The launch of the CFTA was a major milestone for Africa; a clear message to the rest of the world COMMENT | FRANCIS MANGENI | When African leaders launched the massive Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) on March 21, 2018, at a summit in Kigali, Rwanda, their top priority should have …
Read More »Africa Carbon Forum underway in Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya | URN | Climate experts from Africa are meeting in neighbouring Kenya for the 10th Africa Carbon Forum which among others is discussing funding for Climate-related disasters. The Forum which opened this morning has brought together state and non-state actors in the areas of energy, agriculture and human …
Read More »KENYA: Africa splitting into two
What the Kenya earth collapse means for Uganda Kampala, Uganda | INDEPENDENT TEAM & AGENCIES | Western Uganda’s border will one day be one endless ocean shore with beaches similar to those at Mombasa and other coastal regions. This is one of the remarkable predictions being discussed since a large crack, stretching …
Read More »Why are South Africa and Nigeria cautious about Africa’s free trade deal?
Liesl Louw-Vaudran | ISS AFRICA | The impressive turnout at the African Union’s Extraordinary Summit on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on 21 March showed the continent’s united fervour to boost its economic opportunities. Delegations from 50 countries, including 27 heads of state, attended the summit in …
Read More »Africa’s ambitious trade treaty
Beyond the clapping and ululation in Kigali, can the ACFTA be implemented? Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | After close to 30 years of negotiations, 44 African states finally agreed to establish a single market to ease buying and selling of African-made goods and services. That leaves out 11 countries; …
Read More »COMMENT: Africa’s fallen liberators
South Africa has safeguards against ruling party decay, Ethiopia can’t be saved from its ruling party COMMENT | BINIAM BEDASSO | The leaders of two key African countries resigned their posts within 24 hours of each other in mid-February. South Africa’s Jacob Zuma finally buckled under pressure from his own party …
Read More »MIVUMBA: Trump targets Rwanda, spares Uganda and Kenya
Trump to suspend duty-free apparel imports from Rwanda, spares Uganda and Kenya Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump suspended the duty-free status of Rwanda’s apparel after finding the African nation unfairly blocked US exports of used clothing (commonly known as Mivumba), officials announced Thursday. However, the …
Read More »COMMENT: Capturing Africa’s High Returns
Africa is the world’s last frontier market, and Western businesses need to take advantage of its potential COMMENT | LANDRY SIGNE | Since 2000, at least half of the world’s fastest-growing economies have been in Africa. And by 2030, Africa will be home to 1.7 billion people, whose combined consumer and business …
Read More »Uganda rebel, 10 civilians killed in DR Congo’s restive east
Beni, DR Congo | AFP | Ten civilians and a Ugandan militant died when Congolese troops clashed with rebels in the flashpoint town of Beni in Democratic Republic of Congo’s troubled east, an army spokesman said Wednesday. The violence took place on Tuesday evening when rebels attacked military positions around …
Read More »Kadaga blames African leaders for worsening refugee crisis
Kampala, Uganda | GODFREY SSALI | Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has criticized African leaders for the influx of mainly African refugees to Europe and North America. Kadaga said African refugees make dangerous crossings through the Mediterranean, fleeing harsh economic conditions and conflicts in their countries. “Today, many of our countries are independent, …
Read More »