The construction sector plays a pivotal role in accelerating economic growth. Its roles in the expansion of infrastructural facilities such as roads, schools, hospitals, residential houses, among others, can be mentioned.   The growth of infrastructural facilitate by itself is part of development. As a stimulant for growth, it creates an up and downward linkages so as to create value chains. It generates job opportunities for hundreds of.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 4th January 2017

The decision by government to shelve plans to contract private firms to carry-out pre-shipment inspection for goods destined to Rwanda has raised concern from the business community, especially importers. The exercise was previously being conducted by Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS) a Switzerland-based firm under the Imports Products Conformity Assessment to Standards (IPCA) scheme from mid-2014 till the.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 3rd January 2017

This will be the year of the railway - perhaps mimicking 1899, when the current railway reached Nairobi.   By then, the railway was Colonial Kenya's most expensive project. Today, the new standard gauge railway is still the country's most expensive infrastructural project.   A historical transport masterpiece in the region, SGR has encountered numerous challenges like her predecessor, the metre gauge line that is more than a.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 3rd January 2017

A new World Bank funded project promises improved living conditions for refugees camped across five states in Ethiopia.   The Bank offered 100 million USD to implement "Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (DRDIP) in the Horn of Africa."   Speaking at project launching event in Semera, Afar State, Livestock and Fisheries Minister Dr. Misrak Mekonnen said the projects are believed to increase the benefit of.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 3rd January 2017

The Ministry of Industry announced that the construction of four agro- industrial parks projects would be launched soon in Tigray, Amhara, Oromia and SNNP States.   Speaking at stakeholders' consultative meeting on the implementation and resource mobilization for agro-industrial parks expansion project here Friday, Integrated Agro- Industrial Parks Project Marketing and Economic Analyst Moges Mesfin said the project is part of the.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 3rd January 2017

Office of the National Council for the Coordination of Public Participation for the Construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) said it has successfully accomplished its goal of mobilizing the public towards the construction of the dam.   Office Deputy Director Tagel Kenubih said the office had managed to mobilize Ethiopians home and abroad for massive purchase of bonds over the last fiscal year (2015-16).   The.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 3rd January 2017

In the past few years, Rwanda has risen to become among the leading foreign direct investment (FDI) destinations in the Great Lakes, and even beyond.   This is particularly true when one considers a number of the biggest international hotel chains which have recently opened their doors: Kigali Radisson Blu, Serena, Park Inn, Sheraton, Zinc, Protea, and Golden Tulip among others.   All these hotel brands are establishing in Rwanda.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 2nd January 2017

The National Bank of Rwanda is in the final stages of licensing a Kenyan bank, Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA), to operate in the country as a micro-finance institution.   According to central bank governor John Rwangombwa, they are in the final stages of approving the bank's operations in the country.   Following the licensing and clearance, the bank is likely to begin operations in 2017, further increasing the number of financial.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 2nd January 2017

Ethiopia is working closely with many trusted nations and international agencies as well as partners in various development activities aggressively. There are many agencies from across the world that are co-working with the country to support the ongoing development.   This piece presents some contributions of three agencies in supporting the development endeavours the Ethiopian government has been undertaking. The significant.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 2nd January 2017

 Five East African countries have joined forces with the aim of forming a single currency area by 2024. Since the project’s inception in 2000, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda have been laying the groundwork for greater economic integration. Measures such as establishing a Customs Union has helped streamline border clearances, simplify work permit issuance, and ensure the recognition of professional agreements.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 2nd January 2017

 The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) plans to upgrade Mombasa port into an ultramodern cruise complex with a lounge, restaurants, souvenir shops and reception counters at berths 1 and 2. TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) (TMEA) has teamed up with the KPA to build the facility in the next six months in efforts to boost tourist earnings. Tourism secretary Najib Balala said Mombasa’s favourable status as a cruise ships stopover.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 2nd January 2017

Juniper Glass announced that it has received all regulatory approvals necessary to conclude the final investments in its US$70 million greenfield container glass factory in Debre Birhan, Ethiopia.   Juniper is working closely with leading global glass engineers and equipment suppliers to build a state-of-the-art factory, which will use the latest available technology in glass manufacturing. The new factory, which is under construction,.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 30th December 2016