Ylias Akbaraly

Nigeria
Thomson Broadcast awaits Abuja's green light for €400m project

The French company, which specialises in radio and television broadcasting infrastructure, hopes to secure final approval from the Nigerian government. It is counting on a visit by the French president to Nigeria to help make its case.

Madagascar
Masonic lodges face pressure from the authorities

Two Malagasy Freemasons have been in custody since the end of July as part of an investigation led by the public prosecutor. Since then, the island's Masonic lodges have been trying to smooth relations with the current government.

Madagascar
Businessman Ylias Akbaraly hires ex-French TV presenter Vincent Cerutti

The former television presenter has gradually distanced himself from the media since the start of the year. He has just accompanied the businessman on his recent tour of France, organised to mark the publication of his book, published by Fayard.

The New Guard
Namibia, Nigeria, Madagascar

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

NamibiaFanuel Shinedima, young oil sales representative

NigeriaIkechukwu Anoke, health insurance pioneer

MadagascarWilliamson Razafindrano, TIM's new rising star

Madagascar
Freemasons: Madagascar's GLNM strengthens ties with France

The National Grand Lodge of Madagascar has strengthened its ties in France, adding further weight to its recently elected Grand Master, Tiana Rasamimanana, a prominent Madagascan entrepreneur who wears many hats.

Madagascar
Augentic and Thales compete for Prodigy contracts worth €24m

Several players in the new information technologies sector are in the running to win two contracts to develop digital governance and identity management in Madagascar.

Madagascar
Taxman steps up pressure on local businesses

At least a dozen large local companies have had their bank accounts debited directly by the tax authority following tax reassessments, which they dispute. Many more companies stand to suffer the same fate.

Madagascar
Akbaraly's Sipromad takes legal action over fake news

Following the publication of a forged document accusing him of embezzlement, the billionaire Ylias Akbaraly, who also owns Thomson Broadcast, is taking legal action.

Africa
Naguib Sawiris calls it quits on Africanews trial

Following its defeat in court by Sipromad, the broadcaster Euronews has in the end decided not to appeal in an attempt to hold on to the one million euro deposit that the company paid in 2019.

Africa2020 sponsors to dine with Emmanuel Macron

President Macron will mark the end of the Africa2020 season by inviting the financiers and companies that sponsored the multidisciplinary pan-African project to the Elysée Palace.

Madagascar
De La Rue pitches tracing toolbox to tax authorities

The British manufacturer of banknotes and official documents is pitching its virtual traceability solutions to Madagascar's government to help it fill its coffers.

Madagascar
Vinci, Colas and KEC compete for World Bank-backed Jirama power projects

The national electricity company is preparing to choose contractors for two projects supported by the World Bank to extend Madagascar's power grid. French firms Vinci and Colas are hoping to beat off India's KEC.

Madagascar
TV digital migration contract brings out big field players

Akbaraly's Sipromad, Pirbay's Gulfsat and China's Huawei and StarTimes are all keenly interested in a lucrative contract to convert Madagascar's analogue television broadcasting technology to digital.

Madagascar
Alibaba, Sipromad, and Pangea IT eager to work on World Bank's digitalisation project

The calls for tender for Prodigy, the project to digitalise Madagascar's institutions, have not yet been launched, but Sipromad, Alibaba and Pangea IT are already keen to get a slice of the $143m the World Bank is contributing to the scheme.