Ethiopia: Chinese Railway Contractors Providing Life Transforming Opportunities to Locals

Addis Ababa — In rural and urban Ethiopia, Chinese contractors are busy building railways that are counted upon to speed up the industrialization of the east African country. Their presence has brought the locals life-transforming opportunities.   To achieve the goals set by the government of Ethiopia that targets 2,750km railroads by the end of 2020, many Chinese firms aided by Ethiopian laborers are working around the clock to meet the deadlines.   Ethiopia aims.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 14th March 2017

Kenya: Steps to Improve Access to Health Care for Deaf People

Junie* wakes up early in the morning. She's ill and preparing for a doctor's visit in one of the public hospitals.   When she arrives at 6.30am it's overflowing with patients. By noon she becomes anxious, irritated and approaches the nurse seeking an explanation for the six-hour delay.   Only when the nurse explains that they have been calling out her name since early morning, does it strike the nurse that Junie is deaf. She apologises and Junie is booked to see the.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 13th March 2017

Ethiopia: China, Ethiopia Ink MoU to Boost Cement Industry

Ethiopia and China signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which would enhance the cement industry.   The 2017 Ethio-China Cement Forum (ECCF) themed: 'Partnership in Excellence' was opened here yesterday.   Speaking at the occasion, Industry State Minister Dr. Alemu Sime emphasized that the forum is vital to draw the Chinese vast experience in the sector.   He further said that there is a high potential for the cement industry, and the national capacity is.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 13th March 2017

Rwanda: Stock Exchange Takes Steps to Infuse Liquidity, Boost Trade Volumes

The Rwanda Stock Exchange has said it will introduce a market makers scheme in an effort to infuse liquidity in the bearish market and boost volumes traded.   Market makers buy shares of a listed company, warehouse them and sell them to the public when prices appreciate, creating a balance in the market.   "The legal framework is in place," said Robert Mathu, executive director of the Rwanda Capital Markets Authority, adding that the RSE has also been pushing.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 13th March 2017

Rwanda: $150,000 Japanese Grant to Provide Access to Clean Water in Rural Regions

Japanese government has given a grant amounting to $147, 075 (approx. Rwf121 million) to two local organisations that will supply water in the districts of Muhanga and Bugesera.   The two projects will increase access to clean water in areas where residents had for long experienced water shortages.   The recipients are Movement for the Fight against Hunger in the World (MFLM) and Rwanda Environment Conservation Organisation (RECOR).   A portion of the grant,.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 13th March 2017

Rwanda: World Bank Loans $46 Million for Agriculture Development

Agri-productivity could improve thanks to a new World Bank Group's credit line.   The Government of Rwanda and World Bank Group yesterday signed a $46 million (approx. Rwf38 billion) loan to support farming across the country.   The money is part of the International Development Association (IDA) funding agreed upon back in 2014.   Amb. Claver Gatete, the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, and Yasser El-Gammal, the World Bank country director, signed on.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 13th March 2017

Kenya: Govt Increases Cotton Prices as Incentive to Woo Growers

Cotton farmers are set to earn more from the crop after the government increased producer prices per kilogramme from Sh42 to Sh50.   The move is intended to woo growers who have abandoned the crop, forcing ginneries to mill at below capacity.   The Fibre Crops directorate-- which manages cotton and sisal in the country-- said the decision to review the price was reached at as one of the many incentives that the government has lined up to revive the sector.   Meru.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 13th March 2017

Kenya: Nairobi-Mombasa Journey to Take Four and Half Hours by SGR

At least 20 engineers are testing the standard gauge railway in readiness for the commissioning of train operations in July.   On Wednesday, the train arrived at the Port Reitz station from Nairobi, with engineers saying the trains would travel at 120 kilometres per hour.   "The train took two hours between Nairobi and Mtito Andei because the track there is complete. But from there we moved slowly because there are extensive tests that we need to do between Mtito.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 13th March 2017

Kenya: Cement Firm Reports Flat Growth of $58 Million Amid Tight Competition

Cement maker Bamburi Group has reported flat growth in its after-tax profit, citing falling demand in domestic and regional markets as well as rising competition.   The Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed company recorded a profit after tax of Sh5.89 billion for the year ended December 2016, a 0.3 per cent rise over the profit recorded during a similar period last year. The company's turnover fell to Sh38 billion from Sh39.2 billion in 2015.   Bamburi said the group had.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 13th March 2017

Africa: China Disburses $30 Billion for Agriculture and Industrial Development

China has disbursed nearly $30 billion to assist African countries in different projects as it pledged to be the most reliable partner in speeding agriculture modernisation and industrial development. The major developing nation in 2015 announced $60 billion funding support for Africa at the Sixth Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation that was held in Johannesburg, South Africa in December 2015.   Addressing journalists at a Press conference on Chinese foreign policy.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 13th March 2017

Rwanda: New Housing Project to Improve on Past Failures?

Marie-Claire Kayeze sat in front of her home, surrounded by her seven children, clutching a letter.   "They keep moving me," she said angrily. "This is a good home, and I want to stay here."   Kayeze was forced to move to Batsinda, a cheap housing estate in a northern Kigali suburb in 2007 after her old neighbourhood was cleared to make way for a proposed new business district in the Rwandan capital.   Residents of around 260 households were.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 13th March 2017

Africa: Scientists Say Modern Technology Answer to Africa's Food Security Woes

Addis Ababa — Africa need to embrace modern technology in Agriculture to ensure food security for its citizens.   Experts meeting in Addis Ababa with media practitioners from across the continent are concerned that crop farming has been left in the hands of older members of the society while the young generation seeks white collar jobs.   This practice, they said, is dangerous as the cycle is broken once the elderly die leaving fertile agricultural lands to go to.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 9th March 2017