Africa Matters

Rwanda to Host Continental Health-Tech Summit

Rwanda is set to host the first-ever HealthTech Summit for Africa, bringing together players, and innovators in the healthcare sector to discuss and showcase the potential of healthtech on the continent. Organised by HealthTech Hub Africa– a Kigali based health-tech accelerator–the summit will take place from June 2 to 4, 2022, and it comes at a critical time when…

Read More

Dollar shortage in Kenya sparks two parallel exchange rates

Summary The lobby reckons that the volatility in the exchange rate market has slowed dollar trading among lenders or interbank deals, further worsening the scarcity of the US currency. The shortage of dollars is triggering the emergence of parallel exchange rate that has seen lenders buying and selling well above the printed official rate, the manufacturers’ lobby has warned….

Read More

The African Business Roundtable’s vision for Africa as an investment center | Andrea Ayemoba

The African Business Roundtable (ABR), a group of visionary business leaders who saw very early the need for Africa to position itself well in the global market to attract investments to the continent, this year marks its third decade of existence. Founded with the primary objective of boosting the African private sector, the ABR has successfully positioned itself at the forefront…

Read More

African governments must do away with redundant regulation, support SMEs, farmers’ cooperatives- AGRA President

By DR. AGNES KALIBATA The food price crisis of 2007-2008, Covid-19, the Russia – Ukraine War, and climate change have exposed the fragility of food systems. The greatest risk lies in refusing to learn from lessons of the past.  At the start of 2022, we were already facing the prospect of a food crisis. Even before the first Russian…

Read More

UCT to introduce Swahili from 2023

Cape Town – UCT has announced that it will introduce Swahili from 2023, with the aim of launching it as a major subject in 2028. Swahili is a language spoken either as a mother tongue or as a second language on the East Coast of Africa and is used in more than 14 countries. The announcement was made by…

Read More

Elon Musk’s Starlink gets green light in Nigeria, Mozambique and Philippines

Tech billionaire Elon Musk’s Starlink, the satellite Internet division of his rocket company SpaceX, has received the green light in the Philippines, Nigeria and Mozambique. Starlink satellite In a statement on Friday, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said it has approved the registration of Starlink Internet Services Philippines Inc. as a value-added service (VAS) provider, reports CNN Philippines. “Starlink’s…

Read More

Tanzania: The importance of timely seed policy, regulations implementation at the local government authorities (LGA) level

Mr. Geoffrey Kirenga is the CEO SAGCOT Centre Limited. He has a wealth of experience in East African agriculture value chains. Mr Mwakasaka Ipyana spoke with him about food systems transformation, seeds and AGRA support to the agricultural sector, including his views on AGRA impact. The following are excerpts of the interview: Tanzania is currently undergoing a significant food…

Read More

Tanzania: AGRA and other development partners should provide more assistance in creating sustainable food systems

*Workable input distribution networks key to technology adoption, sustainable and improved food systems Dr Joseph Mhagama  is a Member of Parliament for Madaba Constituency in Tanzania, chair of parliamentary committee on Law and Constitution and the CEO of RUCODIA (Ruvuma Commercialization and Diversification of Agriculture)” a vocal civil society about commercialization and diversification of agriculture as a pathway to…

Read More

Beatrice Nyamari at the helm of Smart Codes

Summary After the announcement of Beatrice Nyamari as the new Managing Director of Tanzanian firm Smart Codes, The Citizen Business Week reporter had a follow up interview to get to know her. Who is Beatrice Nyamari? You spent over 15 years in senior leadership roles across Africa with global companies such as Coca-Cola, WPP, and Airtel Africa; tell us…

Read More

Ellen DeGeneres starts her ‘career pause’ in Africa

In Summary •She is planning to take a career break before she decides on her next move https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.517.2_en.html#goog_504759739 Ellen DeGeneres starts her ‘career pause’ in Africa TV star Ellen DeGeneres is planning to take a career break before she decides on her next move. The final episode of ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ will air later this week, and Ellen…

Read More

Samia dedicates Africa Road Builders award to Magufuli

Summary She explained that the construction of infrastructure requires time; from feasibility studies to finding funds for the projects – a herculean task to achieve within a year. Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Wednesday May 25, received her Africa Road Builders–Babacar Ndiaye Trophy, during the African Development Bank (AfDB) Annual Meeting in Accra, Ghana. Speaking at…

Read More

Samia: How Tanzania used IMF, AfDB loans to improve livelihoods

Summary Tanzania’s economy shrunk from 6.8 percent growth to 4 percent after Covid-19, even though the country, unlike its neighbours, did not go on a lockdown and did not initially order compulsory mask wearing, nor tap into vaccines. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has defended her usage of loans from multilateral lenders, telling an audience in Accra that the institutions…

Read More

Roads, railways and bridges: The changing face of East Africa’s cities

The $258.3 million Tanzanite or New Selander Bridge between the CBD and the high-end Oysterbay commercial and residential area was also built by the Magufuli administration. In East Africa’s major cities, the skyline is changing. From the ageing buildings, potholed roads and chaotic transport systems, a new order is emerging. New skyscrapers have sprouted and big-ticket transport infrastructure networks…

Read More

Mercedes-Benz takes aim at ultra luxury market

Mercedes-Benz aims to become a ‘dedicated pure-play luxury car company’ and will strategically target higher profitability by elevating its product portfolio and securing its place in the electric vehicle (EV) market. It’s a fascinating time for car manufacturers. With the global electric mobility movement well underway, the survival and success of any car brand will depend on its ability…

Read More

Samia in Ghana to receive infrastructure development award

This is President Samia’s first official trip to West Africa since she was sworn in as president in March last year following the death of her predecessor John Pombe Magufuli. Her trip also comes as the continent discusses technology to boost energy investments and deal with the continual crisis of food shortage. The Bank’s theme this year is on…

Read More

High yielding banana varieties now released

Banana production in Tanzania yesterday got a major boost following the release of a high yielding variety called Tariban. The hybrid in four strains – Tariban 1, Tariban 2, Tariban 3 and Tariban 4, can yield between 25 and 35 tonnes of bananas per hectare per year. The variety which has been developed after many years of research is…

Read More

‘Africa will feed itself with pride’ – Adesina bullish after $1.5bn fund

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $1.5 billion emergency programme to alleviate the impact of worsening food insecurity due to the Ukraine war, its director said on Monday. About 20 million farmers on the continent will benefit from the fund as Africa faces a shortage of at least 30 million metric tonnes of food, especially wheat, maize,…

Read More

Top 10 best African countries for opening an e-commerce business

Mauritius, South Africa and Tunisia are Africa’s top three B2C E-commerce Markets . The two largest B2C e-commerce markets in the world, are China and the United States Mauritius remains by far the most prepared country for e-commerce in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to UNCTAD’s Business-to-Consumer (B2C) E-commerce Index 2020. The index scores 152 nations on their readiness for online shopping,…

Read More

Mo Dewji: My gratitude to Tanzanian society

Tycoon Mohammed Dewji says he is paying back to Tanzanian society for always standing by his side through offering basic and quality products at affordable prices Dar es Salaam. Business tycoon Mohammed Dewji has explained his focus on offering basic and quality products at affordable prices, saying it was a way to thank society for always being by his…

Read More

Panasonic announces FY22 business strategy for Middle East and Africa

Panasonic Marketing Middle East & Africa (PMMAF) restated its commitment to MEA market expansion and consumer well-being at its regional convention held in Dubai, that unveiled the brand’s new global motto -‘Live Your Best’ The new slogan embodies Panasonic’s commitment to providing solutions that make life simpler, safer, healthier, and more enjoyable for the customers, helping them to live…

Read More

French investments in Tanzania to hit $4.2 billion in five years

The French public and private sectors are expected to invest about $4.2 billion (Sh9.7 trillion) in various areas in Tanzania, including  energy generation and distribution; transport and logistics; marine transport; water and sanitation, telecoms and health in the next five years Dar es Salaam. The French public and private commitment for Tanzania over the next five years will in total…

Read More

AGRA President, Dr. Kalibata, appointed to high-profile Climate Overshoot Commission

The Climate Overshoot Commission will design a response strategy  if  the global temperatures rise above 1.5 degrees Celsius Dr. Kalibata is one of the 16 members of the commission. – The President of AGRA, Dr. Agnes Kalibata, has been selected as one of 16 eminent members of the Climate Overshoot Commission. She joins former heads of government, national ministers,…

Read More

Africa needs a mix of oil and green energy

The global energy debate is shifting from oil and gas to green energy. This debate is being discussed across different levels and comes at a time when a number of African countries including Uganda, either exploring or developing oil resources. Paul Murungi spoke to Mahaman Laouan Gaya, a petrochemical engineer and former secretary general of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation on…

Read More

Africans transforming the beauty and cosmetics market

Despite being the world’s second most populated continent and having great potential, Africa remains a primarily unexplored beauty and cosmetics sector, with customers clamoring for quality goods tailored to their requirements Welcoming Fenty By Rihanna The African beauty and personal care business is predicted to grow by US$1.26 billion between 2021 and 2025. The sector is worth billions of…

Read More

K-Dot spotted in Africa lately uses Ghana’s minibus taxis to take his new album places

American rapper Kendrick Lamar is in Ghana shooting a documentary for his just released album. Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers There are sights of him promoting his new album with a “trotro” (minibus) in Ghana, said the Diaspora Affairs Office of the President, Ghana, in a Facebook post on Monday.© Provided by Independent Online (IOL)WATCH AFRICA: Kendrick Lamar’s uses…

Read More

Elon Musk’s ties to China could add complexity to his bid for Twitter

Elon Musk’s ties to China through his role as electric car brand Tesla’s biggest shareholder could add complexity to his bid to buy Twitter. Tesla Inc’s ambitions in China might give Beijing that leverage to pressure Twitter to silence human rights activists and other critics Elon Musk’s ties to China through his role as electric car brand Tesla’s biggest…

Read More

Why smartphones are key to unlocking financial inclusion in Middle East and Africa

Mobile money services are connecting millions of unbanked and underbanked populations in the region to digital financial services The railways were to Europe what the smartphone is now to the Middle East and Africa (MEA). In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Europe experienced an economic and social revolution enabled by the ability of manufactured goods and people to travel…

Read More

Oil Water Separator Market Is Booming Worldwide Demand, Research Scope, Growth Analysis, and Business Guidelines by 2029

Oil Water Separator Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis By Technology (Gravity, Sponge, Coalescing, Centrifuge, Other), By Industry Vertical (Oil and gas, Chemical, Food and Beverage, Water and Wastewater, Marine, Others) and Regional Forecast, 2022-2029 Comprehensive analyzes of the fastest-growing Oil Water Separator Market provide insights that help stakeholders identify opportunities and challenges. The markets of 2022 could be…

Read More

Tanzania’s huge green energy potential put at 6,000MW

With the country’s ambitious 6,000MW green energy generation roadmap, if successful, President Samia Suluhu Hassan will make Tanzania one of Africa’s top renewable power-generating states, after South Africa and Morocco In spite of enormous hydrocarbon potential, Tanzania is planning to plug more than 6,000 megawatts of renewable power – more than its current total power capacity – into its…

Read More

“Leadership is a privilege, it must be impactful,” says Dr Betty Kwoko Mgimba at UONGOZI Institute 5th Graduation

A leader must be impactful for the greater good, according to leadership inspirational speaker, community leader and bank executive, Dr Betty Kwoko Mgimba.   Speaking shortly after graduating at the UONGOZI Institute 5th Graduation Ceremony on 13th May 2022 in Dar es Salaam,  she expressed gratitude for acquiring new leadership skills set from the institution that will enable her to…

Read More

Turkey-Africa relations after the 3rd Turkey-Africa Summit: analysis

Turkey’s policy on Africa is based on many different soft power elements such as trade relations, humanitarian aid, flight diplomacy, media, cultural diplomacy, education At the time of the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, the majority of African countries were under colonial rule. During this period, the newly established republic had domestic priorities such as economic development and…

Read More

Royal Tour documentary showcases Tanzania’s tourism gems

The documentary was shot between August and September last year, and was screened in New York on April 18, Los Angeles on April 21, Arusha on April 28, Zanzibar on May 7, and Dar es Salaam on May 8. The choice of a US launch was deliberate as Tanzania is seeking high spenders looking for unique experiences such as…

Read More

Riri picks UK-based Zim model as face of Fenty Beauty Africa’s global launch

AWARD winning Zimbabwean model Nyasha Matonhodze has been selected as the face of Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty Africa’s global launch. This comes after the Barbadian music star announced on Tuesday that she will be setting up Fenty Beauty and Skin stores in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa and Nigeria starting May 27. Several African socialites including Hillary Makaya…

Read More

EU Great Impetus 150,000 Employments Creation In Tanzania

Over 100 local firms have benefited from EU investments, and are involved in various areas, including agriculture, energy, logistics, trade facilitation, education, capacity building and good governance Over 150,000 Tanzanians have secured employment in firms which won investments from the European Union (EU). There are over 100 of them active in agriculture, energy, logistics, trade facilitation and education and…

Read More

Major dynamic shifts upon Africa’s digital economy future

Higher data costs for ordinary citizens and low digital literacy are argued to be factors standing between Africa and the digital economy, excellency The continent internet economy can reach $180 billion by 2025, accounting for 5.2 per cent of Africa’s GDP Africa’s access to the internet stands at  40 per cent, according to Google With more than 1.3 billion…

Read More

Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa Launches Second Round of Financial Journalism Training in Tanzania

The second round will launch with business and financial training for more than 50 delegates  Dar es Salaam: The Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa (BMIA) has today announced the second intake of its Financial Journalism Training (FJT) program in Tanzania, which will train journalists and media professionals in business and financial journalism, to bolster the country’s financial reporting industry. The…

Read More

The Fintech Revolution in Africa’s FX Markets

African investment in the stock market has traditionally been reserved for a particular set of elite people Over the years, the continent’s FX market has been growing exponentially largely driven by the increased access to mobile devices and internet connections across the region While retail forex trading in Africa may only represent a small segment of the global currency…

Read More

African cities key to continent’s growth, report says

African cities could be powerful engines of growth for the continent in the coming decades if policymakers strengthen their economic potential, new research has found. The report, titled Africa’s Urbanization Dynamics 2022: The Economic Power of Africa’s Cities, said urbanization presents immense opportunities to accelerate progress toward the realization of the 2063 development agenda and other major development goals…

Read More

Heineken Hosts Biggest UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour in Africa

(BUSINESS WIRE)–In its continuing effort to bring the UEFA Champions League (UCL) experience closer to more football fans around the world, Heineken has staged its most elaborate Trophy Tour in Africa yet. The 10-day tour, which ended on April 13 in Abuja, Nigeria, ahead of the 2022 final match on May 28, included several public events that featured the…

Read More

Stats shows recently Kenya’s Imports highly come from Tanzania and not South Africa

Official trade statistics show expenditure on goods trucked from Tanzania nearly doubled last year to Sh54.47 billion from Sh27.88 billion the year before. Tanzania has become the largest source market for Kenya on the continent after overtaking South Africa, partly on the back of increased orders of maize and rice by millers. Official trade statistics show expenditure on goods…

Read More

Zanzibar, Iconic Landmark of Tanzania

The undeniable Beauty of Zanzibar Zanzibar is the most famous island in Africa. The beaches are among the best on the continent, the underwater coral reef has the most bizarre colors, life is laid-back and there is plenty to do on the island itself. Did you know that Zanzibar is officially called Unguja and that the famous American singer…

Read More

Five Historic African Fortresses You Should Have On Your Bucket List

The African continent is extensive, diverse, rich and holds numerous social aspects throughout its territory. From its historical, scientific and cultural contributions, Africa is still able to positively offer diverse experiences by presenting itself as a land of contrasts and also of great architectural monuments. Among them are historic African fortresses, which help us to refer to a very…

Read More

Michelle Mrema : founder and managing director of  Impala Destination Management Company (IDMC)

Michelle Mrema is a Tanzanian business executive. She is the founder and managing director of  Impala Destination Management Company (IDMC), a leading tourism business firm with head office in Arusha but operating throughout Tanzania.   She is also involved in real estate and agricuture.  A highly experienced and innovative tourism entrepreneur, she believes Tanzania can become the number one…

Read More

Cashless stores run by AI, Shoprite brightens up Africa

Have you ever imagined a store where you can walk in, grab something and just leave? If you have, you’re either really invested in the future of shopping in South Africa, or you’re a thief. We’re hoping it’s the former. Shoprite has also been thinking about the future of shopping and has begun using AI and machine learning in…

Read More

5 highly successful African business leaders share their best business advice

There’s no road map when it comes to entrepreneurship. Even the most successful business leaders didn’t have the answers when they started their businesses. They were forced to figure it out. But you can increase your chances of success by learning from those who’ve stumbled and fallen and picked themselves back up. MD/CEO IBRA CONTRACTORS LIMITED (Tanzania), Maida Waziri:…

Read More

Ethical chocolate business MIA set for industry first with Ghana production expansion

Ethically-founded Madagascan premium chocolate company MIA (Made In Africa) is delivering a claimed industry first in becoming the only bean-to-bar business operating in two countries within the region, under its ambitious plans expanding into Ghana, reports Neill Barston. As its owners explained to Confectionery Production, the move allows it to extend its impact and offer an additional unique range…

Read More

Kenyans Bid Farewell to Former President Kibaki

Kenya held a state funeral Friday for its third president, Mwai Kibaki, who died last week at the age of 90. Officials are hailing Kibaki for transforming Kenya’s economy and education. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta led other African leaders and tens of thousands of Kenyans in paying last respects to Kibaki. “We are here not only to mourn an…

Read More

Tanzania: Salaries will be raised, Samia assures workers

The Head of State states categorically that the government will increase public workers’ salaries in the not-too-distant future, and also outlines several measures being taken to ensure that retirees are paid their benefits without delay Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday assured public sector workers that their salaries would be raised. She said, however, that the extent…

Read More

Tanzania: EALA Committee Undertakes Benchmarking Visit to AU

Eighteen members of the East African Legislative Assembly Committee on Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution are currently in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for a five-day benchmarking visit to the African Union Commission (AUC). The overall objective of the visit is to interact with AUC Stakeholders involved in Peace and Security, and Political Affairs as well as acquaint themselves with operationalization…

Read More

Why Africans should be able to work anywhere on the continent

Inter-African migration is being driven by a rise in demand for skilled and semi-skilled workers in different economic sectors Because emigrants bring with them more than just economic needs from their home countries, migration is a trade stimulant in and of itself For migrants who contribute to upskilling, movement within the continent results in better-paying, more stable employment Migration…

Read More