Rethinking public consultation in local policy processes: Lessons from the City of London’s official plan review process

By Elmond Bandauko This brief focuses on some of the most important highlights from my MPA research project, in which I was examining the dynamics of public consultation and stakeholder participation in a large-scale land-use planning project that was undertaken by the City of London a few years ago. Official Plan review-these words mean a…

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Demystifying council-staff relations in local government

By Elmond Bandauko Discussions of local government are usually about the activities of the mayor and councillors. After all, elected officials make the important policy decisions. However, this focus overlooks those who deliver municipal services. A small group of elected officials is supported by a much larger group of professional public servants who advise the…

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Afreximbank disburses $200 Million to Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has disbursed the sum of $200 million to theEgyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) to support EGPC’s investment in the Middle East Oil Refinery Company(MIDOR).   The Investment Financing Facility, disbursed during a signing and disbursement ceremony in Cairo on 1 August, is also aimed at supporting EGPC’s company expansion plan which is part of Egypt’s plan to become a regional hub for exporting oil…

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Shortlist revealed for ITC’s WEDF 2018 Young Social Entrepreneurs pitching competition

Young entrepreneurs from the Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Rwanda and Zambia selected for pitching contest at ITC’s World Export Development Forum in Lusaka, Zambia. (Geneva-Lusaka) – Seven young African social entrepreneurs will take the centre-stage at this year’s World Export Development Forum (WEDF) to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges with a chance of…

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The merits of an effective marketplace for agricultural evidence

By Charles Dhewa Discovering and maintaining agricultural commodities markets is not enough for developing countries. They have to build a culture of synthesising and sharing evidence in real-time. Absence of a culture of synthesising information and knowledge from diverse sources remains a big challenge among farmers, economic actors, consumers and policy makers in the majority…

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For Kuwadzana it’s Betty Nhambu-Kaseke, Zanu PF Harare’s only female candidate

By Byron Mutingwende   Monday the 30th of July 2018 will witness the re-election of the ever hardworking Member of the National Assembly for Kuwadzana Constituency Honourable Betty Nhambu-Kaseke.   Honourable Nhambu-Kaseke is not only a motherly figure but a philanthropist, devoted Christian and a multiple award winning female MP in Harare Province out of…

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UNWTO launches an online Platform to Achieve SDGs through Tourism

Promoting a greater engagement of the tourism sector with sustainable development is the main objective of the Tourism for SDGs Platform. The online tool is designed to advance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals through tourism, and was developed by the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) with the support of Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic…

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Tourism and Construction have Power to Lead Move to Sustainable Economies

From infrastructure and communication to food production and transport, tourism and construction play key roles in a circular economy framework that supports sustainable development. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), together with the Sustainable Buildings and Construction Programme of the One Planet Network, addressed this challenge during the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development…

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Econet ventures into short-term motor insurance with EcoSure Moovah

. New insurance product set to shake up industry · Offers loads of benefits, flexibility & hassle-free service   Econet has launched an innovative short-term motor vehicle insurance service, branded EcoSure Moovah, that will offer unparalleled value and matchless convenience to the motoring public.   The service will offer vehicle insurance cover, ZINARA and ZBC licence discs…

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TRNC appeals to international support in solving the Cyprus question

By Byron Mutingwende   The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is appealing for support from the international community so as to come up with a lasting solution to the Cyprus question.   Briefing journalists ahead of the 20th July celebrations at his residence in Lefkosa yesterday, the TRNC President Mr Mustafa Akinci said he…

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World Tourism Day Places Focus on Innovation & Digital Transformation

The importance of digital technologies in tourism, providing opportunities for innovation and preparing the sector for the future of work, is at the centre of World Tourism Day 2018, to be celebrated in Budapest, Hungary (27 September 2018). World Tourism Day, celebrated every 27 September around the world, is a unique opportunity to raise awareness…

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Afreximbank dynamism and leadership praised by President Buhari

he Annual Meetings and 25th Anniversary celebration of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) ended in Abuja on the 14th of July 2018 with President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria saying that the Bank, through its dynamism and tenacious leadership, had proved that Africans could come together to build something meaningful. Delivering a keynote address at the closing…

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Temba Mliswa’s development wave sweeps through Norton

By Byron Mutingwende   Development runs through the nerves of Temba “Bhuru” Mliswa, the Member of the House of Assembly for Norton whose great works are positively impacting the generality of people in the constituency.   The legislator, who uses yellow as his campaign colour, upped his drive to retain the seat beginning this July…

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AFCFTA yielding substantial benefits to African trade and cross-border investments

Afreximbank’s, which predicts that African economies will grow by 4.1 per cent in 2018, according to The Africa Trade Report 2018: Boosting Intra-African Trade: Implications of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, a new report launched by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) on 11 July. The report, launched by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Amb. Albert M Muchanga,…

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“Leave No-one Behind”: SDGs take ground in Matabeleland North

By Sirak Gebrehiwot (UN Communications Specialist) The UN team, led by the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr. Bishow Parajuli, comprising of UNICEF Representative, Dr. Mohamed Ag Ayoya; IOM Chief of Mission, Ms. Lily Sanya; WFP Representative and Country Director, Mr. Eddie Rowe; and UNDP Country Director Mr. Georges van Montfort concluded a three-day field visit,…

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AU, OECD urge governments to bring solutions to unemployment, inequalities

Africa needs development strategies that are more coherent and that prioritise improved public action to stand up to the challenges of growth, jobs and inequalities prompted by the continent’s remarkable emergence, according to the first issue of a new joint report by the African Union Commission (AUC) produced in collaboration with  the OECD Development Centre….

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LCDZ orthopaedic workshop to produce prosthesis and orthosis for PWDs

By Byron Mutingwende   In a move meant to supply the market with prosthesis and orthosis equipment for people with disabilities, Leonard Cheshire Disability Zimbabwe (LCDZ) has installed a state-of-the-art orthopaedic workshop at its headquarters in Harare.   “LCDZ decided to include income generating projects in its financing structure to ensure that the organisation becomes…

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Potraz report shows Econet maintaining industry leadership

– Q1 sector report puts operator at 65% customer market share   The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz)’s 2018 first quarter (Q1) sector report shows Econet Wireless maintained its customer and revenue market share lead on the back of consistent growth in the key industry performance indicators.   The sector performance report,…

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NetOne’s OneMoney gains 49% subscribers

NetOne’s Mobile Financial Services- OneMoney has increased its active subscribers by more than 49% as well as gaining mobile money market share. This was revealed by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe’s (Potraz) Telecommunications Sector Performance Report for 2018 first quarter, which was released yesterday. According to Potraz, NetOne experienced the biggest leap…

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‘Chaka-Chaya neEcoCash’ 2018 promotion ends with carnival scenes in Harare

Thousands brave cold to attend final draw in the capital Dozens walk away with property title deeds, many prizes   The final draw of the million-dollar ‘Chaka-Chaya neEcoCash’ promotion was held in the capital’s Harare Gardens at the weekend, drawing a bumper crowd of over 12 000 EcoCash customers that braved the cold weather to…

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Kenneth Musanhi taking Bindura North to Canaan

By Byron Mutingwende   In a typical fashion reminiscent of the Exodus of Israelites from the oppressive Egypt to Canaan, Kenneth Shupikai Musanhi, the Member of the House of Assembly for Bindura North Constituency has embarked on a number of projects to uplift the lives of the people in the area.   Born on the…

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Remigious Matangira spearheads development in Bindura South Constituency

By Byron Mutingwende   In 2008, the Bindura South Constituency resembled a cemetery due to the grinding poverty brought about by hyperinflation. It is that time when Remigious Matangira, the current Member of the House of Assembly for the area began his philanthropic work by spearheading development initiatives.   “Bindura became my permanent home in…

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Businesses urged to take advantage of regional export opportunities

Zimbabwean businesses are failing to take advantage of export opportunities in the region, leaving South African companies to exploit them, ZimTrade acting chief executive Allan Majuru told the NMB Exporters Breakfast meeting on Friday last week. He said South African trucks were passing through Zimbabwe carrying exports to Tete Province in Mozambique, when Zimbabwean companies…

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ZICOPA platform for young people to improve talents

The Zimbabwe Championship of Performing Arts (ZICOPA) is giving many talented young children with limited platforms to flourish.   Nyarayi Jessica Tandy, the Director of ZICOPA, in her remarks before the Zimbabwean team’s departure to the United States for the World Championships of Performing Arts competition, said she was hopeful that the young people would…

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Hwange’s Original Bush Camp, Little Makalolo, Reopens

Wilderness Safaris’ Little Makalolo – one of the original bush camps situated in an exclusive private concession in the heart of Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe – has reopened after the rebuild of its main guest area and an extensive refurbishment of its six traditional-style safari tents. The new look of Little Makalolo was achieved…

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UN Strategic Framework lauded for catalysing development results in Zimbabwe

28 June 2018, Harare – Today the Government and the United Nations together with development partners convened high level review meeting to validate and take stock of development results delivered, mid-way of the programme cycle, under 2016-2020 Zimbabwe UN Development Assistance Framework (ZUNDAF) contributing to national development priorities.   The high-level meeting co-chaired by the…

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Godfrey Koti: Spearheading ZTA’s publicity campaign

By Byron Mutingwende Under the stewardship of the results oriented Chief Executive of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), Dr Karikoga Kaseke, the institution is enjoying a positive turn in fortunes spearheaded by the aggressive marketing prowess of its newly appointed Head of Corporate Affairs, Godfrey ‘Chief’ Koti. Koti is a young, vibrant and hardworking broadcaster, digital…

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Avoid Green House Gas emission-intensive investments: Agricultural expert

There should be a deliberate move to avoid Green House Gas emission-intensive investments through economically viable low-emission development options, a senior Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) official has said. Gabriele Ranieri, the Officer in Charge of the FAO Subregional Office for Southern Africa made the remarks at the Sustainable Land Management and Climate-Smart Agro-ecology in…

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Impact of illicit financial flows on socio economic development

By Davison Kaiyo While the “Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra is good in attracting foreign investors the government of Zimbabwe need to step up efforts to curtail illicit financial flows (IFFs) by enforcing anti avoidance provisions especially towards aggressive tax planning structures in line with the current transfer-pricing framework that was introduced into the…

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Community knowledge is greater than expert knowledge

By Charles Dhewa While it is true that community knowledge is broader and deeper, most African farming communities hesitate to make decisions without consulting an extension officer.  The need to cross-check and verify facts through an extension officer can be counter-productive if it causes farmers to stop experimenting and learning from their innovations. Surveys by eMKambo over…

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Private sector urged to foster CSR for sustainable development

By Byron Mutingwende The private sector has been urged to foster corporate social responsibility (CSR) so as to spearhead sustainable development. In his address to private sector players on 22 June 2018 at a meeting on promoting sustainable development, Bishow Parajuli, the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator for Zimbabwe urged the business community to play…

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IRI, NDI Deploy Long Term Observers Across Zimbabwe to Observe Preparations for Elections

The International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI), as part of their joint Zimbabwe International Electoral Observation Mission, will deploy 14 long-term observers beginning on June 22, covering all 10 provinces of Zimbabwe in the period leading to the July 30, 2018 elections, on election day and in the post-election period. “Elections…

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