To cement trade ties, boost investment flows and encourage tourism between Tanzania and China, Standard Bank and the Industrial Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) have launched the I Go Tanzania loyalty program in partnership with Tanzania Tourism Board.

This initiative, part of ICBC’s I Go Global rewards scheme for its card holders in China, was unveiled in Tanzania on 6th August 2019. It will capitalize on the growing appetite among Chinese travelers to visit Tanzania by offering a range of discounts and special offers from merchants across the travel, hospitality and lifestyle sectors, says Standard Bank’s group head of card and emerging payments across Africa in personal and business banking, Lincoln Mali.

“ICBC is the biggest bank in the world, with approximately 139 million credit cards and as many debit card customers,” says Mali, explaining the rationale behind the new loyalty program, which was designed by Standard Bank in partnership …

• In Africa, a staggering 1.2 billion people lack access to clean cooking facilities.
• Lack of clean cooking facilities is one of the main causes of deforestation in Africa.
• AfDB funding is a major step along the road to saving the lives of 600,000 mainly women and children each year.

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has pledged $2 billion over the next decade towards clean cooking initiatives in Africa, marking a huge stride in the effort to save the lives of 600,000 people, predominantly women and children, each year. This commitment aims to address the health hazards associated with traditional cooking methods that rely on charcoal, wood, and biomass, which contribute to severe respiratory illnesses and environmental degradation.

At a summit on Clean Cooking in Africa, held in Paris, AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina announced that the Bank would allocate 20 per cent of its energy project financing to promoting …

• Across Africa, gender inequality in marriage, divorce, custody, and property rights is perpetuated by sex discrimination embedded in both legal systems and customary laws.
• Discriminatory family laws have profound impacts, increasing the risk of sexual and gender-based violence for women and girls.
• Laws in Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal, South Sudan, Sudan, and Tanzania still allow child marriage.

Discrimination against women and girls remains widespread in family laws across Africa, according to new research by Equality Now. An analysis of 20 African countries reveals that gender inequality in marriage, divorce, custody, and property rights is perpetuated by sex discrimination embedded in both legal systems and customary laws. Despite some significant legal reforms, progress has been slow, inconsistent, and hindered by setbacks, lack of political will, and weak implementation.

The report, “Gender Inequality in Family Laws in Africa: An Overview of Key Trends in Select Countries,” highlights how overlapping and …

• Kenyan home buyers are looking for cheaper houses despite an overall drop in real estate property prices
• In addition, there was a slight activity increase in the high-market section, to account for 17 per cent in quarter four from 15.2 per cent in the third quarter.
• These variations underscore the segmented nature of the housing market, influenced by both region and house type.

Kenyan home buyers sought cheaper houses despite an overall drop in real estate property prices throughout last the year, according to a new report.

The latest Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) Housing Price Index shows that the low market segment (Affordable Housing) recorded high demand in the last quarter, accounting for 62.3 per cent.

The shift to the low end was a steep rise compared to 48 per cent recorded in the previous quarter.

Price reduction came amidst challenges like high inflation and a weak shilling, which reduced …

• With Yeeo—a web app—individuals have the privilege of saving their time and cost of printing cards, which often end up being dumped and ensure their money is invested elsewhere.
• Yeeo’s business strategy brings together environmental conservation and this vision to help enterprises save billions spent on card printing.
• Dubai-based Yeeo has already secured intellectual property rights in 179 countries around the world.

As I navigated through the bustling crowd of delegates from around the world at the Startups Showcase during the AIM Congress 2024, I felt a gentle tug on my jacket. It was Abdullah AlShetiwi, a determined look in his eyes and a welcoming smile on his face.

As I reached out to offer my business card to Abdullah, he intercepted with a gesture, saving me the customary exchange. Instead, he swiftly pulled out his phone, suggesting we swap contacts via a QR Code. With a quick scan …

• Kenya’s Green Jobs Potential will be key in  preserving the country’s natural heritage and combating the challenges posed by climate change.
• PS Labour and Skills Development Shadrack Mwadime warned that the transition to green economy has far reaching implications for the world of work
• Green jobs are becoming a crucial driver of sustainable development in Kenya,

Stakeholders in the environment conservation sectors are deliberating on ways to unlock Kenya’s potential as a global hub for digital work and green jobs. The government, jointly with Jacob’s Ladder Africa, International Labour Organisation, United Nations Environment Programme and United Nations Children’s Fund, are in talks in Nairobi to align government priorities with the demands of the green job market.

Kenya National Green Jobs and Skills Development Workshop, brings together stakeholders from government, academia, private sector, finance, and youth-led groups to address the critical need for green jobs and skills development in …

• About a fifth of children under 17 have received unsolicited online requests to discuss sex or sexual acts.
• Up to a third of children aged 12-17 in Ethiopia and Mozambique are sharing personal information with strangers online.
• An estimated 13 per cent of 12-17-year-olds in Kenya and Mozambique reported being threatened or blackmailed to engage in sexual activities online.
• A third of 9-17-year-olds in South Africa and over a quarter of 12-17-year-olds in Mozambique went on to have face-to-face meetings with individuals they initially met online.

Fresh reports from two of Africa’s leading child rights groups have uncovered a shocking rise in online child sexual exploitation and abuse across the continent. The African Child Policy Forum (ACPF) and ChildFund’s investigations reveal a deeply troubling trend, with children increasingly becoming victims of online predators.

These findings underscore an urgent need for robust measures to combat this growing menace and …

• For the first time, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) came to Africa, with Nairobi playing host last week.
• According to the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, the forum is expected to spread across the continent, with different countries hosting it in the coming years.
• The Asian country is keen to continue its influence and trade dominance on the African continent.

China has launched a charm offensive on Africa in renewed efforts to tighten its grip on the continent. The West has recently shown growing interest in political and investment corporations, and China is seen as keen to continue its influence on the continent.

For the first time, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) came to Africa, with Nairobi playing host last week. According to the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, it is expected to go around the continent, with …

• Within the financial history of Africa, the last 10 years have witnessed a notable surge in the acceptance of Forex CFD trading.
• Technological advancements have become the unsung stars of the Forex CFD trading story in Africa.
• If you wish to get started with Forex CFD trading in Africa – you need a trusted broker with a reputable trading app.

Within the huge financial spectacle, Forex CFD trading is a gripping protagonist that draws traders into its complicated storylines of profit and risk, all set against the dramatic backdrop of a Shakespearean tragedy. With 2024 drawing to a close, it is wise for us to examine critically the story of Forex CFD trading in Africa. Like a rollercoaster journey over the wild landscape of the stock market, each turn offers a unique combination of opportunity and difficulty.

The Rise of Forex CFD Trading in Africa

Within the financial history …

• Africa is experiencing growth in the export of goods and services and its economics outline promising opportunities for further growth.
• As trade volumes continue to rise and digitalization shapes e-commerce, customs, port, and border administrations must adapt quickly to ensure smooth clearance processes, accurate tracking, regulatory compliance, and timely delivery.

In today’s fast-paced world of trade, the demand for efficiency and transparency has never been more pronounced. Digitalization and cutting-edge technologies have continued to streamline trade processes fostering a more efficient trading ecosystem.

Annually, the European Commission’s Customs Union manages a staggering €3.5 trillion in goods trade, highlighting how vital it is to have smooth customs and clearance control checks. In the past decade, Africa has experienced growth in the export of goods and services and its economics outline promising opportunities for further growth aimed at facilitation and integration.

As trade volumes continue to rise and digitalization shapes e-commerce, customs, …

• Four innovators from Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, and Uganda, selected from a shortlist of 16, vie for the £50,000 (over $62,000) Africa Prize.
• Their innovations encompass recycling in construction, AI tools for healthcare and farming, and reengineered waste collection, addressing crucial societal needs.
• The three runners-up will each receive £15,000 (over $18,000), while a £5,000 (over $6,000) prize titled ‘One to Watch’ will be awarded to the most promising business among the shortlist.
• Since 2014, the Africa Prize has empowered nearly 150 entrepreneurs across 23 African countries, creating over 28,000 jobs and positively impacting more than 10 million people with their innovative products and services.

The Royal Academy of Engineering is set to host the final showdown of the 10th Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, the continent’s premier engineering accolade, on June 13, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya. Out of an initial pool of 16 visionary innovators crafting sustainable, scalable engineering solutions …