The selection: Tuesday, 22 September

Sustainable Development Summit 2015: explore tralac's resource box

OSISA discussion, tomorrow: How SADC member states should align their NDP or National Visions to the SDGs. Case studies: Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Malawi

ACBF discussion on the Mediterranean migrant crisis: roots and implications for Africa (ACBF)

The Knowledge Monitoring and Evaluation Department at the ACBF, through the African Community of Practice on Management for Development Results program, would like to invite you to join the Online Discussion about the ongoing Mediterranean migrant crisis: roots and implications for Africa. African leadership and organizations must not turn a blind eye on this; otherwise it cannot build a prosperous future. Join the discussion:

Co-ordinated border management - enhancing security and facilitating trade (African Union)

The 7th meeting of the African Union Sub-Committee of Directors General of Customs at experts level commenced yesterday in Kinshasa under the theme 'Co-ordinated Border Management - Enhancing Security and Facilitating Trade'. During the next three days, experts from Member States, RECs, WCO, UNCTAD and World Bank will examine the work done so far, consider the recommendations of the experts and reflect further on the issue of Coordinated Border Management in order to secure Africa’s borders and Boost Intra-African Trade in preparation for the DG Customs Meeting on Thursday and Friday.

Africa on the move: experts fashion out ways to ease migration bottlenecks (Rural Reporters)

For the first time, stakeholders concerned with migration management came together to talk about the challenges facing migration in Africa and how to effectively abolish the log jams. Dubbed the Accra Forum on Intra-Regional Consultations on Migration, the first Joint Annual Forum for Intra-Regional Consultations of Africa Regional Frameworks on Migration was held between the 16-18 September. AUC Commissioner for Social Affairs, Mr Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko said that Africa is not doing enough to stem irregular migration. He emphasised that while every country has a right to control the number of people that migrates into its country, migration is not a crime. [Concept note]

Unexpected trade boon for Joburg (Mail and Guardian)

Informal cross border traders contribute up to R4.6bn a year to the economy of Johannesburg alone. But while the women and men from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and elsewhere often manage to drag their families out of poverty, they have to deal with corruption, robberies and sexual assault on a daily basis. These are some of the conclusions of yet-to-be published research by the Gauteng City-Region Observatory, which has completed the largest survey ever undertaken of so-called ICBT traders who travel to Gauteng.

Border management challenges concern SA parliament's peace and security cluster (Parliament)

Malawi: National Migration Profile launched (IOM)

Taxman’s new strategic plan seeks tighter control of border points (Daily Nation)

The Kenya Revenue Authority launched its 6th strategic plan on Friday, with an eye on taking a leading role in border controls. First mooted after the September 21, 2013 Westgate terrorist attack, it is now becoming reality that the revenue agency is taking a commanding role in securing the borders. To effectively take up the role, KRA is to be reorganised into two semi-autonomous but interdependent agencies — the Inland Revenue Agency and the Customs and Border Protection Agency. [Download]

Wider afield: India’s dream of borderless trade grinds to a halt at checkpoints (LiveMint), Phillipines: Customs modernisation can’t wait (The Inquirer)

West Africa/Nigeria: new World Bank appointment

The World Bank has appointed Rachid Benmessaoud as the new Country Director for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Coordinating Director for West Africa Regional Integration Program. Rachid Benmessaoud joined the World Bank in 1990 as an Energy Planner in the then Europe, Middle East and North Africa Vice-Presidency.

West Africa: implementation of the Action Plan of the Human Rights Strategy for Africa (African Union)

Towards a harmonised African tax system (Accra Report)

The 12th annual Africa Tax Conference (30 Sept-2 Oct) will look at the future megatrends on taxation in Africa, cloud computing and ride sharing programmes, enabled by smart phones that are changing the dynamics of economies. "Tax policy must be defined and aligned to capture appropriate levels of taxes from such economic gains, using rules that are clear and respected across multiple borders," concludes Deiotte.

Intra-continental trade in Africa to feature prominently as Africa’s industry giants gather in Johannesburg (TimesLive)

Arica’s richest man‚ Aliko Dangote‚ together with investment banker Dr Enos Banda‚ Prof Pat Utomi‚ founder and CEO of the Centre for Values in Leadership‚ and Prof Nick Binedell‚ founding director of the Gordon Institute of Business Science‚ are just a few of the African business leaders who will headline the first annual African Business Leaders Forum event to be held in Johannesburg this year, from 9-12 December.

WTO: Istanbul meet next month to seal fate of deliverables (LiveMint)

An informal meeting of the trade ministers of India, China, Brazil, the US, the European Union, Japan and Australia on 5 October in Istanbul, Turkey, will decide the fate of a package of “deliverables” for the World Trade Organization’s 10th ministerial conference in Nairobi, and may end up scuttling New Delhi’s demands for “comprehensive” and “credible” outcomes for poor farmers.

Zimbabwe: Social Market Agenda for Recovery and Transformation (Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition)

Going forward, Zimbabwe’s civil society submits to the nation a ‘menu of smart economic ideas’ that can help Zimbabwe to resuscitate the economy under the current political situation. The overarching vision is to see a democratic-developmental State and the goal is to create a social market economy; the fundamental idea is based on the progressive principles of a free market economy but augmented by active State intervention in coordinating, facilitating and providing support and supplemented by a caring Government that ensures the social protection of all its citizens. [Download available]

Botswana: Beef export competitiveness deteriorates - BIDPA study (Mmegi)

In a recent working paper titled ‘Export Competitiveness of Botswana’s Beef Industry’ published by the Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis, the researchers stated that despite its deteriorating competitiveness, Botswana still outperformed most of the SADC countries. According to the study, Botswana exported about 20% of its beef in 1961 and reached a peak of 75% in 1975, and thereafter its ratios of net trade to domestic production (NP) got eroded until reaching 20% in 2011. The study further says Botswana and Namibia are the most competitive SADC beef exporters, noting that Namibia’s NP rose steadily from 1961, reaching a peak of 68% in 1998 and thereafter fell to reach 26% by 2011. [Download]

Mozambique improves 1% in Africa Integrity Indicators – still 'somewhat weak' (SPEED)

Since 2006, Global Integrity has conducted five rounds of research on Mozambique – including two rounds of the Global Integrity Report, and three rounds of Africa Integrity Indicators research. In the 2015 report Mozambique scored 41% out of a possible 100% and is considered 'somewhat weak' in transparency and accountability. This is an improvement from 40% in 2014 but a significant drop from 58% in 2013. Within the overall ranking Mozambique scored lowest on transparency and accountability of public management (27%) civil service integrity (33%), transparency of elections (40%), and access to information and openness (42%).

IESE researcher says Mozambique is experiencing a 'very troubled' context (Club of Mozambique)

The Director of the Institute of Social and Economic Studies, Luis de Brito, said on Friday that the country is experiencing a "very troubled context," characterised by the tense situation between the two main Mozambican parties and empty talk about peace. "Mozambique is going through a very troubled context, both from the political point of view and the social and economic point of view," de Brito said, speaking in Maputo at the launch of the IESE book, ‘Challenges for Mozambique in 2015’. [Download the book, in Portuguese]

Non-tariff measures and Sustainable Development Goals: direct and indirect linkages (UNCTAD)

The Sustainable Development Goals have multiple and vital linkages to 'non-tariff measures' says UNCTAD in its latest Policy Brief. These non-tariff measures include regulatory policies to protect the environment and human, animal and plant life as well as non-trade barriers that have an effect on developing countries' poverty reduction opportunities.

Global Innovation Index 2015

Switzerland, the UK, Sweden, the Netherlands and the USA are the world’s five most innovative nations, according to the Global Innovation Index 2015, while China, Malaysia, Viet Nam, India, Jordan, Kenya, and Uganda are among a group of countries outperforming their economic peers. The GII 2015 looks at ‘Effective Innovation Policies for Development’ and shows new ways that emerging-economy policymakers can boost innovation and spur growth by building on local strengths and ensuring the development of a sound national innovation environment.

African leaders promote new initiatives on scientific research (Vanguard)

Namibia: Railways need ‘major repairs’ to carry heavy haul trains (New Era)

Modern day standards in the Southern African Development Community require rail systems to be built or upgraded to 18.5 ton/axle loading standard, which require minimum 48kg/metre rails welded in continuous lengths, and concrete sleepers and good ballasts that should last for 100 years under current traffic conditions. Struggle Ihuhua, TransNamib’s executive spokesperson, noted that as a result of the dilapidated infrastructure, trains are reduced to uneconomical speeds of 15, 20, and 40km/h, while the ideal solution would be to upgrade all the 30kg/metre and defective railway network to 18.5 tons/axle. Only about 48 percent of the Namibian network complies with this standard.

Namibia: EOI for FIATA training programme for freight forwarders (AfDB)

Namibia: Why finance is against Kudu (The Namibian)

A report by the finance ministry estimates that government will have to spend more than N$10 billion in cash and provide a further N$32 billion in guarantees between now and 2020 if it opts for the Kudu Gas project. The report that was confirmed by the finance minister Calle Schlettwein also says the project will stretch government debt by about 20% to N$68,3 billion over the next three years. Schlettwein yesterday said the report will soon be submitted to Cabinet. Namibia's current debt stands at N$50,8 billion up from N$30 billion in 2013.

Namibia: Competition policy at final implementation stage (The Namibian)

The National Competition Policy is at the last stage of being finalised. This is according to the board chairperson of the Namibian Competition Commission, Sacky Akweenda. Akweenda also revealed that the NaCC is revising the Competition Act and harmonising it with the National Competition Policy to ensure consistency and capture national objectives.

Tanzania: Call for full exploitation of region's rice market (Daily News)

A Tanzania Private Sector Foundation consultant, Dr Halima Noor, told a news conference during a high level policy dialogue for rice value chain stakeholders that Tanzania was not utilising her potential in producing and selling rice in East Africa. The meeting organised by TPSF and Trade Mark East Africa was attended by members of the private and public sector from within and EA countries. The study found out that several challenges face Tanzanian business persons such as 75% tariff when exporting rice to Uganda and Rwanda which is contrary to EAC laws.

EAC looking into Ugandan VAT on Tanzanian rice (IPPMedia)

Kenya imports milk from Uganda to meet shortfall (Daily Nation)

US bank to invest R5.4bn in SA solar plant (Fin24)

South Africa: Davis homes in on offshore tax evasion (IOL)

Tackling the illicit African wildlife trade (CFR)

Moving African exchanges forward: regional integration in the spotlight (Moneyweb)

China, South America and regional integration (The Diplomat)

Asian Development Outlook 2015 (ADB)

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This post has been sourced on behalf of tralac and disseminated to enhance trade policy knowledge and debate. It is distributed to over 300 recipients across Africa and internationally, serving in the AU, RECS, national government trade departments and research and development agencies. Your feedback is most welcome. Any suggestions that our recipients might have of items for inclusion are most welcome. Richard Humphries (Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Twitter: @richardhumphri1)