Tag: trade

ECONOMY
Why Africa must prioritise merging currencies for free trade

Why Africa must prioritise merging currencies for free trade

Traders’ efforts are weighed down by the fact that they have to use their valuable time and capital to purchase third currencies.

OPINION
Niger crisis, like previous coups, threatens gains from trade under AfCFTA

Niger crisis, like previous coups, threatens gains from trade under AfCFTA

What’s happening in Niger could take a heavy toll on the little gains achieved in the quest to integrate African markets under AfCFTA, a protocol ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, and his predecessor Mahamadou Issoufou -- who is official champion of the treaty on behalf of the AU -- are key supporters.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
U-TURN: Govt to repeal parts of the controversial property tax law 

U-TURN: Govt to repeal parts of the controversial property tax law 

The much-disputed immovable property tax hike in the 2018 law had not been brought into force as the treasury suspended its enforcement twice amid public uproar. The executive now wants Parliament to repeal five articles of the controversial legislation.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
African youth demand Govts action on rising unemployment

African youth demand Govts action on rising unemployment

There are at least 11 million young people coming to the labor market every year in search of work, yet only 3 million jobs are created across the continent, leaving estimated 8 million without work, according to International Labour Organization (ILO). Initiative by the AUC Chairperson Moussa Faki...

AFRICA
Pan-African payment system rollout reaches three more countries

Pan-African payment system rollout reaches three more countries

PAPSS rollout is planned to reach five regions of Africa before the end of 2023, while all central banks and commercial banks are projected to be signed up by end of 2024 and 2025 respectively.

AFRICA
Ready for intra-Africa air travel via Asia, Europe in 2023?

Ready for intra-Africa air travel via Asia, Europe in 2023?

Protectonist regulations only expose African taxpayers to all sorts of inconveniences, complicate air travel to levels Africans suffer from the most and comes back to haunt air transport sector.

OPINION
The not so visible barriers to trade and why we are not e-buying

The not so visible barriers to trade and why we are not e-buying

The not so ingenious idea to conduct transactions in major foreign currencies such as US dollar, British Pound, Euro or the likes anywhere within Africa allows somebody out of the continent to collect a portion of the trade value that is generated through settlement/transfer charges.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
US-Africa summit: Washington explains exclusion of five nations 

US-Africa summit: Washington explains exclusion of five nations 

The US also did not invite leaders of Eritrea with whom it holds strained relations for decades, alongside leaders of four other African countries that "are not in good standing with the Africa Union" namely Mali, Sudan, Guinea and Burkina Faso.

ON MEDIA
US-Africa summit: Biden likely to make major policy announcement to reset ties, officials

US-Africa summit: Biden likely to make major policy announcement to reset ties, officials

US is expected to use the upcoming summit as a platform to explore mutually beneficial trade and investment partnerships that are going to deepen its ties with African nations. The US-Africa Leaders Summit was last held in 2014 under President Obama’s administration, while the business forum last took...

ECONOMY
Agro-industrial hubs to cut Africa’s $45bn food import bill. We want this money back - SACKO

Agro-industrial hubs to cut Africa’s $45bn food import bill. We want this money back - SACKO

CAAPs has been hailed as one of the most promising means to vastly improve the competitiveness of African industries and enterprises by achieving economies of scale, promoting local processing and value addition of agricultural products, and availing employment to a larger part of the African youth...

AFRICA
African leaders root for AfCFTA full operationalisation

African leaders root for AfCFTA full operationalisation

The AU leadership is banking on full operationalization of the AfCFTA to drive the much needed industrilaisation of the continent that has borne the brunt of series of global crises including the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.

AFRICA
Intra-Africa trade could boost resilience to crises, unlock $22bn export potential - Experts

Intra-Africa trade could boost resilience to crises, unlock $22bn export potential - Experts

Officials figures estimate intra-African trade at between 15 per cent to 18 per cent annually, the lowest of any region of the world.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
Made in Africa: States work to harmonise standards, rules of origin requirements

Made in Africa: States work to harmonise standards, rules of origin requirements

AfCFTA rules of origin, just like standards requirements, single out goods produced within the free trade area that meet set conditions to be allowed to move freely and enjoy preferential tariff treatment.

ECONOMY
Costs, connectivity and illiteracy hold back Africa digital economy potential - REPORT

Costs, connectivity and illiteracy hold back Africa digital economy potential - REPORT

Despite mobile digital services offering Africa massive potential to provide better access to health, education and trade, billions of people in remote regions of the continent are without coverage.

ECONOMY
Rwanda’s economic recovery prospects facing new headwinds - Report

Rwanda’s economic recovery prospects facing new headwinds - Report

Official data indicate that Rwandan firms and entrepreneurs generally struggle to secure certification for an international standard, popularly known as ISO certification, which is deemed crucial when it comes to tapping into the export market, and especially the adoption of e-commerce platforms and...

ECONOMY
Consumers forced to tighten their belts as inflation bites

Consumers forced to tighten their belts as inflation bites

The consumer rights lobby group is of the view that it is high time for government to consider the widening mismatch between current market prices and people’s purchasing power as costs seem to be way beyond levels of income for most families and individuals in the formal and informal work sectors.