24 NOVEMBER, 2023.
The power of partnerships in driving MSMEs growth
New standards for sweet potato and pecans to facilitate international trade.
Sweet potatoes are becoming an important part of our cuisine: mashed sweet potatoes (American cuisine), sweet potato fries (international fusion), sweet potato gnocchi (Italian cuisine), roasted sweet potato and chickpea salad (Mediterranean cuisine).
17 NOVEMBER, 2023.
Exports from African Businesses Up 50% with Huge Support from Women
ANKA, the ‘all in one’ Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform for African businesses, in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), has published a white paper, illustrating the global growth of African businesses in the e-commerce space, spearheaded by women.
10 NOVEMBER, 2023.
TPSF calls for inclusion of more products into AGOA
TANZANIA Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) has called for expansion of export products into the United States covered under African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for Tanzania and African countries to reap more from the arrangement.
https://dailynews.co.tz/tpsf-calls-for-inclusion-of-more-products-into-agoa/
3 NOVEMBER, 2023.
No Longer Needed: Kenya Cancels Visa Requirement for Nigerians, Other Africans.
Kenyan President has said that from 2024, Africans visiting Kenya will no longer need a visa According to him, the development aims to increase trade with African countries President Ruto also encouraged the reduction of customs tariffs inside the continent.
13 0CTOBER, 2023.
IMF Gives Nigeria, Ghana, Other African Countries Conditions For Debt Cancellation
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has dismissed the idea of total debt cancellation for Nigeria, Ghana, and other African countries. The IMF African Department Director, Abebe Selassie, said about 50% of total debts in African countries are domestic, making debt cancellations difficult.
World Bank warns Nigerian, Ethiopian, and Ugandan Central banks not to overplay their hand
The Central Banks of Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Uganda were cautioned by the World Bank to avoid taking any unusual initiatives that may jeopardize their monetary policies.
29 SEPTEMBER, 2023.
Radio Show Spotlights Impact of Digital Literacy in Ethiopia
EdTech Monday’s, which serves as a platform to foster critical conversations on using technology for teaching and learning, shifted its latest focus to digital literacy, recognizing that Ethiopia’s education system, like many others globally, is in a state of transition.
https://allafrica.com/view/group/main/main/id/00087112.html
BRICS Expansion Aims to Reduce ‘Dollar’s Decades-Long Dominance’
Leaders of the BRICS countries reiterated their calls to evade the dollar and create a single currency that the group could use in joint transactions during their summit last August.
BRICS is going ahead with efforts to achieve its goal of “ousting the US dollar as the dominant global currency,” a US newspaper has reported.
22 SEPTEMBER, 2023.
Despite $3 billion bailout, Ghana has essentially gone bankrupt
The Ghanaian government has filed for bankruptcy after failing to pay billions of dollars it owed to international creditors in December.
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso feel impact of France’s visa call
France has suspended student mobility with Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso and told new students from those countries who were about to start studies in France that they may not come after all. Current scholarship students without valid visas will also not be able to travel to France.
https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20230921004148603
8 SEPTEMBER, 2023.
Kenya nationals to visit DR Congo visa free
Less than 10 percent of the population have bank accounts and just 13 percent can access mobile financial services, according to official data. Kenya has already increased its investment in this sector with Equity bank and KCB Bank already in the DRC.
https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/kenya-nationals-to-visit-drc-visa-free-4360966
Paving the way for affordable cross-border payments in Africa
According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), cross-border banking has emerged as a critical feature within Africa’s financial landscape. It not only facilitates transactions across regions for individuals but also plays a pivotal role in expanding markets and nurturing innovation for businesses.
https://techcabal.com/2023/09/04/paving-the-way-for-affordable-cross-border-payments-in-africa/?
1 SEPTEMBER, 2023.
XV BRICS Summit: President Samia spells out Tanzania’s position and interests
The well-organized BRICS Summit, much credit to the Government of South Africa, was the third and historical one to be hosted by South Africa.
Tanzania did not apply for BRICS membership this time around, but President Samia who was honoured to be invited to speak during the plenary session and at the luncheon at the Summit, made it clear that Tanzania will remain a true friend and partner of BRICS and supporter of all its constructive interventions.
https://dailynews.co.tz/xv-brics-summit-president-samia-spells-out-tanzanias-position-and-interests/
25 AUGUST, 2023.
Expansion, De-Dollarization on Agenda as South Africa Hosts BRICS
The BRICS group of developing economies – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – meet in Johannesburg from Tuesday to Thursday for their annual summit, during which expansion of the bloc is expected to figure high on the agenda.
Benin, Niger, Togo Owe Nigeria N132.2bn Energy Bills in 4 Years
Foreign customers in Benin, Togo and Niger have failed to pay over N132.2bn worth of electricity bills supplied to them by Nigeria from 2018 to the first quarter of 2023.
Analysis of quarterly reports produced by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) showed that the amount owed is from the N180.8bn billed to the customers from which they paid N48.57bn, meaning only 26.8 per cent was paid.
https://dailytrust.com/benin-niger-togo-owe-nigeria-n132-2bn-energy-bills-in-4-years/
18 AUGUST, 2023.
Vacancy @ African Union
Position: Senior Internal Auditor (AfCFTA)
Location: Ghana, Ghana.
Deadline: September 11, 2023.
11 AUGUST, 2023.
War leaves Sudan media in ‘turmoil’
The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate (SJS) yesterday highlighted the severe toll of the conflict on journalism, reporting that 13 newspapers have ceased operations. FM radio stations and channels have also halted broadcasts, with journalists grappling with unpaid wages and shortage of medicines since March.
https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/war-leaves-sudan-media-in-turmoil
31 journalists, media executives complete 2-week seminar on China’s media.
A total of 31 journalists and media executives from 13 countries across the world have completed a two-week seminar on China’s media convergence, communication strategies, and culture in Jinhua, Zhejiang province.
https://www.ghanaiantimes.com.gh/31-journalists-media-executives-complete-2-week-seminar-on-chinas-media/
Kagame urges African leaders to enact investment policies.
President Paul Kagame on Thursday, August 3, issued a rallying call to fellow African leaders saying that governments must step up and enact enabling investment policies, to be able to attract major impactful investments such as the just-inaugurated Anjia Prefabricated Construction Cement Factory in Muhanga district, Southern Province.
4 AUGUST, 2023.
For money, the media allowed to be captured.
The National Association of Broadcasters, media managers and experts, the ministries of Finance and that of ICT and National Guidance, are debating whether the government should give its advertising money only to Vision Group and Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) or include private media as well.
https://www.independent.co.ug/for-money-the-media-allowed-to-be-captured/
WAJIC 2023: Journalism experts outline challenges, innovative trends in media
Journalism experts across West African countries, on Tuesday and Wednesday, converged in Abuja to discuss the issues at the intersection of journalism and technological innovation models in the region.
The participants also highlighted the various concerns in media growth and development in West Africa and solutions that could enhance sustainability in the media ecosystem.
NAIROBI, Kenya, July 31 – The Government will make the port of Mombasa more efficient.
Working with partners, President William Ruto said, the Government is keen on transforming the port to be globally competitive.
He said reforms at the port are crucial for the country’s prosperity.
28 JULY, 2023.
Kenya to grant visas on arrival after online system hacked.
Kenya on Thursday said it would grant visas on arrival for all travellers, after an online application platform collapsed making most government services inaccessible.
The incident on the e-citizen portal, which provides more than 5,000 government services including e-visas, was said to be a result of hacking although officials said no data had been lost.
Russia to supply grains to African countries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia would supply 50,000 tonnes of grains to some African countries in the next three months as part of supports to ensure food security within the continent.
https://thenationonlineng.net/russia-to-supply-grains-to-african-countries/
Addis-Djibouti Corridor Upgrade to Improve Regional Integration.
Addis-Djibouti Corridor, a vital trade route and a lifeline for Ethiopia's 120 million people, will upgrade significantly thanks to the newly approved Horn of Africa Initiative's Regional Economic Corridor Project.
Foreign investors withdraw $345m from faltering Kenya economy.
Kenya lost over $345 million worth of foreign direct investment (FDI) and other investment inflows in three months as economic growth plummeted over increased political noise and unfriendly policies.
https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/business/foreign-investors-withdraw-345m-from-kenya-4311998
ADF approves $16m for Youth Entrepreneurship Bank
African Development Fund (ADF), the concessional lending arm for the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, has approved $16 million for the creation of a Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank (YEIB) in Liberia.
A statement issued on the AfDB website said the fund was approved to unleash the business potential of young Liberians.
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/07/afd-approves-16m-for-youth-entrepreneurship-bank/
21 JULY, 2023.
Kenya to Abolish Visas for AU Member States.
By the end of the year, Kenya will open its borders to all African Union member states.
Alfred Nganga Mutua, the cabinet secretary for Foreign & Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya, made this known in his welcome address at the 43rd ordinary session of the African Union Executive Council in Nairobi on Thursday.
“Kenya is committed to progressively, and we are moving very fast, to the end of this year, to abolish visas to citizens from African Union member states to make it easier to invest and do business in Kenya and across the continent,” Mutua said.
https://fij.ng/article/kenya-to-abolish-visas-for-au-member-states/
14 JULY, 2023.
EAC unveils an online Tool to measure performance of One Stop Border Posts.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 10th July, 2023: The East African Community (EAC) has unveiled an online tool to measure the performance of the 22 One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) across the region.
The EAC Secretary General in charge of Customs, Trade and Monetary Affairs, Ms. Annette Ssemuwumba, unveiled the One Stop Border Post Performance Measurement Tool on behalf of the EAC Secretary General, Hon. (Dr.) Peter Mathuki, during the opening session of the 14th African Union High Level Private Sector Forum that is taking place in Nairobi, Kenya this week.
US Africa Summit kicks off.
The US Africa Business Summit took off today in Gaborone, with over 1,200 delegates registered and the promise of deals being made across various economic sectors.
The summits, organised by the Corporate Council on Africa - a trade association focusing on strengthening commercial relationships between the United States and Africa – are the premier platforms for bringing together African heads of state and other senior US and African government officials with top African and American senior business executives.
https://www.mmegi.bw/business/us-africa-summit-kicks-off/news
7 JULY, 2023.
AfCFTA fulfilment of my father’s pan-African vision, says Samia Nkrumah.
Nkrumah’s father was the first prime minister who led Ghana (then Gold Coast) to independence from Britain in 1957. He was described as an influential advocate of pan-Africanism.
Also a politician, Nkrumah said the free trade agreement was evidence of the need to promote unity in Africa and improve the continent’s economic growth.
https://www.thecable.ng/afcfta-fulfillment-of-my-fathers-pan-african-vision-says-samia-nkrumah
Summit for a new global financing pact: International community welcomes African Development Bank initiative on IMF Special Drawing Rights.
World leaders attending this week’s Summit for a New Global Financing Pact praised the African Development Bank for finding a solution that would enable rich countries to reallocate part of their Special Drawing Rights (SDR) to low-income countries through multilateral development banks. The technical solution preserves the asset reserve status of the SDRs and would unlock hundreds of billions for Africa.
53rd SADC PLENARY ASSEMBLY SESSION: Samia roots for food security.
PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan on Monday offered the Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states tips of becoming food secure.
The Head of State rooted for the commitment to the implementation of various policies and as the 2014 SADC Region Agriculture Policy, Food production through inputs support programmes and promotion of intra-SADC trade.
https://dailynews.co.tz/53rd-sadc-plenary-assembly-session-samia-roots-for-food-security/
23 JUNE, 2023.
Connected Africa: The Power of Digital Trade, AfCFTA.
Digitization has shaped the way millions across Africa shop, bank, and communicate. It has also changed the prospects of the continent’s trade landscape and has the potential to unlock...
Apapa Port Makes History, Berths Largest Container Vessel.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has recorded another milestone as it received the largest container vessel to visit the Lagos Port Complex (LPC), Apapa.
4 more countries sign up for $25bn Nigeria-Morocco pipeline project.
The new countries which signed a memorandum of understanding at the ECOWAS Secretariat on Friday are Republic of Benin, Guinea, Liberia and Ivory Coast.
Nigerians ship goods to Ghana for certification to enhance export value.
There are indications that Nigerians are now shipping their manufactured goods to Ghana to seek their certification to enable them export to Europe, America, and Asia.
16 JUNE, 2023.
Nigerians ship goods to Ghana for certification to enhance export value.
There are indications that Nigerians are now shipping their manufactured goods to Ghana to seek their certification to enable them export to Europe, America, and Asia.