Ethiopia
Fourth Round Nationwide SMEs Training to Begin Tomorrow
The Development Bank of Ethiopia has disclosed that the fourth round of nationwide training for Small and Medium Enterprises begins Tomorrow as the total capital of the bank reached ETB 36 billion (approx. USD 670 million). Read More

Nation Earns USD 250 Million from Oilseeds, Grains Export in Past 7 Months
More than 250 million USD has been earned from oil seeds and grains export in the past seven months, the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration disclosed. Read More

Government Exerting Efforts to Promote Agriculture Mechanization to Boost Productivity
The government of Ethiopia has been exerting efforts to promote mechanization in the agricultural sector with a view to increase productivity and strengthen food security, Ministry of Agriculture said. Read More

African Countries Should Allocate 10 Percent of their Budget to Achieve Food Sovereignty
African countries need to allocate at least 10 percent of their national budgetary resources to achieve food sovereignty, AU Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment Commissioner, Ambassador Josefa Leonel Sacko said. Read More

Kenya
KRA Seeks Sniffer Dogs to Catch Cash Hidden in Bags
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) will soon have sniffer dogs at border points and airports trained to detect currency in its latest fight against tax evasion and money laundering. Read More

World Bank Clout Rises as China Cuts Kenya Loans
The Covid-19 pandemic and uncertainties over the global economy have triggered a reshuffle in Kenya’s debt mix, with China’s portion lagging behind that of multilateral institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Read More

KCB Sets Up Special Team to Recover Bad Loans
KCB Group has set up a special team reporting directly to chief executive Paul Russo to recover billions of shillings in bad loans. Read More

Millers Lose Maize Import Licence in Fallout with State Over Prices
Millers have been locked out of maize imports after they refused to sign a memorandum of understanding with the government, committing that the grain they ship in would land in the country at KES 4,200 (approx. USD 33) for a 90-kilo bag. Read More

Rwanda
Kagame Appoints New Police Chief
President Paul Kagame, appointed Deputy Commissioner General of Police Felix Namuhoranye as the new Inspector General of Rwanda National Police, replacing Commissioner General Dan Munyuza, who has held the duties since October 2018. Read More

Imbuto Gets New Senior Management
The Imbuto foundation has named Jeanne D’ Arc Gakuba as the New Senior Advisor to the foundation’s chairperson, First Lady Jeannette Kagame, as part of the new changes made in its senior management. Read More

Kagame to Attend Transform Africa Summit in Zimbabwe
President Paul Kagame will attend the 6th edition of Transform Africa Summit in Zimbabwe. According to the Office of the President, Kagame will grace the three-day summit slated for 26 to 28 April, as the Chairman of Smart Africa, the organisers of the summit. Read More

AU Says Israel's Observer Status Suspended
The African Union said Sunday that Israel's observer status at the bloc was suspended and therefore it had not been invited to its weekend summit, after a row over the ejection of one of its top diplomats, according to AFP. Read More

Tanzania
Africa Promises Broader, Deeper Economic Integration
Heads of State and Governments at the just concluded 36th Assembly of the African Union have resolved to put more weight towards political commitment on trade as a development agenda for implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Read More

Catherine Kimaryo Picked New ACB Board Chairperson
Akiba Commercial Bank has announced the appointment of Ms Catherine Kimaryo as new chairperson of its board of directors. Read More

Bolt Plans USD 530 Million Investment in Africa in Two Years
Bolt mobility app in Africa, has announced plans to invest EUR 500 million (approx. USD 530 million) in its operations on the continent over the next two years to expand its services on the continent and create opportunities for over 300,000 new drivers and couriers to join the platform in 2023. Read More

Uganda
KCB’s Next Move
KCB Bank Uganda has renewed its commitment to serve customers and communities in the country better, following the launch of its new cultural transformation agenda. Read More

5th Economic Mkutano to Highlight Economic Zone Opportunity
Private sector players, government and other key stakeholders are set to meet at the 5th Economic Mkutano – organized by the Mkutano Company – to be held on Feb.23 in Kampala to deliberate on the opportunities related to the green economic zones for the private sector. Read More

East Africa Member States to Start Digital Service Tax
Taxi bodies in East Africa have resolved to introduce digital service tax. The resolution was taken at the 50th East Africa Revenue Commissioners-General meeting at Serena Hotel Kigo, Wakiso District. Read More

Algeria
A National Program for Start-Ups and Innovators of Agricultural Projects
Youth and Start-up Forum is organizing the first national program “Filaha Challenge” under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Ministry of Agriculture. Read More

Signature of a Partnership Agreement Between "Tayal" and "Decathlon"
A partnership agreement was signed in Algiers between the Algerian-Turkish joint venture "Tayal" and the company "Decathlon" for the design and production of the latter's products in Algeria. Read More

Egypt
Egypt Approves Lifting Taxes on Imported Mobile Phones Components
House of Representatives’ planning and budget committee approved a new amendment to law no.147 for 1984 in Monday's session, lifting taxes imposed on production components for mobile phones, in order to encourage local production. Read More

Officials at FRA, CBE, EGX Review Latest Developments in National Economy
As part of their promotional visits to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, an Egyptian delegation grouping executive leaderships of the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA), the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) and the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) held a series of meetings with as many as 20 mega investment institutions in Riyadh, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Read More

Finance Minister Says 42,000 Expats Apply to Import Cars for Personal Use
Egyptian Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait said that 42,000 expatriates have registered on the Egyptians Expats Cars app, which will allow them to apply to import cars for personal use without paying customs. Read More

Egypt Opens Historical Public Standpipe, Quran School of Abdel-Baqi Khair El-Din After Restoration
Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, inaugurated the old public standpipe and Quran school of Abdel-Baqi bin Khair El-Din, known as Sabil Al-Tobji, in Darb Saada, after the completion of restoration and maintenance works. Read More

Morocco
Dams’ Filling Rate Reaches Nearly 33 Percent, Similar to 2022 Levels
After last year’s severe drought, dams’ filling rate in Morocco reached nearly 33 percent, equivalent to 5.2 billion cubic meters as of 20 February. Read More

Africa-Based Cross Switch Acquires 50 Percent of Morocco’s Fintech Company Vantage
Pan-African payment company, Cross Switch, acquired a 50 percent stake in Moroccan fintech company Vantage Payment Systems. Read More

Green & Smart Building Park to Create a Sustainable Moroccan, African City
The Green & Smart Building Park, a collaboration between several research institutions and actors in the green energy sector, will open in Ben Guerir. Read More

Escom Rolls Out Faults Clearing Exercise
Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi embarked on fault-clearing exercise in some townships in Blantyre City to speed up the restoration of power. Read More

Visa Waiver Excites Tourism Industry
Malawi Tourism Council says industry operators are banking hopes on the visa fees waiver for improved international tourism business and foreign exchange generation. Read More

New PCL CEO Outlines Vision, to Consolidate Growth
Newly appointed Press Corporation chief executive officer Ronald Mangani says his vision is to re-entrench the Malawi Stock Exchange-listed conglomerate’s role as a catalyst for national development. Read More

Old Mutual Supports Youth Organisation
Old Mutual Malawi has donated MWK 3 million (approx. USD 2,900) to Tingathe, a youth organisation, to train about 80 youths in fashion design and tailoring. Read More

South Africa
Gauteng Releases ZAR 1.2 Billion to Tackle Energy Crisis
Gauteng’s provincial government has released ZAR 1.2 billion (approx. USD 66 million) to resolve the energy crisis dogging SA’s economic and commercial hub, premier Panyaza Lesufi said in his maiden state of the province address. Read More

SARS is Making it Harder for Taxpayers to Cut Ties
South African taxpayers seeking to become non-residents are being rejected for contradictory and inconsistent reasons, says Thomas Lobban, the head of individual cross-border tax at Tax Consulting SA. Read More

Eskom Planning for Stage 8 Load Shedding
Eskom says that it is in the process of reviewing its documentation and schedules that govern stages of load shedding, forming contingencies for if the country hits stage 8. Read More

Concern Over New Visa to Attract Skilled Workers in South Africa
Following a slew of announcements seeking to promote skilled workers to make their way to South Africa, including a remote working visa, experts have raised concern over whether they are realistic. Read More

Zambia
Government to Market Chembe Bird Sanctuary
Ministry of Tourism Permanent Secretary, Evans Muhanga says Government will start promoting and marketing the Chembe Bird Sanctuary in Kalulushi on the Copperbelt to attract investment. Read More

Tender for Supply of 2023/2024 Farming Inputs Will Be Out
Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary Green Mbozi has revealed that the tender for the supply of inputs for the 2023/24 farming season will be out this week. Read More

Zambia Testing Technology to Regulate Cryptocurrency – Minister Mutati
The government of Zambia is working towards regulating cryptocurrency in the country by testing new technology, according to Technology and Science Minister Felix Mutati. Read More

ZESCO Proposes 37-Percent Tariff Increase to Boost Alternative Energy Investment
ZESCO, Zambia’s state-owned power company, has proposed a 37-percent tariff increment in a bid to attract more investments in power generation and distribution. Read More

Ghana
Promising Prospects for Global Airline Industry This Year
The International Air Transport Association expects a return to profitability for the global airline industry in 2023 as airlines continue to cut losses stemming from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to their business in 2022. Read More

Domestic Air Travel Records Highest Patronage - 852,101 Passengers Fly in 2022
Commercial air passenger travel in the country is seeing greater recovery than previously anticipated since the easing of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions. Read More

Ghana TUC Tells ILO to Set New International Standards to Address Labour Challenges
Dr Yaw Baah, Secretary-General, Trade Union Congress, has called on the International Labour Organization, to set new international standards to address the challenges of workers. Read More

Zenith Bank Rewards Customers in Mastercard Promotion
Zenith Bank has awarded some customers on its Mastercard promotion dubbed the "More4More promo". Read More

Nigeria
Lagos Partners Four Banks on Rice Processing
Lagos State government is partnering four banks to ensure its 32 tonnes per hour rice processing mill has enough supply of paddies to process for consumption by Nigerians. Read More

NUPRC Evaluates Expression of Interest Tendered by Prospective Investors
As local and foreign investors currently jostle for a share of the seven Deep Offshore oil blocks recently put on offer in the 2022/2023 petroleum prospecting licensing round, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe has disclosed that the commission has started evaluating Expression of Interest) tendered by prospective investors. Read More

Capital Market Developing Products for Youths 
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has said the capital market is working to develop products that would make the market attractive to the younger generation in a bid to further deepen the market. Read More

African Startups to Receive USD 385,000 to Develop Solutions for the Blue Economy
Triggering Exponential Climate Action has announced the selection of seven startups that would benefit from the USD 385,000 startup grant, with each receiving USD 55,000 in funding to advance their solutions for the blue economy in Africa. Read More