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East Africa

Somalia Joins East African Community, Signaling Regional Unity

by Brian Yatich November 28, 2023

written by Brian Yatich

Somalia’s admission into the East African Community marks a significant milestone in the region’s quest for economic and political integration.

The decision, made at the 23rd Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State, signals a new era of collaboration and cooperation among member states.

President Salva Kiir’s appointment as the Chairperson of the Summit of EAC Heads of State further demonstrates the commitment of member states to work together towards common goals.

His leadership will undoubtedly play a crucial role in advancing the interests of the region and promoting peace and stability.

The inclusion of Somalia in the EAC presents numerous opportunities for the country and the region as a whole. It will facilitate greater connectivity and trade, opening up new markets and economic opportunities for all member states.

Somalia’s extensive coastline, which is among the longest in Africa, offers vast blue economy resources that can benefit the entire bloc.

Additionally, Somalia’s entry into the EAC will accelerate the country’s transformation plan, providing access to resources and expertise that can support its development initiatives.

The move also reflects a commitment to regional stability and security, as the EAC continues to play a key role in addressing challenges in the Eastern DRC through the Nairobi Process.

The Summit’s call for the expedited conclusion of the EAC Political Confederation public consultation by mid-next year demonstrates a strong commitment to further integration and cooperation.

This will pave the way for a more unified and cohesive community, fostering greater political and economic collaboration among member states.

Overall, Somalia’s admission into the EAC represents a significant step forward for the region. It underscores the importance of unity and cooperation in addressing common challenges and pursuing shared opportunities.

As the EAC continues to evolve and expand, it is poised to play an increasingly influential role in shaping the future of East Africa.

November 28, 2023 0 comment

Bushmeat Consumption Unchanged in Rural Kenya and Tanzania Despite COVID-19

by Brian Yatich April 6, 2023

written by Brian Yatich

A new study published in the journal Conservation Letters has found that COVID-19 did not significantly reduce bushmeat consumption in rural Kenya and Tanzania.

The study, which surveyed 299 people in communities on the Kenya-Tanzania border, found that only 30% of respondents reported lower consumption of bushmeat because of the pandemic.

Nearly 70% said that COVID-19 did not impact their levels of bushmeat consumption, with some even reporting increased consumption.

Researchers attribute this to the increased food costs caused by regulations to control the COVID-19 pandemic, which made many people seek protein sources cheaper than beef, mutton, chicken and other domesticated animal meats.

The study also found that levels of education played a critical role in understanding zoonotic disease transmission. Respondents with higher levels of education were more aware of the risks of disease transmission. Nearly 80% of respondents learned about COVID-19 from mass media sources.

Zoonotic diseases are those that originate in animals—be they tamed or wild—that then mutate and ‘spill-over’ into human populations.

Two-thirds of infectious diseases, from HIV/AIDS, which originated in chimpanzee populations in early 20th century Central Africa, to COVID-19, which is believed to have originated from an as-yet undetermined animal in 2019, originate in animals.

The study’s authors say that the findings highlight the need for more education and awareness about the risks of bushmeat consumption, as well as the need for sustainable hunting and marketing practices.

“While hunting wild animals for their meat has been a crucial activity in the evolution of humans and continues to be an essential source of food and income for millions of indigenous and rural communities globally, wildlife conservationists rightly fear that excessive hunting of many wild species will cause their demise,” said Julia Fa, a professor at the University of Manchester and a fellow at CIFOR-ICRAF.

“To ensure continued use of wildlife resources by those who depend on it, sustainable hunting, marketing and consumption practices must be implemented. Local communities need to remain or become custodians of the wildlife resources within their lands, for their own well-being as well as for biodiversity in general.”

In conclusion, the study highlighted the need to understand better how local communities perceive zoonotic and other disease risks associated with wild meat hunting, selling and consumption, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 6, 2023 0 comment

Business East Africa

Car & General Upbeat for Prospective 2023

by Kwabe Ben February 8, 2023

written by Kwabe Ben

Car & General has upheld customer satisfaction since its commencement in 1936. It has managed a steady lead in the quality of its services from power generation, automotive, and engineering products in East Africa.

Its main vision set as ensuring every customer smiles, is mainly evident that the service or product in turn brings the customer gratification in terms of availing answers to their need.

Car & General since restructuring in 2003 has pioneered entry into marginalized towns within each and every region in East Africa enabling its number one position goal to be a reality.

Automotive and equipment distribution is a major business for Car & General however it didn’t stop at just that. It has also delved into financial and services up to 29% in Watu Africa.

Watu Africa is an asset financing company revolutionizing financial inclusion and mobility for millions in Africa. Watu focuses on asset financing for two and three-wheelers as the market demands keep growing amongst customers.

Car & General in the last year saw a turnover increase from 17.1 billion in 2021 to 19.3 billion in 2022. This however does not deter its growth as it seeks to spread its wings within the East African Community (EAC), the CEO Vijay Gidoomal assuring of a prospecting future for the EAC.

“One of the challenges that still affects us majorly is the forex fluctuation that sets the currency within on devaluation. This makes it difficult for the price set as the shift is unpredictable, leaving the one and only solution as hedging. Even though we hope for stabilization through the year 2023,” said Vijay Gidoomal CEO.

Emphasizing that Car & General is taking a stride to assist the community dealing with challenges they face at the regional level, by doing projects like Cargen Maji Uhai- Water Pan and Water drilling project, training two and three-wheeler riders with St John Ambulance and collaborations with technical institutions and TVETA.

Mr. Vijay further states that they are on the journey to investing in Electric Vehicles infrastructure considering it the future, exploring solar power generation, and more localization.

February 8, 2023 0 comment

Awards & Recognition Cyber security East Africa Technology

Hormuud Receives ISO Certification in Information Security Management System

by Ndungu Brian February 7, 2023

written by Ndungu Brian

Somalia’s telecommunications company Hormuud Telecom has been presented with the international certificate for Information Security Management System by Bureau Veritas. 

The company received the certification following a thorough audit by the accredited Bureau Veritas Group, a global leader in testing, inspection and certification services.

The certification acknowledges that Hormuud meets internationally recognized standards for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving information security management systems.

With this certification, Hormuud is demonstrating its central role in driving up IT security, cybersecurity and privacy protection standards in Somalia.

Speaking on this latest achievement, Hormuud CEO Ahmed Mohamud Yuusuf said:

“Digital is the backbone of the Somali economy. Driving standards – and being recognized for our world-class information security – is crucial for its long-term success.

“We will continue to drive standards in Somalia forward, playing our part in creating an environment that enables businesses to thrive and people to prosper.”

The digital economy is a key driver of growth in Somalia. Over three-quarters of Somalis use EVC Plus, Hormuud’s mobile money service and the country offers some of the cheapest data across Africa. The service has also been found to be an effective solution by International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) for sending aid money to beneficiaries affected by the drought.

With a secure and transparent platform, INGOs are able to quickly distribute funds to those in need, providing critical support in the face of a natural disaster. The INGOs can further ensure that the aid money reaches intended recipients in a timely and efficient manner, maximizing the impact of their relief efforts and helping those affected by the drought to recover as quickly as possible.

Ensuring this crucial digital network is underpinned by rigorous security systems is vital to the long-term prospects of the Somali economy and will aid the country’s ambition to become the digital gateway to the Horn of Africa.

Hormuud now joins a list of global telecommunications companies which have received this award, setting international standards for telecommunications and data-driven industries.

The new certification comes just three months after the Telecom company received the GSMA Mobile Money Certification for its EVC Plus product at the GSMA Mobile World Congress Africa (MWC2022) event in Kigali, Rwanda, in October 2022.

February 7, 2023 0 comment

East Africa Leadership

Uhuru Kenyatta, EAC Advisors Seek Resolutions For DRC Security Crisis

by Kwabe Ben February 1, 2023

written by Kwabe Ben

The Facilitator of the EAC-Led Nairobi Process on the Restoration of Peace and Stability in eastern DRC, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, this Tuesday called an urgent meeting with the East African Community (EAC) Technical Advisors.

The main agenda of the meeting was stated to be the review of the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This comes following the concerns as a serious escalation of fighting, targeted killings are consequently reported in Ituri and North Kivu regions.

The deteriorating certainty of peace in the Central African country turns out to be against the previous Nairobi Principles and the Luanda Agreement that called for calm, unity, and a cessation of hostilities.

“The Facilitator expressed his deep concern about the serious violation of the Nairobi Principles and the Luanda Agreement. We need an urgent return to dialogue and consultation in order to promote trust and confidence among the parties to the conflict and alleviate the suffering of the people in eastern DRC,” read the statement.

The tensions arising between Rwanda and DRC are mainly causative of the M23 Rebel Group, which is blamed on Rwanda for the funding and push according to Western Powers. An allegation that Rwanda has incessantly taken a stand against.

Reports of encounters that depict the rivalry between the two nations have steadily been on the rise, this involves; DRC police clashing with Rwandan Soldiers on a small island in lake Kivu, another incident is where Police stationed on Ibindja Island in eastern DRC challenged three boats carrying armed Rwandan troops as they approached their base on Saturday leaving one officer with a gunshot wound.

Additionally last week’s attack by Rwandan forces fired at a DRC fighter jet with claims that it had violated its airspace. An accusation that Congo denied instead pointing the attack as an act of war.

Despite all the ensuing events, former President Uhuru Kenyatta assured of the commitment by the EAC to restoration of peace in eastern DRC and the whole of the East African Community.

“The Facilitator remains committed to the course of building peace in eastern DRC and continues to call on regional leaders and the international community to lend their political goodwill and support to the full realization of the EAC-Led Nairobi Peace Process for the Restoration of Peace and Stability in eastern DRC,” Tuesday’s statement added.

Further, the Facilitator called on regional leaders and the International Community at large to take part in assisting the peace resolvement process to be a success.

February 1, 2023 0 comment

East Africa food News

How One American Company Is Aiding the People of Kenya

by Brian Yatich January 27, 2023

written by Brian Yatich

Zurvita is a company changing lives with its brand line of award-winning, natural, and clean products.

Zeal For Life is an all-in-one nutritional drink mix with essential nutrients and superfoods in one simple solution: each serving includes over 56 whole food nutrients that contain over 120 vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and a natural source of clean energy that can provide a boost of consistent and stable, long-lasting energy throughout the day.

The impact of Zeal goes beyond its health benefits. With the Zeal for Meals Program, Zurvita donates three meals for every Zeal Canister sold, with a goal to provide one million meals to hungry families. Zurvita has just hit over 540K meals given as of last month and continues to grow and give back.

“Our Mission at Zurvita is to change lives in an easily accessible way. That means through award-winning all-natural products that help families live their healthiest, most vibrant lives, and our outreach programs,” says Jay Shafer, Founder & CEO of Zurvita.

The Zeal for Meals Program has had a tremendous impact. Our consultants and customers can feel good about what they put in their bodies – and know they are feeding hungry families with each purchase. We are halfway to our goal of feeding a million people.

The Zurvita Zeal for Meals Program has directly impacted thousands of lives in peril, funding SERV International to provide food, shelter, medical help, and the word of God. The most recent impact reports state that the direct impact of Zeal for Meals includes:

The Kepoto VIllage in Northern Kenya – This region suffers from severe malnutrition; To date, Zeal for Meals has provided 30,000 meals in this particular area as well as medical outreach for over 320 men, women, and children; the village’s nearest medical facility is 46 miles away.
At the Hungary/Ukraine border and in Ukraine – SERV has deployed two teams and secured partnerships with local churches to provide food, essential support, and other necessary resources to refugees fleeing the war. To date, Zeal for Meals has allowed them to assist 500 Individuals and 200 families displaced by war.

Zurvita Consultants and customers can feel good about impacting lives worldwide and supporting these programs by enjoying Zeal, a natural nutritional, and clean energy drink mix made from superfoods stabilized rice bran, gamma oryzanol, guarana, green tea, and yerba mate extracts.

An independent clinical study showed 85% of healthy participants experienced improved overall mood and a 23% increase in vigor and activity, as well as less anxiety and fatigue by drinking two servings of Zeal a day. That’s right, Zeal is clinically tested to enhance your mood and decrease your stress levels.

Zeal is a low-calorie healthy energy drink that contains ZERO: Artificial flavors, coloring, sweeteners, preservatives, binders, fillers, dyes, or unknown substances. The delightfully sweet mixed Wild Berry, Tropic Dream, Mango or Grape flavors include:

Overall health and wellness support with Biotin, vitamins B12, C, D, and E, iron, magnesium, zinc, essential amino acids, and more.
Over 25 Natural Botanical Raw Ingredients, including stabilized rice bran, maca root, grape seed, wild blueberry, acai berry, ashwagandha, chlorella, goji berry, milk thistle, moringa, red ginseng, turmeric, and more.

This sustainable, premium ingredient drink mix is available in convenient, on-the-go stick packs and 30-serving canisters.

January 27, 2023 0 comment

Business East Africa

Emmanuel Tutuba Appointed As Tanzania’s Central Bank Governor

by Ndungu Brian January 9, 2023

written by Ndungu Brian

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed Emmanuel Tutuba as the new governor of the central bank of Tanzania.

A statement by the Directorate of Presidential Communications said the President appointed Emmanuel Tutuba to replace Florens Luoga upon the completion of his tenure.

Prior to his appointment, Tutuba was a permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Planning.

Tanzania’s president also appointed Natu El-Maamry Mwamba as the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, replacing Tutuba.

Prior to her appointment, Mwamba was a lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam and chairperson of the Kilimanjaro Airport Development Company which oversees the management of the Kilimanjaro International Airport.

January 9, 2023 0 comment

Business East Africa

ITC & EABC Launch Digital Platform To Boost Small Business Competion In E.A

by Ndungu Brian November 15, 2022

written by Ndungu Brian

The East African Business Council (EABC) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) have launched an online platform designed to boost the competitive edge of East African small businesses.

The platform provides small businesses in the region with an avenue to support their recovery, build resilience and drive growth using digital technologies.

The platform My East African Soko or Myeasoko is developed by EABC in partnership with ITC’s 5-year corporate program One Trade Africa. Traders and service providers from across the region can interact on the platform’s web portal or mobile application to access business information, market their products online, attract international buyers and expand their trade opportunities.

Additional services available on the platform include an integrated e-marketplace, business listings portal and SME training academy. Small businesses will also have access to the required information to support their cross-border trade initiatives, this includes AfCFTA trade documents and procedures for pre-selected shipments of goods to any of the countries identifies under the Guided Trade Initiative.

Several high-level officials attended the event including EABC Executive Director John Bosco Kalisa; ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton; EABC Board Director Mr. Kake Dhariwal, Arusha Regional Commissioner Hon. John Mongella, MP of East African Legislative Assembly Hon. Pamela Maassay, Members of East African Women in Business Platform, British Business Group Arusha Chapter and Tanzania Association of Horticulture, YouLead Africa and Mr. Steve Machage, Lead Expert, One Trade Africa- ITC.

The launch of Myeasoko reinforces ITC’s keen focus to leverage the trend in digitization and collaborate with key business support organizations to support African women and youth entrepreneurs in broadening their opportunities through intra-African trade.

“My East African Soko will re-introduce small businesses into global marketplaces, enable them to join regional value chains and give them an opportunity to scale up” said Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton.

The new platform is a welcome tool for East African small businesses having borne the brunt of the COVID-19 crisis and facing the impact of the conflict in Ukraine which has compromised a tentative recovery and disrupted global supply chains.

During the event’s opening, EABC Executive Director John Bosco Kalisa emphasized “EABC has leveraged digital technologies and has developed www.myeasoko.com to support the EAC’s economic recovery, build resilience and drive future growth for SMEs especially youth and women,” Mr. John Bosco Kalisa.

He stated SMEs provide goods and services that are better adapted to local markets; stimulate innovation; entrepreneurship, sustain economic growth and account for 60% of jobs in the EAC.

The Chief Guest, Hon. John Mongella, Arusha Regional Commissioner reiterated the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania’s pledge to provide a conducive environment for SMEs and large businesses to thrive and trade beyond Tanzania’s borders, under the leadership of H.E. President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Hon. Mongella further urged SMEs to showcase their products and access the EAC and African markets via www.myeasoko.com.

Hon. Pamela Maassay, MP of the East African Legislative Assembly said the Assembly is steadfast to unlock barriers to intra-EAC trade and ease business through enacting bills and policies.

As part of the e-commerce services available the platform has integrated a mobile app notification system to ensure continued interaction between small businesses and EABC for efficient last-mile delivery.

The platform is also enabled to accept online payments, track product delivery, and provide 24hr customer support through an integrated chat support system and social media. Areas with low internet coverage will be able to access the platform using a mobile android application currently available for download.

The platform’s launch was a featured highlight during the regional EAC business gathering themed “Embracing New Trading Trends Amidst Global Shocks: Business Rebound & Building Back Better.”

Other industry captains at the unveiling ceremony of www.myeasoko.com were Mr. Vincent Lasway from Kibo Palace Hotel and Doreen Wilfred Tarimo from HighLife Spirit and Managers from Tanzania Breweries Limited.

November 15, 2022 0 comment

Copia launches 12th Depot in Kenya to enhance availability for customers

Business East Africa

Copia Launches 12th Kenyan Depot To Enhance Its Operations

by Ndungu Brian November 11, 2022

written by Ndungu Brian

Copia Global has launched a new state-of-the-art Fulfillment Centre in Kampala and its 12^th Depot in Kenya as it progresses initiatives to enhance availability for customers in both countries.

The two new facilities will boost Copia’s capacity to 12 centers in Kenya including 11 regional depots and one fulfillment center at Tatu City, while the expanded hub in Kampala will also double up as a key depot for the region.

The expansion in Uganda comes just over a year after Copia Uganda began operations, and has seen Copia move its corporate offices and warehouse to a larger facility to enable better collaboration and operational efficiencies.

Depots are specialized cross-docking spaces that form a critical element to enable retailers like Copia to manage their logistics and supply chain processes effectively. Each additional facility enables Copia to strategically reach key customer segments at a more localized level.

Every day, Copia dispatches hundreds of trucks on the road to deliver goods and services to customers in peri-urban and rural areas, with 77% of the deliveries on un-tarmacked roads. With the availability of the new facilities, Copia will be able to shorten its delivery timelines as it gets closer to customers in peri-urban and rural areas.

“These facilities will enable us to keep up with increasing customer demand for speed and convenience, allowing us to fulfill orders within shorter lead times and supplementing our offering at a regional level,” said Tim Steel, CEO, of Copia Global. “Our investment enables us to scale at a faster rate in anticipation of future growth.”

“As we expand our presence in Uganda, our new facility will grant us better capacity to serve our customers better and reduce the time it takes our customers to get their deliveries,” said Diana Adeyemi, Country Director, Copia Uganda.

Beyond access to the wide variety of products available on its platform, Copia is also using the new facilities to deepen its outreach for specialized farming services in line with customer demand.

Copia recently launched a full-fledged Farming Division that offers all its customers free agro-extension guidance and access to 20 registered vet and agronomy professionals.

The new Kericho Depot measures 7,800 square feet and is Copia’s third largest in Kenya after the Machakos depot and the Tatu City Fulfillment Centre. It will primarily cover four counties (Bomet, Kisii, Nakuru and Kericho), managing thousands of orders every 24 hours. On the other hand, the new Uganda Fulfillment Centre is 24,000 square feet and is currently covering 14 districts in the country.

November 11, 2022 0 comment

East Africa News

East Africa Public Relations Week Slated For November

by Ndungu Brian October 19, 2022

written by Ndungu Brian

Public relations societies from seven East Africa Community member states will hold the first-ever joint public relations week in November.

The event targets to hold discussions on sustainability, climate change reporting, the blue economy, the post-pandemic workplace, and impactful partnerships.

Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK) President Arik Karani said the event will bring together public relations practitioners from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.

The event will help reinforce lasting partnerships among the participating countries, building on the goal to foster sustainable practices in line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

“This year, we are taking the PRSK annual summit to a new level by hosting the first-ever East Africa Public Relations Week. One of the key strategies for the Public Relations Society of Kenya’s council is to unite East African countries through cohesive communication. With PRSK turning 50, and we thought of bringing the East African Public Relations Associations together under one roof,” said Karani.

According to Karani, the event will also feature frameworks on how to advance excellence in the profession, countries, and region.

During a virtual pre-conference, the societies stressed the need for an integrated, unifying and cohesive approach to communicating the needs of the East African region.

“This will be an all-rounded conference that will have three tracks- a forum on sustainability and shared value, a PR Summit, and an awards gala. The summit will also feature break-out sessions with top industry leaders and seasoned practitioners from across the continent and fun excursions at the coastal towns to ensure that delegates have the best experience from this conference,” said Assah Mwambene, the President of the Public Relations Society of Tanzania (PRST).

Discussions during the five-day summit will include sustainability and shared value away from Corporate Social Responsibility, trust and safety, the ongoing war in Ukraine and navigating the politics of influence.

October 19, 2022 0 comment

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