Serikali ya awamu ya tano haitawavumilia

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KaMlS2lTE8c/VoJYo-id3MI/AAAAAAAAGzc/Bm0QyQTmM7Y/s1600/SAM_0373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KaMlS2lTE8c/VoJYo-id3MI/AAAAAAAAGzc/Bm0QyQTmM7Y/s400/SAM_0373.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Na,Jumbe Ismailly-Itigi</span><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">MKUU wa wilaya ya Manyoni,Mkoani Singida amesisitiza kuwa serikali ya awamu ya tano haitawavumilia watumishi wa serikali walio wazembe na wavivu na hivyo amewataka watumishi wa aina hiyo waanze kujiandaa kukabidhi ofisi kwa watumishi watakaoendana na kasi ya Rais,Dk.John Pombe Magufuli. <br /><br />Mkuu wa wilaya huyo,Fatma Hassani Toufiq alitoa rai hiyo kwenye mkutano wa kwanza wa Baraza la madiwani wa Halmashauri ya wilaya ya Itigi,uliofanyika kwenye ukumbi wa mikutano mjini hapa. <br /><br />“Natoa rai kwa watumishi wa serikali ambao hasa ni wazembe na wavivu kujiandaa kwani hawatavumiliwa katika serikali itakayoongozwa na Mheshimiwa Rais Dk.John Pombe Magufuli”alisisitiza mkuu wa wilaya huyo. <br /><br />Kwa mujibu wa Toufiq lugha za hiyo ni changamoto, tunashughulikia au mchakato unaendelea,havitavumiliwa katika serikali ya awamu ya tano na kuongeza kwamba muda wa kuwalea watu wanaolipwa mishahara lakini hawafanyikazi wanazotakiwa kufanya au waliogeuza ofisi za umma kuwa ni mahali pa kuchuma bila kufanyakazi. <br /><br />Aidha Toufiq aliweka bayana kuwa wakati wa kampeni za uchaguzi mkuu uliofanyika okt,mwaka huu,wananchi walilalamikia kero mbalimbali zikiwemo za upotevu wa mapato,kushindwa kukusanya ushuru na tozo mbalimbali,matumizi mabaya ya fedha na utekelezaji wa baadhi ya miradi chini ya kiwango,wizi,uzembe,migogoro ya ardhi na kiwango cha chini cha upatikanaji wa maji safi na salama. <br /><br />Kwa upande wake Mkurugenzi mtendaji wa Halmashauri ya wilaya ya Manyoni,Supeet Roine Mseya akiongea na madiwani pamoja na watumishi wa Halmashauri ya Itigi aliweka bayana kwamba wananchi wa jimbo la Manyoni magharibi walianza kudai Halmashauri hiyo tangu mwaka 1988. <br /><br />“Lakini tu niseme Halmashauri ya wilaya ya Itigi wananchi wameanza kuidai tangu mwaka 1988,lakini nilipofika mwaka 2013 kati ya mambo ambayo nilimuomba mungu aniwezeshe ni kuhakikisha hoja za wananchi wa itigi zinatimia”alisema Mseya. <br /><br />Awali katibu tawala wa wilaya ya Manyoni,Cosmas P. Sikali akifungua mkutano wa uchaguzi wa mwenyekiti na makamu mwenyekiti wa Halmashauri ya wilaya hiyo alisema wanapozungumza suala la serikali za mitaa ina maana ni serikali ambayo ipo karibu sana na wananchi. <br /><br />Aidha Sikali alibainisha kuwa serikali za mitaa zitawezesha wananchi kutambua ni kiasi gani wanashirikishwa katika mambo mbalimbali ikiwemo upatikanaji wa maendeleo endelevu sambamba na kuwafanya wawe karibu sana na wawakilishi wao ambao ni madiwani. </span></div> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>

Serikali ya awamu ya tano haitawavumilia

Na,Jumbe Ismailly-Itigi MKUU wa wilaya ya Manyoni,Mkoani Singida amesisitiza kuwa serikali ya awamu ya tano haitawavumilia watumishi wa ...

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Tumbaku Itigi yasumbuwa wakulima

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QKeMJQzEOdI/VoJXgADmDFI/AAAAAAAAGzU/1QXcoc7H3Jg/s1600/SAM_0435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QKeMJQzEOdI/VoJXgADmDFI/AAAAAAAAGzU/1QXcoc7H3Jg/s400/SAM_0435.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Na,Jumbe Ismailly-Itigi</span><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">WAKULIMA wa zao la tumbaku katika Halmashauri ya wilaya ya Itigi,wilayani Manyoni,Mkoani Singida wanakabiliwa na changamoto mbalimbali ikiwemo bei ndogo wakati wa kuuza mazao yao ikilinganishwa na gharama wanazotumia wakati wa msimu wa kilimo cha zao hilo. <br /><br />Hayo yamebainishwa na diwani wa kata ya Mitundu,Andrea Madole Mkwawa wakati wakijadili changamoto za wakulima wa zao la tumbaku wanazopata wanapokwenda kuuza tumbaku yao kwenye makampuni yanayonunua zao hilo. <br /><br />“Napenda nizungumzia changamoto za wakulima wangu wa zao la tumbaku wa kata zetu ikiwemo Mitundu tatizo lililoonekana ni kwamba benki ya CRDB ambaye ni mwezeshaji na kampuni wamekuwa wakipingana”alifafanua diwani huyo. <br /><br />Alizidi kufafanua diwani huyo kuwa kupingana kwa makampuni hayo kunatokana na benki ya CRDB ikishatoa uwezeshaji kutokana na makisio yaliyowekwa na hivyo makampuni yanayonunua zao hilo hushindwa kununua tumbaku ya wakulima,hivyo aliishauri serikali kurudisha ushindani wa makampuni ya kuanzia mwaka ujao ili atakayekidhi mahitaji ya wakulima ndiye aruhusiwe kununua. <br /><br />Kwa mujibu wa Madole endapo ushindani huo utakuwepo katika msimu wa kuuza zao hilo mwakani kutawasaidia kuuza na kununua zao hilo na kuondokana na madeni pamoja na kulaza madeni yao yanayosababishwa na kubaini hawapati chochote baada ya kuuza mazao yao kutokana na ujanja ujanja unaofanywa na baadhi ya watendaji wasiokuwa waaminifu. <br /><br />“Na hili tatizo limekuja kujitokeza la akulaza madeni limetokana na baada ya wakulima kuona hawapati angalau chochote ndiyo maana ujanja ujanja ukajitokeza,lakini kampuni ikikopesha pembejeo na kununua itamsaidia mkulima”alisisitiza diwani huyo. <br /><br />Naye diwani wa kata ya Mwamagembe,tarafa ya Itigi,Yahaya Issah Masudi alizitaja changamoto zingine wa wakulima wa zao la tumbaku kuwa ni pamoja na benki ya CRDB kutokuwa tayari kuwakopesha wakulima wa zao hilo kwa madai kuwa bado wanakabiliwa na madeni makubwa. <br /><br />Hata hivyo diwani huyo alisisitiza kuwa maamuzi hayo yaliyochukuliwa na benki hiyo hayatakuwa yamewatendea haki wakulima wa tumbaku kwa madai kwamba kuna wakulima waadilifu na watiifu wasiokuwa na madeni na kuna wakulima wasiokuwa waadilifu wanaolaza madeni ya benki hiyo. <br /><br />“Maoni yangu mimi nilikuwa naona kwamba wale wakulima ambao siyo waadilifu ni bora wakafikishwa kwenye vyombo vya sheria ili waweze kupata haki yao ya msingi kuliko kuwaadhibu wakulima watiifu na wasiokuwa na madeni yeyote yale katika benki hiyo. <br /><br />Akizungumzia hoja za madiwani wa Halmashauri hiyo mpya ya Itigi,Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Halmashauri hiyo,Msafiri Athumani Msafiri alibainisha kwamba licha ya benki kuwachukulia hatua wakulima,lakini ni ukweli usiopingika kuwa kuna baadhi ya wakulima wenye matatizo na baadhi ya wanunuzi pia walio na matatizo. <br /><br />“Na hasa inapotokea fedha pale zinapochukuliwa hapo ndipo urafiki unapotoweka,waheshimiwa mmelalamika hapa lakini tutakapochukua hatua za kumfilisi mtu msijitokeze kwamba sasa huyu atafilisika,mmenielewa?alihoji mkurugenzi huyo. <br /><br />“Msije mkalalamika baadaye ikifika hatua mtu atakapokopa halafu akasababisha wenzake wakapata taabu kupitia chama cha ushirika hawapati huduma atafilisiwa mpaka alipe deni hilo”aliweka wazi Mkurugenzi mtendaji huyo.</span></div> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>

Tumbaku Itigi yasumbuwa wakulima

Na,Jumbe Ismailly-Itigi WAKULIMA wa zao la tumbaku katika Halmashauri ya wilaya ya Itigi,wilayani Manyoni,Mkoani Singida wanakabiliwa na...

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JUMIA NIGERIA ANNOUNCES JULIET ANAMMAH AS NEW CEO

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HlHbJTdpuqI/VoJWkyui0HI/AAAAAAAAGzM/7bZbbNB3PkU/s1600/jumi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HlHbJTdpuqI/VoJWkyui0HI/AAAAAAAAGzM/7bZbbNB3PkU/s400/jumi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The e-commerce leader in Africa formalizes the appointment of Mrs Juliet Anammah at the head of Jumia Nigeria, Africa Internet Group’s (<a href="https://www.jumia.com.ng/">AIG</a>) biggest company on the continent. Juliet is taking over from former Co-CEOs Jeremy Doutte and Nicolas Martin, who are taking the reins of Jumia Global across the 11 African countries in which the group operates.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />“Juliet brings strong leadership capacity and a consumer driven mindset honed from her experience in consumer goods and services” said Jeremy Hodara, Co-CEO Africa Internet Group.” As Jumia moves into a new phase of growth, consolidating on the gains so far, while driving for more relevance to our customers, Juliet’s ability to focus sharply on the strategic levers of success is invaluable”,<br /><br />Prior to joining Jumia, Juliet Anammah was a Partner in Accenture and the Managing Director of the firm’s Consumer Goods Practice in Nigeria. She focused during her later years in Accenture on the digital consumer and route to market for consumer goods companies. She brings to Jumia over 24 years of professional experience with six years at senior executive level. Passionate about “Africa rising” and women advancement, Juliet serves on the board of many non-profit organizations involved in women development and trade expansion.<br /><br />This appointment marks a new phase of growth for Jumia Nigeria, emphasized by two key themes: the focus on the customer and the partnership of Jumia with its brands and its vendors, which will be the battlefield of the newly appointed CEO.<br /><br />“My objective is to relentlessly focus on building the Jumia brand, making it the one-stop shopping destination in Nigeria by offering convenience and the widest assortment of quality products at affordable prices” said Juliet Anammah. “We are building a platform for local and global brands to enter the market at the speed of light by going directly from the factory to the consumers. This is a game changer for Nigeria and a major shift in the way companies look at their market entry strategy”. <br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Jumia. </span></div> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>

JUMIA NIGERIA ANNOUNCES JULIET ANAMMAH AS NEW CEO

The e-commerce leader in Africa formalizes the appointment of Mrs Juliet Anammah at the head of Jumia Nigeria, Africa Internet Group’s (...

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Masare awataka watumishi kusimamia vizuri makusanyo ye pesa

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <span style="font-size: large;">Na,Jumbe Ismailly-Itigi </span><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">MBUNGE wa jimbo la Manyoni magharibi (CCM),Yahaya Masare amewaagiza watumishi wa Halmashauri mpya ya Itigi kusimamia kwa karibu makusanyo na matumizi ya fedha zinazopatikana kutokana na vyanzo mbalimbali vya mapato yakiwemo mapato ya ndani ya Halmashauri hiyo. <br /><br />Mbunge huyo alitoa wito huo kwenye mkutano wa kwanza wa uzinduzi wa baraza la madiwani wa Halmashauri ya wilaya ya Itigi,wilayani Manyoni uliofanyika mjini Itigi. <br /><br />Aidha Masare hata hivyo huku akikwepa kumung’unya maneno kwa watendaji hao alifafanua kwamba kuna changamoto nyingi zilizopo katika Halmashauri ambazo hata kwenye Halmashauri hiyo hazina budi kuepukwa,hususani kwa upande wa kitengo cha makusanyo ya mapato ya ndani ya Halmashauri. <br /><br />“Suala la makusanyo ya fedha za Halmashauri siyo kubwa mimi naomba nishauri Halmashauri kwenye kikao cha kwanza tujipange kutumia mfumo mpya wa ukusanyaji wa mapato,mnaanza lini lakini tuwe na mtazamo huo”alifafanua. <br /><br />Alisisitiza mbunge huyo kwamba endapo Halmashauri itafanikisha kukusanya mapato yake ya ndani kwa kutumia mfumo huo mpya upo uwezekano wa kuwabaini watendaji wasiokuwa waaminifu wanaokusanya mapato kwa kutumia vitabu viwili tofauti. <br /><br />Hata hivyo Mbunge Masare alitumia fursa hiyo pia kutoa taarifa kwa watendaji wa Halmashauri hiyo kwamba Halmashauri hiyo ni moja kati ya Halmashauri nchini zilizokumbwa na tatizo la janga la njaa. <br /><br />“Sisi Halmashauri yetu ni miongoni mwa Halmashauri nchini ambazo zimekumbwa na janga la njaa,sisi Halmashauri ya Itigi ni miongoni mwa wakulima wazuri sana na mara zote huwa hatulii njaa mwaka huu mvua hazikunyesha kwa mtiririko mzuri kwa hiyo kuna baadhi ya maeneo,siyo yote yana shida ya njaa”alisisitiza kwa masikitiko makubwa. <br /><br />Hata hivyo aliweka bayana kwamba yeye kama mbunge wao amelipigania suala hilo kwa kuanza walipoapishwa na mheshimiwa Raisi alipolihutubia Bunge,wiki iliyofuata alifanikiwa kupata tani mia mbili na ugawaji unaendelea na barua za namna ya kugawa zipo kwa Mkurugenzi mtenfaji. <br /><br />Naye mwenyekiti wa Halmashauri ya wilaya ya Itigi,Ally Minja akiwashukuru madiwani kwa kumchagua kuwa mwenyekiti aliwakumbusha juu ya umuhimu wa kudumisha umoja na mshikamano mara matokeo yanapotangazwa na kukubali kuwa aliyeshinda kashinda na kwamba naye ataweza kushinda kwa siku nyingine. <br /><br />“Tuwe na umoja na mshikamano wa kweli na wa dhati kabisa na kukubali kabisa kwamba leo mwenzangu katangulia na mimi kesho nitatangulia,usipende sana kila atakayekutangulia ukawa na vita naye kwani tukianza kupambana wenyewe kwa wenyewe hakuna kitakachoendelea”aliweka bayana Minja. <br /><br />Hata hivyo kwa mujibu wa Minja alitumia wasaa huo kuwaomba madiwani wenzake kwamba ni vyema wakapambana katika maendeleo badala na kupambana au kununiana kutokana na kukosa nafasi uliyotegemea kushika baada ya kutochaguliwa kushika wadhifa huo. </span></div> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>

Masare awataka watumishi kusimamia vizuri makusanyo ye pesa

Na,Jumbe Ismailly-Itigi MBUNGE wa jimbo la Manyoni magharibi (CCM),Yahaya Masare amewaagiza watumishi wa Halmashauri mpya ya Itigi kusimam...

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Singida yaendeleza mradi wa maji

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cpuPIP93uek/VnpsiQ6Sy5I/AAAAAAAAGyk/avvY-BXNNho/s1600/SAM_0476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cpuPIP93uek/VnpsiQ6Sy5I/AAAAAAAAGyk/avvY-BXNNho/s400/SAM_0476.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Na,Jumbe Ismailly-Singida </span><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">HALMASHAURI ya Manispaa ya Singida imetumia jumla ya shilingi 2,103,069,123/= katika ujenzi wa mradi wa maji unaofadhiliwa na Benki ya Dunia katika kipindi cha kuanzia mwaka 2012 hadi sasa. <br /><br />Kiasi hicho cha fedha ni kati ya jumla ya shilingi 5,503,375,803/= zilizotarajiwa kutolewa na Benki ya Dunia kwa ajili ya mradi wa kuchimba visima kwenye vijiji kumi vya Halmashauri ya Manispaa ya Singida. <br /><br />Kaimu Mhandisi wa maji wa Manispaa ya Singida,Niyok Gasto alisema hayo katika mahojiano maalumu na gazeti hili lililotaka kufahamu ni kiasi gani cha fedha zilizotolewa na Benki ya Dunia kwa ajili ya mradi wa maji uliopo katika vijiji kumi vyaa Manispaa hiyo. <br /><br />Aidha mhandisi huyo alifafanua kuwa miradi ya vijiji sita vilivyopo katika awamu ya kwanza ya mpango huo wa Benki ya Dunia ulitarajiwa kutumia jumla ya shilingi……wakati kwa awamu ya pili ya mpango huo uliotarajiwa kuvihusisha vijiji vinne ulitengewa jumla ya shilingi…… <br /><br />Kwa mujibu wa Mhandisi huyo,vijiji vilivyokuwa katika mradi wa maji awamu ya kwanza ni pamoja na Kisaki,Mwankoko “A”,Mtipa.Mtamaa “B”,Ititi na Unyianga wakati kwa awamu ya pili alivitaja vijiji hivyo kuwa ni Mtamaa “A”,Uhamaka,Mwankoko “B” na Manga. <br />“Miradi iliyopangwa katika awamu ya pili ya mradi huu unaofadhiliwa na Benki ya Dunia katika vijiji vya Mtamaa “A”,Uhamaka,Mwankoko “B” na Manga hakuna hata mmoja ulioanza kutekelezwa kutokana na Benki ya Dunia kutoleta fedha za miradi hiyo mpaka sasa”alisisitiza Mhandisi huyo. <br /><br />Kuhusu masharti yanayotakiwa ili Kijiji kiweze kupatiwa mradi wa maji kupitia ufadhili wa Benki ya Dunia,Gasto aliyataja kuwa ni pamoja na uhitaji wa wingi wa idadi ya watu,hali ya kijiografia ya Kijiji husika na uwepo wa vyanzo vya maji katika eneo husika. <br /><br />Alisema katika kipindi chote tangu kuanza kwa miradi hiyo mwaka 2012 mpaka sasa ni miradi ya vijiji viwili tu ndiyo ambayo imekamilika na kuanza kutoa huduma kwa wananchi kati ya miradi ya vijiji kumi iliyofadhiliwa na Benki ya Dunia katika Manispaa hiyo. <br /><br />“Kwa miradi ambayo haijakamilika inatokana na upatikanaji hafifu wa fedha maana hela haziji kwa wakati unaotakiwa na zikipatikana ni pungufu na mpaka sasa ni shilingi 2,103,069,123/= zimetumika katika miradid hiyo na shilingi 3,276,124,140/= zimebakia”alisisitiza Mhandisi huyo wa maji Manispaa. <br /><br />Katika hatua nyingine Mhandisi wa ujenzi wa Kampuni ya Exlent General Contractors Ltd ya jijini Dar-es-Salaam,Kagweza Kahendaguza ameulalamikia uongozi wa Halmashauri ya Manispaa ya Singida kwa kushindwa kumlipa malipo ya awali ya kazi ya kuchimba kisima katika Kijiji cha Uhamaka. <br /><br />Kwa mujibu wa mhandisi huyo pamoja na kufanyakazi kwa uaminifu lakini cha kushangaza mpaka sasa bado hajalipwa hata kiasi kidogo cha malipo yake ya awali na kila alipofuatilia aliambiwa kuwa Benki ya Dunia bado haijaleta fedha za miradi hiyo. <br /><br />Hata hivyo Mhandisi Kahendaguza alifafanua kwamba licha ya kufanyakazi katika wakati mgumu,vile vile alimwazima mhandisi wa maji wa Manispaa hiyo,tofaali za kujengea tenki la maji katika mradi wake wa maji uliopo Kijiji cha Mtamaa,lakini mpaka sasa bado hajamrudishia. <br /><br />Alisema baada ya kuambiwa hakuna fedha za kumlipa kutokana na kazi aliyofanya,ndipo aliamua kwenda ofisi za TAMISEMI kuulizia na alihakikishiwa kwamba Manispaa hiyo imepokea shilingi milioni 914 kwa ajili ya kuwalipa wazabuni wa miradi ya maji na alipokwenda kudai,jibu liliendelea kuwa hakuna kiasi chochote kilichopokelewa. <br /><br />Kibaya zaidi mhandisi huyo alibainisha kuwa kutokana na mhandisi huyo naye kuwa na kampuni inayofanyakazi ya ujenzi wa kuchimba visima,hivyo aliamua kujilipa kwanza yeye kabla ya wazabuni wengine na kujikuta akimaliza kiasi cha fedha kilichopokelewa kwa ajili ya kazi hiyo. <br /><br />Alibainisha pia kwamba baada ya kuitwa na mkurugenzi wa Manispaa hiyo na kuongea naye ana kwa ana aliahidiwa kulipwa kutokana na fedha kiasi kupokelewa na alipokwenda kwa mhandisi kwa ajili ya kusainiwa hati ya malipo yake,alikataliwa na kuambiwa hakuna fedha kwa wakati huo. <br /><br />Hata hivyo alipotakiwa kuzungumzia malalamiko ya mzabuni huyo wa kampuni ya Exlent General Contractors Ltd,Mkurugenzi wa Manispaa ya Singida,Joseph Mchina aliahidi kumaliza kero za wazabuni wa miradi ya maji katika kipindi kisichozidi wiki mbili na wala siyo zaidi ya muda huo.</span></div> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>

Singida yaendeleza mradi wa maji

Na,Jumbe Ismailly-Singida HALMASHAURI ya Manispaa ya Singida imetumia jumla ya shilingi 2,103,069,123/= katika ujenzi wa mradi wa maji ...

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Upskilling to reduce unemployment and enhance economic growth

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5HVqeKoReys/VnprcdLZ6LI/AAAAAAAAGyc/qJ1S5GxRoQY/s1600/samusong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="91" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5HVqeKoReys/VnprcdLZ6LI/AAAAAAAAGyc/qJ1S5GxRoQY/s400/samusong.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">With a high unemployment rate, Africa is sitting on a largely untapped pool of resources that has the potential to drive economic growth. The problem, says Pitso Kekana, Head of Public Affairs and Corporate <a href="http://www.samsung.com/za/home">Citizenship</a> for Samsung Africa RHQ , lies in both the lack of relevant skills and the availability of existing jobs for an ever-growing working-age population. <br /><br />The key is to find ways of upskilling what is largely the previously disadvantaged portion of the population to empower them to find employment.<br /><br />According to a report by the <a href="http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/southafrica/publication/south-africa-economic-update-jobs-changing-demographics">World</a> Bank, in the last 20 years the working-age population in South Africa has grown by 11 million, making up 65% of the country’s total population. However, since 2000 the total number of jobs created has fallen short of the growing labour supply, with only 2.8 million new jobs created. This is why it is so important to empower the population with the skills needed to create new avenues of employment through entrepreneurship.<br /><br />If some 5.8 million jobs are created over the next 15 years to absorb the new working-age entrants, and if workers’ productivity improves through better skills development, real GDP in South Africa could reach 5.4% per year. This would mean the doubling of per capita income by 2030 and a lowering of the unemployment rate.<br /><br />So, where do we start to create these new jobs? The importance of entrepreneurs here can’t be ignored. Across Africa, they make up 90% of private business and contribute to more than 50% of employment and GDP. Entrepreneurs are <a href="http://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/101414/why-entrepreneurs-are-important-economy.asp">national</a> assets that need to be cultivated, motivated and remunerated as much as possible. If successful, their businesses have the potential to generate wealth and create additional jobs. They also regularly support other entrepreneurial ventures by like-minded individuals to further grow the ecosystem.<br /><br />The question is how to go about <a href="https://agenda.weforum.org/2014/11/whats-biggest-challenge-africa-2015">upskilling</a> would-be entrepreneurs to ensure that they have the desired impact on economic growth. Given Africa’s rapid increase in mobile phone users – 40-fold since 2000 – it is clear that technology will play a fundamental role.<br /><br />The government needs to ensure that there is a growing ICT sector to stimulate growth in job-rich sectors like manufacturing and services. The public sector must also lead by creating a favourable regulatory environment for investment in ICT and new technology. Just having access to the internet can change a previously disadvantaged individual’s life through online learning resources and platforms with which to upskill, develop an idea or start a business.<br /><br />Along with the public sector working on its ICT policies, private sector companies have the power to make use of ICT to provide career guidance and skills development. By using their areas of expertise, these companies can also help ensure that upskilling meets real market demands; that the working-age population is making the right decisions about which skills to pursue in order to find employment; that they equally have the soft skills required to land and hold down a job or run a business; and that this population is given the tools they need to create their own work as entrepreneurs.<br /><br />The development of relevant <a href="http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/en/theme/developing-technical-vocational-skills-in-africa/the-rationale-for-technical-and-vocational-skills-development">skills</a> is an important instrument for improving productivity and unlocking new opportunities, which in turn opens doors to economic growth. To bring about rising living <a href="http://www.politicsweb.co.za/news-and-analysis/we-need-to-upskill-the-working-class--blade-nziman">standards </a> through improved employment rates, South Africa’s working population must improve their educational and skills levels, especially their technical and vocational skills – but they can’t do this without the help of both the public and private sector. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">If this is achieved, and the previously disadvantaged are given the same skills and opportunities as the rest of the working population, South Africa – and the rest of Africa – will be well-positioned for growth, not only now but into the future as skills and new working opportunities are carried forward to the next generation.<br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. <br /></span></div> </div>

Upskilling to reduce unemployment and enhance economic growth

With a high unemployment rate, Africa is sitting on a largely untapped pool of resources that has the potential to drive economic growth...

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Polisi yawashikilia waganga wa kienyeji

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1BmxTkxuj3M/VnpqLu4dWtI/AAAAAAAAGyQ/49zoh_VG2JM/s1600/SAM_0485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1BmxTkxuj3M/VnpqLu4dWtI/AAAAAAAAGyQ/49zoh_VG2JM/s400/SAM_0485.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Na,Jumbe Ismailly-Singida</span><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">JESHI la polisi Mkoani Singida linawashikilia waganga wa Tiba Asili Tanzania (UWAWATA) wawili kutoka Mkoa wa Tabora na Simiyu waliokamatwa na vichwa sita vya binadamu vilivyokuwa kwenye ndoo walivyokuwa wakivisafirisha kwenda kuviuza kwa viongozi wa vyama vya siasa wa wilaya ya Ikungi, Mkoani Singida. <br /><br />Katibu wa Umoja wa Waganga wa Tiba Asili Tanzania(UWAWATA) Taifa,Dk.Daudi Nyaki aliyasema hayo mjini Singida kwenye ufunguzi wa mkutano mkuu wa uchaguzi wa chama hicho uliofanyika katika ukumbi wa mikutano wa Hoteli ya Luluma,mjini hapa. <br /><br />Aidha Dk.Nyaki alifafanua kwamba waganga hao walikamatwa kufuatia taarifa za raia wema kwamba kuna baadhi ya waganga wasiokuwa wanaotumia viungo vya binadamu kupiga ramli chonganishi na kutoa tiba zao kinyume cha sheria za nchi zinavyoelekeza. <br /><br />Kwa mujibu wa katibu huyo watuhumiwa hao baada ya kukamatwa na kuhojiwa walipokuwa wakivipeleka viungo hivyo vya binadamu walisema kwamba walikuwa wakienda kuviuza vichwa hivyo kwa wanasiasa waliokuwa wakishiriki kampeni za uchaguzi mkuu wa Raisi,Wabunge na Madiwani uliofanyika nchini kote Okt,25,mwaka huu. <br /><br />“Hata hivyo baada ya kuwakamata mwezi wa kumi mwaka huu wakati kila chama wanachama wake walikuwa katika mchakato wa kuomba nafasi mbalimbali za uongozi,hivyo haikuwa rahisi kufahamu ni mwanasiasa yupi aliyekuwa akivihitaji viungo hivyo na kwa sababu viungo hivyo vilikuwa vikielekwa kwa waganga inakuwa siyo rahisi kumfahamu mgombea aliyekuwa na mahitaji ya viungo hivyo”alifafanua Dk,Nyaki. <br /><br />Alisema umoja huo ukiwa katika operesheni maalumu ya kuwasaka na kuwakamata waganga wanaotumia viungo vya binadamu,wakitokea Mkoani Shinyanga ndipo walipofika mpakani mwa wilaya za Igunga na Iramba waliwakamata waganga wawili waliokuwa na vichwa sita vya binadamu na kuwafikisha kwenye vyombo vya sheria kwa hatua zaidi. <br /><br />Hata hivyo Dk.Nyaki aliweka bayana kwamba waganga hao waliokutwa wakiwa na viungo hivyo vya binadamu wamefunguliwa mashtaka katika Mahakama ya wilaya ya Singida wakikabiliwa na tuhuma za mauaji,kesi ambayo haina dhamana. <br /><br />Dk.Nyaki hata hivyo alisisitiza kwamba katika kipindi cha miezi sita sasa wamekuwa wakizunguka katika mikoa ya kanda ya kati inayohusisha mikoa ya Morogoro,Tabora,Dodoma, Singida na Shinyanga wakiunda kamati za kudhibiti vitendo vya kupiga ramli chonganishi vinavyofanywa na baadhi ya waganga wasiokuwa waaminifu. <br /><br />Kwa upnde wake Mwenyekiti wa UWAWATA Mkoa wa Singida,Mohamedi Ramadhani amepiga marufuku waganga wa tiba asili waliopo katika Mkoa wa Singida,kuachana na tabia ya kubandika mabango ya matangazo ya biashara za tiba wanazotoa kwenye miti,nyumba za kulala wageni na kwenye mbao za matangazo kuanzia sasa. <br /><br />“Hivyo napenda kusema na kuagiza sisi tuliofika hapa tuwe ujumbe tutakapokuta wenzetu ambao hawajahudhuria kwenye kikao hiki napenda kusema tufanyeni kazi kwa ushirikiano kwa pamoja,tufanyeni kazi kwa kupendana na tufanyenikazi kwa uaminifu”aliweka wazi mwenyekiti huyo wa UWAWATA. <br /><br />Aidha mwenyekiti huyo hata hivyo hakusita kutoa onyo kwa wanachama wa chama hicho kwamba yeyote atakayebainika kuwa bado anaendelea na vitendo vya kubandika matangazo ya biashara za madawa wanayouza,chama hicho hakitasita kumchukulia hatua za kisheria,ikiwa ni pamoja na kumfungulia mara moja mashtaka Mahakamani. <br /><br />“Hivyo napenda kusema na kuagiza kama mwenyekiti wa umoja huu ni mabando yanayotangaza biashara kwa waganga wa mkoa huu,hayo hatutakubaliananyo katika Mkoa huu”alisisitiza kiongozi huyo wa waganga wa asili. <br /><br />Kwa mujibu wa Ramadhani kila kiongozi hana budi kuulinda utendaji wa kiongozi mwingine,na kwamba haiwezekani akaingia kiongozi wa kata kwenye kata nyingine bila kumwarifu mwenyeji wake na kwamba atakayebainika hatua kali na za kisheria zitachukuliwa dhidi yake. <br /><br />Akifunga mkutano huo,mganga mkuu wa Halmashauri ya Manispaa ya Singida,Dk.Ernesti Mombeki alitumia fursa hiyo kuuagiza uongozi wa muda uliochaguliwa katika mkutano huo kuwafahamisha viongozi wengine wa vyama vya waganga wa tiba asili ili waweze kukutana dec,31,mwaka huu kwa lengo la kufahamiana pamoja na kupanga mikakati ya namna ya kufanya shughuli zao za kila siku Mkoani hapa. <br /><br />Hata hivyo Dk.Mombeki alisisitiza kwamba katika kikao hicho cha pamoja na viongozi wa umoja wa waganga ni lazima kiongozi atakayewakilisha umoja wao awe amesajiliwa kinyume na hivyo hatakuwa tayari kumpokea na kuongeanaye,zaidi ya kumchukulia hatua za kisheria.</span></div> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>

Polisi yawashikilia waganga wa kienyeji

Na,Jumbe Ismailly-Singida JESHI la polisi Mkoani Singida linawashikilia waganga wa Tiba Asili Tanzania (UWAWATA) wawili kutoka Mkoa wa T...

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Hakuna Mkulima anayekopwa Karafuu na ZSTC

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Na Pili Khatib na Zuhura Omar, MUM <br />Mkurugenzi Mwendeshaji wa Shirika la Biashara la Taifa Zanzibar (ZSTC) Bi. Mwanahija Almas Ali amekanusha uzushi unaodai kuwa Shirika la ZSTC limeishiwa fedha za kununulia karafuu na kuwakopa Wakulima karafuu zao. <br /><br />Akizungumza na Wandishi wa Habari Makao makuu ya Shirika Maisara Zanzibar, Bi. Mwanahija alisema pamoja na kuongezeka kwa manunuzi yanayotokana na kuongezeka kwa uzalishaji katika msimu wa 2015/2016 Shirika linapesa za kutosha za kununulia karafuu zote katika msimu mzima na hakuna Mkulima yoyote aliyekopwa. <br /><br />Alisema Shirika tangu kuanzishwa kwake mwaka 1968 halijawahi kuwakopa Wakulima na amesema kuwa madai hayo ni uzushi usiokuwa na ukweli wowote. <br /><br />Alisema ZSTC ni Shirika la Serikali hivyo kama likipungukiwa na fedha za manunuzi ya karafuu Serikali ina uwezo wa kulipa fedha za kutosha zinazihitajika na sio kuwakopa Wakulima. <br /><br />Amesema hakuna Mkulima aliyekopwa na wala hakuna shida ya kukopa kutoka taasisi za kifedha kwa vile Shirika limeshajipanga vizuri kununua karafuu zote kutoka kwa Wakulima kwa fedha taslimu. <br /><br /> Aliwataka Wakulima wa zao la karafuu kutokuwa na wasi wasi wowote juu ya manunuzi ya karafuu zao na amewataka kuendelea kushirikiana na Shirika katika kulihudumia zao vizuri. <br /><br />Aidha Bi. Mwanahija alifahamisha kuwa manunuzi yameongezeka mwaka huu wa 2015/2016 kinyume na ilivyokadiriwa awali kutokana na hali ya hewa kubadilisha msimu wa mwaka kuwa msimu wa vuli ambao huwa ni msimu mkubwa. <br /><br />Sababu nyengine aliitaja kuwa ni uzazi wa mikarafuu midogo iliyopandwa kati ya mwaka 2005 hadi 2013 ambapo mikarafuu hiyo tayari imeanza kuzaa vizuri na kuongeza uzalishaji. <br /><br />Pia alisema kuanzishwa kwa Mfuko wa Maendeleo ya Karafuu imekuwa ni hatua nyengine muhimu ya kuongezeka kwa uzalishaji wa zao la karafuu kutokana na kazi nzuri zinazofanywa na mfuko huo za kushajihisha Wakulima kuimarisha zao hio.</span></div> </div>

Hakuna Mkulima anayekopwa Karafuu na ZSTC

Na Pili Khatib na Zuhura Omar, MUM Mkurugenzi Mwendeshaji wa Shirika la Biashara la Taifa Zanzibar (ZSTC) Bi. Mwanahija Almas Ali amekanus...

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MoneyGram Launches Account Deposit into Nigeria’s $21 Billion Annual Remittance Market

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PJknZ1aMlRg/Vnpof0OAFKI/AAAAAAAAGyE/BpAwEPc5ohc/s1600/money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PJknZ1aMlRg/Vnpof0OAFKI/AAAAAAAAGyE/BpAwEPc5ohc/s400/money.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://global.moneygram.com/">MoneyGram</a> (NASDAQ: MGI) today announced it is the first money transfer company to offer customers in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain a way to send money to most personal Nigerian Naira bank accounts within minutes*.<br /><br />“This is a significant milestone for us. With the addition of Nigeria, MoneyGram now offers bank account deposits through our network into five of the world's largest remittance receive markets — Nigeria, China, India, Mexico and the Philippines,” says Herve Chomel, MoneyGram’s regional vice president for Africa. “Account deposit is a fast and secure way to send and receive funds between loved ones and we are proud to offer the service for our customers in Europe and Nigeria.”<br /><br />Customers can send money to most of the personal accounts held at banks that are members of the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System network including First Bank, UBA, Ecobank, Fidelity, and Zenith Bank from MoneyGram agent locations in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain.<br /><br />This marks an important innovation for the remittance industry in Nigeria. By integrating into the Nigerian Inter-Bank Payment System, MoneyGram customers are able to send money into most bank accounts in Nigeria, almost in real time*. Receivers do not have to undertake any action as the funds are automatically deposited into their account and can be accessed via ATM’s or online, without the constraint of a physical over-the-counter visit.<br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of MoneyGram International, Inc.. <br /></span></div> </div>

MoneyGram Launches Account Deposit into Nigeria’s $21 Billion Annual Remittance Market

MoneyGram (NASDAQ: MGI) today announced it is the first money transfer company to offer customers in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy a...

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Fiston Mwanza Mujila, Penny Busetto and Rehana Rossouw have been announced as the three shortlisted authors for the 2015 Etisalat Prize for Literature

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VEQEBimNGLo/Vnpm2sDALsI/AAAAAAAAGx4/bI9rUJyveEw/s1600/etsalat.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VEQEBimNGLo/Vnpm2sDALsI/AAAAAAAAGx4/bI9rUJyveEw/s320/etsalat.png" width="294" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://prize.etisalat.com.ng/">Fiston</a> Mwanza Mujila, Penny Busetto and Rehana Rossouw have been announced as the three shortlisted authors for the 2015 Etisalat Prize for Literature. The Etisalat Prize for Literature is the first pan-African Prize that is open solely to debut fiction writers from African countries. Now in its third year, it is acknowledged as the most prestigious literary prize for African fiction.<br /><br />The three books, selected from the longlist of nine, are:<br /><br />Fiston Mwanza Mujila (Democratic Republic of Congo) - Tram 83 (Deep Vellum)<br />Penny Busetto (South Africa) - The Story of Anna P, as Told by Herself (Jacana Media)<br />Rehana Rossouw (South Africa) - What Will People Say? (Jacana Media)<br /><br />The shortlist was selected by a three-member judging panel: Professor Ato Quayson, Professor of English and inaugural Director of the Centre for Diaspora Studies at the University of Toronto (Chair of Judges); Molara Wood, writer, journalist, critic and editor; and Zukiswa Wanner, author of Men of the South and London Cape Town Joburg.<br /><br />Chair of judges, Professor Ato Quayson, comments: “The variety of styles and subject matter of the books on this year's Etisalat Prize for Literature shortlist reveal the vitality of contemporary African literature. They contribute to our understanding of what it is to love, to laugh, to improvise, sometimes to despair, to know and yet be fooled by the assurance of such knowledge, to work for our ablution in the fate of another's suffering, and ultimately to embrace life in all its bewildering complexities.”<br /><br />The shortlisted writers will be rewarded with a sponsored multi-city book tour and will also have 1,000 copies of their books purchased by Etisalat for distribution to schools, libraries and book clubs across the Continent.<br /><br />NoViolet Bulawayo won the maiden edition of the Etisalat Prize for Literature with her highly celebrated debut novel, We Need New Names, while Songeziwe Mahlangu emerged winner of the 2014 Etisalat Prize for Literature competition with his novel, Penumbra.<br /><br />The winner of the 2015 Etisalat Prize for Literature will be announced in March and will receive £15,000, an engraved <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meisterst%C3%BCck">Montblanc</a> Meisterstück pen. The Prize also includes an Etisalat sponsored fellowship at the University of East Anglia, mentored by Professor Giles Foden, author of The Last King of Scotland.<br /><br />The distinguished Patrons of the Etisalat Prize are the acclaimed writer Ama Ata Aidoo (Ghana), Pulitzer Prize Winner Dele Olojede (Nigeria), editor, critic and 2015 Man Booker Prize Judge, Ellah Wakatama Allfrey, OBE (UK/Zimbabwe), writer and public intellectual Kole Omotoso (Nigeria), editor, writer, broadcaster, consultant and co-founder of Allison & Busby, Margaret Busby, OBE (UK/Ghana) and novelist, poet and playwright Zakes Mda (South Africa).<br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Etisalat. </span></div> </div>

Fiston Mwanza Mujila, Penny Busetto and Rehana Rossouw have been announced as the three shortlisted authors for the 2015 Etisalat Prize for Literature

Fiston Mwanza Mujila, Penny Busetto and Rehana Rossouw have been announced as the three shortlisted authors for the 2015 Etisalat Prize...

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Benin to host the Fourth Annual Meeting of the Ouagadougou Partnership

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kNRbQ44X6L4/VnJyEaibtYI/AAAAAAAAGxo/46ijIcaZAx8/s1600/women.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kNRbQ44X6L4/VnJyEaibtYI/AAAAAAAAGxo/46ijIcaZAx8/s400/women.png" width="322" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The international conference, which will be held in Cotonou from December 09-11, 2015 aims to celebrate the significant strides made in facilitating access to family planning methods in the nine countries composing the Ouagadougou Partnership, namely, Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Togo. <br /><br />The conference on Population, Development and Family Planning in West Africa: An Urgency for Action, held in Burkina Faso in 2011, marked a turning point in repositioning family planning in francophone West Africa. With the launch of the Ouagadougou Partnership, these nine francophone countries set the common goal to achieve by the end of 2015, one million additional female users of modern contraceptive methods. "Even though this was set to be a considerably ambitious objective in a region that scores the lowest modern contraceptive prevalence rate - around 12% on average at regional level and high maternal mortality rates, we have been able to exceed our initial reach and allow about 1.2 million additional women to have access to modern contraceptive methods." asserted Ms. Fatimata Sy, Executive Director of the Ouagadougou Partnership Coordination Unit. <br /><br />As the region still requires major attention from donors and the international community for increased financial and technical support in reproductive health, the upcoming meeting is also expected to help shape and influence the role and contributions of family planning in attaining the new Sustainable Development Goals. This 2015 annual meeting is of crucial importance to the Partnership, as governments and their partners will assess the past four years and outline a common vision and future objectives for the 2016-2020 period. Under the theme "The Acceleration Phase", this upcoming period will further insist upon maintaining gains, unlocking existing potential and strengthening high-impact interventions. <br /><br />With around 200 participants including government representatives from the nine countries, donors, international institutions, civil society organizations, experts and practitioners in the field of population, family planning and reproductive health in attendance, the meeting is expected to voice the perspectives of diverse stakeholders, allow in-depth exchanges on the strategies that will move forward national action plans and finally, stress that the ability to plan one's family and future is a fundamental right and a sound investment. The Partnership will maximize the current momentum and countries' readiness to further its goals in the region and double its initial objective to reach over 2.2 additional users of modern contraceptive methods. <br /><br />Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of the Ouagadougou Partnership.</span></div> </div>

Benin to host the Fourth Annual Meeting of the Ouagadougou Partnership

The international conference, which will be held in Cotonou from December 09-11, 2015 aims to celebrate the significant strides made in ...

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Samsung Nigeria named Best Company in Youth Focused CSR at SERAS 2015

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C29xGYMaG1M/VnJwiNQTHHI/AAAAAAAAGxc/Fu4A9O1vcls/s1600/sam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="91" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C29xGYMaG1M/VnJwiNQTHHI/AAAAAAAAGxc/Fu4A9O1vcls/s400/sam.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Samsung Nigeria was conferred the Best Company in Youth Focused CSR at the recently concluded (SERAS) Nigeria CSR Awards 2015. In addition, its Corporate Citizenship Manager, Abosede Modupe Alimi, was recognized as one of the top three CSR practitioners in the country.<br /><br />The awards, reputed to be the major force behind galvanising businesses across various sectors and industries in Nigeria to promote CSR and Sustainability in Nigeria, aims to acknowledge corporate entities who invest in society through CSR programmes.<br /><br />Mr. Brovo Kim, Managing Director of Samsung Electronics West Africa said: “We are humbled by this recognition but by the same token, understand that the task ahead is even bigger. We need to rise to the challenge and provide apt and innovative partnerships that will set Nigeria on the path to attaining the Sustainable Development Goals.”<br /><br />Samsung Electronics West Africa is among several businesses assessed by a jury made up of experts drawn from Nigeria and other parts of the world. The jury based its assessment on the outcome of field visits and verification of data.<br /><br />For the Best Company in Youth Focused Award, Samsung was lauded for its sterling work and contribution to the lives of the Nigerian youth through the following programs:<br /><br />Samsung Engineering Academy which has trained 118 young people, 40% of which are gainfully employed as a result of the training received;<br />Digital Village placed in Cross Rivers State, which has a significant number of young people who would potentially benefit from this project especially the Solar Powered Internet School.<br /><br />Samsung was nominated in a total of three categories including Best Company in Youth Focused CSR, Best Company in CSR Innovation and Most Improved Company in CSR 2015.<br /><br />Receiving both awards for Samsung on the night, Abosede Modupe Alimi, said: “For me, this accolade represents a vote of confidence in our efforts to positively impact the lives of people, particularly the youth. Our goal has always been to address the felt-needs of the communities we operate in and this recognition will go a long way in inspiring the team to do more in ensuring that we change the course of Nigeria through sustainable corporate citizenship programmes.” <br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. </span></div> </div>

Samsung Nigeria named Best Company in Youth Focused CSR at SERAS 2015

Samsung Nigeria was conferred the Best Company in Youth Focused CSR at the recently concluded (SERAS) Nigeria CSR Awards 2015. In additi...

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The MasterCard Foundation Launches Innovative US$74 Million Youth Employment Initiative in Ghana and Uganda

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CuEO7UfoEog/VnJv4n1rwOI/AAAAAAAAGxU/TWTpoNgUsts/s1600/ug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CuEO7UfoEog/VnJv4n1rwOI/AAAAAAAAGxU/TWTpoNgUsts/s400/ug.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The MasterCard Foundation is launching an innovative youth employment initiative in Uganda and Ghana at a meeting in Entebbe, Uganda this week with representatives from financial service providers, relevant government ministries, the private sector, educational institutions and youth-based organizations. The "Youth Forward Initiative" is a partnership between The MasterCard Foundation, Overseas Development Institute, Solidaridad, GOAL, NCBA CLUSA and Global Communities. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />This five-year, US$74 million initiative will reach more than 200,000 economically disadvantaged young people, aged 15-24. It is focused on youth living on less than $2 per day, who are out of school, unemployed or underemployed and are seeking quality employment or the opportunity to start their own businesses in the growing agricultural and construction sectors. This innovative model uses a holistic approach that combines market-relevant skills training, mentorship, internships and access to financial services to help young people transition out of poverty and into sustainable livelihoods.<br /><br />"The Foundation recognizes that in order for youth to reach their full potential, they must have access to the right skills and opportunities," said Ann Miles, Director of Programs, Financial Inclusion & Youth Livelihoods at The MasterCard Foundation. "By bringing together multiple partners with varying types of expertise, we can better support young people through practical skills development, networking opportunities and access to appropriate financial services so they can successfully find a job, further their education or start their own businesses." <br /><br />The Youth Forward Initiative will be implemented through partnerships with four consortia comprised of 28 organizations. In Ghana, Solidaridad will lead a group of organizations that plan to create business and job opportunities for young people in the cocoa sector and Global Communities will do the same, focusing on the construction sector. In Uganda, GOAL and NCBA CLUSA will lead consortia connecting young people to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in the agricultural sector.<br /><br />In addition, Overseas Development Institute (ODI) along with Development Research and Training (DRT) of Uganda and Participatory Development Associates (PDA) of Ghana have been engaged to generate critical learning about the initiative. <br /><br />"The scale and scope of the Youth Forward Initiative presents an exciting opportunity to learn more about the needs of young people and how to improve economic opportunities for them across different sectors and regional contexts," said Peace Nganwa, Youth Forward Initiative Coordinator for Development Research and Training (DRT). "The learning partnership will facilitate conversation and learning between implementing partners, the private sector and government, working to ensure that research and evidence inform their decision-making." <br /><br />Young people in Sub-Saharan Africa face several challenges as they seek a sustainable means of living, including low levels of education and skills, limited access to appropriate financial services such as credit and negative perceptions and discrimination from employers. As a result, most young people on the continent find themselves employed in informal jobs with low productivity and pay.<br /><br />The Youth Forward Initiative specifically targets sectors in Africa that have the highest potential for job growth: agriculture and construction. The World Bank expects that 72 percent of young people will be engaged in household enterprises in agriculture over the next five years. The McKinsey Global Institute estimates that the construction sector will generate 5.1 million jobs over the next 10 years.<br /><br />Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of The MasterCard Foundation.</span></div> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>

The MasterCard Foundation Launches Innovative US$74 Million Youth Employment Initiative in Ghana and Uganda

The MasterCard Foundation is launching an innovative youth employment initiative in Uganda and Ghana at a meeting in Entebbe, Uganda thi...

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African printing industry can immensely benefit from SGI Dubai 2016

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iVn4p3Nw4Mg/VnJuqf-_4aI/AAAAAAAAGxI/0ymqLehWBIs/s1600/dubai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iVn4p3Nw4Mg/VnJuqf-_4aI/AAAAAAAAGxI/0ymqLehWBIs/s400/dubai.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">International Expo Consults (IEC) stated that the African printing industry stakeholders can immensely benefit by visiting the (Sign and Graphic Imaging) SGI Dubai 2016 trade show. The event will showcase the innovative products and services from various exhibitors from across the globe under a unified platform. As per the Smithers Pira report the printing revenues in Middle East and Africa are set to touch US$26 billion in 2018. <br /><br />SGI Dubai 2016 in its 19th edition will be held on the 10th, 11th and 12th of January 2016, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. This is also the largest and prominent trade event for printing and signage industry in the region. SGI Dubai 2016 will also have dedicated pavilions for the players within the digital signage, textile printing and retail signage industry sectors.<br /><br />Mr. Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, Chairman of IEC states, “We are looking forward to welcoming the trade visitors from Africa to our show. We received close to 13000 visitors from across 78 countries in the previous edition of our show and the numbers are slated to increase in 2016 as well. There is a huge demand for state-of-the-art printing equipment and signage as the African economy is now consolidating and growing to the next level. Hence, a strategic approach from Africa’s print and signage industry can provide the ideal solutions that could contribute to the development of businesses within several vertical industry segments.”<br /><br />“There is a huge potential in Africa’s printing industry. Stakeholders are looking to gradually phase out old equipment to bring in new technology. This growth translates into large scale opportunities for printers, raw material suppliers and print equipment suppliers in Africa. Growing requirement from industries such as retail, entertainment and healthcare are definitely expected to drive the local demand in the coming years,” added Mr. Falaknaz.<br /><br />SGI Dubai 2015, an official Dubai Shopping Festival event welcomed over 400 global exhibitors from across 34 countries and registered over 12,781 trade visitors from 78 countries during the last edition.<br /><br />SGI Dubai 2016 is an ideal converging point where visitors and exhibitors can reach out with architects, sign makers, print and production manufacturers, media agencies, real-estate developers, brand and image consultants among others.<br /><br />In the past decade, the GDP of 54 countries in Africa has been rapidly expanding as compared to the global average and is now a USD$2 trillion economy. As per reports six of the ten fastest growing economies in the world are now located in Africa and the world is currently witnessing its booming economic success. This is also slated to give a tremendous boost to the economy’s printing industry sector in the coming years. <br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of International Expo-Consults (IEC). </span></div> </div>

African printing industry can immensely benefit from SGI Dubai 2016

International Expo Consults (IEC) stated that the African printing industry stakeholders can immensely benefit by visiting the (Sign and...

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70 tons of primary medical care goods arrived in Burundi

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJQsyJ-p5kU/VnJuBUx3pVI/AAAAAAAAGxA/EFbYINazuTE/s1600/pan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="94" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJQsyJ-p5kU/VnJuBUx3pVI/AAAAAAAAGxA/EFbYINazuTE/s400/pan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">For the third consecutive year, UNICEF and Panalpina (<a href="http://www.panalpina.com/">PWTN:SW</a>) have joined forces to fly much-needed relief goods to an African country where a recurring crisis is taking a heavy toll on society and its weakest members: children. Violence and a shortage of essential drugs pose major risks to their health. In the morning hours on Friday, a Panalpina chartered cargo aircraft landed in Burundi with 70 tons of primary medical care goods on board.<br /><br />70 tons of primary medical care goods such as antibiotics, analgesics, infusion sets and hospital equipment, provided by UNICEF, arrived in Burundi’s capital Bujumbura on Friday morning on a flight chartered and donated by Panalpina. The company’s Charter Network had organized the relief flight which left Europe the night before. The vital goods will be distributed to Burundi’s health centers which are the first place to go to for medical assistance.<br /><br />“These relief goods can save the lives of thousands of children,” says Elsbeth Mueller, executive director of the Swiss committee for UNICEF. “On behalf of UNICEF, I deeply thank Panalpina for their help.”<br /><br />Burundi has known cycles of recurring violence since its independence, plunged into crisis again in April 2015. The current crisis has so far left more than 200 people dead, with more than 200,000 Burundians crossing borders to seek safe shelter in neighboring countries.<br /><br />Nearly one child out of ten dies before age five. Easily preventable and treatable diseases including pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria are often responsible for these tragic deaths. The current crisis has led to an acute shortage of medication and hospital equipment, and a timely supply of essential drugs for quick treatment is therefore critical to improve child health and survival in Burundi.<br /><br />“This is the third time that Panalpina is partnering with UNICEF to address a crisis in Africa. And again we hope that our contribution will bring some respite to those who are less fortunate than us, especially the many affected children in Burundi,” says Panalpina’s CEO Peter Ulber.<br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Panalpina World Transport Ltd.. </span></div> </div>

70 tons of primary medical care goods arrived in Burundi

For the third consecutive year, UNICEF and Panalpina ( PWTN:SW ) have joined forces to fly much-needed relief goods to an African count...

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Almost One-Third of Enterprises Found Lacking Basic Wireless Security

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ftxu_wWBQ6Q/VnJtNVdJntI/AAAAAAAAGw4/hXUv_MFgGGQ/s1600/f4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ftxu_wWBQ6Q/VnJtNVdJntI/AAAAAAAAGw4/hXUv_MFgGGQ/s400/f4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The new survey from Fortinet® (<a href="http://www.fortinet.com/">NASDAQ</a>: FTNT) , the global leader in high-performance cyber security solutions, reveals that insufficient wireless security is a concern for 71% of the Information Technology Decision Makers (ITDMs); hardly surprising given that 29% of the enterprise wireless networks put in place for internal employees, do not have the basic security function of authentication in place.<br /><br />A significant 16% and 21% of enterprises respectively, overlook firewall and anti-virus security functions when it comes to wireless strategies. Other security measures deemed critical to core infrastructure protection, such as IPS (deployed by 39%), application control (35%) and URL filtering (41%), play a part in even fewer wireless deployments.<br /><br />When considering the future direction of their wireless security strategies, 56% of ITDMs said they would maintain focus on the most common security features – firewall and authentication while demand for more security is emerging with 22% prioritizing complementary technologies – IPS, anti-virus, application control and URL filtering – to guard against the full extent of the threat landscape.<br /><br />Other survey highlights include:<br /><br />• South African ITDMs said the biggest risk to their organisations of operating an unsecured wireless network is the loss of sensitive corporate and/or customer data, with 69% citing this as a concern (vs 48% of global respondents). <br /><br />The next highest risk, service interruption, was cited by 16% of ITDMs, followed by industrial espionage (7%), non-compliance to industry regulations (5%) and damage to corporate reputation (4%).<br /><br />• 7% of ITDMs polled said their corporate wireless networks have no controls whatsoever for their guest or visitors access.<br /><br />The most common form of guest security access on corporate wireless networks is a unique and temporary username and password (68%), ahead of a shared username/password (20%), a captive portal with credentials (13%).<br /><br />• Wireless infrastructure governed by a premise-based controller is a thing of the present according to the findings (56%) but this trend will change to cloud-based management asonly 12% of enterprise ITDMs refusing to trust the cloud for such critical management in the future.<br /><br />Of the cloud-ready respondents, 47% would want to use a private cloud infrastructure for wireless management and 53% would outsource to a third party managed services provider. 20% of those considering outsourcing would only do so provided it is hosted in the same country, leaving 33% happy to embrace wireless management as a public cloud service regardless of geography.<br /><br />Perry Hutton, Regional Director for Africa at Fortinet, said: “South African IT decision makers are aware of the risks facing their businesses through unsecured wireless networks, and most feel they have taken steps to mitigate these. However, the threat landscape is evolving and attacks such as advanced persistent attacks will target multiple entry points, including the wireless network. There is no room for complacency when it comes to securing the enterprise.”<br /><br />The findings come from an independent survey of over 100 South African ITDMs at 250+ employee organizations in different sectors including financial services, public sector, health, retail, travel & leisure, manufacturing & construction, FMCG, telecoms & technology. All respondents were sourced from independent market research company Lightspeed GMI’s online panel. <br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Fortinet. </span></div> </div>

Almost One-Third of Enterprises Found Lacking Basic Wireless Security

The new survey from Fortinet® ( NASDAQ : FTNT) , the global leader in high-performance cyber security solutions, reveals that insufficie...

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INTL FCStone’s Stuart Ponder Addresses Africa Breakfast Club

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KNepLzgXVX4/VnJsmk1kiYI/AAAAAAAAGws/ZIWFfjpbVY0/s1600/inte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="60" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KNepLzgXVX4/VnJsmk1kiYI/AAAAAAAAGws/ZIWFfjpbVY0/s400/inte.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">INTL FCStone Inc. (<a href="https://www.intlfcstone.com/">NASDAQ:INTL</a>) , a leader in the development of specialized financial services in commodities, securities, global payments, foreign exchange and other markets, today announced that Stuart Ponder, Senior Vice President, EMEA of its subsidiary INTL FCStone Ltd., addressed the Africa Breakfast Club on Thursday, November 26, 2015 on the topic of “Evolution of Structured Markets: Challenges and Opportunities in Africa’s Agricultural Development.” The event was hosted by the Planet Earth Institute.<br /><br />“The lack of structured markets and investment in Africa’s agricultural sector has seen Africa’s maize yields stagnate for the last five decades the where the yields now are only 20% of developed economies,” commented Ponder. “Structured markets provide farmers with a financial infrastructure to encourage lending to the agricultural sector, a price discovery method that can see a 20% increase in prices to farmers and the potential to manage farmer risk through derivative products.”<br /><br />Ponder continued, “Currently there are 28 countries taking initiatives to develop commodity exchanges and both the public and private sectors play an important role in developing these structured markets. The private sector needs to provide for product aggregation, including grading, storage and warehouse receipts, and for market infrastructure elements like trading platforms and clearing and settlements. The public sector needs to provide a fair and consistent legal and regulatory framework, outreach programs and storage, transport and communications infrastructure.”<br /><br />INTL FCStone is committed to developing Africa’s agricultural sector by providing capacity building support including educational opportunities on the topic of risk management and commodity trading. There are three such opportunities being developed in 2016 in Abuja, Nairobi, and Lusaka. INTL FCStone also sponsors work experience placements and study visits as well as actively seeking partners to extend these initiatives. <br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of INTL FCStone Inc.. </span></div> </div>

INTL FCStone’s Stuart Ponder Addresses Africa Breakfast Club

INTL FCStone Inc. ( NASDAQ:INTL ) , a leader in the development of specialized financial services in commodities, securities, global pay...

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Quantum Global Advisory Board hosts Symposium of Female Entrepreneurism in Africa

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BpbvYh9twO8/VnJr_mEmc8I/AAAAAAAAGwk/R6mmg7npQ1Y/s1600/glob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="64" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BpbvYh9twO8/VnJr_mEmc8I/AAAAAAAAGwk/R6mmg7npQ1Y/s400/glob.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.quantumglobal.ch/">Quantum</a> Global played host to the group’s second Advisory Board Symposium during an event which reflected recent work conducted by both the African Union and G7 in looking at female empowerment. The high level moderated panel discussion addressed the impact, health and likely trajectory of female entrepreneurship in Africa and its impact on markets, civic society and the Continent’s overall leadership narrative.<br /><br />The event, an important component of Quantum Global’s fledgling thought leadership programme, brought together an authoritative, all African female panel comprising Bineta Diop, the African Union Chairpersons special envoy for Women, Peace and Security and Executive Director of International NGO-Femmes Africa Solidarité-an organisation committed to promoting gender parity within Africa. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Joining her on the panel was Sophia Bekele, successful international entrepreneur and named in New Africa Magazine as ``one of Top 50 African Trailblazers” and by Bloomberg as ‘’one of the two leading ladies in Africa’s ICT sector.” Accompanying them on the panel was Andia Chakava, a decorated and African female fund manager (one of the first in Kenya) and awarded one Africa’s Most Influential Women 2014 (Financial Services Category) by CEO Magazine.<br /><br />The Symposium, expertly moderated by Rolake Akinkugbe, VP and Head Energy & Natural Resources of Lagos based investment bank, FBN Capital and a successful entrepreneur in her own right, tackled a raft of issues associated with the influence of female leadership at both micro and macro levels in African business and society as well as highlighting the challenges and the hurdles which remain in place for inspirational female leaders in African societies.<br /><br />The Quantum Global thought leadership platform, characterised by the Advisory Board Symposia and other planned activities and events, reflects the group’s desire to engage with real life issues confronting its African partners, friends and clients. Under the auspices of Founder, Jean-Claude Bastos De Morais, the thought leadership platform will seek to make constructive and significant contributions to Africa’s developing success narrative through the provision of informed, expert and sympathetic discussion and debate associated with contemporary African narratives.<br /><br />With planning already underway for the 3rd Advisory Board Symposium to take place in June 2016, the twice yearly Advisory Board Symposia will adopt a variety of formats each seeking to reach diverse professional and expert audiences tackling a variety of key contemporary African issues. <br /><br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Quantum Global Group. </span></div> </div>

Quantum Global Advisory Board hosts Symposium of Female Entrepreneurism in Africa

Quantum Global played host to the group’s second Advisory Board Symposium during an event which reflected recent work conducted by bot...

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Agri-tech is the future of farming: The German Ministry of International Cooperation and Development supports the creation of agriculture startups in Southern Africa

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PXZv8u0xDhc/VnJpBpLwZ2I/AAAAAAAAGwY/V21G7GMbsfA/s1600/amp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PXZv8u0xDhc/VnJpBpLwZ2I/AAAAAAAAGwY/V21G7GMbsfA/s400/amp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The German Ministry for International Cooperation and Development (BMZ) supports the AMPION <a href="http://www.ampion.com/">Venture</a> Bus, a seven days startup bootcamp with 40 participants from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, France and Germany. The bus tour started on 13 November in Windhoek (Namibia) and led through Ghanzi and Gaborone (both Botswana), Johannesburg, Bloemfontein to Cape Town (all South Africa). </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">In Cape Town, the 10 resulting startup teams presented their agri-tech solutions to an international jury of investors during AfricaCom, Africa’s largest ICT conference. During the Venture Bus tour the participating entrepreneurs have been mentored by experienced serial entrepreneurs and investors, including training in design thinking and lean startup methodologies. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Site visits on the route included commercial and communal farms as well as local technology hubs and innovation centers in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. Ideas and business model developments have been shared and exchanged with the local startup communities during several stopovers.<br /><br />Africa’s economy is strongly dependent on the agricultural sector. 60 percent of all working Africans work in agriculture. However, the productivity is limited: up to 60 percent of all African farmers produce few or no products for trade. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">New technologies and digitization are crucial to sustainably develop the agricultural sector and to improve lives in Africa. The African technology startup ecosystem significantly contributes to this technology advancement by developing and implementing innovative solutions. AMPION, in partnership with the BMZ, fosters the African startup ecosystem by supporting young African entrepreneurs and building agri-tech startups in Southern Africa.<br /><br />The following startups created on the Venture Bus Southern Africa have selected as the winners by the investor jury:<br /><br />e.Mkuyu: A digital education platform that closes the gap between unemployed African youth and career opportunities in the agricultural sector<br />Agri2Go: A digital platform that provides transparent, real-time pricing information for agricultural products in Africa<br />SheFarms: An investment platform for female African farmers that aims to reduce food scarcity and gender inequality in agriculture<br /><br />These three winning startups receive access to the AMPION Fellowship program 2016; a six month incubation program that supports startups with small seed funding and business know-how provided by entrepreneurship experts.<br /><br />Fabian-Carlos Guhl, AMPION CEO, said: “Thanks to the partnership with BMZ we can build up the startup ecosystem in Africa with our local partners. Innovative solutions for the African agricultural sector improve the productivity and lives of millions of people. With our initiatives we want to contribute to the successful creation and implementation of these solutions.”<br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of AMPION.org. </span></div> </div>

Agri-tech is the future of farming: The German Ministry of International Cooperation and Development supports the creation of agriculture startups in Southern Africa

The German Ministry for International Cooperation and Development (BMZ) supports the AMPION Venture Bus, a seven days startup bootcamp ...

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Washington, D.C. to welcome African Ministers of Energy to international investment conference on African Power

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IMjAgGSO7DU/VnJoF9_zimI/AAAAAAAAGwQ/gOVGkckMDkg/s1600/washington.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IMjAgGSO7DU/VnJoF9_zimI/AAAAAAAAGwQ/gOVGkckMDkg/s400/washington.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.poweringafrica-summit.com/">EnergyNet</a> is to host the second annual Powering Africa: Summit at the Marriott Marquis, Washington, D.C. from 27-29th January 2016.<br /><br />Industry leaders from the USA and Africa who have confirmed to attend include H.E. Hon Minister Jeannot Matadi Atadi Nenga Gamanda, Minister of Energy and Water Resources, DRC, H.E. Hon Minister Obeth Kandjoze, Minister of Energy and Minerals, Namibia, Andy Herscowitz, Co-ordinator, Power Africa and Trade Africa, Anita Marangoly George, Senior Director, Energy and Extractives, The World Bank Group and Karen Breytenbach, Head of IPP Office, Department of Energy, South Africa.<br /><br />The Powering Africa: Summit (PA:S) is an investment conference where African ministers of finance and energy and US government agencies behind the Power Africa initiative meet with private sector investors and power developers from across North America and Africa. The first meeting, held in January 2015, saw 17 African countries represented with 57% of attendees originating from North America.<br /><br />Programme Manager Veronica Bolton-Smith commented, “PA:S is a valuable platform as it enables dialogue between key stakeholders and developers, chiefly heads of African utilities, US-based private equity houses and wealth management establishments.”<br /><br />The aim of the meeting is to drive forward strategic partnerships between investors, project developers, governments, utilities and regulators to achieve the goal of bringing power to Africa.<br /><br />Following a surge of private equity interest across Sub-Saharan Africa, PA:S will explore the power & infrastructure projects currently piquing the interest of investors, including the gas to power supply chain. Attendees will also receive an update on the South African Gas IPP programme and the opportunity this presents to investors. Industry and agriculture will feature on the 2016 agenda, examining the role transmission plays in the success of these industries.<br /><br />Targeted workshops will examine the landscape for investment in Morocco, South Africa and Nigeria, as well as exploring industry-specific themes such as Public Private Partnerships and "Innovation time"- a workshop for innovators to meet with private equity investors.<br /><br />The 2016 Summit will launch a networking app to enhance participants’ experience by allowing them to set up private meetings and meet with the right contacts more easily.<br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of EnergyNet Ltd.. </span></div> </div>

Washington, D.C. to welcome African Ministers of Energy to international investment conference on African Power

EnergyNet is to host the second annual Powering Africa: Summit at the Marriott Marquis, Washington, D.C. from 27-29th January 2016. In...

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Tigo Tanzania in partnership with a local NGO, Reach For Change, have once again announced two winners of the Tigo Digital Changemakers competition

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJhGtwmzd40/VnJjgP5YbiI/AAAAAAAAGwE/aOQZVoYQs-o/s1600/tigo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJhGtwmzd40/VnJjgP5YbiI/AAAAAAAAGwE/aOQZVoYQs-o/s400/tigo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Tigo <a href="http://www.tigo.co.tz/">Tanzania</a>  in partnership with a local NGO, Reach For Change, have once again announced two winners of the Tigo Digital Changemakers competition. The competition is a social entrepreneurship programme aimed at identifying and empowering young Tanzanians with innovative digital solutions that can help to solve some of the country’s most pressing community needs.<br /><br />The winners of 2015 bring to nine the total number of social entrepreneurs that have received funding from Tigo Tanzania through digital program in the past four years – each winner is given US $ 20,000 to implement their project idea. The seven existing Changemakers had until end of 2014 impacted the lives of over 10,000 children of the East African country, according to Tigo Tanzania Chief Commercial Officer, Shavkat Berdiev.<br /><br />This year’s winners announced in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, December 16th are Neema Shosho and Bihaga Edward. They were among the 15 finalists who in 2015 made the cut in a grueling duel that usually pits hundreds of applicants with project ideas to improve the lives of children and the larger society using digital toolkit.<br /><br />Each of the two winners benefit from a grant of $ 20,000 and a business management mentorship from Tigo to enable them achieve their dreams of putting their innovative solutions and technology into practice as change agents for the under-privileged in the society. <br /><br />Renown as Tanzania’s leading digital lifestyle telecom operator, Tigo has been investing heavily in corporate social responsibility initiatives, the Digital Changemakers program being of them. The telecom, which has over 10 million subscribers, also supports programs in the health sector, education and sports.<br /><br />“Our support for community development projects demonstrates our commitment to drive digital transformation not just for our customers but to the larger Tanzanian community as well. We are proud that by helping these social entrepreneurs, our organization is helping to solve some of the community’s challenges through digital solutions,” says Berdiev. <br /><br />What the Digital Changemakers have done<br /><br />The seven past winners of the Tigo Tanzania Digital Changemakers program are: Tadei Msumaje, Joan Avit, Leka Tingitana, Debora Shuma, Faraja Nyalandu and Carolyne Ekyarisiima.<br /><br />Tadei Msumaje, who hails from the picturesque, Tanzanian northern city of Moshi that’s located on slopes of the panoramic Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s largest mountain, has pioneered Majengo Kids and Youth Technological School that integrates the use of ICT with other learning structures such as nursery education and entrepreneurship to ensure that the benefits of ICT spur learning processes to children in Tanzania.<br /><br />For Joan Avit, hers is, ‘to assist in improving the quality of early childhood education for children through an easy-to-learn child-friendly and interactive technology literacy tool-kit’ called GraphoGame. GraphoGame is a Kiswahili-Finnish game-based, child-friendly innovation designed to help children read more easily and effectively by themselves. Her initiative has impacted more than 900 children. Through Tigo’s US $ 20,000 award, Avit was able to purchase GraphoGame devices and circulate them to more than 4,200 children in more than 20 schools in Moshi and Rombo in northern Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro region.<br /><br />“Looking back”, says Avit; “Tigo’s support has helped a great deal in realizing the dreams of the children especially those with slow-learning abilities”.<br /><br /> It’s an innovation that conforms to Jean Piageat’s models of cognitive learning that conclude that children learn best if allowed to discover things for themselves.<br /><br />In a country whose maternal mortality rate stands at a not-very-inspiring 454 per 100,000 live births and an infant mortality rate of 44 in 1,000 live births (according to Tanzania Demographic Health Survey, TDHS-2012), any intervention aimed at mitigating the situation is highly welcome.<br /><br /> That is why, thanks to Tigo’s support, Leka Tingitana’s mobile communications platform, eAFYA is providing a life-line to expectant mothers in Mwanza, a beautiful lake-shore city overlooking the world’s second largest fresh-water body, Lake Victoria.<br /><br />With his budding digital company, LXT Technological Solutions for Africa, Tingitana’s innovation aims to ‘support the emerging network of community health workers (CHWs) who are at the fore-front in providing health-care support to expectant and new mothers in the Lake Zone’. <br /><br />Tingitana proudly says of his life-saving digital project: “eAfya connects physicians and health-care providers by allowing the transformation of electronic data across a wide network of systems bringing about an organized way of diagnosis and creating sustainable dissemination of information on health matters thus allowing doctors and health workers to get access to important medical tests and results in a centralized registry!”. The project could be a game-changer in the health sector if the government through the relevant ministry leverages on it and spreads it all over the country.<br /><br />Gabriella Rehabilitation Centre, another program by the Tigo Changemakers program, provides on-site occupational therapy in which therapists and teachers provide assessment, education and disability awareness to parents, care-givers, mentors and the community at large. The centre founder Debora-Shuma conceived the idea that rehabilitates disabled children as well as working towards eliminating stigma against them and integrating them with their abled-bodied counterparts through vocational training.<br /><br />Computer literacy in Tanzanian primary schools is its nascent stages. This is the area that another Tigo Digital Changemakers, Faraja Nyalandu, has ventured into. Nyalandu has developed a digital toolkit that creates digital educational content that empowers youth and children via desktop and mobile learning services.<br /><br />“Through my company Shule Direct, mobile learning services have impacted over 7,300 children within one year, thanks to support from Tigo,”Nyalandu says.<br /><br />Similarly, Carolyne Ekyarisiima’s project of teaching basic and complex computer skills to young girls aged 10-18 years had by the end of 2014, impacted over 700 pupils.<br /><br />Tigo Tanzania social investment is happening in parallel with the company’s investment on its infrastructure. In 2015, according to Berdiev, the telecom has invested US$ 120 million on its network expansion and improvement which include scaling up its 3G sites and fibre network as well as launching Tanzania’s biggest and fastest Tigo 4G LTE network.<br /><br />Tigo Tanzania is the biggest commercial brand of Millicom, an international company developing the digital lifestyle in 12 countries with commercial operations in Africa and Latin America and corporate offices in Europe and the USA. <br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Tigo. </span></div> </div>

Tigo Tanzania in partnership with a local NGO, Reach For Change, have once again announced two winners of the Tigo Digital Changemakers competition

Tigo Tanzania   in partnership with a local NGO, Reach For Change, have once again announced two winners of the Tigo Digital Changemaker...

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Malaik offers the global community clear and well-documented opportunities

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P6hu_ocNLxk/VnJhltoG6JI/AAAAAAAAGv0/yzAz82wS_3U/s1600/mala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P6hu_ocNLxk/VnJhltoG6JI/AAAAAAAAGv0/yzAz82wS_3U/s400/mala.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME's) are the primary job creation engine in Africa, accounting for over 95% of firms and 60%-70% of employment. Yet, SME's on the continent report access to finance as the biggest obstacle to growth. Malaik, an impact-focused equity crowdfunding portal, test launched today, to connect investors interested in impact investment opportunities and entrepreneurs raising equity finance. Malaik offers the global community clear and well-documented opportunities for high impact investing in African businesses, a chance to participate in Africa's growth story. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />"Young companies all over Africa face a scarcity of funds to fuel their growth," said Neku Atawodi, Founder of Malaik. "Apart from banks and occasional angel investors, there is often nowhere to turn. Malaik is turning this crisis into an opportunity for startups and investors alike by offering stakes in young African companies to the crowd. Our unique impact tracker means that investors can track their investments impact on the platform."<br /><br />Malaik is targetted at sophisticated investors, who understand the risks of investing in start ups. The platform uses a unique system of first identifying a lead investor before putting a company on the platform. The lead investor sets the terms and valuations of the deal, and personally invests a minimum of 25% of the companies' asking round. The lead investor negotiates a fair valuation and is required to conduct their own due diligence before putting their money in. A lead investor may be an individual investing alone, or a representative for an investing group or institution. The crowd receives the same class of share, and the same price per share, as the lead investor, except indicated otherwise. Companies listed on Malaik decide how much money they want to raise in exchange for a certain percentage of equity, and each investor's equity interest is proportionate to the size of their investment.<br /><br />Malaik will focus on high-impact companies that provide jobs and solve social and infrastructural issues in African nations while maintaining profitability. The global portal will fund seed stage businesses requiring funding between $200,000 to $2,000,000. Malaik has identified local partners in key regions around Africa that will source for high impact start ups locally, entrepreneurs can also apply to be listed on www.malaik.com.<br /><br />"We believe that business with an impact should be profitable," added Atawodi, "and that innovative entrepreneurs are the key to developing a more prosperous and equitable Africa. Malaik's unique job index will allow investors to view how many jobs are created by investing in the startups' scale up plans."<br /><br />Malaik is the first platform in the world to track impact as well as financial reports. Malaik tracks a company's impact using its unique impact tracker that tracks the company's progress using measurable Sustainable Development Goals and reports it in an easy to understand dial system. <br /><br />"The needs of our age are building a more sustainable world, fighting global poverty, global health issues and climate change, among others. The innovation in finance that responds to this need in Africa is Malaik: democratising impact investing into impact-driven African startups," said Issam Chleuh, Malaik Impact Advisor and CEO Africa Impact Group.<br /><br />Malaik charges no upfront or ongoing charges to investors, and receives nothing if a company does not make a profitable return. Malaik is showcasing its first fully funded company, I-drop water, a data powered innovative vending water machine that addresses the challenges of clean drinkable water in Africa. Press may request invites to private events in Lagos and Ghana this December. <br /><br />Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Malaik.</span></div>

Malaik offers the global community clear and well-documented opportunities

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME's) are the primary job creation engine in Africa, accounting for over 95% of firms and 60%-70...

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Mvua zaharibu Singida

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c5c6QHsqsSA/VnJgxJuQZlI/AAAAAAAAGvs/i996LUGgAOk/s1600/SAM_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c5c6QHsqsSA/VnJgxJuQZlI/AAAAAAAAGvs/i996LUGgAOk/s400/SAM_0052.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Na,Jumbe Ismailly-Singida</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">MVUA kubwa zinazoendelea kunyesha Mkoani Singida zimeharibu zaidi ya ekari kumi za mashamba ya wakulima 30 wa Kijiji cha Mtipa,Manispaa ya Singida kufuatia maji kuanza kujaa kwenye mashamba hayo,hali inayoashiria kutishia maisha ya wakulima hao kukosa maeneo ya kulima.<br /><br />Baadhi ya wananchi hao ambao maeneo ya mashamba yao yamechukuliwa na Halmashauri ya Manispaa ya Singida kwa ajili ya kupisha mradi wa maji unaofadhiliwa na Benki ya dunia,ulioanza kujengwa tangu mwaka 2013.<br /><br />Hata hivyo baadhi ya wamiliki wa mashamba hayo,Justina Jacobo Ntandu alifafanua kuwa pamoja na maeneo ya mashamba yao kuchukuliwa na serikali,lakini cha kushangaza hawajaanza kunufaika na mradi wa maji safi na salama kama ilivyokusudiwa na serikali.<br /><br />“Wamekuja wakandarasi wetu wametuwekea mifereji,lakini mifereji hiyo sasa hivi wametuharibia na mashamba,maji hawajatengeneza sijui wamepotelea wapi”alihoji Justina.<br /><br />Kwa mujibu wa mkazi huyo wa Mtaa wa Mwaghumpi,Kijiji cha Mtipa,eneo ilipowekwa mashine ya maji alikuwa akilitegemea kwa kilimo cha mazao ya chakula licha ya kuchukuliwa na serikali,hakuna kiasi chochote cha fedha alicholipwa kwa ajili ya fidia,zaidi ya kumharibia eneo lake ambalo kwa sasa linajaa maji kupita kiasi.<br /><br />Naye Athumani Iddi ambaye pia ni mkazi wa Kijiji cha Mtipa alibainisha kuwa kutokana na mashamba yao kuchukuliwa kupisha mradi kuanzia mwaka jana hawakuwa na maeneo ya kulima na hata mwaka huu hawatakuwa na maeneo mazuri ya kuendeleza kilimo cha mazao ya chakula.<br /><br />“Na mashamba hapa kama mwaka jana hatujalima,tulishindwa kulima kwa sababu maji yakija,mto huu umekatwa kwa sababu ile mito iliyokuwa inapita kuteremka kupita huko chini ukazuia yale maji yaliyokuwa yanafuata sehemu nyingine,yakafuata sehemu moja”alisisitiza mwananchi huyo.<br /><br />Kwa mujibu wa mwanachi huyo awali maji hayo hayakuwa yakipitishwa kwenye mashamba lakini baada ya mitaro kuwekwa na kuelekezwa kwenye maeneo ya mashamba yao ndipo maji yalipoanza kusomba udongo kwenye mashamba na kuharibu utaratibu mzima wa kuendelea na kilimo cha mwaka uliopita.<br /><br /> Kwa upande wake mwenyekiti wa Mtaa wa Mtipa mashariki Maulidi Selemani Mwangu alionyesha masikitiko yake kutokana na mashamba ya wananchi wa mtaa wake kuharibiwa na mafuriko ya maji yanayopita kwenye mashamba yao.<br /><br />Hata hivyo mwenyekiti wa mradi wa maji wa Kijiji hicho,Msafiri Athumani Halimoja aliweka wazi kuwa mfereji uliowekwa bila kufukiwa na mkandarasi wa maji ulianza kutiririsha maji kwenye mashamba na kisha mashamba hayo kuanza kufukiwa na mchanga.<br /><br />Kwa upande wake Mkurugenzi wa Manispaa ya Singida,Joseph Mchina alipotakiwa kuzungumzia malalamiko ya wananchi wa Kijiji cha Mtipa,aliahidi kwamba katika kipindi kisichozidi wiki mbili atakuwa ameshughulikia kwa vitendo matatizo hayo na kuyamaliza kabisa badala ya kuongea kwa maneno tu.<br /><br />“Kwa kweli naomba muda wa wiki mbili tu mje kuniona nitakuwa nimeshughulikia kwa vitendo malalamiko yote ya wananchi katika Manispaa,hususani ya miradi ya maji maana karibu yote ina matatizo,ikiongozwa na mradi wa Kijiji cha Kisaki”alisisitiza Mchina.</span></div> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>

Mvua zaharibu Singida

Na,Jumbe Ismailly-Singida MVUA kubwa zinazoendelea kunyesha Mkoani Singida zimeharibu zaidi ya ekari kumi za mashamba ya wakulima 30 w...

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Positive Action for Children Fund (PACF) latest grantees and new call for proposals underscores far reaching success and impact of programme to date

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nZXJhrkL84o/VmZfuKsR2QI/AAAAAAAAGvU/RXb4D94By1M/s1600/vii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nZXJhrkL84o/VmZfuKsR2QI/AAAAAAAAGvU/RXb4D94By1M/s400/vii.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">ViiV <a href="http://www.viivhealthcare.com/">Healthcare</a>, through its Positive Action for Children Fund (PACF), announces today the 34 new community-based organisations from 16 countries that will receive funding in 2015/16 to support local responses to help eliminate mother to child transmission (eMTCT) of HIV in affected communities across Sub-Saharan Africa. The news was highlighted at the PACF Summit which coincides with the 18th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), as the company issued a new call for proposals to support the continued delivery of crucial services to improve the wellbeing of women and children affected by HIV.<br /><br />Dr. Dominique Limet, CEO, ViiV Healthcare commented: “For the past five years, our Positive Action for Children Fund has supported projects that drive real change for women and children in communities most affected by HIV. Since ViiV Healthcare was first established, we have taken a meaningful approach to partnering with grass-roots organisations to deliver interventions that have made a difference to communities where the need is greatest.”<br /><br />Since 2009, PACF has partnered with local organisations working to improve the health and wellbeing of women and children affected by HIV and the communities in which they live by strengthening ties between these communities, local health systems and governments. Following the launch of PACF, the programme has evolved significantly to enable more families to have access to information, prevention measures, testing and care for HIV.<br /><br />Through our partners, the PACF programme has reached around 1.6 million people in communities most affected by HIV directly, delivering results on the ground as reported by our grantees over the past five years. These include enabling nearly 250,000 women to be tested for HIV, thus identifying nearly 24,500 infected with the virus.(1) Importantly, the work of our partner organisations has led to more than 135,000 babies born from mothers who are infected with HIV, were delivered in facilities that can provide the most appropriate support and care for both mother and child.<br /><br />During the conference taking place this week in Harare, more than 80 PACF network and grantee organisations will meet to share their successes and learnings with their peers and to further progress community interventions related to eMTCT. These include promoting women and girls’ access to education and health services, testing infants early for HIV and improving retention of mothers in local HIV services.<br /><br />Call for proposals 2016<br /><br />In addition, PACF announced a new call for proposals seeking community partnerships that are aligned with eMTCT. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) wanting to apply for a proportion of this funding must register their interest before March 30th 2016.<br /><br />“The PACF welcomes applications from organisations to support HIV communities where the need is greatest,” said Peter McDermott, Chairman of the Board, Positive Action for Children Fund. “At the core of PACF’s effort is a unique focus on grassroots change, ensuring our grantees are enabled to achieve the <a href="http://www.viivhealthcare.com/community-partnerships/positive-action-for-children-fund/applications">greatest</a> impact possible to help end mother to child transmission of HIV.”<br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of ViiV Healthcare. </span></div> </div>

Positive Action for Children Fund (PACF) latest grantees and new call for proposals underscores far reaching success and impact of programme to date

ViiV Healthcare , through its Positive Action for Children Fund (PACF), announces today the 34 new community-based organisations from 16...

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Thomson Reuters and ICD launch the Islamic Finance Development Indicator

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zJcTm26SMwA/VmXaNUEdgeI/AAAAAAAAGvE/xZR-f-86qEo/s1600/thom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="92" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zJcTm26SMwA/VmXaNUEdgeI/AAAAAAAAGvE/xZR-f-86qEo/s400/thom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.thomsonreuters.com/">Thomson</a> Reuters, the world's leading provider of intelligent information for businesses and professionals, and Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private <a href="http://www.icd-idb.org/">Sector</a> (ICD) , the private sector development arm of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), today released the key findings of the Islamic Finance Development Indicator (IFDI) Report 2015.<br /><br />The report was launched at the World Islamic Banking conference (WIBC) held in Bahrain under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain.<br /><br />The report, which was released for the third consecutive year, examines the key statistics and trends across five indicators that are deemed to be significant for measuring the development of the US$1.8 trillion Islamic finance industry. These include Quantitative Development, Knowledge, Governance, Corporate Social Responsibility and Awareness. These indicators are tracked across 108 countries, which had contributions in all or some of these indicators.<br /><br />According to the report, Malaysia leads IFDI again while GCC countries continue to dominate the top of the rankings for a third year in a row. Among the GCC countries, Bahrain maintained its second position globally, while UAE switched positions with Oman to come 3rd, with the latter dropping to 4th. Saudi Arabia, which is the world’s 2nd biggest jurisdiction in terms of Islamic finance assets, jumped to 6th from 9th overall, largely due to improvement in its CSR activities.<br /><br />Pakistan, Jordan, Hong Kong, India, Botswana and Ivory Coast are some of the countries that have demonstrated positive movements in the IFDI 2015 ranking.<br /><br />Khaled Al Aboodi, CEO of ICD said: “As the leading Islamic finance institution supporting private sector development across the Islamic world, we recognize that the industry requires effective holistic measures to focus our efforts to facilitate and ensure inclusive financial sector development. The ICD-Thomson Reuters Islamic Finance Development Indicator (IFDI) is one of our key initiatives to assess the current states of the overall health of the Islamic finance industry and measure growth potential for each country. The indicator is the leading global reference for Islamic finance development for all users including Policy Makers & Regulators, Investors & Financial institutions, Sharia scholars, research and training departments interested in Islamic Finance.”<br /><br />Islamic Finance Assets grew by 9.4 percent to reach $1.814 trillion in 2014<br /><br />In 2014, global Islamic finance assets climbed to $1.814 trillion, representing a 9.4 percent rise from $1.66 trillion in 2013. This increase was driven by strong growth in all sectors -- Islamic banking, takaful, sukuk and Islamic funds. The value of assets in the Islamic finance sector is expected to increase by 10 percent per annum over the next five years, reaching $3.24 trillion by 2020.<br /><br />“The Islamic finance industry has demonstrated tremendous growth over the last few year. We have seen the industry develop a conducive eco-system that made it possible for many countries to enter this space. Currently, there are more than 1,000 Islamic financial institutions most of which are located in the GCC and Southeast Asiaad we expect this number to increase significantly in the next decade,” said Nadim Najjar, Managing Director, Middle East & North Africa, Thomson Reuters<br /><br />378 institutions provided Islamic finance education in 2014<br /><br />The number of Islamic finance degrees and courses as well as research papers increased in 2014, with 2013 leaders Malaysia, Bahrain, and Jordan retaining their leadership positions on the Knowledge Indicator for 2014.<br /><br />378 institutions offered Islamic finance education in 2014. Malaysia and UK co lead 36 countries that offer Islamic finance degrees, with 141 institutions offering Islamic finance courses.<br /><br />On the Research sub-indicator, there were 1,490 Islamic finance research papers published in the past 3 years (2012-2014). There is a substantial gap between Malaysia’s research output and that of the other countries.<br /><br />Governance indicator highlights more transparent and secure financial markets<br /><br />Bahrain and Malaysia maintained their respective 1st and 2nd positions on the overall Governance indicator, which considers three factors: Regulations, Corporate Governance, and Shariah Governance. There remains a huge gap between the two leaders and the rest of the countries.<br /><br />Bahrain, Malaysia, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Indonesia are the jurisdictions with the most complete set of Islamic finance regulations. These are the jurisdictions providing best practice models for Islamic finance governance, and which are considered as models by new markets such as France, Germany, Ghana, and Russia.<br /><br />In 2014, there were 953 Shariah scholars practising in the global Islamic finance industry. 75 percent of the 953 scholars practise primarily in the top 10 countries of the IFDI.<br /><br />On Corporate Governance, Oman, Maldives and Kuwait are the strongest, with South Africa and Malaysia not far behind by the number of corporate governance items disclosed and the composition of Board, and Risk Management and Audit committees.<br /><br />Saudi Arabia outright leader on CSR indicator with highest amount of zakat disbursed<br /><br />There is a serious lack of disclosure of CSR activities and funds disbursed. Only 25 out of 108 countries that make up the IFDI universe contributed to the CSR indicator. Of the 25 countries that had any CSR Disclosure, not all institutions disclosed the amount of zakat, charity or qard al hasan funds. As per available data, total CSR funds disbursed in 2014 amounts to US$ 526 million, which we know is significantly lower than the actual funds disbursed.<br /><br />Palestine was the only jurisdiction whose financial institutions all disclosed CSR activities and funds disbursed. Saudi Arabia disbursed the most CSR funds (driven by mandatory zakat payments), resulting in its leadership on the CSR Funds sub-indicator. There is a very big gap between Saudi Arabia and 2nd placed Jordan. All other GCC states are in the top ten save Qatar, which was in 14th place. <br /><br />Top-line Islamic finance issues still central themes at seminars and conferences <br /><br />Islamic finance continued to make headlines in 2014 through news, conferences and seminars. The number of seminars grow to 142 in 2014. Conferences also grew to reach 122 in 2014 from only 76 in 2012.<br /><br />There was also 19,000 exclusive news and 131,000 regional news on Islamic finance globally. This increased from 14,000 exclusive news and 83,000 regional news in 2013, which is unsurprising as many countries are becoming increasingly interested in Islamic finance.<br /><br />Malaysia rose to lead the Awareness indicator while Oman dropped to 4th from 1st in 2013. Likewise, Bahrain and UAE each moved up a notch to 2nd and 3rd respectively, while Pakistan over performed, particularly in seminars compared to last year. By regions, the GCC made the most headlines, but Southeast Asia and Europe hosted more Islamic finance-related events.<br /><br />ICD Thomson Reuters Islamic Finance Development Report 2015 is also sponsored by Tawreeq Holdings, the only Sharia-complaint SCF provider.<br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Thomson Reuters. </span></div> </div>

Thomson Reuters and ICD launch the Islamic Finance Development Indicator

Thomson Reuters, the world's leading provider of intelligent information for businesses and professionals, and Islamic Corporation ...

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Africa Oil & Power Breaks the Mold of Traditional Energy Conferences

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uCa-WOuQ9cY/VmXZhIaAZmI/AAAAAAAAGu4/1_sDj8vF8zM/s1600/oil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uCa-WOuQ9cY/VmXZhIaAZmI/AAAAAAAAGu4/1_sDj8vF8zM/s400/oil.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The inaugural edition of the Africa Oil & Power conference  will be held June 6-7, 2016 at the Westin Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa. Endorsed by the Ministry of Mines, Industry and Energy of Equatorial Guinea and Hosted by Centurion Law Firm, Africa Oil & Power is an invitation-only event that strives to redefine energy conferences. It draws a premier crowd of ministers and senior level government officials and top executives of private sector companies spanning the entire value chain, including upstream, downstream, power generation and legal and finance.<br /><br />The goal of Africa Oil & Power will be to maximize networking and transaction-making opportunities. The event will provide sponsors and delegates with Deal Rooms and speed networking and matchmaking sessions based on common interests.<br /><br />“Africa Oil & Power will be a game changer for B2B oil and gas events,” said NJ Ayuk, CEO of Centurion Law Group, the event’s Host Sponsor. “It offers an engaging content experience and a true opportunity for business executives to make deals. Centurion is proud to support this landmark event.”<br /><br />The debate panel format will draw together key decision makers from select countries in an unscripted setting. Much of the content will be framed around what the industry has done to adjust to a sustained climate of low oil prices and keeping projects on track. Africa Oil & Power will be the first energy conference with panels made up exclusively of African oil and gas ministers and heads of national companies. The June 6 program will feature a Market Spotlight on Equatorial Guinea with project and investment opportunities presented by government and industry leadership.<br /><br />Already confirmed as speakers are H.E Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima, Minister of Mines, Industry and Energy of Equatorial Guinea; H.E. Etienne Dieudonné Ngoubou, Minister of Petroleum and Hydrocarbons of Gabon; Alex Mould, CEO of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation; and Nick Cooper, CEO of Ophir Energy.<br /><br /> “The idea for this event was to create an immersive content experience built around the most authoritative speakers in their field,” said Guillaume Doane, CEO of the Africa Branding Corporation, the event organizer. “The invitation-only format allows us to hand-pick like-minded people with a great potential to strike agreements on the spot.” <br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Africa Oil & Power conference. </span></div> </div>

Africa Oil & Power Breaks the Mold of Traditional Energy Conferences

The inaugural edition of the Africa Oil & Power conference  will be held June 6-7, 2016 at the Westin Hotel in Cape Town, South Afri...

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