Tunisia Needs “Deep Reforms” Such as Drastically Reducing its Vast Public Wage Bill
Approaching the end of his three year term, Jerome Vacher outgoing IMF country chief for Tunisia said that the pandemic had created the deepest recession since Tunisia’s independence in 1956. “The country had pre-existing problems, in particular budget deficits and public debt, which have worsened in recent years. External deficits have also been persistent in […]
Credit Unions in Africa Switch to Fintech
From table banking to credit unions, the savings and credit cooperative organization (Sacco) sector in Africa is fast digitizing to bring financial inclusion to all Sacco members. In December 2021, Kenyan fintech Kwar helped credit unions in the east African state shift to digital platform by raising $4 million in a seed round from Breega […]
Ghana’s Low Tax-to-GDP Ratio Makes it Hard to Finance its Developmental Agenda
Limited access to the international money market has forced managers of Ghana’s economy to look inwards for much needed revenue to finance its development. Finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta now says raising money from domestic taxes is the way to go. The hard part: finding ways to convince millions of untaxed people in Ghana to contribute […]
Truck Delays at the Border Wreak Havoc for Uganda’s Fuel Users
Ugandans were struggling Monday with a fuel shortage that has sent prices skyrocketing, as hundreds of trucks remain stuck in huge tailbacks at the border with Kenya. Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa said the border delays were caused by a faulty scanner used by custom officials to check vehicles, and “issues regarding COVID-19.” In the western […]
Airlines Operating on the Continent Face Particular Challenges
Firstly, the industry has to contend with huge disparities in economic and air transport development. There is also an uneven distribution of international air passenger traffic across regions and within countries. The traffic is predominantly centered in a few hubs in North, East and South Africa; and in the large and medium-size cities. Other challenges […]
The Inclusion of Rwanda as a Potential Relocation Destination for Migrants Raises Eyebrows
Rwanda – one of two African countries to which the UK government is reportedly considering sending asylum seekers for resettlement and processing – was previously embroiled in a highly controversial migrant deportation scheme involving Israel. Although few details have emerged after a report in the Times that migrants could be sent to Ghana and Rwanda, […]
Sudanese Demand Return to Civilian Rule in Deadly Riots
At least seven protesters were shot dead by Sudanese security forces on Monday during anti-coup rallies in the capital Khartoum, according to the civilian-allied Sudanese Central Doctors Committee (SCDC). More than 100 people were injured amid the gunfire, SCDC added, which broke out as thousands of protesters marched toward the presidential palace in opposition to […]
Abuja Shows Off Impressive Rice Yield in Bid to Stop Rice Imports
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has unveiled what one of his media aides has dubbed the “world’s largest rice pyramids” – made with one million bags of rice – in the capital, Abuja. The temporary “rice pyramids” were aimed at showcasing the government’s efforts to boost rice production, and to make Nigeria – Africa most populous […]
Bain & Company Leaves South African Business Board
Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) on Tuesday noted and accepted the resignation of tainted management consulting firm Bain & Company from the business body, reiterating its commitment to raising ethical standards in business. Bain’s decision to separate itself from BLSA comes after it was embroiled in the state capture corruption scandal and subsequently identified in […]
