Ethiopia: Ministry Launches New Agricultural Extension Strategy to Transform Sector

The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resource said the new Agricultural Extension Strategy is believed to speed up the transformation of Ethiopian agriculture. This was disclosed Monday when the new Ethiopian Agricultural Extension Strategy tabled for discussion with stakeholders.   Minister Dr. Eyasu Abriha on the occasion said currently the agricultural, market-oriented, climate change extension services are typical instrument among global and continental institutes to.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 23rd March 2017

Kenya: All Oil & Gas Contracts Signed By Government Should be Made Public - Civil Society

Nairobi — The Kenya Civil Society Platform on Oil and Gas wants all the oil contracts signed between government and oil exploration companies made public since the discovery of oil in Kenya.   Led by Charles Wanguhu, the platform says at least 44 contracts have been signed for drilling in different oil blocks in Turkana but only 10 have been made public.   Wanguhu says putting the contracts in the public domain will assist in scrutinizing them and help make.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 23rd March 2017

Tanzania: Kuwait Grants $48 Million Loan for Central Corridor Road Project

THE Kuwait government through Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development has released a loan of 109bn/- to finance Nyahua- Chanya road project, which will boost economic development through the central corridor.   Speaking to reporters shortly after the signing ceremony in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the Minister for Finance and Planning, Dr Philip Mpango, expressed gratitude to the Kuwait government, and said the road is important because it links Tanzania and other.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 23rd March 2017

Rwanda: Govt, Banks Need to do More to Achieve Cashless Economy

The push by government for Rwanda to achieve a cashless economy is slowly gaining ground with more and more financial institutions embracing and promoting financial technology (fintech). Presently, the majority of banks have rolled out technology-driven services and solutions, a development that has helped them increase options to enhance services as well as enable customers to make transactions easily and deepen inclusion.   The government considers financial inclusion as an.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 23rd March 2017

Tanzania to Send 500 Doctors to Kenya to Ease Health Strike Burden

Tanzania has announced a plan to send 500 doctors to Kenya after a doctors' strike paralyzed health services in the neighboring country for months. Kenyan doctors, however, say the government should not hire any foreign doctors but instead employ the more than 1,000 trained physicians who are unemployed.   Tanzanian President John Magufuli announced the plan to dispatch the doctors after a recent meeting in Dar es Salaam with a visiting Kenyan delegation that included Kenya's.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 23rd March 2017

Rwanda: World Bank President Visits Rwanda on Two-Day Official Visit

World Bank Group president Jim Yong Kim is today expected in the country for a two-day official visit.   The visit, which will also take him to Tanzania, is his second to the region as World Bank president.   Kim is expected to jet into the country at around midday after which he will visit the Zipline Drone project in Muhanga District, the Kigali Special Economic Zone and ICT innovation centre, kLab.   On the second day of the visit, the World Bank president is.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 23rd March 2017

Africa: Govts Urged to Invest More in Energy, Bridge Power Deficit

African states and stakeholders have been urged to invest more in the power sector and close the continent's energy deficit.   Africa Progress Panel chairman and former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the African Development Bank (AfDB) chief, Akinwumi Adesina, made the call during the launch of the "Lights, Power, Action: Electrifying Africa," report over the weekend.   The report is a follow up to the 2015 Africa Progress report, "Power, People, and.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 23rd March 2017

Ethiopia: Russian Firms Craving to Invest in Ethiopia's Energy Sector - Ambassador

Russian Ambassador to Ethiopia Vsevolod Tkachenko said Russian companies crave to invest in Ethiopia is increasing while eyeing the energy sector as a priority.   In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Ambassador Tkachenko stated that Ethiopia's rapid economic ascension lured Russian-based companies to do businesses here.   The ambassador said: "Our investors are keen on becoming part of the development in this country."   The ambassador.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 22nd March 2017

Kenya: Govt to Setup $8 Million Bull Semen Production Station

The government is finalising the construction of a Sh800 million station to keep bulls that will generate quality semen for Artificial Insemination (AI) services following an increased demand from Kenyan dairy farmers.   The bull station, based at the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) headquarters in Kitale will supply semen to the Eldoret-based liquid nitrogen plant for storage and sale.   Livestock Principal Secretary Andrew Tuimur said the bull station will.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 22nd March 2017

Ethiopia: GERD Studies Going As Per Schedule - Minister

The two consulting firms chosen to conduct studies on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) have been carrying out their operations as per schedule, according to Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Electricity.   Water, Irrigation and Electricity Minister Dr. Eng. Sileshi Bekele stated that the firms have been conducting their studies since last month and the study is progressing according to schedule.   "The three countries would meet soon to monitor the.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 22nd March 2017

Kenya: Online Medical Service Launched in Kenya

Nairobi — A comprehensive online health solution that will allow patients to access medical consultation has been launched in Kenya.   ConnectMed, which allows patients to get in touch with a doctor anytime, anywhere, will last for at least 15 minutes between 8am to 11pm throughout the week at a consultation fee of Sh1,200.   Chief Executive of ConnectMed, Melissa McCoy says 50 licensed medical doctors from both the private and the public sector in the country have.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 22nd March 2017

Kenya: New Eldoret Fertilizer Plant Starts Production

The newly built fertiliser plant in Eldoret has started sales after the government bought five tonnes to be offered to farmers under the taxpayer-funded subsidy plan.   Japanese conglomerate Toyota Tsusho owns the Eldoret blending plant and hopes to upgraded it in the second phase of construction at a cost of Sh123 billion.   Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett said the five tonnes will be used in pilot farms to establish suitability for local soil and crop.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 22nd March 2017