Ethiopia, South Sudan Ink Deal to Build Major Link Roads

Ethiopia Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Friday signed several bilateral agreements among them the construction of two major link roads.   The two leaders agreed to prioritise the construction of the Gambella-Pagak-Palouge and Dima-Raad-Boma-Bor roads that link the neighbouring countries.   The roads will link southern and central Ethiopia to Bor in central South Sudan and further north to the oil fields in.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 2nd March 2017

Rwanda Excels in 2017 World Bank 'Doing Business' Report

The 2017 World Bank Doing Business Report has ranked Rwanda 2nd in Africa after Mauritius. And globally, Rwanda has improved six places ranking 56th out of 190 countries.   The latest World Bank report was released Tuesday.   The rankings also indicate that Rwanda reduced the gap between the country Mauritius from 30 places last year to only seven places.   Botswana came in third place in Africa and 72nd globally, with South Africa at 73rd.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 1st March 2017

Tanzania Strategic Cities Project Gets $130 Million World Bank Boost

Dar es Salaam — The World Bank Group commitment to continue supporting Tanzania was reaffirmed on Monday after it approved $130 million (Sh275 billion) aimed at financing the Tanzania Strategic Cities Project (TSCP).   The project, which is going on, started in 2010 in different cities and towns across the country.   Initially, the project was estimated to cost a total of $175.5 million (about Sh370 billion).   A World Bank statement released yesterday.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 1st March 2017

Ethiopia: Climate Insurance Protecting Farmers from Losses

In late October 2015 in Ethiopia, a total of 12,000 smallholder farmers in four regions started to benefit from this nation's first weather index insurance claims payment to cover the loss for the previous year's crop failure due to El Nino. The weather index insurance claims paid out 2.6 million birr covering a total of around the selected smallholder farmers in Oromia, Gambella, Benishangul Gumuz and Tigray regions. The pilot insurance initiative is supported by UNDP/GEF and the.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 1st March 2017

Ethiopia: Algerian Firm Cevital Signs MOU to Construct Three Factories in Ethiopia

Cevital, an Algerian company, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Public Enterprises to construct three factories.   Cevital is a private company that is active in different sectors including railways, and manufacturing. The company earns four billion dollars a year. The MoU was signed on February 24, 2017, at the office of the Ministry of Public Enterprises, in the presence of Girma Amente (PhD), minister of Public Enterprises, and Issad Rebrab, CEO.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 1st March 2017

Kenyan Youngsters Win Award in Germany for Innovative Healthcare Plan

Almost half of all Kenyans can't afford to consult a doctor when they fall sick. A team of young Kenyan IT specialists came up with a prize-winning plan to change that.   Ethredah Chao had just 72 hours to find a solution to one of Kenya's biggest problems.   "Almost half of the Kenyan population lives below the poverty line. That means that they cannot afford basic healthcare services," Chao told DW.   "They struggle to buy or they have children to.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 1st March 2017

Tanzania: Almost All Ministries Complete Relocation to Dodoma

Dodoma — Almost all senior officials of various ministries have shifted to Dodoma ahead of the deadline by President John Magufuli, the Daily News has learnt.   Dr Magufuli had issued an executive order, directing the government to move its seat to Dodoma within his first term as occupant of the country's highest office.   Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa echoed the directive, declaring February as the deadline for all ministers, their deputies, permanent secretaries.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 1st March 2017

Kenya: Govt Allocates $100 Million for Lamu Port Project

Building of the first three berths in Lamu port has started.   Transport Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera said 20 per cent of the work has been done and the government will allocate Sh10 billion to the port project in the next financial year.   He said the government has already paid Sh4.6 billion to the contractor while another Sh2.9 billion would be paid before the end of this year.   The PS said the project would cost the exchequer a total of Sh48.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 1st March 2017

Ethiopia Launches Second GERD Bond Sale

A 'bond week' campaign aimed at raising funds for the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) was launched across the country yesterday.   A special bond sale has been prepared for the second time as part of the 6th anniversary of the GERD, said Tagel Kenubeh, Deputy Director General for Office of the National Council for the Coordination of Public Participation on the Construction of GERD.   At the event, Addis Ababa City Mayor Diriba Kuma said the active participation.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 1st March 2017

Ethiopia: GERD Power Generation Capacity Increased to 6450 MW

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) power generation capacity has been upgraded to 6,450 MW.   The Dam was first designed to generate 5,250 MW. However, due to the upgrading made on the power plant, its generation capacity uplifted to 6,000 MW from 5,250 MW.   But six years later, the design has been made to add another 450 MW due to the improvements made on generators with local capacity, Communication and Information Technology Minister Dr. Debretsion.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 1st March 2017

Ethiopia: New U.S Govt Keen to Strengthen Ties with Ethiopia

The new administration regards Ethiopia as its strategic alliance in the region.   Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn and US delegation led by Senator James Inhofe held talks Wednesday on ways of strengthening trade and investment between the two sisterly countries.   The premier expressed country's strong desire to cement ties with the new US administration in trade and investment in particular and African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) in general.   Senator.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 28th February 2017

Farmers Eye Increased Income as Kenya to Export Mangoes to China

NAIROBI－Kenya's mango farmers will soon be able to export their produce to China to prevent a price slump amid an abundant harvest, a chamber of commerce official said at the weekend.   Chairman of the Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Zhuo Wu, said during the Chinese Mango Festival held in Nairobi that they would soon start exporting Kenyan-grown mangoes to China in order to boost local farmers' incomes.   "We will work together with Kenyan mango growers to.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 28th February 2017