Tourism and hospitality industry sectors key pillars for Zimbabwe’s economic recovery

By Byron Mutingwende   Government has identified the hospitality and tourism sectors as key pillars for economic recovery while emphasising on the need to align with the 4th Industrial Revolution.   This was revealed at the 2019 Hospitality Congress that kicked off in Mutare today and is running under the theme “Hospitality Stepping Into The…

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Uganda’s next agricultural tech entrepreneurs win government business with flagship project

Start-ups and innovators pitched for funding, business and support in front of a jury of experts at the Disruptive Agricultural Technology (DAT) Challenge and Conference.   A new generation of Ugandan entrepreneurs has won business opportunities with a flagship government project to help drive forward the digital revolution in agriculture. At an event in Kampala…

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We will fully restore service: EcoCash reassures customers

EcoCash has reassured the public that the process of stabilizing its new, more secure platform following a weekend upgrade, is nearly complete but has pleaded for patience as it works to “optimize” the performance of the service.   “We once again would like to thank our valued customers for bearing with us during this critical…

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World Export Development Forum puts focus on value addition for inclusive growth in one Africa

More than 1,000 participants from over 100 countries convene in Addis Ababa for the 19th World Export Development Forum ·         The theme of the meeting is Trade and Invest in One Africa, and is organized in conjunction with Africa Industrialization Week ·         For more information, please visit www.intracen.org/WEDF Inclusive economic growth across Africa hinges on ensuring greater value addition in manufacturing,…

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Zimbabwe Delegation In China Embraces digital translation applications

The tourism sector is fickle and highly competitive. Generally, for a destination to survive and enjoy a significant share of the market, there is need to keep up with the current travel and tourism industry trends. This is especially in areas pertaining to advancements in communication strategies which are vehicles for destination awareness and promotion….

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SheTrades Global calls for AfCFTA to reflect views of women entrepreneurs

Women businesses say African Continental Free Trade Area needs to deliver for women Inclusive social and economic development can only be attained through gender equality (Addis Ababa) – Transformational change in Africa requires the continent’s women to be fully included in trade and the economy, experts and policymakers told the SheTrades Global event taking place in Addis Ababa….

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Making open trade a reality in Africa

By Albert M. Muchanga and Arancha Gonzalèz On 1 July 1960, Ghana became a republic and Kwame Nkrumah was sworn into office as Ghana’s first president. Exactly 60 years later, on 1 July 2020, a longed-for objective of Nkrumah’s Pan-Africanist dream will become a reality when the first goods and services are set to be traded under the terms of the new African Continental Free Trade Area. It is also fitting that Accra, the…

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Siemens Mechatronics Certification Centre Embraces 4th Industrial Revolution

By Byron Mutingwende in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia   The Siemens Mechatronics Certification Centre in Kenya has embraced the 4th Industrial Revolution, Prof Jean Bosco has said. Prof Bosco made the remarks during the on going Africa Industrialisation Week happening at the African Union Headquarters, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia that is running under the theme, “Positioning…

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Restraint urged as Ecocash addresses migration post-cutover stabilisation challenges

In response to a barrage of criticism from subscribers who have become attached to the country’s leading mobile money transaction platform which underwent a system upgrade from Saturday, EcoCash has announced that it successfully migrated to a new platform over the weekend, and that it was now addressing post-cutover stabilisation issues.   “We successfully implemented…

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19th World Export Development Forum to focus on creating inclusive growth for one Africa

(Addis Ababa) – Sustainable economic growth and social development across Africa hinges on the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, and that it be put into use by the continent’s private sector. This will be the key message coming out of the 19th World Export Development Forum taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, this…

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AfCFTA presents Africa opportunity to reposition its industrial production frontier: Muchanga

By Byron Mutingwende in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Ambassador Albert Muchanga, the Commissioner of Trade and Industry of the African Union Commission has said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents an opportunity to the continent to reposition its industrial production frontier. The Commissioner made the remarks today at the African Union Headquarters in Addis…

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How informal food markets express African-oriented realities

By Charles Dhewa When you visit an African city and want to see practices that portray African identity and knowledge don’t believe what you see in hotels, colleges, formal schools or government departments. Your most important eye-opening destination is the informal mass market preferred by the majority. Besides farming communities and forests, informal markets are…

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$1 Million Awarded to African Entrepreneurs in Grand Finale of the Jack Ma Foundation Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative

The aim of the prize is to support and inspire the next generation of African entrepreneurs who are building a more sustainable and inclusive economy for the future Last night the Jack Ma Foundation hosted its first annual Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative (ANPI) (https://www.Netpreneur.Africa/) grand finale awarding $1 million in prize money to 10 entrepreneurs…

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Enhanced Integrated Framework positively impacting least developed countries

By Byron Mutingwende in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia The Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) is positively impacting least developed countries (LDCs) by supporting trade that is closely tied to development goals to reduce poverty and improve lives. Deanna Ramsay, the Managing Editor of the Trade for Development News under IEF told journalists attending a training workshop in…

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Africa should take its destiny as it charts industrialisation pathway: Expert

By Byron Mutingwende in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia   Renowned industrialist Mr. Rongai Chizema, the Chief Technical Advisor of the African Union in the Department of Trade and Industry has called on African countries to leverage their rich and diverse natural resource endowments in order to drive social and economic transformation on the continent.    …

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Harare Wetlands Trust calls for budget on water supply, preservation

By Byron Mutingwende and Anyway Yotamu The Harare Wetlands Trust (HWT) has called on government to set aside funds to ensure the provision of clean, safe water for the capital city through the preservation of healthy wetlands. The call comes after finance and economic development minister, Mthuli Ncube delivered his 2020 budget statement on Thursday…

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Afreximbank says Export Risk Guarantee Body Will Boost Egypt’s Role as Intra-African Trade Hub

Egypt’s decision to establish an export risk guarantee company will give a major boost to the country’s role as a critical hub for intra-African trade and allow it to be a key driver in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), said today…

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Francophone African firms need better finance to underpin growth, survey finds

One in three companies in French-speaking Africa struggles financially and faces difficulties growing as a result, according to a new report by the International Trade Centre (ITC). Training and information that help these businesses access finance is the most effective way to support their growth, it says. The report, Promoting SME competitiveness in francophone Africa: Improving…

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Southern Africa’s Top Entrepreneurs Announced in Johannesburg, South Africa

This year’s finalist group and of course, the winners, have built businesses across all sectors offering innovation and exceptional acumen and leadership Southern Africa’s top three entrepreneurs were named at the 22nd Annual EY (https://www.EY.com) World Entrepreneur Awards gala dinner in Johannesburg on Wednesday 13 November 2019. CEO’s, Founders, and leading entrepreneurs attended the Southern Africa…

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Cassava Smartech unveils the EcoFarmer Diaspora Agriculture Finance Plan

Cassava Smartech today launched the EcoFarmer Diaspora Agriculture Finance Plan (DAFP) that is set to allow Zimbabweans living in the Diaspora to remit funds which directly go towards the purchase of farming inputs for their families in Zimbabwe. Cassava Smartech, which already has over 2 000 tractors on the Vaya Tractor platform and has to…

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Zimbabwe heads east for the China International Travel Mart

All is set for Zimbabwe’s participation at the China International Travel Mart (CITM) to be held in Kunming, China from 15 to 17 November 2019 at the Kunming Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The core objective of Zimbabwe’s participation at  the expo is to increase destination awareness and visibility of Brand Zimbabwe in China…

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United States unveils $422, 000 to Zimbabwe’s community-based organisations

By Joyce Mukucha The United States government has provided more than $422 000, a $50 000 increase from last year through its small grants funding to community-based organisations in seven Zimbabwean provinces to support initiatives that promote economic and social development in the country. The U.S. Embassy’s small grants program has been extended to sixteen…

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Sasai exhibits at Africa’s top tech conference

Sasai, the new all-in-one App from Cassava Fintech International (CFI), is exhibiting at AfricaTech, the fintech and digital expo that runs concurrently with AfricaCom, the continent’s largest telco and tech conference held in Cape Town, South Africa, every year.   The conference, which brings together hundreds of telco, fintech and digital technology players, financial services…

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Agricultural transformation critical for sustainable development

By Byron Mutingwende   Agricultural transformation plays an important role in eradicating poverty and hunger, fighting inequality and discrimination as well as tackling climate change to promote peaceful and inclusive societies to achieve sustainable development.   The Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement, Mr. Vangelis Haritatos revealed this at the National Dialogue…

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Film ensures Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage of storytelling: Shem Zemura

Shem Zemura is an award winning filmmaker who was born and raised in the Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe district of Mahonaland East, who ‘fell in love’ with the arts while in primary school. At Machekera Primary School he performed in plays and was a member of the traditional dance team. While in high school at  Albert, a…

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Africa Investment Forum 2019: Billion dollar boost for African female entrepreneurs

The European Investment Bank (EIB) expects the gender-lending initiative to allow women to play a more active role in economies The European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced a $1.1 billion lending programme to help women entrepreneurs on the continent. EIB Vice President, Ambroise Fayolle, also revealed that the bank has signed three further agreements to…

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Afreximbank, Thelo DB Sign MoU for Railway Development in Africa

The African-Export Import Bank (Afreximbank) and South Africa-based Thelo DB Proprietary Limited today in Johannesburg, South Africa, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop, finance and operate railway projects in Africa. Under the terms of the MoU, signed on the sidelines of the ongoing Africa Investment Forum, Afreximbank and Thelo DB will collaborate to…

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Africa Investment Forum Unpacks Continent’s Investment Opportunities

$500 million equity closed for the Africa Infrastructure Investment Fund to speed up investments in agriculture; Financial close for the Africa Guarantee Fund $175 Equity transaction to support Small and Medium Size Enterprises, and $350 million for South Africa’s beef agro-processing project. The 2019 Africa Investment Forum opened on Monday living up to its promise…

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Merck Foundation Motivates Girls To Pursue Sciences

The program will empower girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education Merck Foundation (Merck-Foundation.com) launches “Educating Linda” program in partnership with the First Lady of Malawi and Ministry of Education of Malawi; he program will empower girls in STEM education. Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany in partnership with The First Lady of…

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Zimbabwe attracts huge global interest at World Travel Market

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Acting Chief Executive, Mr Givemore Chidzidzi, says the country remains an attractive destination, which the travel world cannot do without. Speaking at the recently concluded World Travel Market in London, Chidzidzi said the interest on Zimbabwe was very high from across the globe when they package Africa in general and southern Africa…

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President Emmerson Mnangagwa Commissions multi-million dollar sugarcane project in Chiredzi

By Anyway Yotamu in Chiredzi President Mnangagwa on Saturday commissioned a US$40 million sugarcane project which is expected to create more than 2 000 jobs in the country. In a joint venture between Government, Tongaat Huletts,  and a consortium of local banks, the Project Kilimanjaro will see 4 000 hectares of virgin land being turned…

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African food traders have better techniques than PhD graduates in Economics

By Charles Dhewa Academics like economists rely on authors and literature based on research conducted within a given time frame. Such literature has no room for adjustments as new events and knowledge emerge.  For instance, Keynesians economics was based on theories of John Maynard Keynes whose research revolved around the laws of supply and demand,…

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Afreximbank, Cote d’Ivoire Sign Agreement for Industrial Park Development

The drive for Africa’s industrialisation received a major boost on Friday with the signing of the development agreement for Industrial Park PK 24 in Abidjan by the government of Cote d’Ivoire and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). Afreximbank President Prof. Benedict Oramah signed the agreement on behalf of the institution while Souleymane Diarrassouba, Minister of Trade and…

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MARS unveils new ambulance fleet, announces new toll-free short code

The Medical Air Rescue Service (MARS) has unveiled a new fleet of 14 ambulances at an event in Harare, where the emergency medical services company, part of Cassava HealthTech, also announced a new toll-free emergency number. At the stakeholder engagement event that brought together medical aid and insurance organizations and other medical healthcare players, MARS…

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Afreximbank Urges Open Account Terms for Achievement of AfCFTA Intra-African Trade Goals

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has urged the use of open account terms for trade in Africa in order to facilitate the realization of the intra-African trade aspirations of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and to enhance competitiveness. Kanayo Awani, Managing Director of the Intra-African Trade Initiative at Afreximbank, told guests yesterday during…

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NetOne, Charles Manyuchi Sports Academy Donate To Mutoko’s Mother of Peace

By Joyce Mukucha A light of hope has shined on Mother of Peace Children’s Home in Mutoko as one of the state owned mobile telephony network providers, NetOne, in partnership with the Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy donated groceries. The donation which is in line with NetOne’s key pillars of assisting communities has been described as…

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