Atlas

Palace Intrigues
Mamadi Doumbouya, Paul Biya, Mohamed Benchaaboun and Zinedine Zidane

Intrigues big and small... Every Tuesday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond. This week: Mamadi Doumbouya's luxury watch collection, Paul Biya's NY wishes cull, Mohammed VI snubs ex-ambassador Mohamed Benchaaboun and French VIPs celebrate NYE in Marrakech.

Guinea Colonel Doumbouya's €400,000 wristwatch

Cameroon Everyone wants their New Year's photo with Biya

Morocco Glacial reception for Mohamed Benchaaboun in Rabat

France-Morocco Zidane among French VIPs in Marrakech for NYE

Burkina Faso
GEOS and Securicom to provide security for the European delegation

In May, two successful private security companies walked away with an important contract for European diplomats in Burkina Faso, worth €11m over six years.

Morocco
EIB still committed to Masen-led Noor Atlas solar farm

A technical assistance contract has been put out to tender to speed up the implementation of seven photovoltaic plants located in the east of Morocco.

Algeria
From social housing to sugar beet: Atlas boss Yunus Dogan sets sights on Saharan agriculture

The Texas-based Turkish-US businessman wants to get into sugar beet cultivation alongside the state-owned Cosider. Ankara will keep a close eye on developments since Dogan is reputed to support Imam Fethullah Gulen, bête noire of Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

UAE, West Africa
UAE's Royal Capital quietly expands in Africa

The Emirati wealth manager run by French executives is actively developing its network in Africa. Its latest operation was to help the acquisition of a Gulfstream V that had often jetted Alpha Condé around the globe.