The Government of Ethiopia has invited
independent professionals to be part of the national economic advisors council
the country is set to launch. The call of the government came a week after some
self-initiated professionals hosted an international conference, Ethiopia 2050,
which aims to produce a comprehensive policy advice document on Ethiopian
economy bringing scholars from across the world.
Local investors increased market
participation at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) in the second half of
the year, as rising share prices attracted retail buyers back to trading in a
market still dominated by foreigners. NSE data compiled by Standard Investment
Bank shows between January and June, monthly local investor participation
measured as a percentage of contribution to traded turnover) stood at just 27
percent.
Uganda Airlines has entered into a
partnership with Uganda Tourism Board, which will see the two entities do joint
destination marketing in the tourist source markets of Europe, North America
and Asia. This, according to Deo Nyanzi, the airline’s acting commercial
director, explains why the national carrier established flights to the region’s
tourist hubs
Kenya Tourism Board has embarked on
marketing of diverse tourism products including mountaineering, cuisine,
horticulture and lake tourism, to attract more tourists. In an interview, Kenya
Tourism Board Chairman Jimi Kariuki said although Kenya continues to be a
popular destination, stakeholders must put more focus on other products to
boost the sector.
Mara Group hopes a locally produced
smartphone, made in South Africa and Rwanda, will compete against the might of
China’s Tecno, which sells more handsets to Rwandans than any other company
Rwanda is aiming to provide free
medicine to all its citizens who suffer from pain caused by life-threatening
illnesses. The country is leading efforts to produce the painkiller morphine
locally. That would mean the country would not have to depend on costly opioid
medicines sold by large companies
MTN Group has agreed to sell its towers
businesses in Ghana and Uganda as Africa’s biggest mobile phone operator
refocuses on high-growth markets on the continent and in the Middle East.
Clashes with regulators in Nigeria, Uganda and elsewhere have crimped growth,
prompting the company to announce a USD 1 billion three-year asset-disposal
plan earlier this year
The Government of Ethiopia launched an electronic platform that will enhance efficiency in the trade logistics landscape of the country by speeding up the customs process for importers and exporters. Ethiopia Electronic Single Window Service is expected to reduce the 44 days hectic long paperwork process for importers and exporters to 15 days. Gradually, it is also expected to cut the 15 days to three working days.
