US firms are increasingly interested in the commercial opportunities in Africa

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Africa offers US multinationals a compelling trade and investment opportunity thanks to the rapid economic growth rates being experienced across the continent along with burgeoning population growth and increasing urbanisation, according to Standard </span><a href="http://www.standardbank.com/" style="font-size: x-large;">Bank</a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa has exceeded 5% a year for more than a decade now giving the continent a 4.1% share of global gross domestic product (GDP), up from 3.4% in 2000. By 2050 one in four of the world’s population will reside in Africa with at least 60% of the continent’s people living in urban centres.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Trade with African economies and investment in Africa offer big rewards but it requires sound local knowledge, strong local partnerships, and a long term view,” said Mr Sim Tshabalala, Chief Executive of Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest bank by assets and market valuation. “In that sense the US plan to revitalise its commercial and trade links with Africa couldn’t come at a more opportune time.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The renewed US interest in Africa is embodied by President Barack Obama’s Power Africa Initiative which was launched last year and aims to double access to power in six partner countries in sub Saharan Africa: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria and Tanzania. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The US government has committed more than $7 billion in financial support and loan guarantees to the project over the next five years. That commitment has been doubled by the almost 30 private sector partners who have pledged $14.7 billion in project finance through direct loans, guarantee facilities, and equity investments for Power Africa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Nevertheless, the US still has some catching up to do. While the US is a major investor in Africa - particularly in information technology, manufacturing, resources, power, and financial services - trade flows have advanced on a much gentler trajectory.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Although US-Africa trade doubled from about $50bn in the early 2000s to $110bn in 2013 it still lags China whose trade with Africa exceeded $200 billion last year. Yet it is precisely China’s emergence as Africa’s largest trading partner which underscores the potential value on the continent for US firms.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Foreign direct investment into Africa has increased dramatically in the last decade and a half, and continues to grow. In 2013, FDI to Africa increased by 9.6% to an estimated $56.6 billion, representing 5.7% of global FDI. FDI is forecast to exceed $60 billion in 2014. Total foreign inflows to the continent reached $186 billion in 2013, and are expected to top $200 billion in 2014.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Emerging economies - and the BRICS in particular – are seizing the African opportunity. In 1992 China, India and Brazil accounted for just 3% of Africa’s global trade compared to 25% today. A wide range of firms from India, Brazil and South Africa are also expanding quickly in Africa, often with strong support from their governments. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Yet, while the US may be arriving late to this party, the world’s biggest economy still offers unrivalled commercial and industrial excellence in many key fields. The vibrancy of US multinationals, with their proven track records, industrial processes, established retail networks and brands, are of immense attraction to the ongoing consumer revolution taking place across Africa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">US firms are also increasingly interested in the commercial opportunities in Africa. Major private equity firms, including the Carlyle Group, have launched Africa-focused funds valued in the hundreds of millions. Leading US technology companies are investing in new ventures and start-ups across the continent. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> IBM has invested at least $100 million, with new Innovation Centres in Lagos and Casablanca. Microsoft and Intel Capital are embarking on partnerships with African tech companies, and Google is working on delivering broadband to remote communities.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Africa has come a very long way from its era of aid-dependence,” said Mr Tshabalala. “The rapidly emerging middle class in Africa is driving large-scale diversification of Africa’s economies which offers immense opportunities for companies willing to invest.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">In Nigeria the middle class has swelled by 600% since 2000. Today, Nigeria is home to 4.1 million middle-class households, containing 11% of the total population. Other economies doing particularly well on this measure include Angola, where 21% of households are considered middle class followed by Sudan (14%) and Zambia (10%).</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The number of mobile phone users in Africa has multiplied 33 times since 2000 and in the next five years it is likely that almost every adult African will have a mobile phone. Over 50% of urban Africans are already online, a figure that is likely to grow rapidly over the next decade.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“While there is still a lot to be done the overall direction that Africa is moving in is overwhelmingly positive,” said Mr Tshabalala. “US companies can do very well in Africa provided they put in the effort to understand the continent’s markets in detail, rather than looking at the continent as a single, homogenous entity.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Standard Bank.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> </div>

US firms are increasingly interested in the commercial opportunities in Africa

Africa offers US multinationals a compelling trade and investment opportunity thanks to the rapid economic growth rates being experienced ...

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Rushwa ni jambo la kawaida kwenye huduma zote za Serikali

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Wananchi wanaiona rushwa katika sekta zote za huduma za Serikali kama kitu cha kawaida kabisa. Sekta zinazoongoza kwa rushwa ni pamoja na polisi (94%), siasa (91%), afya (82%), kodi (80%) , ardhi (79%), elimu (70%), serikali za mitaa (68%) na maji (56%). Pia wananchi 50% wanaona mashirika yasiyo ya kiserikali nayo yanajihusisha na rushwa. Sekta pekee zinazoonekana kuwa na viwango vya rushwa chini ya 50% ni zile za biashara pamoja na mashirika ya dini.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Matokeo haya yametolewa na Twaweza katika muhtasari wenye jina la <a href="http://twaweza.org/uploads/files/Corruption-KIS-FINAL.pdf">Je, juhudi za serikali zimesaidia vita dhidi ya rushwa? Mtazamo wa watu kuhusu rushwa nchini Tanzania</a>. Muhtasari umetokana na utafiti wa Sauti za Wananchi; utafiti wa kwanza Afrika kwa njia ya simu mkononi wenye uwakilishi wa kitaifa, ambao ulikusanya maoni kutoka Tanzania Bara.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mbali na mitazamo kuhusu rushwa, Twaweza iliuliza kuwa ni wakati gani hasa wananchi huombwa rushwa? Kwa mara nyingine, polisi waliongoza katika hili: wananchi watatu kati ya watano (60%) waliombwa rushwa mara ya mwisho walipokutana na polisi. Wananchi wawili kati ya watano (41%) walilipa rushwa hiyo, na wananchi 2% walitoa rushwa wenyewe bila kuombwa. Aina ya pili ya rushwa iliyoonekana kutendeka kwa kiasi kikubwa ni wakati wananchi wanatafuta kazi: mtu mmoja kati ya watatu (34%) aliombwa malipo yasiyo rasmi alipokuwa akitafuta kazi.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Hata hivyo, mara nyingi wananchi wana misimamo imara kwenye rushwa; rushwa huombwa mara nyingi sana, lakini wananchi hutoa mara chache tu. Mtu 1 kati ya 10 ameripoti kuwahi kutoa rushwa kwa ajili ya kupata kazi. Rushwa hutolewa sana kwa polisi, na pia wakati wa kutafuta huduma za afya: wananchi 19% wameripoti kuwahi kuombwa rushwa, na wananchi 15% wameripoti kuwa walitoa rushwa hiyo walipoiombwa. Kwa ujumla, wananchi hutoa rushwa mara chache kuliko wanavyoombwa- kunaonekana kuwa kuna msukumo zaidi wa kutoa rushwa wakati wanatafuta huduma muhimu sana kama vile elimu, huduma za afya, maji, na huduma kutoka serikali ya kijiji/mtaa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Ingawa wananchi hukumbana na rushwa mara kwa mara katika maisha yao ya kila siku, wengi wao hawafahamu ni hatua gani zakuchukua wanapoombwa rushwa. Ni mtu mmoja tu kati ya watatu (33%) anayejua kuwa anatakiwa kuripoti vitendo vya rushwa kwenye Taasisi ya Kuzuia na Kupambana na Rushwa (TAKUKURU). Cha kushangaza zaidi, wananchi tisa kati ya kumi (93%) hawajawahi kutoa taarifa za rushwa kwenye mamlaka husika katika kipindi cha miezi 12 iliyopita.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Kwa ujumla, wananchi 3 kati ya 4 (76%) wanafikiri kuwa rushwa imekithiri zaidi ndani ya kipindi cha miaka kumi iliyopita.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Linapokuja suala la rushwa katika ngazi ya taifa, wananchi hawana taarifa za kutosha kuhusu rushwa hizo. Kati ya kashfa mbalimbali za rushwa zilizoibuliwa kipindi cha miaka kumi iliyopita, Watanzania wanne kati ya kumi (37%) hawajawahi kusikia kuhusu kashfa zinazohusiana na IPTL, aliyekuwa Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Nishati (Jairo), Rada ya BAE, EPA au Richmond. Kashfa inayojulikana zaidi ni ile ya Richmond; Watanzania zaidi ya nusu (56%) wamewahi kuisikia angalau kidogo, lakini ni Mtanzania 1 tu kati ya 7 (13%) anayeweza kutoa maelezo sahihi kuhusu kashfa hiyo.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Licha ya kukosa uelewa, wananchi 8 kati ya 10 (78%) wanaamini kuwa rushwa imekithiri zaidi ndani ya kipindi cha miaka kumi iliyopita.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mbali na kutofahamu ufisadi mkubwa wa fedha za umma, wananchi pia hawana taarifa kuhusu hatua zinazochukuliwa na Serikali kupambana na rushwa. Ni mwananchi 1 tu kati ya 4 anafahamu uwepo wa Ofisi ya Taifa ya Ukaguzi, na mwananchi 1 tu kati ya 5 anayejua ripoti za Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Hesabu za Serikali (CAG). Hata hivyo, wananchi wanataka Serikali iwajibike zaidi. Walipopewa taarifa kuhusu matokeo ya hivi karibuni ya matumizi mabaya ya fedha yaliyoripotiwa kwenye ripoti za CAG, wananchi watatu kati ya wanne wanaamini kuwa watu waliohusika wanapaswa kuwajibishwa kwa upotevu wa fedha za umma.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Kutokana na kushamiri kwa rushwa katika maisha ya kila mtanzania, kukosekana kwa uelewa wa fursa zilizopo kurekebisha au kutatua tatizo ni vyema ijulikane kuwa pengine hii ndiyo sababu ya Watanzania (51%) kufikiri kuwa rushwa haiwezi kupunguzwa kabisa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Rakesh Rajani, Mkuu wa Twaweza, alisema "Ni jambo la kusikitisha kuwa licha ya juhudi nyingi, wananchi bado wanakumbana na rushwa katika maisha yao ya kila siku na katika sekta zote, hususan kwenye huduma za serikali."</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">"Na kuhusu suala la rushwa katika ngazi ya taifa," aliendelea, "inaonekana kuwa kuna kuvunjika kwa muafaka wa kijamii na kisiasa kati ya Serikali na wananchi. Kwa sasa, wananchi waonekana kuwa hawajui au hawana shauku ya kufuatilia rushwa kubwa kubwa. Wanasiasa, NGOs na vyombo vya habari vinapiga kelele kuhusiana na jambo hili, lakini wananchi wa kawaida hawaonekani kuhusisha rushwa kubwa na matarajio yao ya kila siku."</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Rajani alisisitiza kuwa, "Matokeo haya ya utafiti yanaonesha kuwa licha ya jitihada za kuboresha utawala na ahadi za mara kwa mara za uwazi serikalini, mambo matatu yanatawala: rushwa imeenea kwenye maisha ya kila siku ya watu wa kawaida; hali ya rushwa inazidi kuwa mbaya; na wananchi hawaamini kuwa serikali au upinzani wanaweza au wataweza kupunguza rushwa.”</span></div> </div>

Rushwa ni jambo la kawaida kwenye huduma zote za Serikali

Wananchi wanaiona rushwa katika sekta zote za huduma za Serikali kama kitu cha kawaida kabisa. Sekta zinazoongoza kwa rushwa ni pamoja na ...

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Wananchi watakiwa kuwa macho

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Wananchi wameendelea kutahadharishwa kuwa macho na tabia ya baadhi ya wanasiasa wenye hulka ya kushawishi jamii kutoshiriki harakati za maendeleo na ustawi wa jamii kwenye maeneo yao kwa sababu tu ya itikadi ya kisiasa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Tahadhari hiyo imetolewa na Mbunge wa Jimbo la Kitope Balozi Seif Ali Iddi wakati akikabidhi vifaa mbali mbali vya uwezekaji wa majengo ya Maabara na Maktaba ya Skuli ya Sekondari ya Fujoni iliyomo ndani ya Jimbo la Kitope Wilaya ya Kaskazini “ B”.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Balozi Seif ambae pia ni Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar alisema ipo miradi mingi ya maendeleo ya wananchi katika maeneo tofauti mengine ikipata usaidizi wa ufadhili wa wawekezaji waliomo katika maeneo hayo, lakini cha kushangaza ni kuona baadhi ya wanasiasa walafi hushawishi wananchi hao wasijihusishe kushiriki katika miradi hiyo.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“ Upo mradi wa uwekezaji wa Kitalii uliomo ndani ya jimbo langu ambao uongozi wake umeonyesha nia safi ya kutaka kusaidia maendeleo ya wananchi wanaouzunguuka mradi huo. Lakini cha kusikitisha ni kuona baadhi ya wanachi wake wamesusia kwa sababu tu za ushawishi wa Kisiasa uliochochewa kwa makusudi “. Alisema Mbunge huyo wa Jimbo la Kitope.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Balozi Seif aliushukuru na kuupongeza Uongozi mzima wa Kamati ya Skuli ya sekondari ya Fujoni kwa umahiri wake wa kuwajengea hatma njema ya kielimu watoto wao.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Alisema juhudi hizo ndizo zilizozaa matunda bora ya kielimu kwa kutoa fursa kubwa kwa wanafunzi wa skuli hiyo kuendelea na masomo yao ya kidato cha tano na sita baada ya kufaulu katika kiwango kinachokubalika Kitaifa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“ Pongezi Maalum zimfikie mwalimu Mkuu wa Skuli yetu ya Fujoni kwa kazi kubwa ya kusimamia maamuzi ya Kamati ya Uongozi wa skuli. Napata faraja kuona umoja wenu ndio onaofanikisha malengo mliojipangia “ Alifafanua Balozi Seif.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Akiwathibitishia Wananchi wa Jimbo la Kitope kuendelea kuliongoza Jimbo hilo endapo watampa ridhaa tena katika uchaguzi Mkuu ujao wa mwaka 2015 Balozi Seif alisema yeye pamoja na Viongozi wenzake watahakikisha wanaongeza nguvu zao za kiuwezeshaji katika miradi mbali mbali wanayoianzisha wananchi hao.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Alisema kazi ya Uongozi ni kuhakikisha inaendelea kuwajengea mazingira makubwa zaidi wananchi wake hasa wanafunzi wa skuli zilizomo kwenye Jimbo hilo ili wawe na uwezo wa kuingia vyuo vikuu na kufikia daraja la utaalamu utakaokuja wasaidia wazazi na jamii inayowazunguuka hapo baadaye.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mapema Mke wa Mbunge wa Jimbo la Kitope Mama Asha Suleiman Iddi alisema maendeleo ya kielimu yaliyopatikana ndani ya skuli ya Fujoni wapo wapo baadhi ya watu waharidhiki nayo kutokana na choyo cha roho walichokuwa nacho.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mama Asha alieleza kwamba maendeleo hayo ambayo ni ya kupigiwa mfano yanastahiki kuigwa na vijiji vyengine vyenye malengo ya kujipatia maendeleo yanayotokana na nguvu zao wenyewe.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mama Asha lielezea masikitiko yake na kulaani kitendo kilichofanywa na baadhi ya watu kumsingiziwa kwamba aliahidi kujenga madrasa moja iliyomo ndani ya Kijiji cha Fujoni jambo ambalo niuzushi unaotaka kumuharibia kisiasa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Alieleza kwamba tabia aliyojijengea ndani ya jamii ni kwamba anapo ahidi jambo tayari ameshajiandaa na kamwe hachukui muda mrefu kuitekeleza ahadi hiyo akielewa kwamba asipotekeleza tayari ameshabeba dhima kwa mwenyezi mungu.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Akitoa shukrani kwa niaba ya Uongozi wa Kamati ya Skuli Mwalimu Mkuu wa Skuli ya Sekondari ya Fujon i Mwalimu Mbrouk Ishaq Daima alimuhakikishia Mbunge huyo wa Jimbo la Kitope kwamba Kamati hiyo itakuwa tayari wakati wote kutekeleza malengo yanayopangwa katika skuli hiyo.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mwalimu Mabrouk Ishaq alimpongeza Mbunge huyo kwa jitihada zake anazochukuwa katika kuona maendeleo ya elimu ya skuli hiyo pamoja na Jimbo zima yanafikiwa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Othman Khamis Ame</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Ofisi ya Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar</span></div> </div>

Wananchi watakiwa kuwa macho

Wananchi wameendelea kutahadharishwa kuwa macho na tabia ya baadhi ya wanasiasa wenye hulka ya kushawishi jamii kutoshiriki harakati za ma...

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WIN $6,000, one lap top, one intercontinental flight ticket to a destination of your choice and more

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.apo-opa.com/">APO</a> (African Press Organization)</span><span style="font-size: large;">, the sole press release wire in Africa and the global leader in media relations relating to Africa, announced today that entry is now open for the 2014 APO Media Award (#APOMediaAward).</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The first-place winner will be presented with $500 a month for one year, one laptop and one intercontinental flight ticket to a destination of his or her choice as well as one year of access to over 600 airport VIP lounges worldwide.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The second-place winner will be awarded $300 a month for one year.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The third-place winner will receive $200 a month for one year.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">APO Media Award celebrates brilliant and inspiring stories about Africa. The subject matter may comprise a single topic or a variety of subjects, including – but not limited to – business, economy, technology, agriculture, health, energy, gender, logistics, tourism, motoring, aviation, not-for-profit issues, diplomacy, environment, mining, entertainment and more.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">APO Media Award is open to African journalists and bloggers, whether directly employed or freelancers, working in the continent of Africa who have produced a story that has been broadcast or published in English, French, Portuguese or Arabic in the form of a printed publication, a television feature, a radio story, a website or a blog whose primary audience is based in Africa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Stories must have been broadcast or published between January and August 2014.</span><span style="font-size: large;">Stories are judged on content, writing, analysis, creativity, human interest and community impact.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">All stories must be submitted in electronic format:</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">a) Print: upload the scan(s) of the published article.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">b) Radio: upload the SoundCloud link (SoundCloud is an online audio distribution platform that enables its users to upload and share sounds they have created <a href="https://soundcloud.com/">themselves</a>.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">c) Website: upload the URL.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">d) TV: upload the YouTube link.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">TV material must first be uploaded to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/">YouTube</a> and radio material to <a href="http://www.soundcloud.com/">SoundCloud</a>. If you are not a member of these sites, you will need to sign up in order to upload the video or radio material. Once you have obtained the link, you must enter it in this online entry form when inputting your story details.</span></div> </div>

WIN $6,000, one lap top, one intercontinental flight ticket to a destination of your choice and more

APO (African Press Organization) , the sole press release wire in Africa and the global leader in media relations relating to Africa, ann...

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A full communications solution through the SkyVision VPN service, connecting BoA headquarters in Ouagadougou to its branch offices throughout the country

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.skyvision.net/">SkyVision</a> Global Networks Ltd.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> a leading global communications provider, announced the successful implementation of the first phase of its project with the Bank of Africa (BOA) Burkina Faso, the country’s second largest financial institution. The project included implementing a full communications solution through the SkyVision VPN service, connecting BoA headquarters in Ouagadougou to its branch offices throughout the country.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“This project is an important win and an even more important milestone for SkyVision. We welcome the opportunity of a long term partnership with BOA and highly value our business relationship. We look forward to continue growing our mutual business and offering our solutions to the entire BOA Group”. Commented SkyVision CEO, Ori Watterman.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The combined solution included a Romantis UHP hub and SkyVision VPN, a VSAT-based communications solution that provides organizations with superior network performance and reliability. The advanced technology that drives SkyVision VPN provides customers with enhanced flexibility, enabling reliable control and system management across immense remote areas, such as those in Burkina Faso. Fully deployed and managed by SkyVision, SkyVision VPN is fast becoming one of Africa’s “solutions of choice,” delivering superior connectivity at a minimum cost.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">BOA headquarters in Ouagadougou will host the Romantis hub, which will in turn converge to the remote sites (BOA branches) and operate in a fully autonomous environment dedicated solely to BOA sites. This allows them to connect their remote branch offices and quickly and efficiently, share information by means of voice and data applications, with no investment in additional infrastructure. Combined, the end-to-end solution meets BOA’s communications’ needs, including a full disaster recovery plan. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“In Africa, and in particular, Burkina Faso, reliable communications is mandatory to our business and one of our highest priorities. It is for this reason that we turned to SkyVision to deliver the most trustworthy and efficient connectivity solution on the market to ensure our daily operations run smoothly and securely. We have every confidence in their ability to meet and exceed our needs and to partner with us into the second phase of this important project.” said Toni Sebastien, CEO of BOA Burkina Faso.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">General Manager of SkyVision Burkina Faso, Mr. Pascal Vokouma, also comments, “We have been awarded a tremendous opportunity to serve the financial industry in Burkina Faso and intend to continue to provide BOA with the utmost quality of service and customer support. We view the financial industry as a strategic market and highly value our partnership with BOA and the trust it has put into the company and its solutions.” </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">For over a decade, SkyVision has focused on enhancing connectivity in rural Africa, with the establishment of hubs and PoPs across Africa to deliver quality communications to customers nationwide.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of SkyVision Global Networks Ltd.</span></div> </div>

A full communications solution through the SkyVision VPN service, connecting BoA headquarters in Ouagadougou to its branch offices throughout the country

SkyVision Global Networks Ltd.  a leading global communications provider, announced the successful implementation of the first phase of i...

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With 2000 innovators from 48 countries entering in its first three years; IPA 2015 takes investment in unleashing and supporting sustainable African led innovation past half a million USD

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The African Innovation Foundation (<a href="http://www.africaninnovation.org/">AIF</a>)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> is calling on all African innovators to submit their entries for the fourth edition of the Innovation Prize for Africa (<a href="http://www.innovationprizeforafrica.org/">IPA</a>) competition</span><span style="font-size: large;">. The IPA is presented annually, enabling and encouraging African pioneers to develop creative ideas and techniques to overcome some of the challenges faced by the continent and support sustainable development.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“At the African Innovation Foundation we are passionate about Africa and its potential, that we firmly believe will be led by empowering a new generation of African innovators and entrepreneurs. But we also recognise that this new generation needs the resources and the opportunities to realise their ambition,” said AIF and IPA founder Jean-Claude Bastos de Morais. “ IPA provides a platform to encourage and harness these entrepreneurial skills in order to help improve the lives of Africans and to help realise untapped potential. The prize is also a great way of unleashing creativity and promoting growth within the African continent.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The IPA is becoming integral to facilitating ground-breaking thinking, creativity and driving awareness to the outstanding work being done in Africa by Africans. IPA 2013 winner, AgriProtein went on to raise $11 million to build its first two commercial farms in Cape Town.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Africa needs meaningful investment to alleviate poverty and provide inclusive prosperity. To achieve this, we need to be able to provide environments that promote quality investment for the people and reduce risks. Forums like the IPA are necessary to make the most of the continent's investment," said AgriProtein spokesperson, David Drew.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">All innovations are evaluated based on the following criteria: originality, marketability, scalability, social impact and scientific/technical aspects. The best submission will be awarded a grand prize of USD 100 000. The second prize of USD 25 000 will be awarded to an innovator with an innovation which has the best commercial and business potential. An additional award is a special prize granted to the innovator whose innovation has the best social impact in the community.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The IPA encourages entries in five key categories: Agriculture and Agribusiness, Environment, Energy and Water, Health and Wellbeing, ICT applications, and Manufacturing and Services Industries.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Recognising home grown innovative ingenuity, the prize contributes to increased funding of start-ups, adoption of new and emerging technologies and accelerated growth of the private sector. With ever changing economic and social environments, it is critical that proposed solutions tackle issues affecting African lives, and that they are effective and are different from the existing ones. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">IPA 2014 named Dr Nicolaas Duneas and Mr Nuno Pires from South Africa the winners of the grand Prize and received USD 100’000 for their Altis Osteogenic Bone Matrix (Altis OBM TM), the first injectable porcine derived BMP medical device in the world — an innovative product for the treatment of bone injuries and voids through the use of a regenerative biological implant.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The IPA also beckons all investors, governments and other stakeholders interested in evaluating, investing and maximising the continent’s resources to participate in this innovative and empowering initiative and make a significant change through generous contributions that will accelerate the Africa’s economic growth.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The deadline for submitting applications for IPA 2015 is 31 October 2014 at 24h00 GMT. For more information on competition categories, conditions of entry, <a href="http://innovationprizeforafrica.org/">and submission details</a>.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of the Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA).</span></div> </div>

With 2000 innovators from 48 countries entering in its first three years; IPA 2015 takes investment in unleashing and supporting sustainable African led innovation past half a million USD

The African Innovation Foundation ( AIF )  is calling on all African innovators to submit their entries for the fourth edition of the Inno...

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PwC announces investment to accelerate Africa growth opportunities

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.pwc.com/">PwC</a></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.pwc.com/"> </a>has today announced it is increasing its investment in Africa and building closer links between PwC UK and PwC Africa, to meet increased demand for professional services as trade activity between the two regions grows.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The investment is part of PwC’s ongoing strategy to develop high potential markets, and follows the UK firm’s successful investment in Central and Eastern Europe.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Ian Powell, UK Chairman and Senior Partner, commented:</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">"This is an exciting development which enhances our ability to serve clients across the fastest growing region in the world. Africa has an abundance of natural resources and seven of the world’s fastest growing economies meaning the opportunities for UK business are significant.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Suresh Kana, PwC Africa Network Territory Senior Partner, said:</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“This is great news for our network. Over the years we have built PwC into the leading network in Africa. We now see huge opportunities to build our capabilities further as we will be able to invest even faster in key industry sectors such as Capital Projects & Infrastructure, Oil & Gas, Government & Public Sector and Financial Services. We have great teams in Africa and this investment will help us build more local capacity, and create teaming and secondment opportunities.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">As part of the investment, Paul Cleal, PwC UK partner and chair of its Africa Business Group, will be seconded to the African Leadership team and based on the continent.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">PwC teams from the UK and Africa have a strong track record of working together to support businesses, governments and NGOs in nations such as Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda and Zambia with expertise in fields such as economic development, climate change, education, infrastructure, natural resources, and power and utilities.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The UK is renowned for the strength of its business and professional services sector and this deal is a demonstration of how the nation can play to its strengths on the global stage. This commitment not only benefits our clients and the PwC network, but is also good for the UK and African economies.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Professional and business support services is one of the most successful sectors in the UK economy, contributing 12% of total UK GDP - more than financial services (8.5%) or manufacturing (10%). The sector has grown by nearly 6% a year since Q3 2009 and has been one of the biggest job-creating sectors in the UK economy as well as a major contributor to UK exports.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">A 2013 report by BIS – ‘Growth is our business: A Strategy for Professional and Business Services (PBS)’ – recognised the contribution of the professional and business services sector to the UK economy, and highlighted the opportunities in developing markets. Other business services contribute 29% of total services exports and totalled £58.6 billion in 2013, with a trade surplus of £29.3 billion.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC).</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> </div>

PwC announces investment to accelerate Africa growth opportunities

PwC   has today announced it is increasing its investment in Africa and building closer links between PwC UK and PwC Africa, to meet incre...

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While exploration activity in Africa is at its highest level ever, the continent remains largely unexplored

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">While Oil and Gas activity in West Africa is nothing new, it is the activity in East Africa which is creating a stir amongst exploration companies and of course, their suppliers.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">This is according to Steve Harley, President, <a href="http://www.dpdhl.com/">DHL</a> Energy Sector, who says that while Angola and Nigeria have always been the most notable producers within the Sub-Saharan region, more recently, significant gas discoveries in Tanzania and Mozambique, has led to East Africa now receiving its share of attention from global oil companies and potential investors. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Oil discoveries in Uganda and Kenya have also added to the excitement in the sector as new players look to enter these markets, including some of the largest independent and international oil companies, otherwise known as the super majors, who are now also witnessing the potential in this region.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">He says that in addition to the developments in East Africa, both Namibia and South Africa are also on the radar of investors within the sector. “South Africa in particular is receiving much attention, mostly because of the potential of shale gas in the Karoo, but also because it has a long and largely unexplored coastline, off which many believe large hydrocarbon fields may exist. As a result of the region’s potential, there are several offshore drilling exploration expeditions currently being planned in South Africa by the major oil companies.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“While exploration activity in Africa is at its highest level ever, the continent remains largely unexplored”, says Harley. PwC’s Africa Oil & Gas review titled From promise to performance released in June 2013, revealed that Africa currently supplies approximately 12% of the world’s oil and boasts untapped reserves estimated at 8% of the world’s proven reserves.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“With the ever-increasing need for energy in Asia and in particular China, many of these countries are positioning themselves strategically in Africa as they seek to tap into new resources to support their growing energy needs.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Despite the significant developments in the renewable energy sector, the world’s dependency on hydrocarbon-fuelled energy resources will continue for many years to come. According to the BP Energy Outlook 2035 report, global energy consumption is expected to rise by 41% from 2012 to 2035, and that 95% of that growth in demand is expected to come from the emerging economies.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Across the globe, existing and previously significant oil reserves are being depleted and so the need and desire to explore new geographies and develop new technologies to reach and extract difficult oil and gas reserves becomes ever more apparent. These new technologies are being developed at a rapid rate, which is allowing previously challenging operations and inaccessible deposits to be economically extracted and produced.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">He adds that DHL is also beginning to witness many exploration companies, as well as the oilfield service companies, outsource non-core functions within their own supply chains. “This is creating opportunities for small and medium enterprises to provide products and services required to support oil and gas operations locally. The knock-on effect can therefore be game-changing for any single country or region in terms of economic development. The importance of this outsourcing and localisation trend therefore cannot be underestimated,” says Harley.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The company is also witnessing stronger relationships and increased levels of collaboration between African countries as they seek to share risk and jointly benefit from a united approach and vision. This is particularly evident in East Africa in countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and South Sudan. A recent example of collaboration in Mozambique is the expansion of oil and gas company Sonangol, from Angola.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Harley says that there is no sign of the activity within the sector slowing down. “The increased activity within the sector bodes well for the continent in general, and the fact that the company is already seeing positive economic effects of the new investments across the continent is extremely encouraging.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“At DHL, we work closely with our customers to optimize their complex supply chains and manage logistics costs better, so that companies can focus on their core activities. And, our team applies the same exacting HSSE and compliance standards as the industry itself. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">We have been operating in Africa since 1978 and our unrivalled footprint is only rivaled by the size of our air network – we are the only logistics company to operate our own aircraft in Africa which currently consists of 14 dedicated aircraft, servicing all corners of the continent. When it comes to the oil and gas sector, it rings true, that Nobody Knows Africa like we do,” concludes Harley.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Deutsche Post DHL.</span></div> </div>

While exploration activity in Africa is at its highest level ever, the continent remains largely unexplored

While Oil and Gas activity in West Africa is nothing new, it is the activity in East Africa which is creating a stir amongst exploration c...

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Partners will advocate for increased funding and price reductions, strengthen efforts to ensure highest quality diagnostic services and forge partnerships to close diagnostic access gaps

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (<a href="http://www.aslm.org/">ASLM</a>)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> have joined with global partners to launch the Diagnostics Access Initiative which calls for improving laboratory capacity to ensure that all people living with HIV can be linked to effective, high-quality HIV treatment services.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Partners in the initiative include UNAIDS, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), UNICEF, the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and ASLM.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Around 19 million of the 35 million people living with HIV don’t know they have the virus. If they don’t find out, they will die,” said Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director. “This is why we have to make it simpler for people to test for HIV to be able to start lifesaving treatment when they need it.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Diagnostics Access Initiative specifically focuses on ensuring that at least 90% of all people living with HIV know their HIV status. It also aims to ensure that all people accessing HIV treatment have ready access to tests that monitor the levels of the virus in their bodies.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">For treatment to be optimally effective, it is essential that all people accessing HIV treatment monitor their viral load frequently. Currently very few high-burden countries routinely offer viral load testing to people receiving HIV treatment. New viral load testing technologies which are made available when people first come in for care, offer promise for expanding access to viral load testing. However they will need to be affordable, appropriately deployed and used effectively.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“To achieve control of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, it’s essential that all people have access to high-quality HIV laboratory services, both for accurate HIV diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Building a country’s capacity for virologic testing is critical for early identification of virologic failure, drug resistance and overall improved impact of the country’s HIV care and treatment programs,” said Ambassador Deborah Birx, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. “The Diagnostic Access Initiative represents an important step in ensuring the close collaboration among all donors and stakeholders to expand access and enable strategic scale-up of HIV laboratory services.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">To ensure early diagnosis of HIV, laboratory procedures need to be simplified and multiple testing tools and strategies made available. These also need to be integrated into community-centred health campaigns that focus on multiple diseases.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“It is essential that people know whether they have HIV infection, and that people who take treatment know whether their medicines are controlling the virus,” said Dr Hiroki Nakatani, Assistant Director-General, WHO. “As diagnostic technology changes rapidly, and our Member States need guidance on how to use it, WHO will play a key role in this initiative.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">HIV treatment is effective in reducing HIV-related illness and AIDS-related deaths. It also helps to prevent new HIV infections, by sharply suppressing viral load and decreasing the risk of HIV transmission.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“The Diagnostic Access Initiative focuses urgent attention on the importance of developing new, affordable viral load and infant diagnosis technologies and effectively using the laboratory capacity we currently have,” said Dr. Tsehaynesh Messele, Chief Executive Officer of ASLM. “Effectively using existing and emerging viral load and infant diagnosis technologies will demand substantially stronger laboratory capacity as well as strategic planning to ensure that all technologies are optimally used.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Partners in the initiative will advocate for greater funding for laboratory services and for the development of new diagnostic tools. They will also strengthen efforts to ensure that diagnostic services are of the highest quality and forge well-coordinated partnerships to close diagnostic access gaps.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM).</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> </div>

Partners will advocate for increased funding and price reductions, strengthen efforts to ensure highest quality diagnostic services and forge partnerships to close diagnostic access gaps

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the African Society for Laboratory Medicine ( ASLM )  have joined with global ...

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SMZ itaendela kuwatunza wazee

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali Iddi alisema Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar itaendelea kuwa na wajibu na jukumu kubwa la kuwatunza na kuwathamini wazee wasiojiweza hivi sasa kutokana na mchango wao mkubwa walioutoa kwa nchi hii wakati wa kulitumikia Taifa lao.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Alisema mchango wa wazee hao umekuwa ukiendelea kutumiwa na wananchi walio wengi hapa nchini ikiwemo kigezo cha amani na utulivu kinachotokana na juhudi za wazee hao wakati wa kupigania utu wa mwafrika.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Balozi Seif Ali Iddi alieleza hayo wakati wa ziara yake fupi ya kuwasalimia Wazee wanaotunzwa katika Nyumba za Serikali za Welezo na Sebleni na kuwapatia zawadi ya nguo kwa ajili ya kusherehekea vyema siku Kuu ya Iddi El Fitri inayotarajiwa kufanyika mapema wiki ijayo.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Alisema wazee wa Taifa hili wametumia muda wao mkubwa wa kujenga mazingira bora ili kizazi chao kiendelee kuishi kwa amani na furaha tofauti na enzi zao zilizokumbwa na mitihani ya kutawaliwa jambo ambalo liliwakosesha uhuru wa kidemokrasia wa kufanya wanalolihitaji katika maisha yao.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“ Sisi kama Viongozi wa Serikali bado tunathamini na kuheshimuj wazee wetu waliotumia muda wao mkubwa wa kulitumikia Taifa letu kazi ambayo kwa sasa tunafaidika nayo “. Alisema Balozi Seif.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Akigusia suala la mfungo wa mwezi Mtukufu wa Ramadhani Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif aliwaahidi Wazee hao wa Welezo na Sebleni kwamba ule utaratibu wake wa kufutari nao pamoja unatendelea kama kawaida penye majaliwa kwa miaka ijayo.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Balozi Seif aliwafahamisha wazee hao kwamba mfungo wa mwezi mtukufu wa ramadhani wa mwaka huu ilishindikana kufutari nao pamoja kutokana na kutingwa na majukumu mengi ya kitaifa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar aliwapatia zawadi ya madira na mitandio yao wazee wa kike na wale wazee wa kiume wakafaidika na kivazi cha asili cha kiko na fulana zake ili wazitumkie siku ya furaha ya iddi el fitri.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Akitoa skurani kwa niaba ya wazee hao wa Welezo na Sebleni Mzee Omar Said alimpongeza Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar kwa juhudi zake za kuendelea kufuatilia changamoto zinazowakabili wazee hao.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mzee Omar alisema juhudi hizo zimekuwa zikiwapa faraja wazee hao na kuendelea kujenga imani kwa Serikali ambayo inaelewa mchango wao katika ukombozi wa Visiwa hivi.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mapema Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Uwezeshaji,Ustawi wa Jamii, Vijana Wanawake na Watoto Bibi Asha Abdulla alisema Nyumba za Wazee ziliopo Welezo zimekuwa zikihudumia wazee wapatao 42 ambao kati yao wanawake wapo 14 wakati wazee wa Kiume wanafikia 31.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Kwa upande wa Sebleni Katibu Mkuu Asha alisema Nyumba hizo zinahudumia wazee 46 ambao kati ya hao wazee wa kike wanafikia 29 na wale wa Kiume wapo idadi ya 17 wakiwa chini ya usimamizi wa Idara ya Ustawi wa Jamii iliyopewa jukumu la kuwahudumia wazee hao.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Othman Khamis Ame</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Ofisi ya Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar</span></div> </div>

SMZ itaendela kuwatunza wazee

Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali Iddi alisema Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar itaendelea kuwa na wajibu na jukumu kubw...

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Kikwete afutarisha Zanzibar

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Rais wa Jamuhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania Mhe. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete amewatakia furaha, Baraka na siku kuu njema ya iddi el Fitri Waumini wa Dini ya Kiislamu pamoja na Wananchi wote Nchini Tanzania katika kusherehekea kwa amani baada ya kumalizika kwa mfungo wa mwezi mtukufu wa ramadhani.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Rais Kikwete alitoa salamu hizo katika futari ya pamoja aliyowaandalia wananchi wa Mikoa Mitatu ya Unguja zilizowakilishwa na kuwasilishwa kwa niaba yake na Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali Iddi.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Futari hiyo ya pamoja ikiwa ni utaratibu wake anaoendelea kuufanya kila mwaka kwa waumini na wananchi wa mikoa mbali mbali hapa Zanzibar ndani ya kipindi cha mfungo wa mwezi mtukufu wa ramadhani ilifanyika katika ukumbi wa Salama uliopo Bwawani Mjini Zanzibar.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Alisema waumini hao pamoja na wananchi wote wanapaswa kuzingatia amani na utulivu uliopo nchini katika kusherehekea siku kuu hiyo kwa upendo kama vitabu vya dini na maagizo ya viongozi wanaosimamia dini wanavyoshauri na kusisitiza kila mara.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Alielezea matumaini yake kwamba jamii itaendelea na harakati zake za kimaisha katika kuyaendeleza yale yote iliyojifunza ndani ya mfungo wa mwezi mtukufu wa ramadhani katika misingi ya haki, wajibu, upendo na kuaminiana.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mapema Waziri wa Katiba na sheria Zanzibar Mh. Aboubakar Khamis Bakari akimkaribisha Balozi Seif kwenye hafla hiyo alisema mwenye kumfutarisha mwenzake ndani ya ibada ya funga ya mwezi mtukufu wa ramadhani mtu huyo hupata fadhila kubwa kutoka kwa mola wake.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Waziri Aboubakar alieleza kwamba utaratibu wa kufutari pamoja miongoni mwa waumini wa Dini ya Kiislamu pamoja na wananchi husaidia kujenga umoja na mshikamano ndani ya mioyo kutokana na mkusanyiko huo miongoni mwa watu hao.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Akitoa shukrani kwa niaba ya waumini na wananchi hao wa Mikoa Mitatu ya Unguja waliopata bahati ya kuhudhuria futari hiyo ya pamoja Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Mjini Magharibi Mh. Abdulla Mwinyi alimpongeza Rais wa Jamuhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete kwa uamuzi wake aliochukuwa wa kuwakutanisha wananchi katika futari ya pamoja.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mh. Abdulla Mwinyi alisema kitendo hicho chema na kinachopaswa kuigwa na baadhi ya wengine wenye uwezo wa kufanya hivyo kinasaidia kuzaa fikra zinazowapa muelekeo wale waliokusanyika pamoja katika kubuni mipango na maarifa yanayowapa muelekeo mzuri katika mambo yao ya baadae.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Rais wa Jamuhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete ameshawahi kuandaa Futari kama hiyo mapema wiki hii kwa waumini na Wananchi wa Mikoa miwili ya Pemba iliyofanyika kwenye majengo ya Ikulu ya Serikali ya Jamuhuri iliyopo Mjini Wete Pemba.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Othman Khamis Ame</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Ofisi ya Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar</span></div> </div>

Kikwete afutarisha Zanzibar

Rais wa Jamuhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania Mhe. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete amewatakia furaha, Baraka na siku kuu njema ya iddi el Fitri Waumi...

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The ceremony awarded 22 students with master’s degrees in information technology (IT)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in <a href="http://www.cmu.edu/">Rwanda</a></span><span style="font-size: large;"> is proud to announce that its first class in Africa graduated on 24 July, 2014. The ceremony, which took place at the Serena Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda, awarded 22 students with master’s degrees in information technology (IT).</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The graduation underscores Carnegie Mellon University and the Government of Rwanda’s commitment to educating engineers and entrepreneurs who are striving to make an economic impact in East Africa. Many of the students have ambitions to be the next technical innovators and business leaders responsible for ushering the region’s economic and social growth into the future.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">In 2007, the International Telecommunication Union, the United Nations agency for information and communication technologies, recommended establishing Centres of Excellence throughout Africa to cultivate the science and technological skills required for developing an IT workforce and expertise in Africa. Motivated to elevate global intellectual and economic vitality, Carnegie Mellon University became the first U.S. university to offer a master’s degree programme taught by full-time faculty resident in Africa. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Being present in East Africa is the only way to understand the region’s technology needs,” says Bruce Krogh, the inaugural director of CMU in East Africa. “Creating a long-term education programme is critical, because it gives students time to analyze problems and develop solutions in the context in which they occur.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Carnegie Mellon students in Rwanda receive a world-class education enriched by the institution’s history and tradition of excellence that began in the United States in 1900. Rigorous coursework, practicums and internships provide students with the critical skills valued by industry throughout East Africa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">To ensure that Carnegie Mellon University’s research and curriculum in Rwanda remain relevant to Africa, the faculty and students engage with local companies and multinational corporations on a continual basis. Companies that have recruited Carnegie Mellon University students for internships in East Africa include General Electric, IBM, Marriott, Microsoft, VISA and Voxiva.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“It is important that students stay in East Africa instead of studying in the States or elsewhere. If Africa’s best students leave to study abroad for two years, that becomes problematic. At CMU, students remain plugged into the region’s rapidly evolving technical and business networks,” says Krogh. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Our graduating class is filled with remarkable young men and women who are ready to enter industry and become entrepreneurs. We are excited about their potential to make significant contributions to IT in East Africa and the world,” says James H. Garrett Jr., dean of Carnegie Mellon College of Engineering.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">In Africa, Carnegie Mellon University offers two graduate degree programmes: its founding programme, the M.S. in Information Technology, and the M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering launching in August, 2014. The programme currently has 43 students and 8 faculty members. Research areas include energy systems and IT for healthcare and business. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Carnegie Mellon University (CMU).</span></div> </div>

The ceremony awarded 22 students with master’s degrees in information technology (IT)

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Rwanda  is proud to announce that its first class in Africa graduated on 24 July, 2014. The ceremony, ...

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The first ever U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit will take place August 4–6

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">With just weeks to go before the first ever U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, which takes place August 4–6, a coalition of international NGOs and African civil society have called on President Barack Obama to provide official space for civil society participation and to address key issues of human rights and good governance.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The website and #WeAreAfrica campaign are the results of a Civil Society Forum, which was convened in Washington, DC in late June. This meeting was organized by the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, Open Society Foundations, Freedom House, Amnesty International USA, and Front Line Defenders. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Forum convened 18 prominent human rights <a href="http://bit.ly/1oN7Szy">activists</a> from 12 different countries to develop specific policy <a href="http://www.we-are-africa.org/rec.html">recommendations</a> for the United States government, African heads of state, and civil society to strengthen democratic governance and respect for human rights. Recommendations were developed in three key areas – the rule of law, transparency and corruption and discrimination against marginalized groups – and presented to high-level representatives from the White House, Department of State, and the United States Congress.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The fundamental message conveyed by African civil society at the time, and to this date, has been that these issues and recommendations should be addressed at the upcoming Summit and that civil society be present as equal stakeholders in the future of U.S.-Africa relations.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Front Line Defenders</span></div> </div>

The first ever U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit will take place August 4–6

With just weeks to go before the first ever U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, which takes place August 4–6, a coalition of international NGOs an...

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The report finds that Nigeria has the potential to expand its economy by roughly 7.1 percent per year through 2030

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">here is no disguising the challenges that Nigeria is facing. The world is well aware of the concerns around terrorism and Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with poverty.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://mckinsey.com/insights/africa/nigerias_renewal_delivering_inclusive_growth"><img border="0" src="https://us-mg5.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f1880763%5fAOPkimIAAA8yU9D8ePC9wBJhHok&pid=4&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" /></a>However, there is another side to the Nigeria story that has been overshadowed both by the recent headlines and the persistence of outdated beliefs and assumptions about Nigeria’s economy. A new report from the McKinsey Global Institute (<a href="http://www.mckinsey.com/mgi">MGI</a>)  and McKinsey’s Nigeria <a href="http://www.mckinsey.com/">office</a>, Nigeria’s renewal: Delivering inclusive growth in Africa’s largest economy, examines the country’s economic potential and finds that with the right reforms and investments, it can become one of the world’s leading economies by 2030.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> proven to be both politically and economically stable and new data released this year show that it is now the largest economy in Africa, in addition to being the most populous.(1) The new data also show that Nigeria’s economy is far more diverse than previously understood. While the nation’s rich oil reserves remain a critical source of government income and exports, the entire resources sector today is only 14 percent of GDP. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Agriculture and trade are larger and faster-growing. It is also not generally recognized that Nigerian productivity, which remains low, has been growing recently and now contributes more to GDP growth than does the expanding population.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“What people overlook is Nigeria’s extraordinary advantages for future growth, including a large consumer market, a strategic geographic location, and a young and highly entrepreneurial population,” says Reinaldo Fiorini, director and location manager of McKinsey’s Lagos office. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The results of Nigeria’s progress, however, have not been spread evenly across its economy. More than 40 percent of Nigerians live below the nation’s official poverty line and 130 million (74 percent of the population) live below the MGI Empowerment Line(2)—a level of income and access to vital services that provides a decent standard of living.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Chief reasons for Nigeria’s persistent poverty include low farm productivity due to limited access to fertilizer and mechanized tools, and inefficient markets. At the same time, urbanization has not raised incomes the way it has in other developing economies. This is because formal job creation and skill development in Nigeria’s cities have been weak, making productivity in urban sectors such as manufacturing lower than in agriculture.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Looking ahead, the report finds that Nigeria has the potential to expand its economy by roughly 7.1 percent per year through 2030, raising GDP to more than $1.6 trillion. This could make Nigeria a top-20 global economy—with higher GDP than the Netherlands, Thailand, or Malaysia in 2030.What’s more a large consuming class is developing in Nigeria, with potentially as many as 160 million members by 2030, more than the current populations of France and Germany combined. This upside scenario is based on a bottom-up analysis of the potential for five major sectors of the Nigerian economy:</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">- Trade. Based on an expanding consumer class in Nigeria, MGI projects that consumption could more than triple, rising from $388 billion a year today to $1.4 trillion a year in 2030, an annual increase of about 8 percent. This would make trade the largest sector of the economy and provides a particularly good opportunity for makers of packaged foods and fast-moving consumer items such as juices, which could grow by more than 10 percent per year.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">- Agriculture. Improvements on several fronts can help raise both the volume and value of Nigerian agricultural production in the next 15 years. The sector, which is now the largest at 22 percent of GDP, could more than double from $112 billion per year in 2013 to $263 billion by 2030. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">This would require raising yields through greater use of fertiliser, seeds, and mechanized implements; shifting the crop mix to more valuable crops; increasing the amount of land under cultivation; reducing post-harvest losses; and raising more livestock and increasing the output of forestry and fisheries.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">- Infrastructure. On average, the value of a nation’s core infrastructure—roads, railways, ports, airports, the electrical system—is about 70 percent of GDP; in Nigeria, core infrastructure is estimated to be about 35 - 40 percent of GDP. It has one-seventh the roads per kilometer as India. On a per capita basis, Nigeria has one-third the residential buildings of Indonesia and one-sixth of the commercial space. Between core infrastructure and real estate, total infrastructure investments in Nigeria could reach $1.5 trillion between 2014 and 2030. This would not only make infrastructure building a major contributor to GDP, but also an enabler of growth across the economy.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">- Manufacturing. Manufacturing in Nigeria remains at a relatively early stage of development, contributing $35 billion, or about 7 percent of GDP, in 2013. It has, however, achieved strong growth recently, with output rising by 13 percent per year from 2010 to 2013. Based on current trends, this could yield a four-fold increase in manufacturing output by 2030, to $144 billion per year (an annual growth rate of 8.7 percent). Local processing (packaged foods, for example) and commodities would continue to be the largest manufacturing industries in Nigeria.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">- Oil and gas. While the oil and gas sector is expected to grow by 2.3 percent per year at best, its success is still vital to the Nigerian economy. With the right reforms, liquids production could increase from 2.35 million barrels a day on average to a new high of 3.13 million barrels a day by 2030, contributing $22 billion to GDP by 2030. Natural gas output could grow by as much as 6 percent per year, adding $13 billion to GDP by 2030. In total, the oil and gas sector has the potential to contribute $108 billion per year by 2030, up from $73 billion in 2013. However, this assumes that the sector is successful in dealing with current obstacles such as security and can attract fresh investment. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">If Nigeria can better link growth to poverty reduction, 70 million citizens could be lifted out of poverty and 120 million could have the resources to reach the Empowerment Line. We estimate that, under the most favorable circumstances, for each percent of GDP growth, poverty would be reduced by 0.20 percent, a rate that is between the ratios of Brazil (0.15) and Ghana (0.25). Tying growth to rising living standards across the economy will depend on raising farm incomes and creating more formal urban jobs. It will also require actions by the government—including reconsidering tariffs that raise the cost of imported food and re-prioritizing government spending needed to programmes that lead to economic empowerment.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">While government has put in place clear strategies and plans for various sectors, the most important step that government can take now is to improve its ability to deliver its programs and services. These range from “safety-net” support payments to the poor, to health care, education and infrastructure. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Nigeria trails peer economies on metrics such as child mortality and literacy. Basic literacy among 15- to24-year-olds—a crucial indicator for potential economic success—is just 66 percent, compared with 99 percent in South Africa, for example. A critical initiative for Nigeria, then, will be to adopt the best practices that have been well established around the world for improving delivery of government services. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">These include selecting strong, empowered leadership, raising pressure for government departments and agencies to perform, using “delivery units” (dedicated multi-disciplinary teams that can work across bureaucracies), and collaborating with the private sector and other stakeholders.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Nigeria can also capitalize on several favorable trends such as rising demand from emerging economies, growing global demand for resources, and the spread of the digital economy. Nigeria also has a young and rapidly-growing population and an advantageous geographic location in West Africa, which enables trade within the continent and with Europe and North and South America.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“By capitalizing on its strengths and positioning itself to take advantage of emerging global trends, Nigeria could potentially triple its GDP by 2030,” says Acha Leke, a director in McKinsey’s Nigeria office. “This adds up to a huge opportunity for inclusive growth that should not be missed.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of McKinsey & Company, Inc.</span></div> </div>

The report finds that Nigeria has the potential to expand its economy by roughly 7.1 percent per year through 2030

here is no disguising the challenges that Nigeria is facing. The world is well aware of the concerns around terrorism and Nigeria’s ongoin...

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Orange and Emmaüs International launch their 5th African mobile telephone recycling facility in Abidjan

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The fifth mobile collection facility was inaugurated today in Abidjan, the Côte d’Ivoire, in the presence of the Ivoirian Minister for the Environment, Urban Cleanliness and Sustainable <a href="http://www.orange.com/">Development</a>, Mr Kouadio Remi ALLA and the CEO of the Orange Côte d’Ivoire Télécom group</span><span style="font-size: large;">, represented by Mr Joseph PITAH, Director of Networks and Information Systems. To mark the event, a first container loaded with 10 tonnes of mobile waste will leave the Côte d’Ivoire for recycling in France.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The first of these collection and dismantling facilities for mobile phones was opened in March 2010 in Burkina Faso. Others followed in Benin, Madagascar and Niger.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mobile use is growing fast in Africa, making it a major environmental issue. There are already 500 million mobile devices on the continent, as well as millions of discarded handsets which are often simply thrown away or burned due to the lack of recycling facilities in the majority of African countries. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">For Orange, which is present as a network operator in 20 African countries, the recycling of mobile phone waste is one of the major commitments of its CSR policy. Thanks to the workshops set-up by Orange and Emmaüs International, this waste is now being collected for transport to France for recycling.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">recycling, a responsible initiative</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">At each facility, which is run by six local employees, more than 10 tonnes of mobile waste is collected each year and sent to France for recycling.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">In total, since 2010, more than 140 tonnes of mobile waste have already been sent to France for recycling, and over 30 long-term jobs have been created at the African facilities. Over the next five years, Orange and Emmaüs International plan to continue opening new collection facilities, confirming their partnership on this project, which contributes to local economies and social welfare while protecting the environment.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Morphosis processes the waste from Africa</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">In France, a young company called Morphosis takes direct delivery of containers of waste from the five African collection facilities at the port in Le Havre. On receipt of the containers, Morphosis sorts the waste into different types by material. The next step is to process the waste, extracting the rare metals that can be re-used in the manufacture of new products and devices. Morphosis is a particularly inventive and effective player in this new market in France.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">recycling mobiles: a virtuous circle linking France and Africa</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Since 2009, Orange has been working in France with Ateliers du Bocage (members of Emmaüs International), which recycle used mobile devices collected from Orange stores or internally in France. This social-reintegration organisation aims to give work to vulnerable people, bringing them back into the jobs market. The mobile devices collected are sorted into two categories in the workshops run by Ateliers du Bocage:</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> Those which can be re-used are reconditioned and then sold in developing countries</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> Those which no longer work are recycled</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Since 2010, Orange has been organising an annual collection event in France for used mobiles, chargers and batteries through its 1,200 stores in mainland France. All profits from these large-scale actions are then paid into the “Africa Project” run by Emmaüs International.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">In 2013, Orange recycling initiatives in France (collections at Orange stores and premises, collections from Orange’s major corporate clients, defective devices returned by customers and devices recovered through the “mobile second life” offer) have led to the collection of nearly 750,000 mobile phones.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Orange</span></div> <div class="yiv2536951848MsoNoSpacing" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1406285217059_8230" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; padding: 0px;"> <br /></div> </div>

Orange and Emmaüs International launch their 5th African mobile telephone recycling facility in Abidjan

The fifth mobile collection facility was inaugurated today in Abidjan, the Côte d’Ivoire, in the presence of the Ivoirian Minister for the...

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PwC’s ‘Africa oil & gas review’ analyses what has happened in the last 12 months in the oil & gas industry within the major African markets

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.pwc.com/">The challenges</a> facing oil & gas companies operating in Africa continue to be diverse and numerous fuelled by fraud, corruption, theft, poor infrastructure and a lack of skilled resources, among others. Regulatory uncertainty and delays in passing laws are severely inhibiting sector development in many countries around the continent. “Some key players have delayed or cancelled projects until further clarity can be sought in their respective jurisdictions as they cannot move forward with doubts given the long-term nature of the needed investments,” says Chris Bredenhann, PwC Africa Oil & Gas Advisory Leader</span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“As a result of the number of challenges in the market, meticulous planning is required,” adds Bredenhann.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">PwC’s ‘Africa oil & gas review’ analyses what has happened in the last 12 months in the oil & gas industry within the major African markets. The survey draws upon the valuable experience and views of industry players in Africa, including international oil companies operating on the continent, national oil companies, services companies, independent oil organisations and industry commentators, to provide insight into the latest developments affecting the industry.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Review shows that the oil & gas industry in Africa continues to show substantial growth, with new hydrocarbon provinces developing at a significant pace. “Large gas finds in Mozambique and Tanzania have caused the world to take note of East Africa as an emerging player in the global industry,’ says Bredenhann.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Africa has proven natural gas reserves of 502 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) with 90% of the continent’s annual natural gas production of 6.5Tcf coming from Nigeria, Libya, Algeria and Egypt.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Developing the business</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The major challenges identified by organisations in the oil & gas industry have remained largely unchanged with the top three issues of uncertain regulatory framework, corruption and poor physical infrastructure also identified as the biggest challenges in 2010 and 2012.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">While uncertain regulatory frameworks remain a concern across the industry, Nigeria was one of the few countries where respondents did not consider it to be of the top-three challenges to developing the industry. According to the Review, this suggests that companies have accepted the lack of ratification of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which has been in the process of implementation for six years.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">In other countries where uncertainty exists concerning the development or revision of energy policies, such as South Africa, DRC and Tanzania, respondents indicated that the uncertain regulatory framework was a significant impediment to developing an African oil & gas business.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The inadequacy of basic infrastructure also ranked much higher in the current Review than in prior years. Respondents are concerned about the lack of infrastructure in developing countries and the negative consequences this may have for their businesses, especially those operating in Nigeria, Namibia, Madagascar and South Africa. Taxation issues have also become a concern to companies across Africa as uncertain taxation as well as new tax laws have created an additional financial burden for companies.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Financing and Investing</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Respondents indicated that their companies will largely be relying on their own cash flows to fund their own businesses over the next 12 months. E&P companies are funding their operations differently from the other industry players with less than 40% of funding coming from cash flow. This can largely be attributed to blocks and regions yet to come into production. For E&P companies, farm-outs are the second-most common form of financing in Africa, with around 100 farm-out deals being made across the continent during 2013.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">E&P companies also stated that equity funding was more difficult during the course of 2012 and 2013; however, it has started to pick up momentum as investors look to Africa as a good place to invest despite a difficult year in the market. The industry has become one of the biggest sectors for merger and acquisition activities in Africa. On average, transactions worth USD1 billion occurred every 17 days in the oil & gas industry during 2013, with more activity expected as new licence rounds are opened up and regulatory uncertainty is removed.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Combatting fraud and corruption</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">No less than 90% of respondents indicated that their companies have anti-fraud and anti-corruption programmes in place. Of these, 54% believe that the programme is very effective at preventing or detecting fraud and corruption. Six percent of organisations indicated that their anti-fraud and anti-corruption programmes were ineffective, the same level as the 2012 research. More worrying is that 9% of the companies stated that they had no programmes in place at all.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Safety, health, environment and quality</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Organisations identified safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) as the most significant factor that would affect their companies’ businesses over the next three years. “This is not a surprise as companies recognise the environment and human health and security as a pressing issue which, when viewed in conjunction with regulatory changes and poor infrastructure, will have resulted in their carefully assessing the risk and financial burden of working in certain areas,” adds Bredenhann.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Developing local skills and socio-economic growth</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The mandate for local skills development has become a concern for businesses operating in the oil & gas sector throughout Africa. In 2012, the survey showed that 25% of the total workforce at respondents’ companies comprised expatriates. This year, the proportion of expatriates has dropped significantly – down to a mere 10.6% of the workforce surveyed.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Fortunately, most companies have been able to fill middle to senior management as well as specialist technical roles with locals from their host nations. Over 70% of companies acknowledged that skills, people training and development are among their top-five strategic priorities over the next five years. Bredenhann says: “This shows the importance that industry is placing on local content initiatives and the significance that skills development has on executive-level agendas.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Operational excellence</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">New, small and agile, E&P, service and other companies as well as large multinationals should continue to find opportunities to operate efficiently and effectively, reduce cost and create stakeholder value through operational excellence. Insufficient planning was noted as the most important internal factor hindering operational excellence for a business in the oil and gas industry. In Africa the reduction in the number of surprises, the need for good governance and realistic schedules were deemed necessary for cost management and improved operational efficiencies.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Sustaining growth and development</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Governments and national oil companies play a significant role in sustaining growth and development in Africa’s oil & gas sector. Many African countries have a host of stringent laws and regulations that create challenges for companies and international investors to overcome. “Operational planning therefore needs to be carefully thought out, taking into account demand growth, infrastructure requirements, investment needs and potential, long-term strategies and the role of government if companies and countries want to sustain growth and development in Africa,” concludes Bredenhann.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC).</span></div> </div>

PwC’s ‘Africa oil & gas review’ analyses what has happened in the last 12 months in the oil & gas industry within the major African markets

The challenges facing oil & gas companies operating in Africa continue to be diverse and numerous fuelled by fraud, corruption, theft...

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Waislamu watakiwa kumcha Mungu

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Waumini wa Dini ya Kiislamu Nchini wamehimizwa na kukumbushwa kuendelea kumcha Mwenyezi Muungu hasa katika kipindi hichi cha kumi la mwisho la mfungo wa mwezi Mtukufu wa Ramadhani ambacho kimepata baraka ya kuwemo kwa usiku wenye chezo wa Lailatul Qadri.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Himizo na kumbusho hilo limetolewa na Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Kusini Unguja Dr. Idriss Muslim Hija kwa Niaba ya Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali Iddi mara baada ya futari ya pamoja iliyoandaliwa na Balozi kwa Wananchi wa Mkoa wa Kusini Unguja.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Futari hiyo ya pamoja iliyoshirikisha pia baadhi ya viongozi wa Dini ya Kiislamu na watu maarufu na mashuhuri wa Mkoa huo ilifanyika katika viwanja vya jengo la Idara ya Uhamiaji iliyopo Tunguu Wilaya ya Kati Mkoa wa Kusini Unguja.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Dr. Idriss Muslim Hija ni vyema kwa waumini hao wakajipinda vilivyo na kuacha usingizi wao badala yake waelekeze nguvu zao katika kufanya ibada ili wasipitwe na usiku huo mtukufu wenye cheo.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“ Ni vyema usingizi katika kumi hili tukauweka pembeni ili tupate wasaa zaidi wa kuongeza nguvu katika ibada ndani ya mfungo huu mtukufu “. Alisisitiza Mkuu huyo wa Mkoa wa Kusini Unguja.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Aliwahimiza waumini na Wananchi hao kuhakikisha kwamba yale mafunzo na maelekezo waliyoyapata ndani ya kipindi cha mfungo wa mwezi mtukufu wa Ramadhani wanayaendeleza katika vipindi vyengine vijavyo.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Akitoa shukrani Diwani wa Wadi ya Koani Nd.Shaaban Jabu Kitwana kwa niaba ya wananchi na waumini wenzake wa Mkoa wa Kusini Unguja alimshukuru Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif kwa uamuzi wake kujumuika na wananchi kwenye futari ya pamoja katika mikoa mbali mbali hapa nchini.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Nd.Shaaban alisema hatua hiyo ya Balozi Seif mbali ya kuleta mapenzi ya upendo lakini pia inaongeza ukaribu na ushirikiano kati ya wananachi pamoja na viongozi wanaowaongoza.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Othman Khamis Ame</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Ofisi ya Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar</span></div> </div>

Waislamu watakiwa kumcha Mungu

Waumini wa Dini ya Kiislamu Nchini wamehimizwa na kukumbushwa kuendelea kumcha Mwenyezi Muungu hasa katika kipindi hichi cha kumi la mwish...

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Such associations have already been set up in Zambia and Zimbabwe, and plans are underway to set one up in Kenya

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://www.inin.com/" style="font-size: x-large;">Christopher</a><span style="font-size: large;"> Bell, Interactive Intelligence’s Channel Manager for Africa, has recently called for the creation of a call centre association for Nigeria and other African countries as a way of promoting a standard for call centres. He mentions that such associations have already been set up in Zambia and Zimbabwe, and plans are underway to set one up in Kenya.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Call centres are helping African governments to provide efficient and effective services to citizens”, says Rod Jones, contact centre consultant. Speaking in Lagos, Nigeria ahead of an Interactive Intelligence-sponsored masterclass for stakeholders, Jones says with leading edge technologies such as speech recognition and voice commands, call centres have evolved and transcended beyond ordinary telephone calls. “As we have evolved to become a customer direction centre, we’ve moved from telephone calls into SMS text messaging. We’ve taken on the email and social media channel and for customer interaction.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">"We've already seen that in South Africa," Jones mentions. The most effective aspect of the government is our Revenue Service. They have built and operate a true world class call centre and it has been responsible for tremendous improvements in revenue collection by the government.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Christopher Bell exclaims that masterclasses held in various parts of Africa, especially in Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia, are conducting dialogues that are being stimulated and more organisations, including government, are developing interests in the diverse possibilities of setting up call centres.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“We’ve seen tremendous growth in the industry in the wake of the seminars“, says Bell. If you keep the momentum going by stimulating dialogue, you make people aware. We exposed some of the participants for the first time to what a call centre is all about.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Organisations in Nigeria such as telecoms companies and financial institutions, are quickly adopting call centres, according to Mbuela Luwawu, Managing Director of Odilum Technologies Limited, an Interactive Intelligence partner in Nigeria.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Luwawu says: “Five years ago, no bank had a contact centre but since 2009, you can pick up your phone, call your contact centre and speak to your customer service officer directly. The adoption has been quite positive.” He also states that Nigeria has the ability to take market share away from India; he also predicted there will be lots of contact centre outsourcing for Nigeria from Europe and America.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Interactive Intelligence Group Inc.</span></div> </div>

Such associations have already been set up in Zambia and Zimbabwe, and plans are underway to set one up in Kenya

Christopher Bell, Interactive Intelligence’s Channel Manager for Africa, has recently called for the creation of a call centre associatio...

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