Ethiopia: Construction of 4 Industrial Parks to be Launched Soon - Ministry

The Ministry of Industry announced that the construction of four agro- industrial parks projects would be launched soon in Tigray, Amhara, Oromia and SNNP States.   Speaking at stakeholders' consultative meeting on the implementation and resource mobilization for agro-industrial parks expansion project here Friday, Integrated Agro- Industrial Parks Project Marketing and Economic Analyst Moges Mesfin said the project is part of the national vision to become light manufacturing.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 3rd January 2017

Ethiopia: GERD Council Successful in Rallying Public Support

Office of the National Council for the Coordination of Public Participation for the Construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) said it has successfully accomplished its goal of mobilizing the public towards the construction of the dam.   Office Deputy Director Tagel Kenubih said the office had managed to mobilize Ethiopians home and abroad for massive purchase of bonds over the last fiscal year (2015-16).   The deputy director also said the office has.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 3rd January 2017

Africa: Emphasis on Corporate Social Responsibility in Mining Sectors

The activities of mining firms often affect the communities in which they operate in; In some instances, a large number of people have to be relocated due to mine constructions. It is against this backdrop that players in the mining sector are taking the corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda seriously. The World Bank defines CSR as “the commitment of businesses to contribute to sustainable economic development by working with employees, their families, the local community.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 2nd January 2017

African Packaging Industry Well Equipped for Increased Demand

Growth in Africa’s packaging sector is tipped to explode over the coming years and global packaging equipment suppliers are certainly keen to capitalise on the potential for consumer-led growth. According to a report, sub-Saharan Africa’s key food and beverage market grew by 18 per cent last year. Over the next 20 years, it is projected to be four times the region’s urban market growth average. Sub-Saharan Africa’s packaging growth is predicated on some of the.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 2nd January 2017

Rwanda: Hotel Boom as Kigali Targets MICE as Base of Tourism Industry

In the past few years, Rwanda has risen to become among the leading foreign direct investment (FDI) destinations in the Great Lakes, and even beyond.   This is particularly true when one considers a number of the biggest international hotel chains which have recently opened their doors: Kigali Radisson Blu, Serena, Park Inn, Sheraton, Zinc, Protea, and Golden Tulip among others.   All these hotel brands are establishing in Rwanda with the aim of grabbing a slice of the.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 2nd January 2017

Kenyan Bank Set to Enter Rwanda Financial Market

The National Bank of Rwanda is in the final stages of licensing a Kenyan bank, Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA), to operate in the country as a micro-finance institution.   According to central bank governor John Rwangombwa, they are in the final stages of approving the bank's operations in the country.   Following the licensing and clearance, the bank is likely to begin operations in 2017, further increasing the number of financial sector players in the.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 2nd January 2017

Ethiopia: Synergy with International Agencies Ensuring Sustainable Development

Ethiopia is working closely with many trusted nations and international agencies as well as partners in various development activities aggressively. There are many agencies from across the world that are co-working with the country to support the ongoing development.   This piece presents some contributions of three agencies in supporting the development endeavours the Ethiopian government has been undertaking. The significant contributions of the Korean International.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 2nd January 2017

EAST AFRICA MOVING TOWARD MONETARY UNION

 Five East African countries have joined forces with the aim of forming a single currency area by 2024. Since the project’s inception in 2000, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda have been laying the groundwork for greater economic integration. Measures such as establishing a Customs Union has helped streamline border clearances, simplify work permit issuance, and ensure the recognition of professional agreements by member countries. As a result,.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 2nd January 2017

EAST AFRICA: KPA to build the facility in the next six months in efforts to boost tourist earnings.

 The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) plans to upgrade Mombasa port into an ultramodern cruise complex with a lounge, restaurants, souvenir shops and reception counters at berths 1 and 2. TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) (TMEA) has teamed up with the KPA to build the facility in the next six months in efforts to boost tourist earnings. Tourism secretary Najib Balala said Mombasa’s favourable status as a cruise ships stopover city, which saw 6,000 tourists visit.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 2nd January 2017

Ethiopia: Innovative Techniques Improving Agricultural Production, Productivity

Feed the Future Ethiopia Farm Service Center project is a three year initiative model developed by Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA) to serve the inventory and technical needs of smallholder and medium sized farmers. The Farmer Service Center (FSC) model has been tested with high levels of success and community buy-in and currently developed as a working model in several countries across Africa and Eastern Europe.   The FSC model in Ethiopia also demonstrates and.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 2nd January 2017

Ethiopia: Mechanization of Agriculture Enhancing Productivity

It was Sunday. That day was chosen to visit wheat production yield found in northern part of Amhara State commonly named Ciyadeber and Weyo woredas. To reach there, it was mandatory to travel 46-kms gravel road from Debere Birhan Town. We arrived at the field in the mid-morning. The farm lands, in three kebeles, were covered with improved seeds multiplication. In some places, harvested and accumulated crops were clearly observed while most of the farm lands were covered with crops.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 2nd January 2017

Ethiopia: Govt Working Aggressively to Expand Sugar Industry

It is six decade plus years ago since Ethiopia first acquainted with the sugar industry. Given the ample labor, market, water resource and the favorable climate condition for sugar development, the country has not been benefiting as to its potential.   For long time, the number of sugar factories were limited to three and the total sugar production was not exceeding 300, 000 quintals annually. This has led the country for the importation of two million quintals costing 2.6.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 2nd January 2017