Africa: UN Experts Call for Regulation of Harmful Pesticides, Switch to Sustainable Farming

Two United Nations human rights experts are calling for a comprehensive new global treaty to regulate and phase out the use of dangerous pesticides in farming, and move towards sustainable agricultural practices.   "Excessive use of pesticides are very dangerous to human health, to the environment and it is misleading to claim they are vital to ensuring food security," the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Hilal Elver, and the Special Rapporteur on Toxics,.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 9th March 2017

Tanzania: Govt Gets Media Onboard in Push for Industrialization

As the fifth phase government's industrialization drive rolls on, the government is now lobbying the media fraternity across the country to carry it as a national agenda.   The Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Mr Nape Nnauye, yesterday asked senior writers, editors and owners of various media outlets to explore possibilities of establishing special desks in their newsrooms that would exclusively address and publish detailed issues on industries to facilitate.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 9th March 2017

Ethiopia: Addis-Khartoum Public Bus Service to Start from Sunday

 The Ethiopian Transport Authority said cross border bus transport between Addis Ababa and Khartoum will commence on the coming Sunday   Public Transport Efficiency Authentication director with the authority Tesfaye Belachew told EBC that the public transport project between Addis Ababa and Khartoum has taken about eight years.   This public transport believed to enhance the relationship of the two countries in trade, investment and tourism sectors.   It will.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 9th March 2017

Ethiopia: Institute Looking to Boost Textile Sector, Increase Exports

Ethiopian Textile Development Institute would intensify efforts in curbing textile sector bottlenecks as textile exports had declined slightly in the first half current fiscal year.   The Institute Communication Director Banteyihun Gessesse told The Ethiopian Herald that country had planned to earn 165 million USD from textile exports last year,but it had secured 75 million USD. " By the same token ,we exported textile worth 42 million USD in the first half current fiscal.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 9th March 2017

Kenya: Presidents Kenyatta, Trump Discuss Trade, Investment

President Donald Trump spoke on Tuesday with President Uhuru Kenyatta, with the White House saying that the US leader sought to "reaffirm the strong bilateral relationship between our two countries."   The telephone conversation also focused on "economic partnership and mutual dedication to overcoming terrorism and other regional security challenges through close cooperation," a statement from White House added.   CALL LIST   "President.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 9th March 2017

Kenyan Women Earn Most from Airbnb, Use Funds to Start Business - Report

Nairobi — Kenyan women earn about one-third of their annual household expenditure from Airbnb   Home-renting site Airbnb is providing women with a new way to earn money and build businesses with more women than men on the site and women in Kenya gaining the most, the company said on Tuesday.   Airbnb said women have outnumbered men using the site since its 2008 launch and there are currently more than one million women hosts - amounting to 55 percent of users - who.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 9th March 2017

Ethiopia: Adding up Ethiopia's Energy Resources

In such a carbon constrained world of today, the development of renewable energy sources like that of electric power is remarkably compelling. Recent studies indicate that 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for the 70 per cent of the population lack access to electricity. Half of all businesses in this part of the continent say that the lack of reliable electricity is a major constraint. Power outages cost African countries an estimated 1-2 percent of their GDP.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 9th March 2017

Ethiopia: Bureau Employees to Continue Financial Support for GERD

The Addis Ababa Youth and Sports Bureau senior officials and employees pledged to continue financial supporting for Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in a recent held meeting.   It was also noted that the Bureau bought bonds worth over 1.3 million Birr through coordinating various government and public wings during the recent bond week.   Bureau Head Nigatu Dagnachew said on the occasion the construction of GERD is well underway , every fellow citizen in general and.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 9th March 2017

Tanzania: Prices of Petrol, Diesel Skyrocket, Kerosene Remains Same

Vehicle owners will now pay more on every litre of petrol they purchase as the petroleum regulator raises prices for the products in response to a depreciating local currency and increasing global prices.   The Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) in its monthly pricing formula released on Wednesday reveals that Motorists will have to pay Sh101.54 more per every litre of Petrol in March. Diesel users will also pay Sh51.44 more per every litre.   With.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 7th March 2017

Kenya: 64% Kenyans 'Most Likely' to Vote for Party Supporting Clean Energy - Survey

Politicians who want to get elected in the August General Election should settle for a party that supports clean energy, a survey has shown.   According to the survey by Infotrack whose results were released on Monday, almost two-thirds of Kenyans (64 per cent) will "more likely" vote for a political party that supports clean energy.   Just over a third (36 per cent) either do not know (20 per cent) if they would back a party because of their support for clean.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 7th March 2017

Kenya: 64% Kenyans 'Most Likely' to Vote for Party Supporting Clean Energy - Survey

Politicians who want to get elected in the August General Election should settle for a party that supports clean energy, a survey has shown.   According to the survey by Infotrack whose results were released on Monday, almost two-thirds of Kenyans (64 per cent) will "more likely" vote for a political party that supports clean energy.   Just over a third (36 per cent) either do not know (20 per cent) if they would back a party because of their support for clean.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 7th March 2017

Tanzania: Central Bank Slashes Rates, Gives New Hope for Credit Supply

Dar es Salaam — There is hope for possible improvement in credit to the private sector after the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) slashed the discount rate by four percentage points effective from today.   The central bank said it reviewed downward the discount rate - the interest rate at which it charges for lending to other banks - from 16 per cent to 12 per cent starting today and experts said the move could lead to reduced lending rates to customers by commercial banks as well.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 7th March 2017