

 

The audit report identified unaccounted expenditures totaling 43.5 million
birr within 11 federal institutions, including the Federal Police
Commission.

 

Additionally, the report uncovered illegal disbursements of 16.7 million
birr by 30 institutions.

 

However, the highlight of the audit report was the significant amount of
overdue accounts receivable, totaling 14.1 billion birr.

 

 

Although 124 government institutions were implicated, three ministries were
responsible for over half of the total amount.

 

Specifically, the Ministry of Health carries nearly 6 billion birr in
overdue receivables, followed by the Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands at
1.1 billion birr, and the Ministry of Education at 1 billion birr.

 

The audit report also addressed issues related to federal government
construction projects, highlighting instances where legal violations allowed
contractors to handle projects improperly.

 

In particular, the report identified the allocation of 12 construction
projects valued at approximately 11 billion birr to only two contractors,
which constitutes a violation of established procurement regulations.

 

In her report, the chief auditor emphasized the detrimental impact of
suspended public projects on government resources. A survey conducted on 41
such projects revealed a loss of 17 billion birr. The report attributed this
significant loss primarily to the Ethiopian Construction Authority's
inability to recover advance payments made to contractors after project
suspensions.

 

 

Dube Jilo was among the MPs who expressed deep concern regarding the audit
findings and the apparent inability of government institutions to comply
with established regulations.

 

He stressed that the audit report's findings highlight the critical need for
robust monitoring and control mechanisms for public finances, with
government officials bearing the primary responsibility for ensuring
accountability.

 

Another MP, Bartema Fikadu, criticized the conspicuous absence of most
officials who oversee budgetary institutions during the parliamentary
session.

 

 

"To whom is this audit report being presented?" he questioned.

 

Bartema noted that this pattern of absenteeism has persisted in previous
sessions.

 

"Unless government officials are present to hear the findings and take
corrective action," he stated, "it is impossible to achieve meaningful
rectification of these issues."

 

Lomi Bedo, Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives,
underscored the validity of Bartema's concerns.

 

"Officials were notified about this parliamentary session," she said,
adding, "This issue must be rectified in the future."

 

The audit report further identified a critical issue: uncollected income and
tax revenue arrears totaling 6.4 billion birr for the 2022/23 fiscal year,
primarily attributable to the Ministry of Revenues and Customs Commission.

 

These unsettled arrears have been overdue for periods ranging from one to
seven years.

 

Auditor General Meseret noted that a similar issue of significant
uncollected income and tax arrears was identified in the previous fiscal
year.

 

Disappointingly, she highlighted that relevant government institutions have
yet to implement the recommendations made by her office to address this
issue.

 

"Since collecting sufficient government revenue is essential to finance
economic and social development projects, we urge public agencies to comply
with the audit recommendations," she told legislators.

 

Dube also highlighted the necessity for public agencies to adhere to robust
financial practices.

 

"This is particularly crucial in times of budgetary constraints," he
stressed.

 

In the recent presentation of the budget proposal amounting to nearly one
trillion birr for the forthcoming fiscal year, Finance Minister Ahmed Shide
underscored the budgetary constraints by drawing attention to a concerning
trend: a widening disparity between the anticipated tax revenue and the
actual collections achieved.

 

Minister Ahmed also linked the decrease in federal tax revenue to the
escalating portion allocated to regions from the shared tax revenue.

 

To address the declining revenue, the government intends to introduce new
tax classifications and broaden the tax base with the objective of
generating an additional 92.5 billion birr in tax revenue.

 

These initiatives entail revising the current value-added tax (VAT) and
excise tax statutes, along with introducing new levies such as property and
environmental taxes.

 

- Addis Standard.

 

 

 

 

 

Sudan: Spiking Hunger and Prices - Sudan's Neighbours Grapple With a
Widening Crisis

World Food Programme ramps up assistance, appeals for funding amid soaring
food insecurity in Chad and South Sudan

 

At a tent settlement in the Chadian border town of Adre, Ahmat feeds blue
cloth into his foot-powered sewing machine, as a popular folksong from his
native Sudan plays in loops over a loudspeaker. The small tree overhead
barely dents the searing sun.

 

"Sewing is all I can do here at the camp," says the 35-year-old tailor,
whose last name is being withheld for his security, as he nods his head to
the music's vibes. "People come with their cloths, and I make for them
Sudanese-styled dresses, shirts or pants."

 

 

This is the second time in two decades that Ahmat has sought refuge in Chad
from conflict roiling his homeland. Even as he calls for peace to return to
Sudan, he is not sure that will happen anytime soon.

 

"I need to be in a stable country, where my children can go to school,"
Ahmat says.

 

As Sudan's crisis drags on, the fallout is growing in neighboring countries.
Of the more than two million war-displaced people now living outside Sudan's
borders, more than half are in Chad and South Sudan, countries already
grappling with soaring hunger of their own.

 

Now, with the rainy or lean season setting in across the region and
stretching through August - turning roads into muddy tracks, and
complicating humanitarian deliveries - food insecurity risks climbing
higher.

 

The World Food Programme (WFP) is responding to the growing food insecurity
but the challenges are immense. In Chad, for example, we aim to reach more
than 2 million people, including refugees, with emergency lean season
assistance. But with funding tight, especially in South Sudan, we can only
support the hungriest.

 

 

"Providing adequate and timely assistance at scale is essential to maintain
stability and minimize tensions among crisis-affected communities over
limited resources in Chad," says WFP Chad Country Director Enrico Pausilli.
"With the compounding effects of climate shocks, security and economic
crisis, large-scale investments in resilience are also needed to reduce the
increasing humanitarian needs over time."

 

Feeding a bigger crisis

 

In South Sudan, the nearly 700,000 war-displaced arrivals from Sudan count
among some 7 million people already facing acute or worse food insecurity.
Thousands of the newcomers - like Zahara, whose family fled their home in
Sudan's East Darfur state - are still crossing the border every week, hungry
and traumatized.

 

 

"After the third aerial bombardment, we made the decision to leave," says
the mother of four, cradling her 14-month-old daughter Moona in her arms.
"It took us two days to reach the border. We carried water in a container
and biscuits for the children, but they were really hungry when we finally
arrived."

 

The toddler struggled through the journey. At Wedweil refugee settlement, in
northwestern South Sudan, Zahara took her daughter to a health center, where
she was diagnosed with malnutrition.

 

Today, Moona is gaining weight and playing again, thanks to WFP nutritional
supplements. But in the crowded refugee camp, with heavy rains expected, the
threat of waterborne disease hangs low.

 

That is not the only worry. Sudan's war has disrupted South Sudan's
all-important oil exports, pushing the economy into freefall. The South
Sudanese pound has plummeted by 60 percent, while food and fuel prices have
skyrocketed. WFP projections indicate the country's economic crisis will
likely push an estimated half a million more people from moderate to severe
hunger as staple items become unaffordable.

 

"Before this economic crisis, my children used to eat twice a day - but now
there is no way," says Juba native Mary Yike, as she shopped for basics at a
market in the capital. "The children wake up in the morning and don't eat
anything until night. This situation is getting worse. When you have six
children, it is difficult to feed them."

 

Since Sudan's conflict erupted in April 2023, WFP in South Sudan has reached
nearly 557,000 of the war displaced crossing the border, and continues to
assist new arrivals. But today a perfect storm of events risks driving food
insecurity to the extreme.

 

"South Sudan is an already protracted humanitarian crisis which is
deteriorating rapidly," says Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP Country Director in
South Sudan. "Our fear is that hunger and malnutrition will reach
never-before-seen levels with the continued devastating consequences of the
war in Sudan, and imminent flooding in areas already suffering acute levels
of food insecurity."

 

She adds: "We need a ceasefire in Sudan and strengthened social safety nets
in South Sudan to help stem the wave of severe hunger and malnutrition."

 

Spiking refugee numbers

 

Chad, too, is grappling with alarming food insecurity that will only get
worse as the lean season bites. An estimated 3.4 million Chadians and
refugees are projected to face severe food insecurity during this period, a
hunger uptick worsened by climate shocks, high food and fuel costs - and the
refugee crisis.

 

Over the past 14 months, roughly 600,000 Sudanese refugees have arrived in
the arid Sahel country - doubling the number of asylum seekers in Chad,
which already hosts one of Africa's largest refugee populations. Most are
sheltered in 39 spontaneous sites in eastern Chad. Like tailor Ahmat, many
carry the burdens of hunger and trauma.

 

 

"Sudan has been in war for so long. But the one that started in 2023 was
particularly violent," says Ahmat, who hails from Sudan's West Darfur
capital of El Geneina. He also sought shelter in Chad as a teenager two
decades ago, when the first Darfur conflict broke out.

 

But he later returned to his homeland, becoming a prominent dressmaker in El
Geneina. He owned several electric sewing machines, a family car and two
motorbikes. All were stolen by attackers, who burnt his workshop and house
to the ground.

 

"Most of the people were attacked in their homes, their belongings were
stolen," Ahmat says of fellow El Geneina residents. "Many were killed on
their way to Chad. The road was covered with dead bodies."

 

In Chad, he and other refugees rely entirely on humanitarian assistance.
Many, along with members of host communities, show poor or borderline food
consumption levels, according to WFP and other assessments. Nearly half of
all children suffer from anemia.

 

"Life is not easy here," Ahmat says.

 

He is worried about the future of his children - and those playing around
his open-air workshop.

 

"We are waiting for Allah to help us," Ahmat says. "One day our life will be
better."

 

WFP's response in Chad and South Sudan is made possible thanks to generous
contributions from Canada, the European Union, Germany, Japan, Sweden,
Switzerland, UKAid, United Arab Emirates, UN CERF and the United States of
America.

 

WFP's response to the Sudan crisis in South Sudan is made possible thanks to
generous contributions from Canada, the European Commission (ECHO), France,
Germany (GFO), Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Private donors, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, UN CERF, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United
States of America.

 

- WFP.

 

 

 

 

South Africa: Rand Water Undertakes Infrastructure Maintenance

Rand Water is expected to embark on extensive infrastructure maintenance
from this Saturday, lasting until the end of July.

 

According to the water utility, this forms part of its maintenance plan for
this coming winter.

 

"Proactive infrastructure maintenance is important to preserve the quality
and integrity of the infrastructure, reduce maintenance costs in the long
term and increase the life span of the infrastructure and assets. A
maintained water infrastructure ensures uninterrupted water supply for the
current and future generation.

 

"As an organisation, we have a solid Asset Management Strategy which
provides a focused approach to managing technical maintenance, asset
lifecycle and maximise the value and advantage of our assets. We conduct two
types of infrastructure and asset maintenance, proactive (planned) and
unplanned. Our proactive maintenance is scheduled and aimed at preserving
the quality, integrity and lifespan of our water infrastructure," the Rand
Water said.

 

 

The maintenance will begin this Saturday with the Eikenhof System in Mogale
with customers not expected to be affected.

 

Full details of the maintenance schedule is available at
https://www.randwater.co.za/mediastatements.php.

 

"We have engaged with our municipal customers, continue to engage and
officially notified them about the upcoming maintenance project to ensure
that they have a 21-day period to plan, put appropriate contingency plans in
place, manage storage capacity prior and during the maintenance period and
inform their customers accordingly.

 

"Impacted Municipalities are requested to advise their customers on the
extent and impact of water supply and on contingency plans that will be put
in place. Rand Water will provide updates throughout the maintenance
period," the water utility said.

 

- SAnews.gov.za.

 

 

 

 

Mali: Timber Logging Drives Jnim's Expansion in Mali

The unregulated timber logging economy is central to extremists' governance
strategies and regional infiltration.

 

Timber logging is at the centre of Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin's
(JNIM) rapid expansion into southern Mali - the government's last major
stronghold.

 

JNIM, established in 2017 and now the Sahel's most prominent extremist
network, is an alliance between al-Qaeda affiliates Ansar Dine, al-Qaeda in
the Islamic Maghreb, Al-Mourabitoun, Macina Liberation Front (Katiba Macina)
and Katiba Serma. Its involvement in logging has moved beyond financial
gains and resource dominance, to becoming pivotal to its governance and
expansion strategy.

 

 

JNIM portrays itself as being concerned about civilian livelihoods in a
worsening economy by loosening restrictions around logging in the Baoulé
reserves in southern Mali. Its expansion has already led to the control of
large stretches of territory in central Mali's Mopti, Segou and Timbuktu
regions.

 

Security officials told the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) that JNIM's
long-term plan was to capture the capital, Bamako, and impose strict Sharia
law countrywide and beyond. It's also increasingly jostling with Tuareg
separatists, who seek independence for northern Mali, for control of
strategic routes, spaces and resources.

 

JNIM already has various branches operating in Burkina Faso and Niger, while
others are extending their operational reach as far as northern parts of
West Africa's littoral states, such as Togo and Benin.

 

Illicit economies play a key role in JNIM's expansion strategy, especially
in securing resources and legitimacy in the areas under their control. There
are various accounts of the group's presence in and control of mining,
logging and illicit trading sectors across the Sahel.

 

 

Chart 1: Map of Mali indicating Koulikoro and Kayes regions Source: United
Nations

Mali has lost over 82% of its forest cover since 1960, with deforestation
mainly caused by excessive logging, urbanisation and agricultural expansion.
Much of the logging in Mali is carried out in the southern regions of Kayes,
Koulikoro and Sikasso. It generated about US$13.8 million (CFA 8 billion)
between 2019 and 2021 in Kéniéba municipality in the Kayes region alone.
Truckloads of wood, often logged without government permits, are transported
out of forest areas for construction, furniture manufacturing and charcoal
production.

 

Since 2021, JNIM's incursions into the southern regions have targeted the
Baoulé reserves situated between Kayes and Koulikoro. The Baoulé biosphere
reserves, which cover around a million hectares, are managed by Mali's
National Parks Department and the Forest Service. They have been listed in
the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's World
Network of Biosphere Reserves since 1982, so they need special protection.

 

 

JNIM fighters are not involved in logging itself. Instead, they control the
forest reserves and demand fees from illegal loggers wanting to access the
area. JNIM did not initially ask for fees, loggers told ISS. This changed in
2022 when the militants began demanding access fees of about US$8 (CFA 5000)
monthly, or on a needs basis per cart. Accounts from forestry agents and
loggers suggest the cash served to mobilise resources and acts as
acknowledgement that JNIM controls the area.

 

Some loggers said they paid because logging was profitable and essential to
their livelihoods. They also said it was easier to access the logging sites
than before when government forestry agents restricted access and demanded
fees for logging permits, which were often delayed.

 

JNIM also actively responded to grievances between loggers and bandits
operating within the forest. Loggers provided the whereabouts of bandits to
the insurgents, who were more proactive than security agents. People in the
area told ISS that JNIM dislodged the bandits, often killing those who did
not align with its dictates. JNIM's response to this longstanding threat
against the loggers was a significant move that further built relationships
with communities seeking protection and better livelihoods.

 

This highlights how those involved in illicit economies often adapt to
security situations by aligning with armed groups to maintain their source
of livelihood.

 

The logging and export of Kosso - an endangered rosewood tree protected by
the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora - from areas controlled by JNIM involves significant bribery of
forestry agents and government officials. Chinese traders are also
reportedly involved in large-scale logging and timber trafficking,
particularly Kosso, from Mali to China.

 

About 220 000 Kosso logs were exported from Mali to China from 2020-22 to
satisfy a growing demand for luxury furniture. The logs are transported by
road to the port of Dakar in Senegal, where they are shipped to China.
However, the extent to which Chinese traders and JNIM collaborators interact
in the Baoulé reserves is uncertain.

 

Three factors perpetuate the illegal logging and export of timber from Mali:
the country's ongoing conflict and political instability; JNIM's expansion
and resource exploitation; and lack of state capacity to govern the
country's natural resources.

 

The conflict in Mali enables conditions in which criminal activity
flourishes. The Malian junta and its newfound partner, the Russian
paramilitary group Wagner (now Africa Corps), seems to be making some
territorial gains in the northern and central regions. However, they are
overstretched and struggling to address the complex crises extending towards
the south, with attacks close to Bamako.

 

International partners should support the government in revitalising the
2015 Algiers peace deal as a medium- to long-term peace strategy. Addressing
the grievances of Tuareg separatists and curtailing their occasional
cooperation with extremist groups who seek to degrade government forces
would help to return some stability to Mali.

 

JNIM's expansion into southern Mali is linked to its ability to exploit
community disagreements and the grievances of individuals and communities
facing issues such as the conflict between pastoralists and sedentary
farmers and modern slavery. Aggrieved groups and individuals, especially
those with significant knowledge of the Baoulé forest areas, have joined
JNIM's ranks, thereby increasing its capacity to control logging areas.

 

Beyond securitised responses against the insurgents, deepening cooperation
with local communities and civil society is an essential element in the
government's efforts to address community fractures and lessen support for
extremists. This includes making it easier for loggers to obtain permits and
protecting them from bandits.

 

Although Mali has restrictions against excessive logging, especially in
forest reserves, including a 2020 export ban on Kosso logs, it has limited
capacity to regulate the timber logging economy. This creates room for
exploitation.

 

Given this, tackling corruption among state actors who turn a blind eye to
Kosso log exports is critical. So, too, is engaging China and other key
stakeholders to ensure strict adherence to logging and export restrictions.
Without concerted efforts from state authorities, JNIM could consolidate its
grip across forest areas in southern Mali, making it the key player in the
lucrative timber economy. - ISS.

 

 

 

 

Nigeria: Akwa Ibom Govt Reassures Readiness to Payment of New Minimum Wage

Akwa Ibom Government has reiterated its readiness to pay the new minimum
wage as soon as the ongoing negotiation by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC,
and the Federal Government was concluded.

 

The Head of Civil Service in the state, Mr. Effiong Essien spoke while some
newsmen yesterday on the activities marking the 2024 Public Service Week,
with the theme, "Stay Forward Looking Make a Difference"

 

Essien noted that the current administration led by governor Umo Eno in the
past one year had released over N18 billion for settlement of outstanding
pensions, gratuities and leave grants.

 

"The Akwa Ibom State public servants have reasons to thank God, as the
governor has prioritised the welfare of workers, serving and retired with
very pragmatic approaches.

 

 

"There is increment in pension to cushion the effect of harsh economic
situation on pensioners in the state.

 

"Akwa Ibom Government is ready to pay the new minimum wage as soon as the
ongoing negotiation by the Nigeria Labour Congress, and the Federal
Government is completed"

 

The Head of Service urged all public servants in the state to be committed
to duty and ensure improved productivity in the sector, noting that
government on its part has procured 150 housing units to be distributed free
to workers from grade level1 -8 as part of efforts to enhance their welfare.

 

"Public Service encompasses all Government's Ministries, Departments and
Agencies as well as Parastatals and Government Owned Companies.

 

"Workers in these MDAs and others formulate and ensure the implementation of
Government's policies for growth of nations and betterment of mankind.
Public Service bastion upon which government rests," Essien said.

 

- Vanguard.

 

 

 

 

Kenya Airways Resumes Nairobi-Maputo Flights

Nairobi — Kenya Airways (KQ) has resumed flights to Maputo in Mozambique as
the airline expands its intra-Africa connectivity.

 

KQ will, starting today, conduct three flights weekly on Wednesday, Friday,
and Sunday.

 

The national carrier says that the new route will offer travelers connecting
flights from its hub in Nairobi and vice versa.

 

It will also complement KQ's existing services in Nampula, Mozambique.

 

"Today's launch is a tangible testament to KQ's remarkable progress and the
exciting future ahead. As we unveil our 45th destination -Maputo - we mark a
major milestone in our network expansion journey," said KQ Group Managing
Director and Chief Executive Officer Allan Kilavuka.

 

 

The expansion comes at a time when the airline has been expanding its
network on the continent, boosting its popular flight destinations such as
New York, Paris, Lagos, Accra, and Freetown.

 

"Aviation is critical to boosting national GDPs by creating jobs and
fostering economic activity. The increased intra-African travel will act as
a catalyst for economic development across the continent," added Kilavuka.

 

Julius Thairu, KQ Chief Commercial and Customer Officer, said that KQ's
expansion is linked to KQ's mission of propelling Africa's prosperity by
connecting its people, markets, and cultures.

 

"The demand for air travel is soaring, and we're determined to meet it by
expanding our reach and fostering connections between Africa's rich cultures
and thriving economies. Adding Maputo to our network strengthens ties
between Kenya and Mozambique, opening doors for increased trade, tourism,
and cultural exchange," he said.

 

- Capital FM.

 

 

 

 

Sudan: North Kordofan Sees Fragile Calm Amidst Network Restoration

Um Rawaba — The city of Um Rawaba in North Kordofan state experienced a
tentative calm after recent armed clashes, with the return of the Zain
Communications network on Monday marking a crucial development. However,
sources told Radio Dabanga that the network's signal remains weak,
necessitating continued reliance on the Sudani network for communication.

 

Expectations for network improvements persist, in part due to Eid . The city
still grapples with a persistent electricity and water crisis since the
destruction of the Um Rawaba transformational plant, driving up water prices
to alarming levels.

 

Healthcare services have significantly declined post-conflict, with many
health workers leaving or transitioning to other professions due to safety
concerns and facility looting. Access to medications faces obstacles,
exacerbating health issues, particularly for dialysis patients.

 

Despite past insecurity, residents noted a relative calmness, with the
paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) supposedly launching 'campaigns
against crime'. Challenges persist with past weeks marred by looting and
armed confrontations resulting in casualties among RSF members and
civilians.

 

- Dabanga.

 

 

 

Mozambique: Govt Extends Pipeline Concession for Matola Gas Company

Maputo — The Mozambican government has extended, for a further period of 15
years, the gas pipeline concession held by the Matola Gas Company (MGC) for
the transport of natural gas from the administrative post of Ressano Garcia,
on the border with South Africa.

 

The decision at a meeting of the Council of Ministers (Cabinet), which took
place on Tuesday, in Maputo.

 

According to a statement from the Council of Ministers, the extension aims
to allow for new investments estimated at 300 million dollars, with work due
to start this year.

 

The investment aims to set up new infrastructures and connect MGC's existing
facilities to receive volumes of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) regasified by
the Beluluane Gas Company (BGC).

 

 

MGC is dedicated to the transport, distribution and sale of natural gas
produced in Mozambique, which is used as an energy source for the operation
of various industrial units in Maputo province.

 

Founded in 2004, MGC is owned by the Mozambican government through the
National Hydrocarbons Company (ENH) and by the South African energy company,
Gigajoule International.

 

MGC operates a natural gas transmission and distribution pipeline with a
length of around 100 kilometers, under a concession agreement with the
government for distribution in Maputo province.

 

The MGCs pipeline starts in Ressano Garcia where it is connected to the main
gas pipeline running from the Pande and Temane gas fields, in the southern
province of Inhambane, to Secunda in South Africa.

 

MGC currently supplies natural gas to the Mozal aluminium smelter, to the
cement factory, Cimentos de Moçambique, and to 18 other companies located in
Maputo province.

 

 

 

 

Mozambique: Competition Authority Condemns Increase in Telecommunication
Tariffs

Maputo — Mozambique's Competition Regulatory Authority (ARC) has strongly
criticized the National Communications Institute (INCM) for its ill-fated
attempt to hike telecom tariffs.

 

Although the INCM is the regulatory body for telecommunications, it ought to
have consulted with the ARC before demanding, in February, that mobile phone
companies raise their prices.

 

The new tariffs caused protests among consumers, who dismissed as untrue the
initial INCM claim that prices had not risen. Such was the outcry that the
government stepped in and told the INCM to cancel the new tariffs and return
to the old ones.

 

 

A 20 page ARC document made public on Tuesday dismissed the INCM claims that
it had intervened to end a situation of unfair competition which threatened
to bring the telecommunications market to collapse.

 

The ARC said the INCM had not shown that there was any unfair competition.
Furthermore, if it had indeed become aware of anti-competitive practices,
the INCM should immediately have informed the ARC. The INCM and ARC could
then have coordinated the actions to be taken "not only to punish the
offenders, but also to promote pro-competition or corrective measures'.

 

But the INCM had acted unilaterally "and did not show the existence of
unfair competition by charging prices below cost'. This was a clear
violation of the INCM's duty to act transparently

 

The INCM should also, the ARC added, have limited its measures to whichever
of the operators was supposedly distorting the market. Instead, the INCM had
suddenly imposed an increase in mobile phone tariffs across the board.

 

By doing so, the INCM is limiting the telecommunication rights of citizens
and this decision puts Mozambique among the countries with the highest
communications prices, the ARC warned.

 

Unlike the INCM, or any of the mobile phone operators, the ARC bothered to
work out how much extra the average consumer would have to pay with the new
tariffs. It found that the average monthly cost per subscriber of mobile
phone services (including use of the Internet) would rise from 256.92
meticais to 8,011.52 meticais - a staggering increase of 3,018 per cent.

 

A monthly telecommunications bill of 8,011.52 meticais is also 162 per cent
of the lowest of the monthly minimum wages in force in Mozambique. Prior to
the INCM February dispatch, the figure was only 5.36 per cent of the lowest
minimum wage.

 

This, the ARC noted, threatened to make Mozambique one of the most expensive
countries in the world for telecommunication services.

 

The ARC concluded that it is not enough for the INCM merely to suspend its
dispatch increase - instead the dispatch should be revoked.

 

Consumers are now protesting that, despite the government intervention and
the INCM promise to suspend its polemical dispatch, prices are far from
returning to the pre-February levels. In particular, telecommunications
operators have abolished those packages which used to allow for unlimited
access to the Internet.

 

 

 

 

China car firms seek 25% tax on EU - state media

Chinese car companies have called on Beijing to hit European Union rivals
with import taxes of up to 25% if the trading bloc imposes tariffs on
vehicles from China, the country's state media has reported.

 

The demand was reportedly made at a closed-door meeting organised by China's
Ministry of Commerce, which was also attended by representatives of European
car firms.

The measures would target cars from the EU with large petrol-driven engines.

 

Last week, the EU threatened Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers with
tariffs of up to 38% from 4 July.

The meeting in Beijing was attended by four Chinese and six European car
companies, according to an article published by a social media account
affiliated with state broadcaster CCTV.

 

German car making giant Volkswagen has confirmed to the BBC that it was
present at the meeting but declined to comment on what was discussed.

Other European companies that were reportedly present, including BMW and
Porsche, did not immediately reply to the BBC's requests for comment.

"China's car companies called on the government to adopt firm
countermeasures against the EU," the report said.

"It is suggested that within the limits allowed by Word Trade Organization
rules, a higher provisional tariff be imposed on large-displacement petrol
vehicles imported from Europe."

 

The reports echo an article published last month by the state-run newspaper
Global Times, which said the tariffs should apply to cars with petrol
engines larger than 2.5 litres.

 

The move would target "luxury or ultra luxury" vehicles, meaning "an
additional tax is not likely to make much of a difference on volumes," Bill
Russo, from advisory firm Automobility, told the BBC.

 

Why the EU might be about to make Chinese electric cars more expensive

The EU's governing European Commission (EC) announced last week that it had
"provisionally concluded" that Chinese EV manufacturers will face tariffs
"should discussions with Chinese authorities not lead to an effective
solution".

 

Firms that co-operated with the investigation, which was launched in
October, will face an average 21% duty, while those who did not could face
one of 38.1%.

These charges would come on top of the current rate of 10% tariff levied on
all electric cars produced in China.

 

The EU's intervention comes after the US made the much bolder move of
raising its tariff on Chinese electric cars from 25% to 100% last month.

The Chinese government has denounced the decisions as protectionism and has
since started taking retaliatory measures.

Earlier this week, China launched an investigation into imports of European
pork products.

 

Last month, Beijing signalled a similar move by launching an investigation
into imports of chemicals from the EU and US.-BBC

 

 

 

 

Boeing crash families demand record $25bn fine

The families of victims in two Boeing 737 Max plane crashes have asked for
prosecutions and a fine of $24.8bn for "the deadliest corporate crime in US
history".

The families' lawyer Paul Cassell said the amount was "justified and clearly
appropriate" given "enormous human costs of Boeing's crimes".

In a 32-page letter seen by the BBC, Mr Cassell said that the US government
should prosecute those leading the company when 346 people were killed in
two crashes in 2018 and 2019.

 

The letter cited the apology by Boeing's chief executive Dave Calhoun on
Tuesday while he gave evidence to Congress.

"I apologise for the grief that we have caused," he said, as he was heckled
by family members of victims of the crashes.

Boeing crash victims' families shout at CEO as he apologises in hearing

 

Boeing boss admits culture 'far from perfect'

Two 737 Max aircraft were lost in separate but almost identical accidents
that killed 346 people.

In October 2018, all 189 on a Lion Air flight died after the aircraft
crashed into the Java Sea 13 minutes after take-off from Jakarta, Indonesia.

In March 2019, an Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed six minutes after
take-off from the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. All 157 on-board were
killed.

Both crashes were linked to faulty flight control systems.

 

Mr Calhoun acknowledged in his Congressional appearance that the company had
made mistakes and said it had "learned" from the past.

He also acknowledged that Boeing had retaliated against whistleblowers but
said he had "listened" to those employees.

 

The Justice Department is considering whether to revive a criminal charge of
fraud against Boeing laid in 2021, that was linked to the two crashes.

The charge has laid dormant since the company acknowledged in a settlement
that it had mislead air-safety regulators about aspects if the 737 Max, and
promised to create a new compliance system to detect and prevent further
fraud.

 

Last month, prosecutors determined that the settlement was violated when a
door panel flew off a 737 Max plane during an Alaska Airlines flight in
January, leaving a gaping hole in the fuselage mid-flight.

 

The Justice Department has until 7 July decide whether to revive the case.

In the letter, Mr Cassell said his clients recommended that the department
order a portion of any future fine to be used to create an independent
monitor of the company's safety and compliance measures.

 

Families of those killed in the crashes attended Tuesday's hearing in
Congress and held up photographs of loved ones.

“I flew from England to Washington DC to hear in person what the Boeing CEO
has to say to the Senate and to the world about any safety improvements made
at that corporation,” said Zipporah Kuria, whose father was killed in the
2019 crash of a Boeing 737 MAX 8 jet.

 

“I also continue to press the US government to hold Boeing and its corporate
executives criminally responsible for the deaths of 346 people. We will not
rest until we see justice.”-BBC

 

 

 

 

 

How mobile phone networks are embracing AI

Our mobile phones are getting a whole lot smarter, but what about the
telecoms networks they run on?

 

Last week, Apple became the latest mobile phone firm to announce that it
will be adding artificial intelligence (AI) to its handsets’ operating
system.

Called Apple Intelligence, and also due to be incorporated into the phones’
Siri chatbot, it aims to make them easier and quicker to use. And turn Siri
into even more of a personal assistant.

 

It follows after Samsung’s Galaxy AI, and Google’s Gemini AI for its own
Pixel handsets.

This increased of use AI means phones will be doing a lot more computing,
and that means they’ll produce and use a lot more data. This is going to put
more strain on the mobile phone networks, such as the UK’s O2, EE, Vodafone
and Three.

To help them cope, telecoms firms such as these are also increasingly
introducing AI, says Ian Fogg, director of network innovation at research
consultancy CCS Insight.

 

“Network operators are using AI to manage the radio frequencies dynamically,
to provide an optimum level of service. And to manage cell towers, for
example, so they use less energy at times of lower demand."

 

Such increased use of AI to look after mobile phone networks is now very
much global. In South Korea, Korea Telecom is now able to localise and fix
faults within a minute, thanks to AI-enabled network monitoring, says Alex
Sinclair, chief technology officer of the GSMA, the body representing global
mobile operators.

Meanwhile, AT&T in the US is using predictive, AI algorithms schooled on
trillions of previous network alerts to warn it when things are about to go
wrong.

Ian Fogg Ian FoggIan Fogg

 

Ian Fogg says that network providers are increasingly using AI to monitor
their systems

 

Other operators, like Vodafone, are using AI digital twins - virtual digital
replicas of real-world equipment, such as masts and antennas – to constantly
monitor how their networks are performing.

 

And AI is also being used to manage how increasingly massive data centres
use energy to keep their servers cool and optimise storage capacity.

The explosion in data created by the increased use of AI is another reason
why telecoms firms around the world are continuing to invest in so-called 5G
Standalone mobile networks. These use new, dedicated 5G infrastructure
rather than relying in part on upgrading the older, less efficient 4G
system.

5G Standalone offers much higher speeds and capacity. But some experts
believe that even this higher-spec technology won’t be sufficient to cope
with the demands of the AI era.

 

At this year’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, for example, some experts
argued that AI won’t be able to reach its full potential until the roll out
of 6G from 2028.

 

While mobile customers only tend to notice the network when things go wrong,
they are much more aware when customer service levels are poor, with all the
reputational damage this can cause brands.

 

So the industry is also hoping AI can radically improve the way they
interact with and serve customers.

For example, the Global Telco AI Alliance - a joint venture company made up
of Deutsche Telekom, e&, Singtel, Softbank and SK Telecom with 1.3 billion
customers across 50 countries – aims to develop an AI chatbot specifically
tailored to the telecoms sector, and the type of questions customers
typically ask.

This specially trained chatbot will be able to deal with most of the basic
queries coming from customers, leaving call centre staff free to concentrate
on more complex cases, the Alliance’s founders hope.

 

AI is being used to automatically control the electricity usage of cell
towers automatically

 

Meanwhile, Vodafone has teamed up with Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service to
improve its customer service, spearheaded by its digital assistant Tobi,
which interacts with more than 40 million customers a month in 13 countries
and across 15 languages.

The more Tobi can answer customer queries without the need for human
intervention, the fewer complaints there are likely to be, which is good for
profits and corporate reputation.

 

“We see AI primarily as a ‘virtual assistant’ for humans,” says Scott Petty,
Vodafone’s chief technology officer. “We already see AI freeing-up Vodafone
employees’ time from tedious, repetitive manual work, enabling them to focus
on more creative activities that benefit our customers and the environment.”

AI also leaves the customer agents freer to work on more complex cases, he
argues. Vodafone also says that Azure OpenAI is helping customers more
easily find what they’re looking for on its websites, with early evidence
showing a doubling in the number of successful completed online customer
journeys, and a 10% reduction in follow-up calls.

 

 

Scott Perry says that AI frees up staff to do the more interesting work

While many commentators worry that AI could lead to massive job losses in
the telco sector, as menial tasks are increasingly automated by software,
GSMA’s Mr Sinclair believes it could actually be empowering, particularly
for lower-income countries.

“AI will give emerging markets a specialist tool to help them catch up,” he
argues. “We’re in favour of trying to democratise AI so that it’s not just
the wealthy who can use it.”

 

He believes that some of the doom-mongering around AI has been overdone, and
so he strikes a more optimistic tone.

It’s a view shared by CCS Insight’s Ian Fogg: “AI has been around for some
years, used for specific [telecoms] cases. But now it’s being applied in
many more areas - network, devices, software - such that every tool we use
now has the potential to become much, much better.

“AI has the potential to make networks greener, and the world a more
efficient place.”-BBC

 

 

 

Chinese 'underground bankers' accused of aiding Mexican cartel

The US has accused a Chinese "underground banking" network of helping
Mexico's powerful Sinaloa drugs cartel with money laundering and other
crimes.

 

The Department of Justice (DoJ) has charged 24 people with offences that
also include distributing narcotics.

Law enforcement officers have seized about $5m (£4m) in proceeds, as well as
guns and hundreds of pounds of cocaine, methamphetamine and ecstasy pills.

The DoJ touted the close co-operation with Mexican and Chinese law
enforcement - a message that has been echoed on the Chinese side.

 

The US accuses the Sinaloa cartel of helping to fuel a deadly epidemic by
flooding the country with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 50 times
stronger than heroin.

The DoJ highlighted a "conspiracy" during which more than $50m in drug
proceeds moved between the Sinaloa gang members and Chinese underground
"money exchanges".

It said these underground exchanges were being used by Sinaloa operatives to
move their illegally acquired cash from the US to Mexico.

 

These Chinese exchanges offer a "ready market" for US currency, the DoJ
said, explaining that some Chinese nationals want "informal alternatives" to
conventional banking because the Beijing government caps the amount of money
they can take out of China.

 

A statement from Beijing, quoted by the AFP news agency, appeared to confirm
the rare close collaboration with the US, saying authorities there had
arrested a money-laundering suspect.

 

That person had been involved in running a US car dealership before
switching to "illegal foreign exchange trading".

Most of the 24 suspects named in the indictment will appear in a Los Angeles
court "in the coming weeks", the DoJ added in its statement.-BBC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 


 Invest Wisely!

Bulls n Bears 

 

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Companies under Cautionary

 

 

 


 

 

 

 


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