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Court ready with crucial judgment in Tukur Mamu’s terrorism case

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday fixed Jan. 27, 2027, for judgment in a charge filed by the Federal Government against Tukur Mamu, alleged terrorists’ negotiator during the Abuja-Kaduna train attack hostages in 2022.

Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the date after the Federal Government’s lawyer, David Kaswe, and Mamu’s counsel, Johnson Usman, SAN, adopted their final written addresses and presented their arguments for and against the case.

Mamu, who was arrested on Sept. 7, 2022 by the Egyptian security officials at the Cairo International Airport, was earlier arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism financing.

However, the prosecution amended the counts by bringing in more offences, including unlawful possession of firearms without valid licence and money laundering charges.

When the case was called on Monday, Usman informed the court that the case was scheduled for adoption of parties’ final written addresses.

The senior lawyer said the the defendant’s final written address was dated July 22 but filed July 23.

‘Our reply on points of law is dated Oct. 30 and filed same day. We adopt these two addrseses and we humbly urge this honourable court to graciously acquit and discharge the defendant on all the counts preferred by Federal Government as same, having not been proven in any manner,’ he prayed.

Usman argued that though the defence team had consistently demanded for the licence of the rifle allegedly recovered from Mamu’s residence, the lawyer said the prosecution had failed to produce the licence in court.

‘You mean the expired licence?’ Justice Umar asked Usman.

Responding, Usman submitted that their contention was that the licence was not expired as at the time Mamu was arrested.

He said even though the prosecution took custody of the arms and the licence, their failure to produce the lience in court had raised serious issues of doubt.

He, therefore, urged the court to resolve the issue in favour of his client.

‘My lord, if my vehicle licence expires and my car is parked at home, the VIO cannot arrest me. We have asked for this on three consecutive times but they failed to produce it in court,’ he said.

But Kaswe, as assistant director, who appeared for the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on behalf of the Federal Government, disagreed with Usman’s submission.

The prosecution lawyer recalled that the licence and the rifle had already been tendered before the court.

‘My Lord, the record of this court will show that we have tendered the licence together with the arms on the day the PW-5, an exhibit keeper, was led on evidence,’ he added.

Kaswe reminded that after the prosecution applied for a safe keep of the rifle and other exhibits, the court granted their request. The lawyer, who adopted their final written address dated Sept. 18, said the processs was filed on Sept. 21.

‘We respectfully adopt our written address as our oral submission and argument in prove of the case against the defendant and we urge my lord to agree with us that we have discharged the burden of proof placed before us and to convict the defendant as charged,’ he prayed.

Usman, however, thanked the Department of State Services (DSS) for granting access to Mamu’s family members in accordance beith court order.

‘My lord, I thank the current regime of DSS for the access given to the defendant’s family. When they do well, we should praise them. My sincere gratitude to the DG DSS,’ Usman said.

After listening to the lawyers, Justice Umar fixed Jan. 27, 2027, for judgment. Mamu, the sole defendant, was re-arraigned on June 1 on a 17-count charge.

He, however, pleaded not guilty after the counts were read to him and the prosecution commenced its cross examination of the accused, who had earleir opened his defence and testified as the sole defence witness.

Beyond cricket: How franchise sports are reshaping Sri Lanka

The expansion of franchise-based competitions beyond cricket is opening new opportunities for athletes, brands and investors, with the Sri Lanka Padel League helping pioneer a new era for the country’s sporting industry.

For decades, cricket dominated Sri Lanka’s sporting landscape, attracting the majority of commercial investment and sponsorship. However, the emergence of franchise-based competitions across multiple sports is beginning to change that picture, creating new opportunities for athletes, businesses and sporting organisations.

Sri Lanka’s franchise-sports journey began with the Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL) cricket initiative in 2012. Following its failure to establish a sustainable competition, the Lanka Premier League (LPL) was launched in 2020, bringing renewed attention to the commercial potential of the franchise model.

The next significant step came with the expansion of franchise sports beyond cricket. The Sri Lanka Padel League helped pioneer this new chapter, demonstrating that the franchise model could extend beyond cricket and opening the door for a wider range of sporting properties to emerge. The Ceylon Golf League followed, with franchise-based competitions subsequently expanding into pickleball, tennis, rugby and rowing. A franchise-based archery league has also joined this growing landscape.

Together, these developments signal the emergence of a broader sports-business ecosystem in Sri Lanka, extending the franchise model into an increasingly diverse range of disciplines.

For athletes, franchise leagues can provide greater visibility, more competitive opportunities and potential income through participation and sponsorships. They can also create platforms for talent development, professional exposure and stronger connections with sporting audiences.

High-quality live broadcasting and production have become another important pillar of this evolution. From live match coverage to televised player auctions, these productions bring audiences closer to the competition, allowing fans to follow team formations, player selections and the sporting action itself. They also give sponsors greater visibility through broadcast integrations, on-screen branding and digital content, extending commercial exposure beyond the physical venue. By presenting these competitions as professionally produced sporting entertainment, leagues can attract wider audiences and strengthen their appeal to commercial partners.

The commercial opportunities are equally significant. Brands that have traditionally focused on cricket can now explore partnerships across golf, padel, pickleball, tennis, rugby, rowing and archery. These leagues offer opportunities for targeted sponsorships, digital exposure, hospitality and experiential marketing, enabling businesses to connect with new audiences and sporting communities.

The movement also creates opportunities for broadcasters, technology providers, event organisers and sports marketing professionals, while encouraging private investment in the development of sporting properties.

Long-term success will depend on sustainable finances, consistent competition, strong commercial partnerships and the ability to deliver value to athletes, sponsors and franchise owners. Nevertheless, the growing diversity of leagues demonstrates that franchise-based sport is becoming an increasingly important part of Sri Lanka’s sporting landscape.

What was once largely associated with cricket is now creating opportunities across multiple disciplines. With the Sri Lanka Padel League helping lead the expansion beyond cricket, the country is entering a new chapter in which franchise sports can contribute to athlete development, commercial investment and the wider growth of the sports industry.

NBFIRA tight-lipped on violations behind Minet’s statutory management

The Non-Bank Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority (NBFIRA) has declined to disclose the specific violations that prompted the decision to place Minet Botswana under statutory management.

Responding to our inquiry, the regulator said the shortcomings were identified through its regulatory and supervisory tools.

NBFIRA said Minet was placed under statutory management based on ‘identified non-compliances by the regulated entity, identified through NBFIRA’s regulatory and supervisory tools.’

The Authority did not specify the nature of the non-compliances, the regulatory provisions allegedly breached or when the concerns were first identified.

It said it continually engages regulated entities to ensure compliance, adding that it ‘immediately escalated its intervention to that of appointment of a statutory manager’ when it became apparent that this level of intervention was required.

The regulator also declined to provide details of the inspections, audits, investigations or supervisory assessments undertaken before the decision. It said it had applied supervisory tools provided for under the laws governing regulated entities.

On whether Minet had previously received warnings, compliance notices or remedial instructions, NBFIRA was also cagey, saying it engages regulated entities on identified non-compliances on an ongoing basis. ‘The appointment of a statutory manager was only done after all the necessary steps were taken to address the concerns,’ it said, adding that the intervention was intended to close compliance gaps and protect clients’ interests.

The Authority said its engagement with Minet included the development of a remedial action plan, but did not disclose its contents or the measures that had been required of the company.

Sunday Standard’s request for a chronological account of the regulatory process, including the dates of key decisions and notices, was also declined. ‘Regulatory intervention to that level of detail is confidential between the Regulatory Authority and the regulated entity,’ NBFIRA said.

The regulator confirmed that it had considered and applied a range of supervisory and remedial interventions before placing Minet under statutory management. It again cited confidentiality when asked why those earlier measures had not resolved the concerns. Questions about the role of Minet’s board and senior management also received limited responses.

NBFIRA said its regulatory and supervisory approach takes a holistic view that includes the governance of regulated entities. However, it did not indicate whether any specific findings had been made against the board or individual directors.

Asked what enforcement or disciplinary action had been taken, or was being considered, against directors and senior management, including possible penalties, reprimands, disqualification or removal from office, the Authority also refused to disclose suffice it to say ‘regulatory intervention at Minet Botswana is ongoing.’

The same response was given when asked whether any action had been taken against the board or senior management. ‘Statutory management is a regulatory tool used by the Regulatory Authority as a remedial intervention meant to stabilise operations at a regulated entity and put in place sustainable corrective actions,’ it said. The Authority added that the process also serves as a mechanism for protecting clients and ‘should not be viewed as a punitive sanction’.

Under the arrangement, statutory manager Thulisizwe Johnson assumes responsibility for the management of the company. NBFIRA said Minet continues to service its clients and fulfil its obligations. ‘NBFIRA confirms that Minet Botswana continues to service all its clients and execute all legitimate obligations,’ it said.

The Authority statutory management would be lifted once it was satisfied that the measures implemented by the statutory manager had resolved the non-compliances and addressed the identified regulatory and supervisory gaps.

In explaining the framework governing such interventions, NBFIRA said it uses an established supervisory ladder to address non-compliance among non-bank financial institutions. The measures range from less intrusive interventions to statutory management, licence revocation and liquidation. ‘Statutory management is used when earlier interventions have proved ineffective or immediate action is needed to protect affected stakeholders or the market,’ it said.

NBFIRA described the measure as intrusive, explaining that a statutory manager assumes control of an entity’s affairs to the exclusion of its management and board. It said the intervention was therefore reserved for exceptional circumstances and applied as a last resort.

Cyprus Stock Exchange

The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share Index closed at today`s stock exchange meeting as follows:

MEETING DATE: 02/11/2026

INDICES BASE VALUES: FTSEMed=5000, OTH

EURO (pound )

TRADED VALUE:

530.821,93

INDEX

VALUE

% DIFF.

VALUE (pound )

FTSE/CySE 20

182,310

0,850

530.634,030

MAIN MARKET INDEX

242,440

1,380

425.806,970

INVESTMENT COMPANIES MARKET INDEX

2.598,030

0,370

6.988,270

CSE GENERAL INDEX

310,310

0,850

530.634,030

HOTELS INDEX

1.934,210

-0,130

302,400

ALTERNATIVE MARKET INDEX

2.092,420

-0,750

105.009,460

* The second column presents the percentage variation of the indices as compared to the last meeting.

Desaparecidos’ kin urged to continue loved ones’ fight for justice

On All Souls’ Day, families of enforced disappearances (desaparecidos) were urged to continue to fight for justice and carry on the causes their missing loved ones championed, even with no bodies or graves to visit.

The families, together with members from the groups Desaparecidos Philippines, Karapatan, and Hustisya, gathered at Claret School in Quezon City for a Mass and a program as they offered prayers and flowers for their missing kin.

‘If our relatives were here, we all know that they would not stay away from the struggle in the streets – to demand fair wages and to assert all the rights necessary for a decent life for the Filipino people,’ said Ofelia Balleta, secretary-general of Hustisya, a human rights organization.

She urged the families of desaperacidos to unite with other sectors, particularly workers struggling with low wages and rising daily expenses, as they continue to seek the return of their missing loved ones.

‘So let us prove that we, the relatives, are just like our loved ones whom they abducted,’ Balleta said.

‘We have love for our fellow human beings, which compels us to continue the work they left behind in the service of the people.’

According to Karapatan, more than 1,900 victims of enforced disappearance have been documented in the Philippines since the Ferdinand Marcos Sr. dictatorship.

Old man drowns after falling into Quezon river

A 71-year-old fisherman drowned after falling into a river in the town of Tagkawayan, Quezon, on Sunday evening, Nov. 1, police said.

The victim, who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, was walking along Aloneros Bridge in Barangay Cabugwang at around 6:30 p.m. when he accidentally fell into the river, according to a report from the Quezon police on Monday.

Residents recovered his body after nearly two hours of search and rescue operations.

Police said the victim’s remains would undergo a post-mortem examination to help determine the cause of death.

For now, police recorded his death as a ‘drowning incident.’

Why reelection of Tinubu is necessary for Nigeria – NITDA boss

The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Inuwa Abdullahi, has said re-election of President Bola Ahmmed Tinubu in the 2027 elections is necessary sustained policy implementation to accelerate Nigeria’s economic transformation.

Abdullahi spoke in Garun Gabas Ward, Malam Madori Local Government Area, Jigawa, while inaugurating a grassroots campaign office supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

According to him, policy consistency was critical for Nigeria to achieve meaningful development and compete favourably with emerging economies.

This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by Adebisi Adams, Director of Communications, Tinubu Movement for Sustainable Governance Foundation (TMS).

According to the statement, the inauguration formed part of TMS mobilisation strategy of the Movement for reelection of President Tinubu.

Abdullahi, who chairs the movement’s Board of Trustees and serves as its National Coordinator, said the initiative would expand grassroots structures across Jigawa.

He said the structures would promote public understanding of the Tinubu administration’s policies, encourage community participation and mobilise support ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

‘The essence of creating the TMS movement is to go down to the grassroots level to enlighten citizens on President Tinubu’s reforms,’ he said.

He explained that economic diversification and inclusiveness were central to the Tinubu’s agenda for achieving national prosperity.

Abdullahi identified interventions in education, agriculture, food security, national security, digital literacy and healthcare as measures designed to stimulate growth.

He said the interventions were also intended to improve livelihoods and strengthen national development.

Citing South Korea, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia, he said their development experiences demonstrated the importance of sustained reforms.

‘Nigeria requires consistent implementation of development policies to achieve meaningful economic transformation and compete favourably with emerging economies,’ he said.

He urged residents to support Tinubu’s re-election, calling for a decisive victory in the Jan. 16, 2027 presidential election.

The NITDA chief also announced plans by the movement to empower 200 women in Garun Gabas Ward.

He said the initiative would complement previous interventions across Jigawa, including a recent empowerment programme in Hadejia.

According to him, beneficiaries of the Hadejia programme received financial assistance and other materials to strengthen their businesses and improve household incomes.

He added that TMS would prioritise vulnerable groups, particularly women, youths, children and persons with disabilities.

He said the movement would support these groups through economic empowerment, educational assistance and community development programmes.

Abdullahi thanked residents for supporting the Tinubu administration, promising continued access to its development initiatives if the President secured another term.

The inauguration also witnessed the defection of some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defectors attributed their decision to development interventions and improvements in their communities.

They were received by Abdullahi and APC leaders in Malam Madori Local Government Area.

Earlier, APC Chairman in the area, Tanko Ahmad, commended Abdullahi for facilitating digital infrastructure projects that had expanded educational opportunities for young people.

Ahmad specifically acknowledged the establishment of an Information and Communication Technology Development Centre at Government Secondary School, Garun Gabas.

‘We will not forget NITDA’s intervention through the establishment of the ICT Development Centre in Government Secondary School, Garun Gabas,’ he said.

He said the facility had provided students with opportunities to acquire digital skills and prepare for emerging opportunities in the technology-driven economy.

Ahmad pledged the party’s continued support for TMS, assuring that its grassroots structures would intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

DICON, Nigeria renew push for military equipment self-sufficiency

Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency in military equipment production has received a fresh boost as DICON-D7G unveiled plans to expand indigenous defence manufacturing, attract foreign investment and create 7,000 employment opportunities for retired military personnel and civilians.

The initiative, being promoted at the ongoing Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) in Lagos, also includes plans to secure 40,000 square metres of land for the establishment of a world-class international exhibition centre.

The Chief Executive Officer of DICON-D7G, Mr Osman Chennar, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists on Monday, saying the initiative was aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s transition from dependence on imported military equipment to local manufacturing, technology transfer and industrial self-sufficiency.

DICON-D7G, a major sponsor of AFRIDEX, is using the international exhibition to promote its vision of building a stronger Nigerian military-industrial complex through local production, strategic partnerships, investment mobilisation and employment generation.

The renewed push comes 61 years after the establishment of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) in 1964, with the country still working towards developing the capacity to manufacture a substantial proportion of the military equipment required by its armed forces.

For decades, Nigeria has depended considerably on foreign suppliers for military hardware, ammunition, components and other defence technologies, raising concerns about foreign exchange expenditure, supply-chain vulnerabilities and the sustainability of national security operations.

Chennar said DICON-D7G was seeking to address the challenge by bringing government institutions, private investors, indigenous manufacturers, research organisations and international technology partners together.

‘Our ambition is to move Nigeria from dependence on imported military equipment to a country that can increasingly manufacture, maintain and sustain its own defence requirements,’ he said.

According to him, Nigeria possesses the human resources, technical expertise and industrial potential to achieve defence industrial independence through strategic investments and effective partnerships.

He said the organisation’s objective was to move Nigeria beyond importing finished defence products to developing the capacity to design, manufacture, maintain and eventually export military equipment.

As part of its international expansion, DICON-D7G recently made its debut at an exhibition in Qatar, where it sought partnerships with foreign manufacturers, investors and technology companies to facilitate technology transfer and strengthen local production.

‘Our engagement with international partners is designed to encourage technology transfer, attract investment and build the technical capacity required to strengthen Nigeria’s defence industry,’ Chennar said.

He described AFRIDEX as an important platform for bringing manufacturers, investors, technology developers and other stakeholders together to advance Nigeria’s defence industrial ambitions.

The exhibition, he said, would provide opportunities to promote indigenous innovation, attract investment and encourage collaboration capable of translating Nigeria’s industrial potential into practical defence manufacturing capabilities.

In another major development, DICON-D7G is pursuing the acquisition of approximately 40,000 square metres of land in Lagos for a proposed international exhibition centre.

The facility is expected to host international defence exhibitions, industrial trade fairs, technology showcases, manufacturing conferences and investment forums, while providing a platform for Nigerian manufacturers to showcase locally developed products.

‘The proposed exhibition centre in Lagos will provide a permanent platform for international defence exhibitions, technology showcases and investment opportunities,’ Chennar said.

The proposed centre is also envisaged as a commercial asset that could generate revenue and support the organisation’s long-term industrial objectives.

The organisation is equally projecting 7,000 employment opportunities, comprising 2,000 positions for retired military personnel and 5,000 for civilians.

The retired military personnel are expected to contribute their experience and technical expertise in areas including training, engineering, logistics, administration and project management.

The civilian employment opportunities are expected to cover manufacturing, engineering, information technology, research and development, skilled trades and other supporting services.

‘We are looking beyond military equipment production. We also want to create opportunities for retired military personnel and young Nigerians to contribute their skills to national development,’ he said.

Beyond employment generation, the initiative is seeking to strengthen Nigeria’s military-industrial ecosystem by expanding local production and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.

DICON-D7G has also indicated plans to expand its manufacturing activities beyond arms and ammunition to include tanks, armoured personnel carriers, mine-resistant vehicles, boats and drones.

The broader ambition is to develop local capacity that can support the country’s defence requirements, conserve foreign exchange, create jobs and stimulate technological advancement.

The development comes amid renewed efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s defence manufacturing framework following President Bola Tinubu’s signing of the DICON Amendment Act into law in November 2023.

The legislation provides an expanded framework for promoting indigenous defence production and strengthening the country’s military-industrial capacity.

However, the success of the renewed ambition will depend on sustained investment, research and development, technology transfer, quality assurance and effective collaboration between government and private-sector manufacturers.

Sixty-one years after DICON’s establishment, the renewed drive highlights the importance of translating Nigeria’s long-standing ambition for defence industrial independence into measurable manufacturing capacity.

For DICON-D7G, the objective is to ensure that Nigeria does not merely depend on importing equipment required for its national security but progressively develops the capacity to manufacture and sustain such equipment locally.

Double Header Confirmed as African Hero Top 8 Moves into Semifinals

The African Hero Top 8 competition moves into the semi-final stage on November 7, with four teams set to battle for places in the final at the National Stadium.

The semi-finals will be played as a double-header, with Mochudi Centre Chiefs taking on Sua Flamingos in the opening match before Gaborone United face Jwaneng Galaxy in the second encounter.

The four teams booked their places in the last four after winning their respective quarter-final matches.

Chiefs will go into their match against Sua Flamingos hoping to continue their impressive run in the competition. The Kgatleng side secured their semi-final place after beating Morupule Wanderers 3-1.

However, they face a determined Sua Flamingos side that defeated Orapa United 2-1 to book a place in the semi-finals.

The encounter presents an important test for both teams, with a place in the final at stake. Chiefs will be looking to use their experience and attacking strength, while Sua Flamingos will be keen to maintain the form that carried them through the quarter-finals.

The second semi-final will bring together two of the country’s leading clubs, Gaborone United and Jwaneng Galaxy.

GU booked their place after beating Nico United 2-0, while Galaxy edged Township Rollers 1-0 to complete the semi-final line-up.

The clash between GU and Galaxy is expected to be one of the highlights of the double-header. Both teams have enjoyed success in domestic football and will be eager to add another trophy to their collections.

GU, the reigning Botswana Premier League champions, will be looking to continue their winning run, but Galaxy will be equally determined to reach the final.

Beyond the battle for the main trophy, the competition also offers attractive financial rewards for individual performers.

The Player of the Tournament will receive P50,000, while the Coach of the Tournament will walk away with P30,000.

The Goalkeeper of the Tournament and Top Goal Scorer will each receive P25,000. The Young Player of the Tournament and Referee of the Tournament will each receive P20,000, while the Fan of the Tournament will receive P10,000.

At team level, the winners will walk away with P1.5 million, while the runners-up will receive P750,000. The two teams that lose in the semi-finals will each receive P200,000.

The prize structure makes the remaining matches important for both teams and individual players, as they compete for recognition and financial rewards.

With the semi-final line-up settled, attention now turns to November 7 when the four teams take to the National Stadium pitch knowing that victory will take them closer to the P1.5 million prize and the African Hero Top 8 title.

Can Azerbaijan convert its energy advantage into AI investment boom?

Last August, in the town of Hrazdan, 45km from Yerevan, Armenia’s prime minister attended the opening of the largest AI data centre in the former Soviet space. The “AI Factory” of Firebird is expected to house more than 70,000 units of Nvidia’s Blackwell and Rubin chips and have 300 megawatts of capacity by the end of 2027. It will cost around $5 billion. One-fifth of the total computational capacity will be set aside for local uses, while the rest will cater to international clients, including Perplexity. Nvidia has announced that it plans to invest in the company. This is truly a remarkable feat for a nation of less than 3 million people without any past experience in running data centers. It was made possible thanks to a US export license issued during the time of relaxed export rules under the Trump presidency.

The symbolism felt somewhat painful in Baku, perhaps mainly in the public and media atmosphere. Azerbaijan, despite sitting at the same table in the White House, seemed to be on the outside looking in on the first major American AI venture in the South Caucasus. Now it wants to be back in.

The Pitch

Hikmet Hajiyev, Azerbaijan’s Presidential aide who heads foreign policy, set out the argument last week. Exporting power is one thing, he says. Turning it into something more valuable is another. “One thing is to export a raw material, in this case, we can call it raw electrons and electricity,” he explained. “Another thing is to transform it into semi-fabricates… data centers, of course. And turn it into bits and bytes.”

The key elements, according to his explanation, are cheap electricity, good location and fewer regulations. “We have cheap electricity here,” he said, “and we have less bureaucracy.” The government expects a surge in renewable generation: “within just a few years, we will have an additional 2 GW of renewable energy capacity, followed by another 8 GW a couple of years later, all available for export.” Those figures are large against a system with about 8.4GW of total installed capacity, and they would more than double it. ACWA Power of Saudi Arabia and Masdar of Abu Dhabi are building solar farms, and hydropower in the liberated territories adds to the mix. Hajiyev ended with an invitation: “I take this opportunity to welcome all AI companies in the world.”

The second one is related to risk. An AI hub requires a constant supply of energy, stable connectivity, and political predictability, and the current war that has brought uncertainty to the Gulf has raised the same considerations for investors. Recent developments there, Hajiyev noted, show “how safety and security matters a lot”, and in Azerbaijan, he said, “geopolitical safety and security has been provided”. A valid statement indeed, since the risks associated with missile attacks and shipping problems in the Gulf are now raising new questions for investors, and a site on the Caspian Sea seems more attractive than ever. On October 26th, he reaffirmed this idea by stressing the availability of the electricity network in Azerbaijan to international partners.

The most detailed outline of the strategy was provided in an extensive interview with Jeffrey Sachs, the American economist, published this week in Baku. Sachs, who had embarked on his “Marco Polo – Drive of Peace” journey across the East-West corridor that Hajiyev commended in their meeting in July with an electric car, challenged him about the Caspian’s potential. He mentioned the fact that there are 800 GW of wind power in the region of the Caspian Sea or even 130GW of them if taking a more cautious approach.

Hajiyev then used the occasion to tie the technology agenda to the peace agenda. Green corridors reaching Europe’s grid were a major topic during a recent visit by Ursula von der Leyen, he said, and Azerbaijan wants energy to be a pillar of the dividends of peace. “We are no longer constructing dividing lines or walls; instead, we are building peace and overcoming the fragmentation of our region,” he said. On Armenia, he said that trade has begun, that “we are building links and developing connectivity”, and that Yerevan is being offered the chance to join the regional network.

Link to peace matters the most

For data centers, one requires a stable energy supply as mentioned before, stable borders, and insurance companies willing to insure one. For the establishment of the Caspian energy and computing center, involving Armenia and Azerbaijan in the same energy system, one should have stable borders in an area where borders are militarized. Hajiyev’s point here is that peace will fund itself because it provides the environment where investment becomes possible. The opposite also holds true. If investments come, then both countries will have an interest not to go back to conflict again.

And yet, the case still requires evidence. Azerbaijan [neither neighbouring country] might not be “Singapore or Asian version of Silicon Valley”, but potential at upmost is visible and tangible. The offer by Azerbaijan currently consists of only intent: the strategic language in the February charter with Washington, the working group on connectivity, investment and security, and mentions of AI data centers without a specific investor, budget and timetable disclosed so far. The 10 GW of renewable energy capacity is a plan rather than production. And the core of the challenge is not the generation of electricity but chips, which require US export clearance and customers prepared to locate their hardware in a new market.

None of this detracts from the feasibility of the concept. It just means that the next twelve months will be critical. Should Baku secure an anchor tenant, license for its chips and demonstrate new capacity from solar and wind sources, “raw electrons” indeed will become more valuable. Otherwise, the gap between the two countries in the race will only widen.