huge rise in #solar panel sales imported from #China in #Africa, especially in #Nigeria, #Algeria, and #Congo, according to Dave Jones of #Ember Energy.
on 02025-09-01#Weaponry #news from April. Another repetition of the NYT’s claim that in #Ukraine, “#drones caused 70 percent of battlefield injuries or deaths in 2024, supplanting artillery,” inspiring #Burkina-Faso, etc. “[#Turkey] is Africa’s top supplier, with a total of 32 agreements, 28 of which have occurred since 2021. Türkiye has succeeded by appealing to the desire of countries across Africa to acquire affordable, modern weapons outside the supply chains of major technological powers. Israel, the #UAE, and #Iran have similarly expanded their reach on the continent via the supply of drones.
On the demand side, #Nigeria (18 acquisitions), Algeria (15), Ethiopia (12), and Morocco (11) are Africa’s top drone seekers. (...) Enterprises in nine African countries (Algeria, #Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, #Nigeria, #South-Africa, Sudan, and #Tunisia) now produce military drones, supplying approximately 12 percent of Africa’s overall drone market. South Africa, the continent’s longest-standing drone producer, has manufactured unmanned military systems since the 1970s. #ENOVA Robotics, a Tunisian company, is exporting 50 of its ground security robots to the United States.”
on 02025-06-17#Weaponry #news from April. Another repetition of the NYT’s claim that in #Ukraine, “#drones caused 70 percent of battlefield injuries or deaths in 2024, supplanting artillery,” inspiring #Burkina-Faso, etc. “[#Turkey] is Africa’s top supplier, with a total of 32 agreements, 28 of which have occurred since 2021. Türkiye has succeeded by appealing to the desire of countries across Africa to acquire affordable, modern weapons outside the supply chains of major technological powers. Israel, the #UAE, and #Iran have similarly expanded their reach on the continent via the supply of drones.
On the demand side, #Nigeria (18 acquisitions), Algeria (15), Ethiopia (12), and Morocco (11) are Africa’s top drone seekers. (...) Enterprises in nine African countries (Algeria, #Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, #Nigeria, #South-Africa, Sudan, and #Tunisia) now produce military drones, supplying approximately 12 percent of Africa’s overall drone market. South Africa, the continent’s longest-standing drone producer, has manufactured unmanned military systems since the 1970s. #ENOVA Robotics, a Tunisian company, is exporting 50 of its ground security robots to the United States.”
on 02025-06-17#Burkina-Faso was also buying #weaponry from #Egypt and #China last year. “Shortly after delivery, Burkina Faso appeared to begin using its Akinci UAVs in combat, with video published on 29 April purportedly showing Akinci and TB2 strikes against terrorist targets. The country has used UAVs extensively to combat Islamist fighters, but unfortunately dozens of civilians have also been killed in these strikes. (...) Last year, Burkina Faso surpassed Afghanistan as the country most impacted by terrorism, with nearly 2 000 deaths.” Other #Bayraktar customers listed include #Ethiopia, Libya, Morocco, Niger, Djibouti, Togo, #Nigeria, Mali, Rwanda and #Tunisia.
on 02025-06-17