Kenyan media outlets have it well covered recently that Ethiopia is about to overtake Kenya and become the leading economy in East Africa.   Building on decade-long double-digit growth catalyzed by enormous government spending on infrastructure, the size of the Ethiopian economy, in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) measurements, will reach 69.2 billion USD according to projections the International Monetary Fund (IMF) made for 2016..... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 4th March 2017

Kenyans will soo be able to tell genuine architects and quantity surveyors from fake ones by asking them to produce a smart card to be issued by their regulator, the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS).   Speaking at the launch of BORAQS' first strategic plan on Monday this week, Ms Aidah Munano, the Principal Secretary in the Department Housing and Urban Development, expressed concern that unregistered.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 3rd March 2017

Finance ministers from Kenya and Uganda are set to travel to China at the end of this month to negotiate financing for the construction of a cross-border railway.   In a move that would transform the East African infrastructure landscape, the delegation - which will include the transportation ministers of both countries - will present proposals to the China Export Import Bank, an institution that has largely financed similar big projects.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 3rd March 2017

State Minister of Industry Dr. Alemu Sime pinpointed that the country is emulating the experiences of China and South Korea to promote domestic production and foster its industrial development.   This was disclosed during a recent visit of senior government officials to HANSOM KINFENGDA Manufacturing - a Chinese company located at Eastern Industrial Zone engaged in producing special type of corrugated pipes .   Following the visit,.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 2nd March 2017

Of late, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn had laid a cornerstone for the construction of Borena University in Borena Zone, Oromia State. As the premier spoke after the groundbreaking ceremony, the construction of the university will assist in preserving the cultural values of the pastoral communities, and thereby to address their socio-economic issues.   In fact, efforts have been well undergoing in Ethiopia to make the content and the.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 2nd March 2017

Nairobi — A National Spatial Structure (NSS) expected to guide physical planning in the country has been unveiled.   The structure which is contained in the National Spatial Plan (NSP) for the 2015-2045 period was launched on Wednesday by the Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning (MOLPP) Jacob Kaimenyi.   Speaking during the launch, Kaimenyi said the blueprint will henceforth guide three areas of.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 2nd March 2017

Ethiopia Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Friday signed several bilateral agreements among them the construction of two major link roads.   The two leaders agreed to prioritise the construction of the Gambella-Pagak-Palouge and Dima-Raad-Boma-Bor roads that link the neighbouring countries.   The roads will link southern and central Ethiopia to Bor in central South Sudan and further north.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 2nd March 2017

The 2017 World Bank Doing Business Report has ranked Rwanda 2nd in Africa after Mauritius. And globally, Rwanda has improved six places ranking 56th out of 190 countries.   The latest World Bank report was released Tuesday.   The rankings also indicate that Rwanda reduced the gap between the country Mauritius from 30 places last year to only seven places.   Botswana came in third place in Africa and 72nd globally, with South.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 1st March 2017

Dar es Salaam — The World Bank Group commitment to continue supporting Tanzania was reaffirmed on Monday after it approved $130 million (Sh275 billion) aimed at financing the Tanzania Strategic Cities Project (TSCP).   The project, which is going on, started in 2010 in different cities and towns across the country.   Initially, the project was estimated to cost a total of $175.5 million (about Sh370 billion).   A World.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 1st March 2017

Cevital, an Algerian company, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Public Enterprises to construct three factories.   Cevital is a private company that is active in different sectors including railways, and manufacturing. The company earns four billion dollars a year. The MoU was signed on February 24, 2017, at the office of the Ministry of Public Enterprises, in the presence of Girma Amente (PhD), minister of.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 1st March 2017

Dodoma — Almost all senior officials of various ministries have shifted to Dodoma ahead of the deadline by President John Magufuli, the Daily News has learnt.   Dr Magufuli had issued an executive order, directing the government to move its seat to Dodoma within his first term as occupant of the country's highest office.   Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa echoed the directive, declaring February as the deadline for all.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 1st March 2017

Building of the first three berths in Lamu port has started.   Transport Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera said 20 per cent of the work has been done and the government will allocate Sh10 billion to the port project in the next financial year.   He said the government has already paid Sh4.6 billion to the contractor while another Sh2.9 billion would be paid before the end of this year.   The PS said the project would cost.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 1st March 2017