Author: Kawira Mutisya

The opportunities for trade in the DRC are huge for the EAC—the value of goods the country imported in 2019 stood at US$6.6 billion.  EAC exports to the DRC in 2018 stood at US$855.4 million, representing 11.5 % of total DRC imports while China dominated as the top exporter with a 31.2% share. 

In June 2019, through a letter to the EAC Chairman, Congo officially made a request for its admission into the EAC.  This is obviously because the country wants to reap from the benefits presented by the bloc as it has tremendously expanded in the past two decades, growing from the original three partner states which are Kenya Uganda and Tanzania to its present six member states. 

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Africa’s aviation industry represents a huge market that the continent’s airlines need to exploit more fully; however over the years, the sector has competed unfavorably with other international carriers.  This is because of high air transport costs, poor intra-Africa connectivity/market access limitations as well as the high costs of operations. 

Last month, the African Aviation Industry Group (AAIG) held a high-level webinar to weigh in on practical solutions to reduce the high cost of air transport operations in Africa. The webinar themed “Achieving Affordable Air Transport across Africa”, saw stakeholders converge to determine what ails the industry as well as recommendations to propel the industry ahead.

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Kenya’s exports of cut-flower ornamentals to the United Kingdom could be subject to additional tariffs by the end of this year if the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) is not ratified.  The Kenyan parliament has refused to ratify it citing certain clauses that have raised concerns from some stakeholders.  A section of parliamentarians consider that the EPA, having been adapted from that of the East African Community (EAC) and the European Union (EU), should be ratified with other member states doing the same.  

The Kenya-UK trade deal worth £1.4 billion signed on December 8, 2020 provides Kenyan businesses duty-free access to the UK market. Meanwhile, Kenya will start phasing out duty and quota barriers on a set number of UK products 12 years after the EPA has come into force. 

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The new automated issuance of import and export services which has gone live this month is aimed at providing efficiency and compliance among importers and exporters. 

AFA-IMIS which stands for Agriculture and Food Authority of Kenya Integrated Management Information System was collectively launched by Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives, TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) and AFA  to automate agricultural business processes including issuance of permits and licensing. …

Before the onset of Covid-19, women farmers were already grappling with challenges ranging from access to financing, poor bargaining power as well as the climate crisis.

Women are now bearing the brunt of rising hunger due to Covid-19 as they skip meals so that their children can eat and face rising levels of gender-based violence.  This is according to a report by ActionAid.  …

More Africa airlines have joined Africa Unions Digital Vaccine Passport Platform in a bid to manage travels amid the on-going COVID-19 pandemic that has hit the third wave.

The Airlines include Ethiopian Airlines and Togos ASKY Airlines who have announced the adoption of the platform.

The airlines follow Kenya Airways that was among the first airlines to use the portal.

The portal’s key features include information about the latest travel restrictions, and entry requirements, a database of authorised laboratories and vaccination compliance information, as well as Africa CDC mutual recognition protocol for Covid-19 testing and test results and vaccination certificates.

Ethiopian Airlines’ customers will now enjoy hassle free travel experience with their travel pass helping them verify whether their medical information meets various COVID – 19 regulations of their destination.

“We are offering new digital opportunities to our passengers so as to fully and safely restore air travel.  We are …

Over 20,000 fresh graduates are set to be trained on necessary skills for the job market in Kenya.

This follows the re-launch announcement by Lapid Leaders Africa, a Pan African Movement of young leaders who will re-imagine the possible and be a value-driven generation dedicated to being solution-providers and change-makers across the African Continent.

Speaking during the launch of a five-year strategic plan, Lapid Leaders Africa Founder, Esther Mwaniki says human capital is still one of the biggest challenges faced by Small and Medium-Sized Companies in Kenya.

Ms Mwaniki says the country is still experiencing a huge number of half-baked graduates from learning institutions.

Before the covid pandemic, the job market was already taking a beating from the economic challenges, and this was made worse during the pandemic.

According to an analysis on the short term effects of Covid-19 on employment in Kenya by the Private Enterprise Development in Low-Income …

Kenya’s Association of Manufacturers have urged Government to harmonize laws, policies and regulations, at the National and County levels, to drive the competitiveness of local industry.

This was during the launch of the Regulatory Audit Report, 2020 that highlights regulatory challenges facing the business community across the country.

Speaking during the launch, KAM Chair, Mucai Kunyiha explained that whilst regulations seek to create a level-playing field for businesses, regulatory overreach hinders the competitiveness of local industry.

“At the national level, manufacturers are required to adhere to duplicating requirements, from different regulatory bodies, in addition to meeting numerous tax obligations. In the counties, we have to pay various fees, levies and charges. This drives up the cost of doing business in the country, thus reducing our competitiveness locally, regionally and even globally,” highlighted Mr Kunyiha.

The county governments have also been urged to formulate a tariffs and pricing policy to guide …

Following the recent calamity of poisoned fish in Lake Nakuru and Lake Victoria, Greenpeace Africa has now moved to call on National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to commit to stopping pollution in Lake Nakuru and Lake Victoria.

Piles of dead Nile perch have been washing up on the shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda and Kenya, threatening the livelihoods of the surrounding communities. There have also been several incidents of fish dying in Lake Nakuru, prompting the government to issue several warnings on consumption of fish from Lake Nakuru.

However according to a statement from Greenpeace, despite the warning on Lake Nakuru fish poisoning, the massive death of fish in Lake Victoria and the increased level of Lake pollution in Kenya, there is no commitment from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) which is mandated  to oversee and implement all policies relating to the environment protection.

“Pollution is leading to …

One of the leading agribusiness platform in Africa is determined to transform Agriculture in Africa.

The agribusiness platform dubbed JR Farms Limited is looking to achieve this by undertaking opportunities for growth and business that will engender sustainable food production and increased incomes for farmers in Africa. JR Farms is a Rwandan led agri-enterprise operating in Rwanda, Nigeria and Zambia in the areas of food processing and retailing, agro commodity trading and consulting. Its corporate goals are to ensure food security, end hunger in Africa and create decent jobs for Africa’s women and young people.

Also Read: Rwanda well placed for trading under the AfCFTA

In a bid to ensure that this is achieved, the firm has partnered with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to develop youth-led agriculture enterprises.

The two organisations have signed an agreement to promote youth involvement in agriculture and create decent work opportunities.

FAO and JR …