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tralac’s Daily News selection
The selection: Wednesday, 13 January 2016
Conference alert: '2016 Conference of Ministers: exploring the synergies between the African and the Global Development Agenda' (UNECA)
The Conference will address the question of how African countries could design and implement effective strategies and policies that will support the promotion and implementation of a common framework for meeting the goals of the Agenda 2030 and 2063. Such strategies should not only focus on promoting high and sustainable long-term growth but also ensure that the benefits of such growth are widely shared in order to reduce poverty and improve the standard of living for all Africans. Furthermore the Ministers will, at the end of their deliberations, offer guidance on mechanisms for the successful execution of a common framework at the national, regional and continental level. [Conference: 27 March - 1 April]
The African Lions: Kenya country case study (UNU-WIDER)
This paper mainly analyses the drivers of economic growth in Kenya and the linkages to the labour market dynamics, with a focus on population growth, its structure, and the prospects of reaping a demographic dividend. This is in recognition that Kenya, as the ninth largest economy in Africa and the fourth largest in sub-Saharan Africa and with a locational advantage, presents some policy lessons and challenges that can boost its capacity for growth and take advantage of its location and the policy environment to drive growth in the region. [The authors: Mwangi S. Kimenyi, Francis M. Mwega, Njuguna S. Ndung'u]
Project details: ‘Understanding the African Lions - growth traps and opportunities in six dominant African economies’ (UNU-WIDER)
Profiled documents prepared for UNDP's Executive Board’s First regular session 2016: Draft country programme documents for Ethiopia 2016-2020, Tanzania 2016-20121
Africa Tourism Monitor 2015: Unlocking Africa’s tourism potential (AfDB)
One of the key findings of the report, as indicated in its introduction, is that the tourism sector in Africa is growing. In 2014, a total of 65.3 million international tourists visited the continent – around 200,000 more than in 2013. Back in 1990, Africa welcomed just 17.4 million visitors from abroad. The sector has therefore quadrupled in size in less than 15 years. According to the World Tourism Organization, Africa’s strong performance in 2014 (up 4%) makes it one of the world’s fastest-growing tourist destinations, second only to Southeast Asia (up 6%). This influx of tourists means more money coming into the continent. Transport infrastructure and services is one of the key constraints limiting growth of the tourism sector. As the report indicates, “Journeys in the African continent are not always seamless”. In fact, it is more difficult – and more expensive – to travel across Africa than to get there from Europe, America or the Middle East. [Download]
Uhuru waives visa fees for children to spur tourism (Business Daily)
Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday announced plans to waive visa fees for children under the age of 16 in yet another move aimed at wooing foreign visitors into the country. Kenya currently charges Sh10,200 ($100) for a multiple entry visa and Sh5,100 for single entry tourist visa. The fees apply to all visitors, including children under 16. The official guideline at the Directorate of Immigration and Registration of Persons indicates that all children under 16 require a visa unless they are on the same passport as a parent.
The civil society guide to regional economic communities in Africa (AfriMAP)
As regional integration gains momentum, there is growing interest among civil society and citizens to participate in the processes and programmes of regional economic communities (RECs). The constitutive treaties of RECs provide for citizens’ participation, but the accessibility of REC treaties and protocols remains a challenge. Decision-making remains state-centric despite growing citizen and civil society interest in regional integration. The Civil Society Guide to Regional Economic Communities aims to assist citizens and civil society in engaging with the policies and programmes of three RECs in Africa: EAC, SSADC, ECOWAS. [Download]
Featured infographic, @PatrickMcGee_: Compare RMB and US$ trade reports
China trade volume falls 7.0% in 2015: Customs (Business Times)
China's total trade volume fell 7% year-on-year to 24.59 trillion yuan (around US$3.74 trillion) in 2015, Customs said Wednesday, as slowing growth in the world's second-largest economy and plunging commodity prices took their toll. It was far below the government's target of 6% growth in trade, and the fourth year in a row that external commerce had missed its goal. China's imports slumped 13.2 per cent on the previous year to 10.45 trillion yuan, Customs said, while exports were down 1.8 per cent to 14.14 trillion yuan.
China sees 'many challenges' in 2016 as trade slumps on weak external demand (The Guardian)
South Africa: AGOA deadline stretched to retain US leverage (Business Day)
The US government has adopted a "prudent, risk-averse" approach in extending rather than completely lifting the threatened suspension of SA’s agricultural products under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, the Department of Trade and Industry’s director-general Lionel October says.
Mozambique: Mozal profits quadrupled in 2015 (Zitamar)
Mozal, the aluminium smelting business at Beleluane, Maputo, saw its profits almost quadruple last year to hit $238m according to data released by its majority owner, Australia-based South32.
Zambia Development Agency, China seal economic deal (Daily Mail)
Zambia's dependency on copper processing is set to change following the signing of an economic co-operation agreement that will spearhead value addition to natural resources and agricultural produce. On Monday evening, ZDA director general Patrick Chisanga and deputy director of commerce bureau of Qingdao Chunyu Xianli signed an economic co-operation agreement to provide a platform for strengthening joint ventures among the two countries’ business entities.
Zambia’s cross-border traders on trade sensitisation drive (Daily Mail)
CBTA secretary general Charles Kakoma said the association is keen to ensure that members are educated on the importance of cross- border trade formalities and the incentives that exist. He said in the spirit of promoting dialogue between the various stakeholders, the association intends to establish another trade information desk at the main Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa trading centre market.
Zimbabwe: Non-essential imports bad for the economy (editorial comment, The Herald)
As a nation we need to tame our appetite for foreign goods. This is in the national interest. It is our economy we are destroying by resorting to needless imports in the name of choice. No amount of foreign direct investment can substitute for prudent use of our foreign reserves. Does it make sense that the country is in dire need of foreign currency to import maize because somebody used the money to import chocolate, second hand clothes or to import a musician to come and sing for one evening and take away $40 000 as payment?
Rwanda’s horticulture exports rise to Rwf4.7b (New Times)
Rwanda’s horticulture industry fetched more than $6.1m (Rwf4.7bnion) in the 11 months to November 2015, an increase from $4.3m realised in the same period in 2014. This was an increase of 41.3%, according to National Agricultural Exports Board report released last week.
Effectiveness of anti-corruption agencies in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda (AfriMAP)
The study makes recommendations, based on the findings, for stronger, more relevant and effective institutions, which are aligned to the regional and continental frameworks such as the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC), which the three countries have ratified.
Tanzania: Fate of Bagamoyo port clarified (The Citizen)
The government has said the processes for the construction of the Bagamoyo Port will not be halted and will continue. Reacting to reports about the suspension of the construction of the $10 billion port the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communications said in a statement that the construction of the port will start in July this year upon conclusion of financing negotiations with key partners. The government was currently in discussions with China Merchant Holding International and Oman which are expected to be concluded by March, this year.
New report on global migrant trends highlights rising numbers for 2015 (UN)
Presenting the key finding of the latest United Nations survey on international migrant trends, the UN Deputy Secretary-General stressed that the issue of migration is one of the most challenging and important that the Organization is taking on in the new global landscape. “When we get into a period of dealing with the migration and refugee issues, it’s important that we have the facts,” Jan Eliasson told reporters at a press briefing, at UN Headquarters, thanking the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) for producing the latest international migration report. [Downloads available]
The future of ACP-EU relations: a political economy analysis (ECDPM)
Principles and practice in measuring global poverty (World Bank)
Dark clouds over ECOWAS single currency (Graphic)
Kenyan dealers cry foul over influx of cheaper Ugandan cars (Business Daily)
Zimbabwe: Millers set maize import target (The Chronicle)
Uganda approves Islamic banking (The Citizen)
Developing public-private partnerships in Guinea-Bissau: getting the policy framework right (AFDB)
Nigeria: the challenge of job creation (AfDB)
Christine Lagarde: 'The case for a global policy upgrade' (IMF)
CELAC summit to highlight strategies to combat poverty and economic inequalities (Caribbean News)
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