Rwanda maintains tough stance on used clothes (New Times)

However, in an interview, Vincent Munyeshyaka, Trade and Industry Minister maintained that despite the consequences of being locked out of AGOA, Rwanda has to make a choice between continued importation of used clothes and developing the local textile and shoe industries and is keen on the latter. “Rwanda’s stand has not changed,” Munyeshyaka said, adding, “we want to build domestic textile industry, we want to promote Made-in-Rwanda and close the trade deficit gap by reducing importation of goods which we can locally produce such as clothes and shoes.”

Robert Opirah, Head of Trade and Investment department at the ministry of Trade said the U.S’ current stand contradicts what AGOA stands for let alone what was agreed upon in 2015 when the second AGOA legislation was passed in Washington. “In 2015 everyone left Washington with a common AGOA response strategy that they would take advantage of the facilitation to grow domestic industries and serve that market. In facilitating the growth of local textile and shoe industries we are doing exactly what was agreed on and they (U.S) are saying ‘no you can’t. We will keep serving you with our second-hand clothes. You can’t grow you industries’. It beats my understanding,” Opirah said.

Inaugural Biennial Report to the AU Assembly on implementing the June 2014 Malabo Declaration (NEPAD)

In this Report, 23 performance categories and 43 indicators have been defined, for the seven thematic areas of performance aligned to the commitments to evaluate country performance in achieving agricultural growth and transformation goals in Africa. This has been done through a continent wide consultation process. The report aims at strengthening national and regional institutional capacity for agriculture data generation and knowledge management which will, not only support improved evidence based planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and learning; but also set basis and paths for triggering continental actions programmes to collectively drive agriculture transformation in Africa. Extract (pdf): Highlights on intra-African trade for agriculture commodities and services (risks and opportunities).

The trade blocks (ECOWAS, COMESA, EAC, SADC and UMA) have developed institutional mechanisms that have facilitated and promoted trade of agricultural commodities in the continent. This has been through various measures such as harmonization of policies and regulations, promotion of free movement of goods and people, among others. As a result, the continent is on track on the trade facilitation Index.

The volume of intra-African agricultural trade has increased by 14.9% between 2015 and 2016 compared to the 2017 milestone 20% to be on-track for tripling intra-African trade by 2025. This has been possible because of the contribution of: 42% in Western Africa from the high contribution of 92% in Senegal; and 16% increase in Northern Africa. A decrease of 15% is observed in Southern Africa, and of 3% decrease in East Africa. This suggests that there are still several challenges that need to be addressed to promote agricultural trade. Climatic variability is an example of such challenges due to its effect on agricultural production. For instance, agriculture output in southern Africa decreased by almost 30% in 2015 due to the dry spells caused by the El Nino which partly explain the observed reduction in agricultural trade.

Major constraints on national and regional food marketing and trade include...: Tackling these constraints calls for facing up to two broad categories of challenges: (i) prioritizing and filling the deficit in hard and soft market and trade infrastructure, and (ii) tackling the policy and institutional deficiencies to strengthen intra-regional and inter-regional market integration and trade facilitation. Moreover, there is a challenge of linking the agriculture, industrialization and trade policy and investment planning processes. Upgrading intra-African food and agricultural trade out of informality is a major challenge on the way forward.

In particular, it is vital to note that the continent and all the regions (Eastern, Southern and West Africa) that reported on the domestic food price volatility indicator are on-track. There were twenty (25) countries out of the forty seven (47) that are on track which implies that the continent and the regions are still very susceptible to price shocks. This situation is likely to exacerbate the challenges of food insecurity in the continent. This is a worrisome situation and it requires the continent to work tirelessly to minimize domestic food price volatility.

From RECs to a CFTA: strategic tools to assist negotiators and agricultural policy design in Africa (UNCTAD)

This report seeks to enhance knowledge among policymakers, experts and private sector stakeholders on essential policies and measures for establishing the CFTA and boost regional supply chains in not only agricultural commodities but also processed food products. This has been done through network analysis, which allows visualizing which country has competitive advantage over others in each trade agreement or regional context, as well as highlight overlapping regional agreements and identify trade hubs within Africa. The report (pdf) then carries out a specific analysis of agricultural products identified in the Abuja declaration and in other literature sources as being of interest. Around 80% of all intra-African trade flows through RECs and 20% flows outside trade agreements. Based on trade volumes, five countries play central roles in mobilizing the intra-African trade – Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa – being responsible for 67% of all intra-African traded volumes in 2015. However, the network analysis indicated that four countries in Africa represent central players in trade networks in the continent, namely South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya and Morocco

Kenya: Fish exports earn more than imports (Business Daily)

Kenya earned much more from fish exports in the last three years than it paid for imports despite rising volumes shipped in and an outcry over foreign sea food flooding the local market. The country earned Sh8.5 billion from selling abroad, which was higher than the Sh4.03 billion paid for imports in the period under review, according to official figures. Export volumes in the last three years stood at 16,429 tonnes compared with 40,991 tonnes imported in the same period. The government says Kenya will continue importing fish to meet the widening deficit, due to dwindling stocks both in the aquatic and marine space. Kenya has an annual deficit of 800,000 tonnes, which is filled through imports.

Zimtrade, Botswana Investment and Trade Centre sign MOU (The Herald)

Speaking after the signing, ZimTrade acting CEO, Norman Savado, implored business people to take advantage of their proximity to Botswana and to make use of the Bilateral Trade Agreement between the two countries as well as the favourable trade preferences offered by the Sadc Trade Protocol. According to Trade Map, trade between our two countries fell 40,39% between 2012 and 2016. “We exported just over $29m to Botswana in 2016 - a far cry from the potential that is there - and Botswana’s imports from Zimbabwe constitute 0,35% of the country’s total import bill which is also insignificant.” To assist in tapping into the market, ZimTrade conducted a market survey from 5-16 February. Findings from the survey will be disseminated in March 2018.

Namibian commercial bank begins Renminbi trading to ease business transactions (China Daily)

Bank Windhoek, a Namibian commercial bank, on Monday commenced the trading of the Chinese currency renminbi or yuan notes (CNY) countrywide as part of efforts to boost business transactions with the Chinese community. Bank Windhoek which offers a wide range of financial services and products, including personal, corporate, electronic and international banking services, via a network of 50 branches, will accept denominations of 10, 20, 50 and 100 CNY at its branches.

Report on the implementation of the investment policy review of Mauritius (UNCTAD)

The island nation now aspires to graduate to the next level of development and become a high-income economy by 2030. To do so, it would have to overcome persisting challenges to its sustainable development, which include rising income inequality, stagnant productivity, a fragile small and medium-sized enterprise segment, as well as a downward FDI trend since 2013. The Government wants to prevent a “middle-income trap” and leverage the country’s strong educational and infrastructure advantages to become a regional hub for investment and services to the African continent, enhance its role and the digital sector, develop the ocean economy and further move up the value chain in traditional industries. To this end, in 2017, the Government requested UNCTAD’s assistance in the preparation of a report on the implementation of the IPR recommendations, and in the realization of sustainable development and its Vision 2030.

Kenya: Investors seek to put billions in 100 economic zones (Business Daily)

Local and foreign investors are seeking licences to put up 100 Special Economic Zones across the country. Industrialisation secretary Adan Mohamed said the applications are being scrutinised with priority given to those eyeing use of locally produced raw materials to process products for export. During a one-day forum convened by projects and infrastructure specialist firm, IKM Advocates and the International Projects Finance Association, Mr Mohamed said only quality SEZ investments that can generate sustainable jobs, impart employable skills and create wealth for local communities through purchase of locally produced raw materials will benefit.

Conference on Taxation and SDGs: conference statement (IMF)

Subject to resource availability, the Platform intends to undertake or continue work in a range of areas, including: (i) Strengthening international tax cooperation. As the international tax environment is changing rapidly, there is a high demand for action by the Platform, which is well placed to facilitate feedback between standard setting, capacity building and technical assistance in the sphere of international tax. To respond to this demand, Partners will further increase coordination and cooperation at the global and country levels. Guidance for developing countries (e.g., through the various Toolkits that the Platform has produced, and continues to work on, to help developing countries in high priority areas of international taxation) will provide a basis for some of this work. The Platform will also support developing countries to analyze and articulate their views on important international tax issues which will feed back into the international forums and standard setting processes. [Conference www]

Global Infrastructure Connectivity Alliance: presentations from the Paris conference

Nearly 150 attendees working in infrastructure connectivity-related sectors gathered in Paris, 25–26 January, for the first GICA Annual Meeting. Co-organized by the Global Infrastructure Connectivity Alliance, the World Bank, and the OECD, the event brought together policy makers and practitioners participating in the GICA to discuss the state of play in global connectivity, innovative practices and the outlook for connectivity. The event provided an opportunity for GICA members to share their latest research and findings and define new areas of cooperation based on identified gaps.

Today’s Quick Links: IMF deadlock makes Zambia’s bonds the worst in emerging markets Zambia to get loans directly from China Fitch: IMF programmes in Africa and the implications for creditworthiness Namibia to consult before subscribing to SAATM Week 1 of Legislators’ EAC Tour goes down East African Court of Justice dismisses appeal over EAC states signing EPA dispute Greater Horn of Africa: climate outlook update Congo, Gabon reaffirm commitment to sub-regional integration Nigeria CAADP workshop: stakeholders advocate improvement in agric policy implementation A small setback for intensive agriculture in Africa India’s duty-free tariff preference scheme for Least Developed Countries: handbook (pdf) US House of Representatives passes renewal of GSP tariff preferences for developing nations through 2020 Adam Sneyd: Science, politics and the quest to secure Africa’s sustainable food future