Tanzania: Local Hospital Conducts 20 Heart Surgeries, Saves Patients $1.5 Million

Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) in partnership with India's BLK Super Specialist Hospital has conducted 20 heart surgeries, saving over 340m/- that could have been spent in undertaking the operations abroad.   JKCI Director of Cardiology Peter Kisenge said in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the patients with mitral stenosis complications were attended to during a two-day camp that saw other patients undergoing special screening for heart veins and arteries.   Dr.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 16th February 2017

Tanzania: Potato Farmers Urged to Use Tilling Tractors to Increase Yields

In a bid to increase yields of Irish potatoes production in the country, Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzanians (SAGCOT) has introduced a new system where its growers are encouraged to use modern tilling tractors in its pilot study areas.   The SAGCOT Centre Limited Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Geoffrey Kirenga, yesterday told stakeholders attending a workshop organised here to increase yields of the crop by hiring the tractors capable of tilling the ground in.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 16th February 2017

Tanzania: Farmers Need Support from Extension Officers to Tackle Climate Change

A coffee farmer in Mbozi District, Mbeya Region, has urged the government to push researchers who could come up with new crop varieties that withstand effects of climate change. The farmer made the appeal while noting that coffee, which was once a popular crop in the district, was slowly losing its prominence.   He noted that many coffee farmers in Mbozi are at a loss over what to do after the crop, which they have always counted on, started to fail.   This is timely.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 16th February 2017

Tanzania: Govt to Construct $3 Million Dry Port to Ease Pile-Up at Dar Port

Dar es Salaam — In its effort to decongest Dar es Salaam Port, the government will next month start constructing an inland container depot (ICD) worth Sh7.286 billion at Ruvu in Coast Region.   The minister of Works, Transport and Communications, Prof Makame Mbarawa, told reporters that there are also plans to to widen and deepen the berths of the port and construct a new one at Mtwara Port that would enable large vessels to dock.   Speaking in the city yesterday.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 16th February 2017

Africa: Tanzania, Zambia, DR Congo to Construct $85 Million Bridge to Boost Trade

Dar es Salaam — Tanzania, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are planning to construct a 700km bridge in an effort to boost trade relations among them.   DRC's Katanga Province governor Jean-Claude Kazembe said here yesterday that the bridge to be constructed at Kasenga on the border between Congo and Zambia will cost $85 million (about Sh190 billion on the prevailing exchange rate). Upon constructing the bridge it will easy to cross the Luapula River,.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 16th February 2017

Rwanda: Govt Approves New Tax on Imports, Proceeds to Fund AU

Rwanda has introduced a new law enabling the levying of a tax on imported goods, with proceeds going to the financing of the African Union.   A Cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame passed the draft law to establish the 0.2 per cent tax on imported goods.   At the 27th African Union Summit held in Kigali in July 2016, African governments unanimously adopted a formula known as the Kigali Declaration proposed by a review team led by the former African.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 16th February 2017

Rwanda: Govt Approves New Tax on Imports, Proceeds to Fund AU

Rwanda has introduced a new law enabling the levying of a tax on imported goods, with proceeds going to the financing of the African Union.   A Cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame passed the draft law to establish the 0.2 per cent tax on imported goods.   At the 27th African Union Summit held in Kigali in July 2016, African governments unanimously adopted a formula known as the Kigali Declaration proposed by a review team led by the former African.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 16th February 2017

Rwanda: Govt Approves New Tax on Imports, Proceeds to Fund AU

Rwanda has introduced a new law enabling the levying of a tax on imported goods, with proceeds going to the financing of the African Union.   A Cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame passed the draft law to establish the 0.2 per cent tax on imported goods.   At the 27th African Union Summit held in Kigali in July 2016, African governments unanimously adopted a formula known as the Kigali Declaration proposed by a review team led by the former African.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 16th February 2017

Tanzania: Japanese Contractor Asked to Speed Up Tazara Flyover Construction

Works, Transport and Communications Minister, Prof Makame Mbarawa has directed the contractor constructing the Tazara Flyover to speed up in order to reduce the duration the project.   Speaking at the construction site in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Prof Mbarawa, hailed the contractor, Sumitomo Mitsui, for the progress made putting emphasis on increasing speed for people to start benefiting from the project. "Ensure to employ much lesser time instead of exhausting the whole.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 16th February 2017

Kenya: Fuel Prices Go Up; Petrol Hits Sh100 Per Litre in Nairobi

The energy regulator has signalled more pain at the pump as it announced that petrol is up by Sh4.26 a litre to Sh100.27 in Nairobi in its latest review.   Diesel is also up Sh5.03 a litre to Sh89.26 while kerosene is up Sh3.75 to Sh67.19 a litre, the Energy Regulatory Authority (ERC) said Tuesday while citing a 20 per cent global increase in crude prices when the cargo was procured in December.   "In comparison with last month, the landed cost of super petrol.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 15th February 2017

Rwanda: Ugandan Firm Acquires Kigali's Umubano Hotel for $20 Million

The new investor will renovate the facility to tap into growing country's tourism sector   Rwanda's hospitality industry has received a major boost after Uganda's Madhvani Group acquired Umubano Hotel, ending a long-running delay that was hurting the credibility of this facility as well as tourism prospects.   The 4- star facility , with 100 rooms, 14 suites, four conference rooms, a swimming pool, tennis court, and a mini-golf course is located approximately 5km from.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 15th February 2017

Rwanda: Airspace Agreement with Mali to Boost Trade Between Nations

Trade and tourism between Rwanda and Mali could flourish following a new bilateral Airspace Service Agreement signed yesterday in Kigali.   Both countries agreed to open their airspace allowing their national carriers to operate without restrictions.   According to the agreement, all air service operations will be conducted under the fifth freedom arrangement, which means an airline has the right to carry passengers from one country to another and from that country to a.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 15th February 2017