Monitoring opportunities and meeting challenges for market expansion in 2024

With 2024 just around the corner, the Tunisian solar energy market is poised for significant expansion, presenting a myriad of opportunities and challenges. The country’s installed capacity will pass the 200 MW mark for solar PV capacity by 2023. In the last decade, Tunisia has demonstrated a growing interest in developing solar energy. The country has witnessed the launch of numerous initiatives and projects aimed at exploiting Tunisia’s vast solar potential. In particular, the deployment of large-scale, distributed solar systems has increased sharply, contributing to a more diversified energy mix.…

Saudi mediation in releasing prisoners in Russia… Hints and repercussions

By Dr Alaya Allani, Academic and Researcher in strategic issues At the peak of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Saudi diplomacy was prompted by Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman to ease some of the tensions created by the war with prisoners exchange negotiations between Russia and Ukraine that resulted in the release of Moroccan, American, British, Swedish and Croatian prisoners, some of whom were threatened with execution. The success of this mediation in freeing these hostages is an indication that Saudi Arabia can play other roles in…

Network wants to make impact by providing 21st-century skills

Academics have stressed the importance of ensuring African graduates secure jobs after their studies, ideally linked to the expertise they have gained during their courses. They spoke out at the second Annual Academic Summit, an international conference hosted by the Honoris United Universities (HUU) network of private universities, which was staged on both campuses of Tunisia’s Central University (Université Centrale), Tunis, and the Ariana, Tunis-based ESPRIT or Private Higher School of Engineering and Technology (Ecole Supérieure Privée d’Ingénierie et de Technologies), from August 30 to September 2. In the conference’s…

Tunisian scientists alert on degradation of Posidonia, Mediterranean Sea lungs

Tunisian specialists are sending an alarm about the damaging effects of the reduction of Posidonia in the Mediterranean Sea. Over the years scientists have proven that seagrass meadows have a strong carbon absorption capacity. And according to this marine ecologist in Tunis, Posidonia could also produce up to 20 litres of oxygen per square meter. ” Forests store carbon on land, and this is called green carbon. Underwater, is referred to as blue carbon. So these ecosystems and especially Posidonia, capture large quantities of carbon over thousands of years, what’s…

Global leaders unite in urgent call for international pandemic treaty

25 heads of government and international agencies come together in extraordinary joint call New treaty would signal high-level political action needed to protect the world from future health crises The international community should work together “towards a new international treaty for pandemic preparedness and response” to build a more robust global health architecture that will protect future generations, world leaders said in a commentary published today in several newspapers around the world. “There will be other pandemics and other major health emergencies. No single government or multilateral agency can address this threat…

Soon, Misrata opens marine terminal for passenger cruising

Misrata city is near to opening a new marine station in partnership between the public sector represented by the Iron and Steel Company, and the private sector represented by the “Kevalay” Tourism Services Company, the Libya Observer reported. After years of suspension, travelers from Libya will be able to sail to their destination allowing them to save money and enjoy the scenery and landscapes of the blue sea. According to informed sources, the first trips will leave Misrata towards Tunisia and Turkey, while other destinations would be added, respectively. The…

Libya: Tobruk Parliament Overcomes Disagreements During Tangier Meeting

The consultative meeting of Libya’s House of Representatives, known as the Tobruk Parliament, has led the legislative body to overcome its internal disagreements. The meeting took place in Tangier, northern Morocco, from November 23-28. During the session’s closing ceremony, members of the Libyan House of Representatives made seven pledges that seek to bring the war-torn country closer to overcoming its political crisis. The deputies first agreed that the House of Representatives should be located in Benghazi, Libya’s second-most populous city. The legislative institution has been headquartered in Tobruk, northeastern Libya,…

Africa’s renewable energy capacity is set for consecutive years of growth, exceeding 50 GW in 2025

Africa’s installed capacity of renewable energy, which stood at 12.6 gigawatts (GW) in 2019, is set for consecutive years of growth, a Rystad Energy analysis shows. The continent’s capacity is forecast to reach 16.8 GW in 2020, add another 5.5 GW in 2021, and a further climb to 51.2 GW in 2025, led by growth in solar and wind projects in Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Ethiopia. At present, South Africa leads the continent in terms of installed renewable energy capacity with 3.5 GW of wind, 2.4 GW of utility…

Small-scale agriculture must first of all be a national priority (FTDES)

 “Small-scale agriculture must first of all be a national priority and its development should be the responsibility and duty of the State”. This development “can only take place within the framework of an overall strategy for the country and the involvement of all stakeholders”, reveals a study by the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES) on small farms in Tunisia. This report – integrated in the project “Reducing inequalities in the olive oil value chain” implemented by the NGO Oxfam in partnership with AFTD (Tunisian Association of Democratic…

Chinese grown Tunisian soft-seed pomegranates flood the market

Tunisian soft-seed pomegranates can be consumed directly without spitting out the seeds. They can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 months and in cold storage for up to 5 months. It is a variety that currently has the softest seeds in the world and is also the best variety grown in China. The pomegranates grown in Sichuan are famous for their fast growth, early fruit-bearing, high yield, and early ripening. Sichuan, as a region with ample sunshine, a large difference in temperatures between day and night, and…