Kenya Industrialization ministry to roll out special trade zones in 2016

 Kenya plans to roll out Special Economic Zones (SEZs) which will enjoy lower taxes to boost the country’s investment profile. The designated trading zones will be established in the first quarter of 2016, the Industrialisation ministry has said. They are expected to help investors cut down on key cost drivers such as transport, with the hope that surplus funds would go towards value addition. The focus of the new policy on SEZs is that goods be produced closer to raw.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 21st October 2015

Kenya lays foundation for strong growth in a challenging Industrial environment

 Kenya’s economy is expected to grow at 5.4 percent in 2015, recording an improvement over the 2014 growth rate of 5.3 percent, says a new World Bank Group economic report released today. The growth rate in 2016 is projected to be 5.7 percent.   The Kenya Economic Update (KEU) attributes the growth to government investment in infrastructure and strong consumer demand.   “Kenya has the potential to become one of the best performing economies in Sub Sahara.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 21st October 2015

Russia talks mutual interests with Rwanda

Louise Mushikiwabo, the Rwanda foreign affairs and cooperation minister was in Russia last week after being invited by her counterpart and host Sergey Lavrov. According to a release at the close of her two-day visit, it was stated that they discussed a broad range of diplomatic issues in a bid to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. Addressing a joint news conference afterwards the two foreign ministers said Rwanda and Russia have a long history of cooperation,.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 21st October 2015

EAC-US Trade Investments Strengthened

 Ministers from the East African Community (EAC) have signed a Cooperation Agreement on Trade Facilitation, Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures, and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) with the U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Michael Froman on 26 February, 2015 in Washington, D.C.   The Cooperation Agreement will increase trade-related capacity in the East African region, as well as deepen the economic ties between the EAC and the U.S. This partnership will build.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 21st October 2015

East Africa Trade and Investment Hub

 Growth in the five East African Community Partner States—Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda—has been robust but uneven, with millions of people left behind in poverty. Women, youth, smallholder farmers, and the poor are not fully represented in policy making or implementation nor integrated into the wider economic community. The East Africa Trade and Investment Hub is the U.S. Government’s flagship project under the presidential Trade Africa.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 21st October 2015

Nigeria: Renewable Energy Sector Comes of Age

 Lagos — STAKEHOLDERS from Nigeria government, utilities, consultants and investors will next month converge in Lagos to discuss the challenges of local markets, capacity building and investment in the regional power sector.   The summit will be held under the auspices of the West African Power Industry Convention (WAPIC) on November 24-25.   WAPIC will focus on Nigeria's renewable energy potential as clean the power sector comes of age and offer a unique.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 21st October 2015

Tanzania Aims for 2700 Megawatts

Dar es Salaam — The government has said it is optimistic it can close the deficit of 1,290 megawatts of electricity to achieve the goal of generating 2,780 MW by the end of next year   "What we must now do is find a means of generating the remaining 1,290MW so that we can reach that target by end of next year.   "If we would have implemented the projects as I had visualized, we would now be quite contented," President Jakaya Kikwete said last.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 21st October 2015

Swiss drugs giant launches 15 products in Kenya

Kenya is the first country to benefit from a portfolio of 15 affordable medicines to treat cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and breast cancer. “Novartis and Kenya have a relationship of more than 40 years, so I am delighted that Kenyan patients will be the first to benefit from Novartis Access. “The successful implementation of the programme in Kenya will be essential to guide the expansion of Novartis Access to other countries in the.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 21st October 2015

Malawi: Sugar Factory Ready End of October - India for Stronger Partnership

The sugar factory completion date--projected to be end this month when President Peter Mutharika is also expected to attend the third edition of India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) from October 26 to 29--should stand as a microcosm of what Africa and, Malawi in particular, can benefit from a resurgent India through stronger economic and political cooperation.   "Malawi and India have been strong partners for decades in terms of trade, economic cooperation and culture. Our.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 21st October 2015

Zimbabwe: Firm Unveils U.S.$24 000 Loan Facility for Small Scale Farmers

A local agro chemical company, Shalom Agro Chemicals, has unveiled a $24 000 loan facility to benefit farmers in Nyanga. The inputs scheme was unveiled to farmers under a contract farming arrangement for Nyanga small- scale farmers. Farmers in the area hailed Shalom Agro Chemicals saying the money would assist them to buy inputs.   "The worst enemy of the farmer is inputs costs and these include seed and fertilisers which are the core of farming. Now it is rare to find.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 21st October 2015

Kenya: Former Tobacco Farmers in Migori Pin Hopes On Soya Bean Growing

Farmers in Migori, who had been left desperate following the exit of a company that had for years contracted them to grow tobacco, have now found hope in soya beans.   Francis Masiaga, a farmer from the Bugumbe Soya Farmers' Cooperative Society, said intercropping soya with maize has resulted in better harvest.   "We have been selling a kilo of soya, which has mixed varieties, for Sh53 per kg while the pure varieties fetch as much as Sh75 per kg," Masiaga said,.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 21st October 2015

Tanzania: AfDB Gives U.S.$141 Million to Dar es Salaam Transit Plan

On completion the project will give Tanzania's commercial capital the most efficient public transport system in the East African Community. The AfDB Group Board of Directors recently approved loans of $97.42-million from the AfDB market window and the $44.29-million from the Africa Growing Together Fund (AGTF). The Bank's contribution to the project represents 88.9% of the total estimated cost of $159.32 million while the government will provide the remaining 11.1%. BRT is a.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 21st October 2015