Author: Wanjiku Njugunah

• Kenya Airways (KQ) signs a code-sharing deal with Italian airline ITA Airways 
• KQ said travellers could connect on the Kenya Airways network to ITA Airways network across Europe and reach some of Italy’s most picturesque cities and towns
• Customers flying from Nairobi with Kenya Airways will be able to conveniently connect to 13 destinations in Italy, among them Brindisi, Bologna, Bari, Catania, Genoa, Lamezia Terme and Napoli

Kenya Airways (KQ) and ITA Airways, Italy’s new flag carrier, have announced a code sharing agreement providing passengers with seamless connections from the Kenya Airways network to destinations across Europe.

In a statement, KQ said travellers could connect on the Kenya Airways network to ITA Airways network across Europe and reach some of Italy’s most picturesque cities and towns.

Customers flying from Nairobi with Kenya Airways will be able to conveniently connect to 13 destinations in Italy, among them Brindisi, Bologna, Bari, Catania, …

• Uganda has kicked off the construction US$ 19.9 million Acomai irrigation scheme
• The project aims to improve access to water for agricultural production, which would lead to increased agricultural productivity
• The project’s contractor was also tasked to construct a technical school in Kamutur as part of their corporate social responsibility

Uganda had broken ground to build a US$ 19.9 million Acomai irrigation scheme in Kamutur Sub-county in Bukedea District to improve water access.

The government of the East African nation also intends to construct another scheme in Bulambuli District.

The proposed Acomai irrigation schemes in Bukedea and Bulambuli will cover 2,200 hectares of land. In addition, they will come with additional infrastructure such as an administration block, two drying yards, a warehouse, a workshop, a bridge and 58kms of access roads.

Both projects are under the Agricultural Value Chain Development Programme and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry …

AfDB loan to Nigerian Youths:

• The African Development Bank has approved a loan of US$ 170 million, to assist millions of Nigerian youths to grow their digital and creative enterprises
• Dubbed ‘Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises Program (i-DICE)’, the initiative is a project of the Nigerian government, aimed at promoting investment in digital and creative industries
• The initiative will stimulate investments in 226 technology and creative start-ups and provide non-financial services to 451 digital technology and small and medium enterprises

At least 68 million Nigerians aged between 15 and 35 will benefit from a US$ 170 million loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to finance their digital and creative enterprises.

In a statement seen by The Exchange Africa, the African Development Bank says the loan will benefit youths in innovative, early-stage, technology-enabled start-ups or those in the creative sector.

Select micro, small and medium-sized enterprises across Nigeria will …

Agriculture center launched in Kenya:

• Elgon Kenya and the University of Nairobi have signed a Memorandum of Understanding paving the way for constructing the Agricultural Technology and Innovation Centre (ATIC)
• The ATIC will nurture and strengthen innovations in agriculture and entrepreneurship, to foster the adoption of cutting edge innovations leading to job creation and product development
• Elgon Kenya Managing Director Dr Bimal Kantaria lauded the partnership, terming it the missing link between research and industry

The agriculture sector in Kenya has received a significant boost following a partnership between two leading institutions to set up a technology and innovation centre, the first of its kind in East Africa.

Elgon Kenya and the University of Nairobi have signed a Memorandum of Understanding paving the way for constructing the Agricultural Technology and Innovation Centre (ATIC) at the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Services, Upper Kabete Campus in the capital city.

The ATIC …

• Data from Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) reveals that demand for electricity in Kenya grew at an average rate of 4.5% in 2021
• KenGen said attributed the growth to high business activity witnessed in the East African country, amid ongoing recovery from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic
• Of the amount, Mwathethe observed that more than 92% of the electricity consumption was from renewables

Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) has revealed that demand for electricity in Kenya has continued to grow at an average rate of 4.5% year on year in 2021.

The electricity producer said growth was driven by high business activity witnessed in the East African country, amid ongoing recovery from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

KenGen also revealed that the country had scaled up use of renewable sources during the year under review, further boosting its standing in the fight against climate change.

The firm’s board …

• Google is investing in Uganda’s SafeBoda from the Africa Investment Fund which was launched by Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet
• The Africa Investment Fund is part of a broader plan to invest $1 billion over 5 years to support digital transformation in Africa
• SafeBoda app was launched in 2017 to connect passengers to their community of safer and trusted drivers

Google has announced that it will invest in SafeBoda, a venture-backed company in Uganda.

This is the first investment from the Africa Investment Fund which was launched by Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, at Google for Africa in October 2021.

In a statement seen by The Exchange Africa, Google said the funding will help drive SafeBoda’s growth in Uganda and Nigeria, scaling its transportation-led app to offer new payment and financial services solutions for its expanding set of customers: passengers, drivers and merchants.

Ricky Rapa Thomson, …

• Pay-as-you-go (PAYGo) financing has in the past been used to help more low-income consumers in emerging markets access essential services
• With the financing model, consumers who cannot afford to pay for a product upfront can choose to pay a distributor in partial, affordable instalments over an agreed period

A  new report shows that demand for Pay-As-You-Go financing for products in East African will skyrocket in 2022  as more consumers opt for alternative payment solutions instead of cash first payment.

According to the latest data by Angaza, a provider of sales and customer management technology for last-mile distributors, most consumers are unable to pay for sophisticated products like smartphones and TVs, despite an increase in their demand.

Angaza Customer Success Director Peter Thuo said the Pay-As-You-Go model shows excellent potential to help consumers in emerging markets access products they previously could not afford through flexible payment terms.
“Pay-as-you-go (PAYGo) financing has …

• The High Court ruled in favour of Enock Aura, a Kenyan citizen who moved to court arguing that the directive was illegal and a violation of the rights of Kenyans
• Aura’s sentiments were similar to those of lobby group Human Rights Watch which said the move undermines basic rights
• On November 21 Kenya’s cabinet secretary for health, Mutahi Kagwe, announced that beginning December 21, authorities will require anyone seeking government services to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination

Kenya’s High Court has temporarily suspended a directive requiring citizens to be vaccinated to access in-person services in government offices.

On December 15, a High Court judge suspended the directive by the Ministry of Health, days before it was meant to take effect.

On November 21 Kenya’s cabinet secretary for health, Mutahi Kagwe, announced that beginning December 21, authorities will require anyone seeking government services to provide proof of full Covid-19 vaccination. …

• On November 21 Kenya announced that beginning December 21, authorities will require anyone seeking government services to provide proof of full Covid-19 vaccination
• Human Rights Watch data indicates that approximately 10 per cent of adults in Kenya had been vaccinated by the end of November
• The lobby group has urged Kenya to amend measures it announced, requiring everyone seeking government services to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to avoid undermining basic rights

Authorities in Kenya have been urged to amend measures it announced, requiring everyone seeking government services to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to avoid undermining basic rights.

In a statement, Human Rights Watch data indicates that approximately 10 per cent of adults in Kenya had been vaccinated by the end of November, based on Health Ministry figures, the requirement risks violating the rights to work, health, education, and social security for millions of Kenyans.

“While the government has …

• The Southern Africa region received the most significant share of Foreign Direct Investment in 2020 
• Nigeria, South Africa and Angola attracted the highest amount of Foreign Direct Investment 
• East Africa received the lowest amount on the back of policy challenges and rising political tensions in countries such as Ethiopia

Southern Africa regained its lead at the most significant Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) hub in 2020, on the back of diversified economies.

A report by The East African also reveals that Morocco and Egypt received a majority of investment in the Northern Africa region. At the same time, Nigeria, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire dominated in the west.

According to the Africa Attractiveness Report 2021 by Ernst and Young, Angola took the largest share of Foreign Direct Investment in central Africa.

East Africa

The report reveals that East Africa received the lowest foreign direct investments (FDI) last year, on the back of …