Shindano la Nyimbo za Amani katika tamasha la Sauti za Busara

<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/-ZqkSWdtY0VE/VKQhlAXF6gI/AAAAAAAAFHU/Bozv-DgBeuA/s1600/Kara_Sylla_Ka_(Senegal-Switzerland)_at_Sauti_za_Busara_2014_(photo_Link_Reuben)_9237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqkSWdtY0VE/VKQhlAXF6gI/AAAAAAAAFHU/Bozv-DgBeuA/s1600/Kara_Sylla_Ka_(Senegal-Switzerland)_at_Sauti_za_Busara_2014_(photo_Link_Reuben)_9237.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Sauti za Busara ni tamasha lililojipatia umaarufu ndani na nje ya mipaka ya Tanzania, ni tukio la kila mwaka ambalo limefanikiwa kuwekwa katika kalenda ya matamasha Afrika. Sauti za Busara huwaleta watu pamoja kusheherekea muziki wa Afrika bila ya kujali dini, rangi, tamaduni na wala wanapotoka. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Busara Promotions inathamini na kushukuru Tanzania kama moja ya nchi zenye amani kuliko zote Duniani. Huku mwaka 2015 ukiwa ni mwaka wa uchaguzi Tanzania, taasisi hii isiyo ya kiserikali inaamini ili maendeleo yaendelee bila kizuizi, tunahitaji kuimarisha umoja, heshima katika utofauti na kufanya kazi ili kutunza na kulinda amani hii yenye thamani. Kama mwanamziki mwenye tuzo Baaba Maalkutoka Senegal anavyosema, ‘Njia kuelekea amani ya dunia inapatikana katika muziki na uwezo wake wa kuleta watu pamoja.’ </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Huku likiwaleta pamoja wasanii tofauti na watazamaji kusherekea muziki wa Kiafrika, Sauti za Busara inahodhi shindano, kukiwa na zawadi ya pesa taslimu ambayo ni pesa ya kurekodi kwa washindi wa Nyimbo za Amani. Mkurugenzi wa Tamasha, Yusuf Mahmoud anasema “Sauti za Busara 2015 litaisaidia kukuza amani kwa kutumia muziki; ambapo vikundi 15 kutoka Tanzania, sambamba na vingine vya Kimataifa vitatoa sauti za ujumbe wa amani, umoja na mshikamano katika maonesho yao. Tunatarajia kwamba (sauti) hizi zitasikika kwa nguvu na uwazi”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Wasanii wa Kitanzania katika shindano hili ni pamoja na Leo Mkanyia, Msafiri Zawose, Mohamed Ilyas, Zee Town Sojaz, Ifa Band, Mgodro Group, Mabantu Africa na wengine wengi. Shindano la Nyimbo za Amani linadhaminiwa na Busara Promotions, kwa msaada wa Ubalozi wa Marekani Dar es Salaam. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Shindano la Nyimbo za Amani litafanyika katika tamasha la Sauti za Busara Mji Mkongwe, Zanzibar kati ya saa 10:00 jioni siku ya Alhamisi tarehe 12 na saa 2:00 usiku siku ya Jumapili tarehe 15 Februari 2015. Shindano liko wazi kwa Wakazi wa Tanzania au Wazawa wa Tanzania. Vikundi vyote vya Kitanzania vinavyoshiriki kwenye tamasha vinaalikwa kutunga nyimbo maalum yenye dhima ya amani na umoja na kuifanyia onesho katika mida yao ya kutumbuiza katika tamasha. Fedha taslimu zitazawadiwa kwa ajili ya uzalishaji wa rekodi kitaalamu wa nyimbo zenye ubunifu: 4m/- TSh (Mshindi wa 1), 3m/- TSh (Mshindi wa 2) na 2m/- TSh (Mshindi wa 3)</span></div> </div>

Shindano la Nyimbo za Amani katika tamasha la Sauti za Busara

Sauti za Busara ni tamasha lililojipatia umaarufu ndani na nje ya mipaka ya Tanzania, ni tukio la kila mwaka ambalo limefanikiwa kuwekwa...

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Proven Record of Rolling Out ICS BANKS® at Guaranty Trust Bank Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda

<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/-tPNYyzxWUTY/VKQhFto3R1I/AAAAAAAAFHM/xPWIcHvYylc/s1600/download.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tPNYyzxWUTY/VKQhFto3R1I/AAAAAAAAFHM/xPWIcHvYylc/s1600/download.png" width="216" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">ICS Financial Systems Limited (<a href="http://www.icsfs.com/">ICSFS</a>)</span><span style="font-size: large;">, the global software and services provider for banks and financial institutions, partnered with new banks through expansion of its operations in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. This project was awarded to ICSFS by Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTBank), which is one of the largest banks in Africa. Guaranty Trust Bank recently acquired Fina Bank, an East African Bank, which was subsequently rebranded and became a subsidiary of GTBank Plc. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">ICS BANKS® was successfully deployed at Guaranty Trust Bank Kenya, Guaranty Trust Bank Uganda and Guaranty Trust Bank Rwanda in record breaking time. The three banks experienced a smooth implementation process which started in January, 2014 and was completed in August 2014.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">During the implementation period, ICSFS applied great efforts to overcome all obstacles which eventually led to the successful implementation of ICS BANKS® in all three East African subsidiaries of GTBank Plc. Guaranty Trust Bank Rwanda has implemented a fully comprehensive solution ICS BANKS® in all 18 branches, which is also the case for Guaranty Trust Bank Uganda and Guaranty Trust Bank Kenya, who have implemented the system in all branches. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“We would like to take this opportunity to thank ICS Financial Systems for their high level of professionalism and team spirit which contributed to achieving this milestone.” Mr. Adekunle Sonola, GTBank’ East Africa Group Managing Director and Managing Director at GTB Kenya commented, “We also promise our customers that we will continue to apply significant improvements to enable delivery of superior-value services, that will fulfill all your financial requirements. ICS BANKS® will to support us in meeting our goals using the latest technology available.” </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mr. Bayo Veracruz; Managing Director at GTB Rwanda commented, “Fast implementation means significant savings for us not only in terms of project costs, but also in terms of starting our banking business to serve our clients. We are happy to offer our clients the latest banking services in Rwanda on ICS BANKS® provided by ICS Financial Systems. “</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mr. Olufemi Omotoso; Managing Director at GTB Uganda commented, “We are very pleased with the successful and timely implementation of ICS BANKS®. It’s a remarkable accomplishment that illustrates and speaks of the skills and efficiency of ICS Financial Systems implementation team and illustrates the potentials of ICSFS.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mr. Robert Hazboun; Managing Director at ICSFS stated, “We strive to continually discover innovative, ground-breaking tools to deliver powerful banking solutions designed for the world’s largest banks. As Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd. Group is a rapidly growing chain of 280+ branches in Africa. This achievement is the result of a finely coordinated rapid go-live process performed by a very talented Implementation & support team.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Executive Director for Business Development at ICSFS; Mr. Wael Malkawi stated, “We are really proud of our implementation team for achieving this success. We are keen to provide first-class financial services to GTBank Group, which is a major player in providing banking services in Africa and one of ICSFS’ biggest clients. This remarkable achievement is based on our historical presence in Africa, knowledge and experience with local requirements and regulations. ”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">GTBank has been a client of ICSFS since 1998 and is using ICS BANKS® in Nigeria, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, United Kingdom, Ivory Coast, Liberia and now in its new subsidiaries; Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">ICSFS is present in 31 countries, three continents, and has a client base of over 80 customers that are all running banks and financial institutions. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">ICS BANKS® provides a complete suite of banking business modules with a rich sweep of functionality and features, addressing business needs and automating accounting processes, as needed, to improve a bank’s business performance. ICS BANKS® has always been a pioneer in utilizing the latest technology to serve financial institutions. In addition to its embedded Service-Oriented-Architecture (SOA), the system is deployed in a multi-tiered setup that runs on a web thin client, J2EE environment. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div class="yiv1454859669MsoNoSpacing" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420042226521_5076" style="text-align: justify;"> <i id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420042226521_5078"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420042226521_5077" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of ICS Financial Systems Ltd. (ICSFS).</span></span></i></div> </div>

Proven Record of Rolling Out ICS BANKS® at Guaranty Trust Bank Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda

ICS Financial Systems Limited ( ICSFS ) , the global software and services provider for banks and financial institutions, partnered with...

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Nyalandu kuwania uraid 2015

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">TheNkoromo Blog</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q9DIwEnbTR8/VKEAR_mlSJI/AAAAAAAAFG8/qT6lCZc9Qaw/s1600/WAZIRI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q9DIwEnbTR8/VKEAR_mlSJI/AAAAAAAAFG8/qT6lCZc9Qaw/s1600/WAZIRI.jpg" width="170" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Mbunge wa Singida Kaskazini, Waziri wa Maliasili na Utalii, Lazaro Nyalandu ametangaza rasmi kuwania Urais wa Tanzania katika uchaguzi mkuu mwakani.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Amesema amechukua uamuzi huo baada ya kuona kwamba anao uwezo wa kuiongoza Tanzania, katika harakati za kuwafikisha kwenye maendeleo endelevu wanayotaka Watanzania.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Amesema, yuko tayari kushindanishwa na Watanzania wengine watakaoona kuwa wanafaa kuwa Rais, lakini akisema kwanza kila atakayejitokeza itabidi kazi zake zipimwe kwa moto na endapo zitayeyuka hafai.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Nyalandu ambaye alitangaza uamuzi huo kwenye Uwanja wa Michezo wa Ilongelo jimbo la Singida Kaskazini, alisema, yeye anaingia kwenye kinyang'anyiro akiwa kifua mbele kutokana na kuamini kwamba amekwishafanyakazi zilizotukuka.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">"Kazi zangu nilizofanya zinajulikana na ninaziamini kwamba ni nzuri, hivyo yeyote atakayetaka urais apimanishwe na mimi kwa kupimwa kazi zetu kwa moto", alisema Nyalandu</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Itakapofika siku ya siku, nitaenda Dodoma nikisindikizwa na wana Singida Mashariki, na wengine wengi kutoka pembe zote za Tanzania, kwenda Dodoma kuchukua fomu ya kuwania kuteuliwa kugombea Urais kwa tiketi ya CCM", alisema.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mkutano huo wa jimbo ambao ulipambwa na shamrashamra mbalimbali zikiwemo za wasanii wakiwemo kina Rose Mhando, ulifurika maelfu ya wananchi waliohamasika kumsikiliza Nyalandu.</span></div> </div>

Nyalandu kuwania uraid 2015

TheNkoromo Blog Mbunge wa Singida Kaskazini, Waziri wa Maliasili na Utalii, Lazaro Nyalandu ametangaza rasmi kuwania Urais wa Tanzania k...

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Mansour ajiunga na CUF

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mcILnXpyMyA/VKD_cXJjKdI/AAAAAAAAFG0/07C5K910wrM/s1600/man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mcILnXpyMyA/VKD_cXJjKdI/AAAAAAAAFG0/07C5K910wrM/s1600/man.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Na: Hassan Hamad (OMKR).</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Aliyekuwa Mwakilishi wa jimbo la Kiembesamaki Mhe. Mansour Yussuf Himid, amejiunga rasmi na chama cha wananchi CUF.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mhe. Mansour ambaye amewahi kuitumikia Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar kwa kushika nyadhifa mbali mbali ikiwemo ya Waziri wa Kilimo, amechukua uamuzi huo leo kwenye mkutano wa hadhara wa CUF uliofanyika viwanja vya Paje, Wilaya ya Kusini Unguja.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Baada ya kukabidhiwa kadi ya CUF na Katibu Mkuu wa Chama hicho Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, Mhe. Mansour amesema ameamua kujiunga na CUF baada ya kubaini na kuridhika kuwa chama hicho kimebeba matumaini mapya ya wazanzibari.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mhe. Mansour ambaye tayari alishateuliwa na chama hicho kuwa mshauri wa mikakati wa Katibu Mkuu wa CUF, amechukua kadi hiyo akiwa miongoni mwa wanachama wapya 108 waliojiunga na CUF kwenye mkutano huo.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mapema akizungumza kwenye mkutano huo, Katibu Mkuu wa CUF Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, amempongeza Mhe. Mansour kwa kuamua kujiunga na chama hicho hadharani, na kukiita kitendo hicho kuwa ni cha kijasiri.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Akizungumzia mafanikio ya chama hicho, Maalim Seif amesema kimepata mafanikio makubwa katika mwaka unaomalizika wa 2014, na kutangaza maazimia mapya ya chama hicho kwa mwaka 2015.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Ametaja mafanikio yaliyopatikana kuwa ni pamoja na kuendelea kukubalika kwa chama hicho katika pembe zote za Zanzibar na Tanzania kwa ujumla.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Kuhusu maazimio ya Chama hicho kwa mwaka 2015, Maalim Seif amesema kimejipanga kuhakikisha kuwa kinashinda kwa asilimia kubwa katika uchaguzi mkuu ujao na kuweza kuongoza serikali ya umoja wa kitaifa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Hata hivyo amewataka wanachama wasibetweke kutokana na mafanikio yaliyopatikana, bali waongeze nguvu kuhakikisha kuwa malengo ya chama hicho katika uchaguzi mkuu ujao yanafikiwa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Ameongeza kuwa CUF pia kimejipanga kuimarisha uchumi na kujenga Zanzibar mpya itakayokuwa ya matumaini kwa Wazanzibari wote.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Katika hatua nyengine, Maalim Seif ambaye pia ni Makamu wa Kwanza wa Rais wa Zanzibar amesema katika uchaguzi mkuu ujao hatowazuia vijana kutetea haki yao iwapo watadhulumiwa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Katika uchaguzi mkuu wa mwaka 2010 nilifanya kazi kubwa ya kuwazuia vijana wasifanye vurugu pale hoteli ya Bwawani. Mwanzo niliwatuma wasaidizi wangu waende kuwaondosha lakini hakuna aliyesikia hadi nilipokwenda mwenyewe, tena waliondoka kwa shingo upande kabisa. Kwa hivyo uchaguzi mkuu ujao sina namna yoyote ya kuwazuia vijana kutetea haki yao”, alifafanua Maalim Seif.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Kabla ya mkutano huo Maalim Seif alifanya ziara ya kukagua uhai wa chama hicho katika vijiji vya Michamvi, Bwejuu, Jambiani na Paje ambako aliweka mawe ya msingi kwenye matawi ya chama hicho, pamoja na kupandisha bendera kwenye barza ya DAY OUT ya Paje.</span></div> </div>

Mansour ajiunga na CUF

Na: Hassan Hamad (OMKR). Aliyekuwa Mwakilishi wa jimbo la Kiembesamaki Mhe. Mansour Yussuf Himid, amejiunga rasmi na chama cha wananchi ...

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Pan-African economic forum to be held in Africa in 2015

<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/-XNoEZgYKjbQ/VJuvB9igM_I/AAAAAAAAFGk/o6DXhOIQWck/s1600/new.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="95" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XNoEZgYKjbQ/VJuvB9igM_I/AAAAAAAAFGk/o6DXhOIQWck/s1600/new.png" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The 4th edition of the New York Forum <a href="http://www.ny-forum-africa.com/">AFRICA</a></span><span style="font-size: large;">, the only pan-African economic forum to be held in Africa in 2015, will bring together more than 1500 business and political leaders on May 29-31 2015 in Libreville, Gabon. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />The theme for NYFA 2015, organized under the High Patronage of His Excellency Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of the Gabonese Republic, is Invest in the Energy Continent. It will focus on the new dynamism in the continent, its entrepreneurs, economic and investment opportunities, the growing energy sector, jobs creation, as well as education and innovation, to draw up a roadmap for the continent’s transformation.<br /><br />Participants will take part in action-orientated debates and panels, as well as sector-specific breakout sessions and workshops to define concrete actions for sustainable and efficient investment into the energy of the continent. Which reforms are efficient? Which economic diversification strategy works best? How should the expansion of sectors such as transportation, telecommunications, financial services, tourism,… best be supported ?<br /><br />The NYFA2015 Marketplace, a meeting place for business and political stakeholders to design partnerships and exchange opportunities will include an Investor’s Lounge. A carefully curated selection of African start-ups, each with an invention that has the power to bring about significant change, will be invited to showcase their work.<br /><br />The Forum will also host the second edition of the African Citizen Summit will focus on job creation and enterprise in Africa.<br /><br />The NYFA 2015 will follow the first edition of The Climate South Initiative (CSI), taking place on May 28 and 29 in Libreville, with the goal of defining the role of the global South in addressing climate change and framing actionable solutions, -in the run-up to COP21 in Paris in December 2015.<br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Richard Attias & Associates (RAA).</span></div> </div>

Pan-African economic forum to be held in Africa in 2015

The 4th edition of the New York Forum AFRICA , the only pan-African economic forum to be held in Africa in 2015, will bring together mor...

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An important meeting to define the role of the global south in addressing climate change for COP21 in paris

<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/-aCnluQsPeLU/VJutwIYnrAI/AAAAAAAAFGY/2eqBl1onN9o/s1600/date.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aCnluQsPeLU/VJutwIYnrAI/AAAAAAAAFGY/2eqBl1onN9o/s1600/date.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Climate </span><a href="http://www.climate-south.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">South</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> Initiative will gather more than 800 global leaders from government, business, NGOs, academia, civil society, youth and media to discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by climate change.<br /><br />This Initiative, under the high patronage of President Ali Bongo Ondimba will offer a platform for proactive leaders to discuss the opportunities to enable adaption to current impacts, and mitigation of future effects of climate change.<br /><br />The objective for the diverse countries from the South will be to create momentum for equitable solutions and to take their share of responsibility in the fight against climate change. Designed to encourage informal dialogue, this event will be a platform for sharing the diverse perspectives and knowledge across countries from the Southern continents – Africa, Middle-East, Asia and Latin America. Following their discussions, the participants will adopt a common Declaration that will feed into UNFCC’s 21st Conference of Parties meeting scheduled in Paris in December 2015 (COP21).<br /><br />The Climate South Initiative will be immediately followed by another major initiative: the New York Forum Africa 2015 (NYFA), taking place on May 29 to 31 in Libreville, to discuss the continent’s perspectives under the theme Invest in the Energy Continent.<br /><br />Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Richard Attias & Associates (RAA).</span></div> </div>

An important meeting to define the role of the global south in addressing climate change for COP21 in paris

The Climate South Initiative will gather more than 800 global leaders from government, business, NGOs, academia, civil society, youth a...

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Arusha Declaration on Social Protection in Tanzania

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9TycFkfm2HY/VJfMTfYvTGI/AAAAAAAAFGA/T-hLTEfIjVQ/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9TycFkfm2HY/VJfMTfYvTGI/AAAAAAAAFGA/T-hLTEfIjVQ/s1600/images.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Background: </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">This Declaration summarizes key lessons, decisions and commitments emerging from the deliberations of the three days’ international conference on “Social Protection: Building Effective and Sustainable Systems for Equitable Growth” held in Arusha, Tanzania between 15th-17th December, 2014. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Taking into account experiences shared from across Africa, Bangladesh and Afghanistan that presented rich and comprehensive data on the effectiveness of social protection (SP) interventions, the Declaration shall be used as Guide to Action for Tanzania in promoting social protection and addressing inequality, inequity, discrimination, marginalization and other forms of deprivation that limit the potential of Tanzanian men, women and children. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Commitments: </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Government of Tanzania commits to the following goals, strategies and actions</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">GOALS: </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">· Poverty reduction and human capital development: Tanzania where poverty is reduced at an accelerated pace to achieve the targets in line with the VISION 2025 (mainland) and VISION 2020 (Zanzibar); future generation being increasingly liberated from inter-generational poverty and exclusion through investments in children’s health and nutrition, education, HIV-prevention/ treatment and other social services; structural transformation of the economy that spurs inclusive growth where economic opportunities are created for all and employment opportunities strengthened, especially for women and youth. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">· Governance: Continuing to strengthen accountability and responsiveness of government institutions to the people in line with VISION 2025 (mainland) and VISION 2020 (Zanzibar); and continuing with strengthening citizens’ voice through deepening democracy and interactive participation in governance as a way of guaranteeing that social protection system continues to be strengthened and that it is effectively mainstreamed across sectors.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">· Protection: Where all children, women, and men are protected from all forms of violence and abuse, including gender-based violence, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child marriage and child pregnancy, attacks on People With Albinism and killings of the elderly, exploitative labour and human trafficking; where every child and every individual has a birth certificate and hence an identity for prompt action from the state. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS: </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Policy: Tanzania reaffirms her commitment to adopt the National Policy Framework for Social Protection with a clear action-oriented agenda, with the aim of undertaking reforms of existing social protection measures to reach the poor and vulnerable better. The framework shall progressively extend coverage of social protection measures to all, prioritizing outreach to more vulnerable and excluded groups including those in the informal sector and those with disability and albinism. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">This framework will advance the commitments to equity and pro-poor services as espoused within the Constitution, national strategies (like MKUKUTA/MKUZA, Five Year Development Plans and Social Security Policy) and various sector planning documents (Education Sector Plan, Health Sector Plan, Agricultural Sector plans/strategies, Water Sector Development Plan, National Plan of Action for Most Vulnerable Children, the National Plan of Action for Prevention and Response to Violence against Children and Zanzibar Social Protection Policy). </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">This national commitment aligns pro-poor goals of the key social sectors like health, water, education and those of social protection programmes like TASAF. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Planning, budgeting and implementation: Tanzania reaffirms her commitment to progressively and sustainable enhance national investments in social protection for the poor and vulnerable as enshrined in the Livingstone Accord and the Africa Union (AU) Framework on Social Protection. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Tanzania shall continue to streamline her budgeting to make it more pro-poor. In this regard, related cost efficiency and cost-effectiveness measures will be implemented and further strengthened. There will be sincere allocation and utilization of the growing national wealth to enhancing human capital accumulation through measures like social protection. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Planning and budgeting processes of national ministries and sectors like health and social welfare, education, water and others will pay special attention to incorporating social protection as a strategy for ensuring that the poor, disadvantaged and marginalized population (vulnerable children, people with disability, People with Albinism, HIV/AIDS, the elderly etc.) are enabled to access basic and quality social services in health and nutrition, child protection, basic education, health, water and sanitation and employment. Attention to TASAF and other social protection measures will be incorporated within the Big Results Now (BRN) initiatives in Health, Agriculture, Education and Water.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Building upon the current work, Tanzania reaffirms her commitment to ensuring more equitable distribution of budgetary and human resources across local government authorities (LGAs) and within LGAs especially in hard to reach areas in a sustained manner.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Consolidation and reform of the existing social protection programmes: Within the ongoing work of the National Social Protection Framework, the plethora of social protection programmes will be consolidated to minimize duplication/ overlap to improve coverage, targeting, fiscal space and impact. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Coordination: Tanzania commits herself to enhancing coordination across sectors and central agencies in the Mainland and in Zanzibar to accelerate poverty reduction through social protection measures. Stronger coordination through joint, integrated planning and programming will be critical. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">TASAF and other social protection programmes (like Most Vulnerable Children Programme supported by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare) and social service delivery ministries, will work together through a national social protection coordination mechanism/under the national social protection frameworks ( for both mainland and Zanzibar) to address challenges of poverty, poor development outcomes and inequity. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Monitoring and Evaluation: Enabling the poor and the vulnerable to access equal opportunities requires reliable, updated monitoring and reporting of their situation. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Government commits to:</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">· Systematically measuring the impact of social protection programs on male and female children, adolescent, youth and old-age beneficiaries of social protection programs across sectors, including but not limited to education, health and nutrition, HIV/AIDS and child protection, through national surveys (Demographic Health Surveys and Household Budgeting surveys), impact evaluation and operational research. Monitoring should be strengthened to track those who are in imminent threat of attack and need assistance and rescuing.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">· Undertaking prompt and decisive action to mitigate such threats and strengthen protection for all including women, elderly and People with Albinism. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">· Addressing overlaps in data collection, moving towards a single registry of data collected on vulnerable households and individuals.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Monitoring and evaluation frameworks that track national progress (like Demographic Health Survey, MKUKUTA/MKUZA Review, MDG reporting, Health Monitoring Information Systems, Education Management Information Systems, Water Management Information System and other administrative data sets) will incorporate dis-aggregated indicators and data - spatially and across income quin tiles. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Learning and continual improvement: Tanzania commits herself to continually improving the social protection measures through exchange of learning and experience within Africa and across the globe. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Partnership: The Government calls upon development partners and civil society for fruitful and effective collaboration and coordination in the implementation of this Declaration. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Signed by: </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Hon. Saada Mkuya Salum (MP)</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Minister of Finance</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">(On behalf of the Government of Tanzania)</span></div> </div>

Arusha Declaration on Social Protection in Tanzania

Background:  This Declaration summarizes key lessons, decisions and commitments emerging from the deliberations of the three days’ int...

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Speech of Dr. Jama Gulaid, UNICEF Representative on International Conference on Social Protection Arusha

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zU1o_n7J2NQ/VJfK5pId8KI/AAAAAAAAFF0/ocU7bThWgG0/s1600/06aa2d4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zU1o_n7J2NQ/VJfK5pId8KI/AAAAAAAAFF0/ocU7bThWgG0/s1600/06aa2d4.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">· Honorable Minster of Finance, Saada Mkuya Salum</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">· Honorable Ministers and Deputy Ministers from Tanzania, Uganda, Lesotho, Afghanistan</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">· Principle Secretaries from Tanzania and Kenya </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">· UN Resident Coordinador</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">· Senior colleagues from UNICEF Headquarters in New York and UNICEF Regional Office in Nairobi</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">· Resource persons</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">· Participants</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Ladies and Gentlemen</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Three days have gone by quickly. This was time well spent. I have learned a lot about Social Protection and hope that you have learned as much as I did. I have answers to the questions I asked at the beginning of the conference. Therefore, I won’t read my poem again but wish to remind all of us that we have responsibities to tell others what Social Protection in. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">I was thinking last night about what to say during the final session of the conference. I decided to do two things. First, I will borrow a leaf from Mwalimu Nyerere, Baba wa Taifa, a man who declared a war on poverty, disease and ignorance and decolonization of Africa. On 4th November 1985, Mwalimu gave his farewell speech after serving as a president of the republic for over 20 years. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">On this historical moment, naturally Mwalimu had a lot on his mind. He was a speaker who could talk about many topic with confidence and charisma, topics such as imperialism, self-reliance, and tribalism. Yet, the farewell speech of this honest, innovative and charismatic leader and teacher was a humble one. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">He said:</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Today, in my last speech as the President of the United Republic, I have only one extra thing to say. To every one of you individually (, to all people organized together in villages, in cooperatives, in professions, in voluntary organization contributing to our development, to all honest workers in Government and Parastatals – to everybody –) I say thank you very much.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">I am not a President; just a proud father of two girls and a son. But I have a lot of ideas floating in my mind after three days Arusha with senior government leaders from Tanzania, Uganda, Lesotho, Kenya and Afghanistan; after hearing many exciting presentations; and after watching the work of able chairmen and women and an excellent conference organizing and support team and a hospitable team. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">I have only extra thing to say. Thank you. Thank you to the Ministry of Finance, our hosting institution, thank you to the other ministries from Tanzania and Zanzibar, neighbors and speakers who share experience. Thank you to all of you for your contributions to this successful conference. We now know that Tanzania is on the right track.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mwalimu Nyerere’s farewell speech gave me another idea. To give credit to whom credit is due. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">I quote… </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“We have built a nation together. The Angle Gabriel could not have built Tanzania alone. Still less a fallible human being like myself. Even if the Angle Gabriel had been assisted by ministers and public servants, made up of other angles, he still could not have built Tanzania. You, the people of Tanzania, acting together and individually, have built Tanzania into what it is today – a proud, united and self-confident nations. I thank you very much.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Shifting attention to Social Protection, I commend Tanzanians for building the elements of the Social Protection system which we have in the country – the insurance, the pension fund, the assistance to vulnerable groups like TASAF, etc. Looking forward, the people of Tanzania can turn the various interventions into a solid, effective and comprehensive Social Protection System - acting together and and working individually.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The burden is heavy and other stakeholders are not off the hook. In his farewell speech, Mwalimu reminded us of the importance of rallying behind people who are given the responsibility to lead. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">In rallying support for those entrusted with responsibility, Mwalimu said: </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“I am grateful to you for choosing Ndugu Ali Hassan Mwinyi to receive the honor and to bear the burden of the Presidency. I thank you very much. Now, let us help him.’</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">To the developmental partners, to the UN family, to researches and academics, let’s remember Mwalumu’s message - “Now, let us help Tanzania”. The UN family is with you.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">My second and final point is about national anthems and what they say about targeting. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Some anthems talk of landscapes, fertile soil, price, sun, wisdom, rocks, pebbles, and moss. Some talk of tyranny, slaves, soldiers, blood, guns, rockets, arms and fire. Some talk of kings, queens, and heros. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Tanzania anthem is different from other national anthems. It talks about its people - the women, men, and children. It talks about the people of Africa although Tanzania has beautiful and breathtaking landscape, fauna and flora; Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, Islands of Spice, Arusha and so on. It is the only anthem I know that blesses children. Children, as Alexandra Yuster said, is disproportionately represented among the poor (33% of the world’s population and 47% of the poorest population). </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">This is the last part of the anthem:</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mungu ibariki Tanzania</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Dumisha uhuru na umoja</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Wake kwa waume na watoto</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mungu ibariki Tanzania na watu wake</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Ibariki Tanzania; ibariki Tanzania</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Tubariki watoto waa Tanzania.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">I have good news for the delegates from other parts of Africa. You are covered under the blessings in the national anthem of Tanzania. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">I kindly ask the Tanzania’s in the hall to lead us in a rendition of this powerful anthem so that our guess can here the wishes of Tanzania for children and people of Africa. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Thank you everyone. </span></div> </div>

Speech of Dr. Jama Gulaid, UNICEF Representative on International Conference on Social Protection Arusha

· Honorable Minster of Finance, Saada Mkuya Salum · Honorable Ministers and Deputy Ministers from Tanzania, Uganda, Le...

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OECD publishes Atlas of the Sahara-Sahel: Geography, Economics and Security

<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/-p82cQRj2PO4/VJUlMHo_MHI/AAAAAAAAFFk/v2eSHIYEqi0/s1600/oecd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="64" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p82cQRj2PO4/VJUlMHo_MHI/AAAAAAAAFFk/v2eSHIYEqi0/s1600/oecd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The “Sahel” label covers a fluid space that defies classical geographic description and is characterized by the constant movement of people and goods, as well as the instability and violence that has marked recent years. Understanding this mobility and cross-border activity is vital for efforts to stabilize and develop the region.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">A new Atlas produced by the Sahel and West Africa Club of the <a href="http://www.oecd.org/csao">OECD</a> offers a different way of reading the Sahara-Sahel by analysis these transnational and regional flows. The Atlas of the Sahara-Sahel: Geography, Economics and Security features 150 maps that chart the complex movements of goods and people and zoom in on migratory movements, terrorist networks and attacks, illegal trafficking routes, as well as regional and international stabilization efforts.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Our aim is to show that the Sahara-Sahel is not empty or without hope,” François-Xavier De Donnea, President of the Sahel and West Africa Club, said during the launch of the Atlas in Brussels. “The region is criss-crossed by roads with populations mostly made up of urban dwellers, whose settlements follow the pattern of trade and transit. With the right set-up and co-ordination of commercial and political incentives, the Sahara-Sahel could flourish.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Sahara-Sahel’s 17,000 km of borders do not so much hamper activity as drive it. Trafficking in gasoline and food capitalizes on variations in exchange rates, taxation levels and national subsidies. Trafficking in black-market cigarettes, illegal drugs and weapons is widespread and developed on a regional scale.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Atlas illustrates how terrorist groups seek to control strategic border areas or roads more than sections of national territories. Many groups have grafted themselves onto historical social networks, enabling them to strike from a distance. For example, many AQIM leaders operate through the extremely mobile Touareg and Arab tribes in the region.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Structurally fragile Sahelian countries face serious difficulties in controlling their vast territories and countering the development of these harmful elements. Their efforts are supported by a number of regional and international initiatives. A lasting peace must also rely on the co-operation of the different shores of the Sahara, North, Central and West Africa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“The Sahara-Sahel area is a top priority for Africans in the Sub-Saharan and northern regions, for Europeans and for international partners,” said EU Special representative for the Sahel, Michel Reveyrand de Menthon. “This comprehensive Atlas makes clear the lengthy and complex timeline implicit in resolving the issues affecting the region.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Co-ordination of the regional and international players working in the Sahel is key to the success of the different initiatives for this region,” said the UN Special Envoy for the Sahel, Hiroute Guebre Sellassie. “The multitude of actors and interventions do not pose an obstacle but constitute an opportunity, on the condition that this surge in generosity be co-ordinated so as to respond to real needs identified by the states and people of this region.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of OECD.</span></div> </div>

OECD publishes Atlas of the Sahara-Sahel: Geography, Economics and Security

The “Sahel” label covers a fluid space that defies classical geographic description and is characterized by the constant movement of peo...

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International Conference on Social Protection in Arusha Government of Tanzania adopts the Arusha Declaration on Social Protection

<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/-zCQBDbvEWSs/VJUkHTaeduI/AAAAAAAAFFc/uQ7L6Sfr7JM/s1600/Saada_Salum.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zCQBDbvEWSs/VJUkHTaeduI/AAAAAAAAFFc/uQ7L6Sfr7JM/s1600/Saada_Salum.png" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Honorable Minister Saada Mkuya Salum (MP), Ministry of Finance, officiated the closing ceremony of the three-day International Conference on Social Protection at the International Conference Centre in Arusha.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Upon closing of the Conference, the Government of Tanzania adopted the Arusha Declaration on Social Protection which provides a strong foundation for advancing the agenda of social protection in Tanzania and in Africa, with a view to make growth and development a reality for all.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The three-day Conference was a historical event, as it was the first ever such international conference on social protection to take place in Tanzania. The Conference, which was organized by the Government of Tanzania through the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with UNICEF, ILO, UNAIDS and the Economic Policy Research Institute (EPRI) based in South Africa – brought together more than 150 senior government officials, policy-makers, researchers and experts on social protection. Delegates had a unique opportunity to attend presentations from distinguished experts in the field of social protection from many countries, includingAfghanistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Hon. Minister Salum said that the Conference has been very interactive and has explored and deliberated on all important pillars for building sustainable social protection systems in Africa and in Tanzania in particular.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“The final recommendations and Declaration which we have adopted, provide the required knowledge and basis for future work. I am pleased to say that this consensus is a decisive step in pursuance of the social protection agenda in Tanzania and hopefully will serve as an inspiration for the region as a whole. Additionally these recommendations will certainly inform our next growth and development plans and strategies of the various sectors like education, health and social welfare, nutrition, water and sanitation.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">During the Conference, many papers were presented and discussed in six plenary and parallel sessions. The discussions explored issues related to evolution and key trends of social protection; building comprehensive and integrated social protection systems; and designing effective social protection interventions and social protection sustainability and financing. One of the key messages from the discussions was on the importance of coordination, vertically across the central and local government and horizontally across social protection and social services agencies.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">As pointed out by H.E. Seif Ali Iddi, Second Vice President during the opening ceremony of the Conference, Tanzania has its vision set high to graduate to a middle-income country by 2025 and the Government has adopted social protection as a key strategy for achieving Tanzania’s growth and development vision.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">In order to achieve this VISION, the Government wants to ensure that its citizens, including the poorest and the weakest develop their capacities to realize their rights and make Tanzania stronger and a more equal society. Addressing the needs of children, especially their nutrition, health and education is critical to helping them grow into happy, productive adults and escape from the inter-generational poverty trap.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">In conclusion, Hon. Minister Salum felt encouraged that the Conference was able to achieve its objectives.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“As Tanzania moves towards a mineral and gas-rich economy and aspires to move towards a middle-income country, this Conference has been timely in establishing that social protection stands as a key strategy for ensuring a fairer distribution of the nation’s wealth and contributing to measurable improvements in household economic and social development as well as reducing risks by building a peaceful and cohesive society.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> </div>

International Conference on Social Protection in Arusha Government of Tanzania adopts the Arusha Declaration on Social Protection

Honorable Minister Saada Mkuya Salum (MP), Ministry of Finance, officiated the closing ceremony of the three-day International Conferenc...

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BOAD intends to provide medium and long-term loans involving XOF1,100 billion over the next five years

<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/-vOnyP3QkJlA/VJCEQw2ybII/AAAAAAAAFFM/qfG7Vd5GqKE/s1600/cot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vOnyP3QkJlA/VJCEQw2ybII/AAAAAAAAFFM/qfG7Vd5GqKE/s1600/cot.jpg" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Board of Directors of the West African Development Bank (<a href="http://www.boad.org/">BOAD</a>) held its 95th ordinary meeting on 15 December 2014 in Cotonou, under the chairmanship of Mr. Christian Adovelande, President, Chairman of the Board of Directors.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Following the adoption of the minutes of its 94th Board meeting held on 24 September 2014 in Lomé, the Board considered and approved the 2014-2018 financial outlook update as well as the 2015-2017 programme-budgeting.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The financial outlook update sets out the volume of activities per sector, estimates the financial resources required to cover commitments, and defines the intervention conditions of the Bank.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Over the 2015-2018 period, BOAD intends to approve long or medium-term loans in an amount of XOF1,100 billion, excluding the Energy Development Fund (FDE), established by the WAEMU and managed by BOAD.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The business volume projected during this five-year period includes XOF217 billion for short-term credit facilities, XOF48.9 billion for equity investments and XOF20 billion for guarantees. A special focus will be placed on the search for co-funding, financing arrangements and promotion of public-private partnerships.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Resource mobilization will be one of the key priorities in order for the institution to better support member countries in their development drive.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">By 2018, the Bank should mobilize borrowings and own resources involving at least XOF1,500 billion. In this connection, BOAD plans to resort to the regional capital market to raise about XOF725 billion over the next four years, as well as a borrowing involving XOF250 billion in the international capital market.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The preparation of this financial outlook update took place in a context marked by the adoption in last September of a new strategic plan for 2015-2019, with the objective of making BOAD “a solid development bank for economic integration and transformation in West Africa”. This vision is outlined in four major directions :</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">-Accelerating regional integration through continued infrastructure financing;</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">-Supporting inclusive growth, food security and sustainable development;</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">-Supporting businesses and governments and developing financial engineering and services;</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">-Deepening the resource mobilization process. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The 2015-2017 programme-budgeting adopted by the Board was prepared in line with the guidelines set forth in the strategic plan and the financial outlook update. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Besides, the Board approved four loan proposals involving a total amount of XOF44 billion:</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">-Development of 8,000 ha of land at Kandara in the Djenné area (Mali). This project is part of the irrigation scheme implemented in the Bani Basin area and at Sélingué. Amount: XOF10 billion.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">-Sewage treatment and drainage of storm waters in the township of Fatick (Senegal). Amount: XOF9 billion.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">-Planning and asphalting of the Adzopé-Yakassé Attobrou road (Côte d’Ivoire). Amount: XOF10 billion.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">-Street paving and sanitation in the townships of Bembéréké, Bonou, Bopa, Dogbo, Ifangni, Kalalé, Karimama, Tanguiéta, Zakpota and Zè (Benin). Amount: XOF15 billion.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">These new loans brought the aggregate amount of loans granted by BOAD to XOF3,181.12 billion, excluding short-term credit facilities and equity investments, equating to 726 projects.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Board also approved proposals in connection with the following items:</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">-Equity investment by BOAD in the capital increase of ORABANK Côte d’Ivoire. Involving XOF10.395 billion, this operation brought the Bank’s interests in the share capital to XOF16.995 billion, representing 45.32% of the capital of the Ivorian bank;</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">-Granting of a second line of credit to BOAD by China Development Bank (CDB). In a total amount of €100 million, this facility will be split into two tranches.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Thereafter, the Board of Directors delivered a favourable opinion on the situational report and prospects for the reorganization of BRS Group and the statement of recovery of BOAD loans as at 30 November 2014. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Furthermore, it took cognizance of the following items: the minutes of the 19th meeting of BOAD Audit Committee; the progress report on the implementation of BOAD’s IT blueprint; the summary note on ex-post performance evaluations; the implementation of the Council of Ministers’ decision on providing resources to BOAD as part of the initial appropriation to the Energy Development Fund (FDE); the summary of lessons drawn and recommendations of the qualitative socio-economic impact assessment of seven irrigation schemes; the minutes of the ordinary meeting of the WAMU Council of Ministers held on 24-25 September 2014 in Lomé.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">In closing the meeting, Chairman Christian Adovelande thanked, on behalf of the Board, the Beninese authorities for the warm and fraternal welcome extended to Directors and the material and organizational arrangements that facilitated the organization of this meeting under congenial conditions. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of the West African Development Bank (BOAD).</span></div> </div>

BOAD intends to provide medium and long-term loans involving XOF1,100 billion over the next five years

The Board of Directors of the West African Development Bank ( BOAD ) held its 95th ordinary meeting on 15 December 2014 in Cotonou, unde...

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Investors are seeking opportunities in new sectors and geographic locations with Dubai and the UAE a well-placed hub to drive and facilitate 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/-sGD2td3YN6s/VJARn4W4Q1I/AAAAAAAAFE8/NVxsuakK8aQ/s1600/falcon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sGD2td3YN6s/VJARn4W4Q1I/AAAAAAAAFE8/NVxsuakK8aQ/s1600/falcon.jpg" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries are placing more attention on new markets in east, west and southern Africa as their trade flows with the continent expand, according to a report released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (<a href="http://www.falconandassociates.ae/">EIU</a>) in conjunction with Falcon and Associates.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The EIU study, entitled GCC Trade and Investment Flows, explores the GCC’s economic ties with each world region and identifies major growth drivers. Key findings show the GCC’s push into Africa is broadening by sector and geographical location. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">From telecommunications and private equity in West Africa to energy projects in South Africa and Mozambique, investment flows are diversifying. Opportunities in infrastructure are a primary growth driver, where, according to World Bank estimates, US$96bn a year is required to bridge the gap, while fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) is one of the fastest-emerging opportunities on the continent, driven by increased spending power and rising consumer needs.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Findings show Dubai and the UAE as a major trade and investment partner across the African continent. This year, the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) signed a US$300M agreement with Dangote Cement in West Africa and bought a significant stake in Kerzner International. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">2014 also saw Dubai-based Jumeirah Group expand operations into North Africa with a management agreement in Mauritius and the recent deal between Emirates Airline (which already operates more than 160 flights a week to Africa) and TAAG Angola Airlines will improve connections to Central and South Africa. In addition, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts has signed its first Memorandum of Guidance with their counterparts in the High Court of Kenya advancing legal structures and enabling more confident investing.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">With robust infrastructure, geographic location and global connectivity, Dubai acts as a strategic and world-class hub for doing business with Africa. The emirate not only facilitates trade and investment flows into and out of the continent, it provides a stable and secure base from which global firms can operate. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The findings follow the success of the 2nd Africa Global Business Forum (AGBF), held in Dubai earlier this year and organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which was attended by more than 1000 delegates from 62 countries where discussions focused on encouraging investment opportunities and promoting sustainable development across Africa. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Falcon and Associates.</span></div> </div>

Investors are seeking opportunities in new sectors and geographic locations with Dubai and the UAE a well-placed hub to drive and facilitate growth

Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries are placing more attention on new markets in east, west and southern Africa as their trade flo...

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An innovative African initiative to strengthen food systems while combating Ebola

<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/-8bYLAw9WLMI/VI_FnuwmQ-I/AAAAAAAAFEs/-5JyYTheLgQ/s1600/AG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8bYLAw9WLMI/VI_FnuwmQ-I/AAAAAAAAFEs/-5JyYTheLgQ/s1600/AG.jpg" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Thousands of smallholder farmers in Liberia are set to benefit from an innovative seed distribution initiative that seeks to combine food security and Ebola containment strategies in Liberia. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The initiative, led by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (<a href="http://www.agra.org/">AGRA</a>) in partnership with the government and other stakeholders, seeks to strengthen the fragile food system by providing quality seed paired with Ebola prevention messages to farmers – many of whom cannot access critical inputs, particularly seeds.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“The 50MT of high yielding yellow maize seed donated today will go a long way in ensuring that smallholder farmers and their families remain food secure during this difficult period of the Ebola epidemic,” says AGRA President, Dr. Agnes Kalibata. “We do not want the Ebola epidemic to spiral into a food crisis.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Ebola has the potential to disrupt our food systems, since it affects the most productive parts of our economies – much like the HIV pandemic did in the past. AGRA has built a platform that can help deliver not only agricultural inputs but health messages and awareness” said Strive Masiyiwa, Board Chair of AGRA and Chief Executive Officer of Econet Wireless. “I am excited to see AGRA shoring up support for small-holder agriculture in Liberia in partnership with the government and private sector, while combating Ebola,” he added that the AGRA platform is one of the most effective delivery mechanisms in Africa, led by Africans.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Though Liberia as a country is largely dependent on agriculture, the sector has suffered severe setbacks with many of its smallholder farmers unable to produce at an optimal level. This situation has been worsened by the negative impact of the Ebola epidemic, where farmers have left their fields for fear of Ebola. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> The new initiative by AGRA is targeting smallholder farmers in four counties, starting in Liberia. The high yielding maize seed has the potential to increase harvests by a factor of two to three, mitigating food supply pressure, while Ebola awareness messages and simple tools like buckets and soaps will provide farmers the first line of defense against the disease.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">AGRA worked with the governments of Liberia and Ivory Coast, the African Development Bank and the private sector in Mali in this effort. “AGRA is grateful to the African Development Bank President, Dr. Donald Kaberuka and the Ivory Coast government for assisting us to get the seeds across the border in good time,” said Dr Kalibata. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“With this support from the Econet Development Foundation, and in response to the looming food crisis in the country, our Program for African Seed Systems (PASS) will intensify its work by increasing access to high quality seed to improve agricultural practice and food availability for Liberian smallholder farmers, ” says PASS Director, Joe DeVries. “We will work in partnership with the Ministries of Agriculture and Health, private seed companies, national farmer organizations and other local partners to ensure that the support provided gets to the targeted farmers.” </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">While this round of seeds is distributed freely, given the financial pressures faced by farmers, this initiative is part of the comprehensive approach that AGRA takes to ensure better food systems by creating seed companies and training agro-dealers to create the proper market incentives to ensure long-term economic sustainability.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Through previous support from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, PASS has worked to build a sustainable seed system based on farmer demand for quality seed. The organization is currently supporting three local seed companies to produce, multiply, and make quality seeds available to farmers. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">PASS has also provided funding to the Central Agriculture Research Institute (CARI) to research on staples such as rice, cassava, and maize in order to improve agriculture productivity and has trained eight Liberian seed specialists at the Kwame Nkrumah University for Science and Technology, Ghana, all in the bid to ensure smallholder farmers in the country break away from using low-yielding seeds to high-yielding ones.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).</span></div> </div>

An innovative African initiative to strengthen food systems while combating Ebola

Thousands of smallholder farmers in Liberia are set to benefit from an innovative seed distribution initiative that seeks to combine foo...

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Enhance your customers’ experience this joyous season

<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/-tUTKmZ0V6vg/VI_E1BkxWKI/AAAAAAAAFEk/6zN9PG7qpHM/s1600/DHL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="70" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUTKmZ0V6vg/VI_E1BkxWKI/AAAAAAAAFEk/6zN9PG7qpHM/s1600/DHL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The traditional mad holiday rush is upon us and businesses - especially those in retail – need to ensure that a high level of service delivery is maintained and that they are geared to handle the additional enquiries driven by the sudden upsurge in customers.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.dpdhl.com/">This</a> is according to Sumesh Rahavendra, Head of Marketing for DHL Express Sub Saharan Africa, who says that the holiday season puts added pressure on businesses to deliver consistent service quality, and, if not managed correctly, could consume valuable time that could have been spent on maximising sales.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Rahavendra points to recent findings from the business consulting firm Lee Resources, which indicated that one of the main reasons for customer unhappiness is bad service delivery. Findings also indicated that 91% of unhappy customers will also not willingly make use of the service provider again. He says that to ensure a positive customer experience with a brand, a robust customer service platform is needed. “Not only will this ensure that customer needs are met across all touch points but it will also empower brand representatives to be able to deal with difficult situations, in an effective manner.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Rahavendra points to a few key tips to accelerate the customer service experience during the busy holiday period:</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Make sure that your employees are emotionally engaged:</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The festive season is not only stressful for consumers, but also for the employees who are providing the service. An employee who simply smiles at a customer (face to face or even while interacting telephonically) can have a significant impact on the customer’s perception of their experience. This is especially important for businesses that have sizeable contact centres – A customer should receive friendly and consistent service quality, irrespective of the representative that they are dealing with.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Embrace new media:</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">With the rise of social media, the customer service experience can either be amplified or hindered. Business should ensure they have allocated sufficient time and resources to ensure that social media channels are monitored throughout the day and response times and query resolutions should be closely managed. Should a negative issue arise, where possible, the query should be dealt with offline and with the client directly. All social queries should however be acknowledged online.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">A number of brands choose to disable posts to their Facebook pages as there is no control as to what is posted. We believe in transparency and immediate feedback, so the only content that would be removed is defamatory or explicit content. Having an active social media presence is a fantastic way to keep in touch with customers, in real-time, as they spend much of their time online. It keeps the lines of communication open and is, most importantly, convenient for customers to make contact with your brand.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Transparent escalation procedures:</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">As the end of the year nears, it adds pressure to the turn-around time expected for query resolution. Customers should be able to access various escalation channels easily. In a traditional bricks and mortar retail space, senior and empowered managers should be on the floor at all times to diffuse difficult situations immediately. In the online or corporate space, access to senior managers should be clearly defined so that customers do not have the added frustration of trying to track down someone who can assist them.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">For example, we introduced a best in class feature to our website which we refer to as Straight to the Top (STTT) – This allows the customer to have access to the whole DHL Express Senior management team up to and including the Africa regional team that is the Africa Management Board. It’s all about accessibility and speed of query resolutions.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Being insanely customer centric is our mantra as we believe that a customer’s experience and perception of a brand has significant influence not only on whether they will become a loyal, repeat customer, but also on how they promote the company to other potential customers. Great service quality therefore plays a significant role in a business’s bottom line,” says Rahavendra.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Deutsche Post DHL.</span></div> <div class="yiv6726754095MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418707961688_6541" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;"> <br /></div> </div>

Enhance your customers’ experience this joyous season

The traditional mad holiday rush is upon us and businesses - especially those in retail – need to ensure that a high level of service de...

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Vantage’s Fund II commits $10 million to the Simba Properties Investment Company in Uganda

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GZMgxXdsOto/VI_Dx9MtwLI/AAAAAAAAFEc/OHGlQhIXVVM/s1600/VAC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GZMgxXdsOto/VI_Dx9MtwLI/AAAAAAAAFEc/OHGlQhIXVVM/s1600/VAC.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Vantage Capital (“<a href="http://www.vantagecapital.co.za/">Vantage</a>”)</span><span style="font-size: large;">, Africa’s leading mezzanine debt provider, today announced it has provided $10m of funding to Simba Properties Investment Company (“Simba Properties”), the property investment arm of Simba Group in Uganda which houses five prime property developments in Uganda, three of which are operating and two of which are under development.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">In addition to property, the Simba Group has business interests in telecom (Simba Telecom), energy (Electro-Maxx and True North Power), agriculture (Simba Farms), mining (gold) and other industries (such as Simba Electronics, Simba Travel Care and Zuku TV). Simba Group was started by the husband and wife team of Patrick and Carol Bitature in 1998 and has grown into one of the leading domestic investment groups in Uganda.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Patrick Bitature, the Founder and Chairman of Simba Group said, “Vantage brings an important and exciting new model of financing to the East African region. Simba Group is pleased to have found a strong mezzanine financing partner who provides medium-term growth capital but does not want to take our hard earned equity.” </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mokgome Mogoba, Associate Partner at Vantage, said “We are proud to have invested with the Simba Group, a leading and influential group of companies in Uganda with a strong commitment to the country and to the East African region.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Warren van der Merwe, Chief Operating Officer at Vantage, added “Simba has managed to build an impressive and successful group of businesses, through a combination of entrepreneurial flair and highly professional management. Theirs is the kind of story that underpins our Pan African investment strategy of supporting mid-market family-owned businesses that are seeking to raise growth capital without having to dilute their shareholding. This is the kind of Group we would like to back in future transactions.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The investment in Simba Properties follows Vantage’s pan-African strategy of focusing on high-growth African markets such as the East African Community members, Ghana, Nigeria, and some of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Simba Properties is Vantage’s first investment in Uganda and the twelfth mezzanine transaction in Vantage’s second fund, which is now more than 85% invested. Vantage has commenced the raising of its third mezzanine fund, which is targeted to close by the first quarter of 2015 at $250 million.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Vantage Capital.</span></div> </div>

Vantage’s Fund II commits $10 million to the Simba Properties Investment Company in Uganda

Vantage Capital (“ Vantage ”) , Africa’s leading mezzanine debt provider, today announced it has provided $10m of funding to Simba Propert...

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AfrAsia Bank attracts significant shareholding from National Bank of Canada (NBC)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oAH7QRac6l4/VI_CNbNR1nI/AAAAAAAAFEQ/-jdHxV-sy7c/s1600/NBC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="73" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oAH7QRac6l4/VI_CNbNR1nI/AAAAAAAAFEQ/-jdHxV-sy7c/s1600/NBC.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.afrasiabank.com/en">AfrAsia</a> Bank Limited today announced the addition of an important world-class strategic partner, National Bank of Canada, to its shareholding structure. This represents a major vote of confidence in its business model, financial standing and unique positioning in regional and international markets. National Bank of Canada will immediately acquire a 9.5% stake in AfrAsia Bank, with the aim of further increasing its shareholding in the near future.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">National Bank of Canada, the sixth largest bank in Canada, is an integrated provider of financial services to retail, commercial, corporate and institutional clients. It has some 20,000 employees and 2.4 million clients and offers a complete range of services, including banking and investment solutions, securities brokerage, insurance and wealth management. Clients in the United States, Europe and other parts of the world are served through a network of representative offices, subsidiaries and partnerships.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“We are pleased to partner with AfrAsia Bank and have the opportunity to use our expertise and resources to contribute to its development,” said Louis Vachon, President and Chief Executive Officer of National Bank of Canada. “This investment will be the first by National Bank of Canada in Africa. We believe its fast-growing and emerging economies offer attractive market opportunities.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">As of today, AfrAsia Bank’s growth plans and strategic vision, led by the founder shareholder – GML, have been clearly validated by favourable responses from investors, including Singaporean private equity firm, Intrasia Capital, French partner PROPARCO and now National Bank of Canada.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Since inception, AfrAsia Bank’s vision has been to bring change and innovation to Mauritius banking, and to grow regionally as well as internationally. Over the past seven years, we have been consolidating our presence locally while reinforcing our footprint through our representative offices in South Africa and in London, and our associate company in Zimbabwe. With numerous representative offices, subsidiaries and partnerships, through which it can serve clients in the United States, Europe and other parts of the world, National Bank of Canada is a valuable shareholder that can further help with US connections as well as relations with European markets,” added Arnaud Lagesse, Chairman of AfrAsia Bank.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">AfrAsia Bank’s total assets at the end of June 2014 were recorded at USD 1.56 billion. By offering tailor-made and innovative banking and investment solutions, with expertise in the local and international financial sectors, AfrAsia Bank aims to grow from having clients in 104 countries to becoming one of the biggest players in Africa and expanding in European as well as American markets.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">"We have continuously invested in developing our bank to become a significant player in the region, Africa as well as internationally. We are honoured to partner with such a renowned financial institution as National Bank of Canada. This partnership will give us an impetus for further growth and reinforce the position of AfrAsia Bank in international markets,” said James Benoit, CEO of AfrAsia Bank.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“AfrAsia Bank’s business model, broad diversification of activities and growth potential are key assets that contributed to our decision to invest,” said Karen Leggett, Executive Vice-President – Marketing and Corporate Strategy at National Bank of Canada. “Growing trade between Africa and the rest of the world, notably Asia, is fuelling investments across the African continent and AfrAsia Bank is well positioned to benefit from this trend. We look forward to being a part of its future.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">CEO of AfrAsia Bank added that “Despite difficult prevailing market conditions and challenges, the bank’s strong performance has been truly encouraging, which has attracted world-class shareholders. With National Bank of Canada, we will continue to deliver on our corporate philosophy to build bridges between Africa, Asia and the rest of the world while using Mauritius as an International financial centre.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of AfrAsia.</span></div> </div>

AfrAsia Bank attracts significant shareholding from National Bank of Canada (NBC)

AfrAsia Bank Limited today announced the addition of an important world-class strategic partner, National Bank of Canada, to its sharehol...

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Mwaalim Seif akabidhi gari Pemba

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b09CDg3ai_k/VI24nvjj02I/AAAAAAAAFEA/5GjiKW5JY58/s1600/maalin-seif2_1324472515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b09CDg3ai_k/VI24nvjj02I/AAAAAAAAFEA/5GjiKW5JY58/s1600/maalin-seif2_1324472515.jpg" width="273" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Makamu wa Kwanza wa Rais wa Zanzibar Mhe. Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, amekabidhi gari la kubebea wagonjwa kwa wananchi wa jimbo la Ole katika Wilaya ya Wete kisiwani Pemba.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Akikabidhi gari hilo kabla ya kuhutubia mkutano wa hadhara ulioandaliwa na Chama cha Wananchi CUF katika viwanja vya Kangagani, Maalim Seif ambaye pia ni Katibu Mkuu wa Chama hicho ametaka gari hilo litumike kwa kuwahudumia wananchi wote wa jimbo hilo bila ya ubaguzi wa aina yoyote.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Gari hilo lenye thamani ya shilingi milioni 30 limetolewa na Mbunge wa jimbo la Ole Mhe. Rajab Mbarouk Mohamed.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mapema akizungumza katika mkutano huo, Maalim Seif, amewapongeza wanachama wa chama hicho katika kijiji cha Kangagani kwa ujasiri walionao katika kukabiliana na changamoto za kisiasa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Amesema kijiji hicho, kimekuwa kikikabiliwa na upinzani mkali kutoka chama cha mapinduzi huku kikiungwa mkono na baadhi ya vyombo vya dola, lakini wanachama wa CUF wamekuwa wavumilivu na wajasiri katika kutetea haki yao ya kisiasa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Amesema kila mwananchi ana haki ya kikatiba ya kujiunga na chama anachotaka, na kwamba kitendo cha kuwanyanyasa wananchi kwa sababu ya maamuzi yao ya kujiunga na vyama vya upinzani sio sahihi.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Amewataka wanachama hao kuendelea kusimamia maamuzi yao, na kuwataka kufanya maamuzi sahihi ya kukichagua CUF katika uchaguzi mkuu ujao, ili kuondokana na madhila ya kisiasa na kiuchumi yaliyowakabili kwa muda mrefu sasa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Amesema wakati wa CUF kuongoza serikali ya umoja wa kitaifa Zanzibar umefika, na kwamba hakuna mtu au chombo kinachoweza kukizuia chama hicho kushika dola katika uchaguzi mkuu wa mwakani.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Amewahamasisha wanachama hao kuendelea kuunga mkono hoja ya mamlaka kamili ya Zanzibar, kwani bila ya kufanya hivyo hakutakuwa na maendeleo wala uhuru wa Zanzibar wa kuweza kufanya na kusimamia maamuzi yake kitaifa na kimataifa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Amefahamisha kuwa Zanzibar imepoteza umaarufu wake duniani baada ya kuungana na Tanzganyika, na kwamba wakati umefika sasa wa kuirejeshea heshima na umaarufu wake katika Jumuiya za Kimataifa.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Katika hatua nyengine wanachama ishirini wa chama cha ADC katika jimbo la Ole wamejitoa kwenye chama hicho na kujiunga na CUF.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Sambamba na hilo Maalim Seif alikabidhi kadi mia tano na hamsini na tano kwa wanachama wapya waliojiunga na chama hicho katika jimbo hilo.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Ametoa wito kwa wanachama hao kuhakikisha kuwa wanapata vitambulisho vya Mzanzibari mkaazi (ZAN ID) na kujiandikisha kwenye daftari la kudumu la wapiga kura, ili waweze kushiriki katika uchaguzi mkuu ujao.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Nae mwakilishi wa Jimbo hilo Mhe. Hamad Massoud Hamad amesema zaidi ya vijana mia nne na hamsini wenye sifa za kupewa ZAN ID katika jimbo hilo bado hawajapatiwa, na kwamba wamekuwa wakizungushwa bila ya kupatiwa haki hiyo.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Amewataka masheha wa jimbo hilo kutenda haki kwa kuwapatia ZAN ID vijana hao ambao wametimiza masharti yote ya kuweza kupata vitambulisho hivyo.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Kabla ya mkutano huo Maalim Seif alifanya ziara ya kukagua maendeleo ya CUF katika kijiji cha Kangagani, iliyokwenda sambamba na uwekaji wa jiwe la msingi katika tawi la Kosovo pamoja na kuzindua Barza ya Ukawa (Ukawa Centre) katika kijiji hicho.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mapema akisoma risala ya wanachama wa barza ya Ukawa Centre, katibu wa barza hiyo nd. Ali Abdallah, amesema wameamua kuanzisha barza hiyo ili kuunga mkono maamuzi ya viongozi wa vyama vinavyounda umoja wa katiba ya wanachi, ulioanzishwa wakati wa mchakato wa katiba mpya.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Hassan Hamad (OMKR)</span></div> <div class="yiv4653107247" id="yiv4653107247yui_3_16_0_1_1418499997228_6125" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"> <span class="yiv4653107247" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"> </span></div> </div>

Mwaalim Seif akabidhi gari Pemba

Makamu wa Kwanza wa Rais wa Zanzibar Mhe. Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, amekabidhi gari la kubebea wagonjwa kwa wananchi wa jimbo la Ole katik...

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