Africa Archives - Page 169 of 197

Cape Town Brings In Over $112 Million In Six Years As Africa’s Best Business Tourism Destination

Cape Town has been named the best business tourism destination on the African continent once again, a ranking produced by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) revealed.

The Mother City is now considered the 39th best business tourism hub in the world, having improved last year’s ranking by 15 spots.

The Cape Town and the Western Cape Convention Bureau, part of Wesgro, is the major entity trusted to promote the Western Cape province and Cape Town in particular, among meeting, incentive, conference and event planners as a premier business tourism destination.

In the last financial year, the Bureau secured 33 new bids with an estimated attendance of 28,000 delegates and an estimated economic impact of around $31.7 million, while conferences over the past six years have had an estimated economic impact of more than $112 million, according to BizCommunity.

For this reason, these international association meetings have been and continue to be a fundamental economic contributor and job creator for South Africa.

With 62 international association meetings held in Cape Town during 2016, and a further 12 in nearby Stellenbosch – which would not count towards Cape Town’s tally, the country’s legislative capital compares favorably with other destinations in the top 40.

Paris was ranked first for 2016, with 196 international association meetings hosted in the French capital, while Rome at 20th on the ranking held 96 international conferences, a mere 34 more than Cape Town.

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Tunisia

Travelling or moving to Tunisia – a must see video

Nigeria

NIGERIA | Major Revision to Modernize Corporate Immigration Process

Business Permits

Foreign nationals establishing a trade, business, or profession in Nigeria must first obtain a business permit from the Minister of Interior (MOI), usually granted for 90 days with the possibility of a 30-day extension. As the business permit does not include residence authorization, most foreign nationals then apply for a residence permit in-country. The new regulations now clarify that even upon obtaining residence authorization, business permits must still be renewed. While past practice was often to forgo renewing the business permit once a residence permit was issued, the regulations now include penalties for failing to renew business permits.

Work Permits

The new regulations now provide a Temporary Work Permit (TWP) which is a single-entry work authorization, valid for two to three months, with a possible 30-day extension available in-country. Significant penalties also now apply for failing to obtain requisite extensions. Note that this TWP is granted outside the current expatriate quota levels which apply only to more long-term work permits.

For longer work assignments, companies must apply for a work permit under the expatriate quota through the MOI. In a significant improvement in that stream, foreign nationals may now request a “stay of action” letter which allows them to remain in-country pending an expatriate quota renewal and issuance of a renewed work permit, if the initial expatriate quota work permit expires.

Residence Permits

The new regulations have also further defined the rules and processes for residence permits. The Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (CGI) has been tasked with administration of all residence authorizations. The regulations now clarify that residence permits may be granted for stays up to two years. Also of significant benefit to companies and their foreign employees, the regulations now expressly provide that foreign nationals who have pending residence permit applications may travel internationally and re-enter Nigeria during the first 90 days from their original entry.

Investors Visa

The new regulations also call for a new long-term Investment Visa which gives the holder permanent residence status. However, the regulations do not yet formally contain the details of the minimum investment threshold, permissible form of investment, or length of investment.

Visas on Arrival

As Pro-Link GLOBAL reported previously, Nigeria recently greatly expanded its visa-on-arrival scheme to accommodate business travelers from nations with no Nigerian overseas consular post. The new regulations now take that scheme one step further by opening the visa-on-arrival option to all foreign nationals, regardless of their country of residence. However, note that the “visa on arrival approval letter” obtained by an in-country sponsor must still be in hand when the foreign national arrives and requests the visa-on-arrival at his/her port of entry.

Registration Requirements

The new regulations also call for the establishment of a new nation-wide register of foreign nationals in Nigeria. Once implemented, all foreign nationals obtaining residence permits will be required to register their residences at the NIS office in the state where they reside and make subsequent updates to their registration whenever they change their residence. Landlords and owners of hotels, boarding houses, and other lodging accommodations will be required to maintain records of their foreign guests, including names, addresses, occupations, passport information, and arrival and departure dates.

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Morocco

Morocco’s an expat’s dream!

Location: Africa
Capital City: Rabat
Other Important Cities: Casablanca, Essaouira, Fes, Marrakech
Currency: Dirham
Language: Arabic, Tamazight
Calling Code: 212
Internet TLD: .ma
Electricity: Morroco runs on 127/220V 50Hz. Electricity is mainly provided by the state-owned Office National de l’Electricite et de l’eau Potable ONE.
Website (French): www.one.org.ma

Emergency Numbers:
Ambulance: 15
Fire: 15
Police: 19

Morocco’s cultural landscape is as diverse as its geography. Containing coasts, mountains and desert, this North African country displays the traditions that has been passed down from generation to generation. From souqs, medinas, to hospitality and cuisine, Moroccan culture, although faceted with other influences, is distinctly unique. Morocco is not only a dream destination of tourists, but also home away from home for longtime expats.

Expat Clubs

American International Women’s Club of Casablanca
AIWC Casablanca Mission statement is to provide financial and other support to those, in Morocco, who are most vulnerable; to promote a better understanding of Morocco; and to unite English-speaking women of all nationalities, especially in welcoming newcomers to our community.
Website: www.casablancaaiwc.org

American Women Living in Morocco (Yahoo Group)
Email: American_Women_living_in_Morocco@Yahoogroups.com
Website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/American_Women_Living_In_Morocco

International Schools

Casablanca American School
Casablanca American School (CAS) embraces an American Educational system of teaching that offers an International Baccalaureate program in a learning environment that nourishes your children’s unique qualities.

Curriculum: American, International Baccalaureate
Address: Route de la Mecque, Lotissement Ougoug, Quartier Californie, Casablanca, Morocco, 20150
Tel: +212-522-79-39-39
Fax: +212-522-21-24-88
Email: contact-cas@cas.ac.ma
Website: www.cas.ac.ma

George Washington Academy Casablanca
GWA opened in 1998 with 52 students; today we have more than 790 students from 39 nationalities taught in their purpose-built campus by a majority of North American instructional staff. The school received full accreditation by the Middle States Association in 2009.

The cost of living in Morocco is relatively low compared to Europe and North America. Expats both rent and buy properties, depending on the purpose and duration of their stay in the country. Apartments for sale go for as low as $35,000. Apartment rentals are as low as $325. Cityred Morocco is a leading real estate service provider first opened in England. They have a variety of listings across main Moroccan cities: cityredmorocco.com

Marrakech, the capital of Morocco holds a distinct charm among tourists. Moroccan culture is so embedded and evident in this city, it’s a total immersive experience. Traditional marketplaces, old-fashioned vendors and unwavering hospitality, the city is a welcome breath of fresh air from expats who needs to something different; metropolitan yet reflective of heritage.

The other city, Casablanca is the opposite of Marrakech. Its namesake Hollywood film does not do it justice; this city is the economic and commercial center, the progressive side of Morocco. Expats who are looking for the same Western amenities such as bars, clubs and hip restaurants and hang-outs, will find it in this Casablanca, thanks to its openness to European and American popular culture. They will also find the same traffic jam and buzzing sound of the city moving fast. Despite the city’s plunge into the fore of commercialism, it managed to retain its roots through historical architecture and environment.

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