In the wake of the global economic crisis, Kenya’s exports grew rapidly, rising from KSh344.9bn ($3.9bn) in 2009 to KSh409.8bn ($4.6bn) in 2010, a jump of 18.8%, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Even amidst the slowdown in eurozone demand, overseas sales continued to increase over the following year, climbing 24.7% to hit KSh511bn ($5.8bn) in 2011. The pace of expansion has slowed since then and, in 2012, exports.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 16th January 2015

 Kenya’s government is currently considering the final iteration of a bill that would establish three special economic zones (SEZs) within the country. The SEZs will allow lower levels of taxation and fewer regulatory hurdles, and will focus primarily on industrial activity, in particular textile production. The SEZ bill is part of a broader initiative to boost the manufacturing sector, diversify the country’s exports and.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 16th January 2015

 UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK's export credit agency, has announced that it is making enhanced cover available to UK exporters competing for business in Rwanda. Enhancing the cover available means that, for the first time, UKEF will be able to provide guarantees for repayments to banks financing UK capital goods and services, as well as projects involving UK exporters. UKEF is also able to provide insurance to UK exporters against the.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 15th January 2015

 Oromia is conducting a study which could lead to the establishment of an autonomous body that will be fully in charge of industrial development in the region, instead of the Industry & Urban Development Bureau as is the case now. This follows from Addis Abeba, which set up the Industry Development Bureau in November 2014, taking it out of Trade and Industry Bureau. This bureau, currently recruiting staff, could open its doors in less.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 15th January 2015

 Today's Africa is one of the most sophisticated, diverse and promising emerging markets globally. Africa is a key investment location, both for the market opportunities that lie within its borders and as a gateway to the rest of the continent, a market of about1- billion people. East Africa is the economic powerhouse of Africa and forms part of the BRICS group of countries with Brazil, Russia, India and China. It has a favourable.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 14th January 2015

 Africa and China signed new strategic agreements after a meeting between President Jacob Zuma and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, the Presidency said in a statement on Thursday. The agreements aim to strengthen bilateral relations, trade co-operation and create sustainable investment opportunities between the two countries. Zuma arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a short state visit to China at Xi's.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 14th January 2015

 South Africa has approved guidelines for the new Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles-Automotive Investment Scheme (MHCV-AIS), expected to stimulate investment in the production of vehicles. The MHCV-AIS is a sub-component of the Automotive Investment Scheme, an incentive administered by the Department of Trade and Industry designed to grow and develop the automotive sector in South Africa. "The broadening of the scope of the AIS to.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 14th January 2015

 President Jacob Zuma is, this month, October 2014, prioritising the economy and local government. In his State of the Nation address delivered in June 2014, Zuma said the economy would take centre stage this term and announced a target of 5% growth by 2019. He also announced that local government, the sphere of government closest to citizens, and the “engine of service delivery” would be revitalised and strongly.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 13th January 2015

 The designation of special economic zones (SEZs) will support a broader-based industrialisation growth path in South Africa, while helping the country achieve the objectives of the National Development Plan (NDP), says Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies. Speaking at the tabling of the Special Economic Zones Bill before the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Cape Town on Tuesday, Davies said the Bill aimed to support balanced.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 13th January 2015

 The Dube TradePort in the South African port city of Durban is now officially an Industrial Development Zone (IDZ), joining three other similar economic zones spread out across the country. President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday, 7 October, handed over an IDZ operator licence to the Dube TradePort Corporation for the precinct, which has already attracted investments worth nearly R1-billion since it was opened in 2012. The Dube TradePort IDZ is.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 13th January 2015

 India aims to boost investment in industrial, economic and social sectors of Africa as the 54-nation continent tries to ramp up development to alleviate poverty, the UN General Assembly was told Friday. "Scaled-up investments in infrastructure, both economic and social, as well as in productive capacity for industrial development are needed," Amit Narang, a Counsellor at India's UN Mission, said. "This is an area of.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 13th January 2015

 Fundraising by Africa-focused private equity has rebounded after the global financial crisis, buoyed by support from the international development finance institutions. Now, the industry hopes to unlock billions of dollars held in African pension funds to dramatically increase the resources available for investment.   Some international investors have found private equity an effective way to gain exposure to Africa's fast-growing.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 8th January 2015