11 killed in S.Africa township shootings: police

Cape Town (AFP) - Eleven people were killed in a series of overnight shootings in a Cape Town township, police said Saturday, including four victims shot dead when gunmen opened fire in a bar.

Extra police officers were deployed to the Philipi district of Cape Town, a city that suffers from regular gang violence and armed clashes between rival criminal groups.

"We have deployed teams comprising specialist detectives, high-risk units and intelligence operatives," police spokeswoman Novela Potelwa told the News 24 website.

"We already executed search operations that are set to continue throughout the day. The police are doing their best to arrest those responsible."

Tens of thousands of people live in informal shack settlements in Philipi, located in the notoriously crime-ridden Cape Flats area of the city.

Four people were shot dead at an informal "shebeen" bar on Friday evening, with three other bodies found by police nearby. Another four more people were killed elsewhere in the district.

The ruling ANC party condemned the deaths.

"Regardless of the circumstances, these mass murders -- related or not -- are criminal acts which must be punished using the full might of our law," party spokesman Zizi Kodwa said in a statement.

"Criminals live amongst our communities, they are harboured by us and until society stands as one against this scourge, it will not be defeated."

On average, there are 51 murders per day in South Africa, according to official figures released last year.

Crime is seen as a major issue hampering the country's social cohesion, economic development and international reputation -- especially as a tourist destination.

Last week 36 Dutch tourists were robbed on a bus on route to their hotel after landing at Johannesburg airport for a three-week holiday.

Source: 11 killed in S.Africa township shootings: police

Planning a city break? These hot destinations saw the most travellers last year

If you're itching to explore a brand new city and don't know where to go, why not follow the lead of the millions of travellers who flocked to the most visited destinations of 2016.

Bangkok saw the most overnight visitors of any city in the world in 2016, according to research from Mastercard. It's the second year that the Thai capital has held the title, beating out London last year.

Bangkok is the most visited city in the world. Image by ©nimon/Shutterstock

The financial services company has released its annual Mastercard Destination Cities Index, which looks at tourist numbers to help cities understand the drivers and value of tourism. With tourism driving economic growth and development, Mastercard notes that since 2009, "international travel and spending by overnight visitors to cities have grown faster than real GDP." The index ranks the top destinations based on visitor volume in 2016, and Bangkok beats out London, with 19.41 million international overnight visitors, compared to the UK capital's 19.06 million.

London comes in second place in the most visited cities in the world. Image by ©mikecphoto/Shutterstock

Unsurprisingly, as France is often cited as the most visited country in the world, Paris came in third place, with the City of Lights luring in more than 15.45 million visitors last year. It narrowly beat out Dubai, which saw 14.87 million overnight visitors. The top 10 was rounded out by Singapore, New York, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo and Istanbul.

Overall, the most visited destinations in Asia are: Bangkok, Singapore, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Taipei, Osaka, Shanghai and Chennai. In Europe, the most visited cities are: London, Paris, Istanbul, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Milan, Rome, Vienna, Prague and Dublin. In Latin America, Punta Cana is the most popular among international travellers, followed closely by Mexico City and then Lima. In the Middle East and Africa, Dubai proves most popular, followed by Johannesburg and Riyadh. In North America, the most popular cities amongst travellers are: New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Toronto, San Francisco, Vancouver, Washington, Chicago, Montreal and Boston.

Seoul made the top 10 most visited cities in the world. Image by ©Noppasin/Shutterstock

Across the top 20 destination cities, the majority of travel is for leisure, except in Shanghai where nearly half of visitors are travelling on business. Kuala Lumpur has the greatest percentage of visitors there on vacation, at 92.2%.

Source: Planning a city break? These hot destinations saw the most travellers last year

With 170m people, Nigeria is a preferred investment destination in Africa

I welcome you warmly to the Nigeria Pavilion in the ITU Telecom World 2017, Busan. I want to thank all of you especially the management of ITU led by its Secretary General, His Excellency Houlin Zhao, the People and Government of South Korea, the host city, Busan and all the industry players from Nigeria and other nations here present.

Our country, Nigeria is proud to be a part of the ITU in whose activities we always actively participate.

We come to the ITU Telecom World every year to tell our story, share our experiences and borrow a leaf from global best practices to address our concerns, engage and collaborate with the global community to strengthen the growth and impact of the Nigerian Telecoms Industry.

We therefore come to enlist the support of other players, governments, regulators and the global community from whom there is always a basket of ideas to take back home to Nigeria. The implementation of these ideas will ensure a better regulatory environment, even though ours has been seen as a very robust and consultative regulatory agency right from 2001 when the Digital Mobile Licences (DML) were issued.

The spirit of cooperation and consultation is very high at ITU Telecom World events.

While it is true that different people come with different notions to ITU Telecom World, the end result is to better serve our people, deploy resources to address access gaps in underserved and unserved communities in our various jurisdictions.

Our engagement with the global community during this event will include creating awareness of the investment opportunities in Africa's biggest Telecom market, as well as guarantee of adequate Returns on Investments (RoIs).

In this connection, we are here to tell the ICT community that Nigeria with a population of about 170 million is a preferred investment destination in Africa.

With over 150 million active subscribers, in the voice segment, over 102 percent teledensity and a little over 92 million internet connections, Nigeria is indeed a place to invest.

The ITU/UNESCO Broadband Commission for sustainable development recently said Nigeria now has about 21% broadband penetration and conscious of the reality that broadband fuels faster data transmission speed and capacity, our focus now is on how we can attract the right investments to grow this critical area of the sector through broadband coverage expansion.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as a foremost regulator, has put in place measures and guidelines to licence wholesale broadband service providers consistent with the Open Access Model for broadband deployment. Of the seven infrastructure companies (Infracos) earmarked for licensing, only two have so far been licensed for Lagos which is commercial hub of Nigeria, and Abuja including the North Central zone of the country leaving five more licences for the South West, South East, South South, North East and North West zones of the country. The process of licensing of infracos for these five remaining zones is about to be concluded.

In our firm resolve to strengthen institutions of corporate governance for telcos, woo investors and guarantee returns on their investments, the NCC, in consultation with industry stakeholders introduced a mandatory Code of Corporate Governance as guide to managers and boards of telecommunications companies. The code outlines minimum global best practices covering processes, procedures and general corporate behaviour for telecommunications industry players.

When we rolled out the 8-point agenda in 2016, it was predicated on the change mantra of the new democratic government in Nigeria led by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. It is premised on facilitating broadband penetration, improving quality of service, optimizing usage and benefits of spectrum, promoting ICT investment and innovation, facilitating strategic partnership, promoting fair and inclusive growth and ensuring regulatory excellence and operational efficiency. Because we recognize the importance of ICT to national development that is why growing this sector has been top on our agenda. Hence, ladies and gentlemen, permit me to say that despite our modest achievements, Nigeria ICT sector is work in progress.

I invite you later this afternoon to the Nigerian Investment Forum with Broadband Nigeria as the theme, where experts and knowledgeable people about the Nigerian investment environment will talk some more on the investment opportunities in Africa's largest economy.

Remember, ladies and gentlemen, that we are already in the era of Internet of Things (IoTs) where every sector of our economy will depend on telecoms infrastructure to maximally operate.

Remember too that all sectors of every national economy have become dependent on the telecommunications sector and failure on the sector would have far reaching negative ramifications to other sectors hence the need to build capacity in the sector.

Members of the Nigerian delegation will be on ground here in our Pavilion and investment forum to network and give you firsthand information about Nigeria.

In 16 years since the Digital Mobile Licences (DML) were issued, investment in the sector has hit about $70Billion from a mere $50million in 2001. Most of these investments are Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).

Although, we have made very modest progress in the sector, we still need to deepen investments to make broadband pervasive in the country.

We are at 21 percent now and our target is to hit 30 percent by 2018, consistent with the National Broadband Plan.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your attention.

– Being remarks by Prof. Danbatta, executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) at the official opening of Nigeria Pavilion @ ITU Telecom World 2017 – Busan, South Korea, September 26, 2017.

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Source: With 170m people, Nigeria is a preferred investment destination in Africa

Demand Africa SVOD service to launch 1 October

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 11:19

The Africa Channel (TAC) has announced that it will launch its new streaming video venture, Demand Africa (DA), on 1 October 2017.

At launch, the subscription-video-on-demand (SVOD) service will offer hundreds of (300+) hours of streaming original and acquired lifestyle content, before expanding in the following months to include hundreds of additional hours of scripted TV series and movies.

In addition to premium HD streaming video, Demand Africa will feature free access to short form video series and an online lifestyle blog community highlighting content across the African diaspora on the Demand Africa website. DA's goal is to make modern Africa's influence and culture more accessible throughout the world. The platform will serve as a global destination to connect viewers to the continent and introduce them to new voices reflective of Africa's rich and diverse culture.

Demand Africa will be available on the web, iOS, Android and via Roku, Apple TV and Amazon wi th video distribution technology provided by Brightcove Inc., the leading provider of cloud services for video.

"Our goal was to find an end-to-end service to host and deploy Demand Africa globally across all major platforms," said Dean Cates, director of Digital Marketing and Strategy, TAC and DA. "Brightcove's Video Cloud and OTT Flow applications provided us with an intuitive solution to get us up and running quickly while maintaining a consistent and engaging, best in class, experience for our viewers."

By end of Q1 2018, it is projected that Demand Africa will be streaming more than 500 hours of curated content with access to more than 113 million viewers in the U.S. alone.

"Demand Africa's mission, like our principal cable offering The Africa Channel, is to demystify modern Africa and its people for our viewers," said Narendra Reddy, EVP/General Manager, TAC. "Demand Africa is a digital platform where programming multicultural content is our pri ncipal focus and not a sub-category or an initiative."

Reddy said Demand Africa is targeted to a "globally aware audience with a passion for travel, lifestyles and an interest in new cultures."

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Source: Demand Africa SVOD service to launch 1 October

Mali’s Growing Gold Economy- Desirable Mining Destination for Investors

September 25, 2017 06:00 ET | Source: AME Trade

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JMP Mali International Mining & Petroleum Conference

JMP Mali

AME Trade

BAMAKO, Mali, Sept. 25, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With the recent steps initiated by the Malian government to modernise and improve transparency in issuing mining licenses makes Mali, an ideal mining destination. Mali's new Mining Code includes several innovations and adjustments. The 7th International Mali Mining and Petroleum Conference & Exhibition (JMP) organised by the Ministry of Mines of Mali, in partnership with AME Trade, thus provides an ideal platform for miners, investors, government officials and service providers to forge new business opportunities and partnerships.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b6ee0786-c1fe-49c9-bb23-c825a5b15543

Lying on the gold-rich Birimian greenstone belt, Mali is the third largest producer of gold after Ghana and South Africa. The country is currently going through a boom in gold production and investors are viewing Mali as a desirable destination for exploring and mining gold. 

Despite the boom, the country still has immense potential with most of its gold rich land unexplored. Prospects of gold mining are not only restricted to big mining companies but also to small artisanal miners.

JMP Mali for 6 years has served as a pathway for investments into Mali's mining value chain aiming for the capitalization and development of Mali's mining interest in the global market. The previous JMP event attracted over 900 visitors, including 372 delegates representing both public and private sectors. Yaté Dite Yaye Djiguiba from Toguna Agro Industries said, "JMP in 2015 was actually an appointment of giving and receiving. Such a meeting is very encouraging in a country like ours, to not only make business relations, but above all to know the different mining and petroleum potential of the sub-region."

With the prospect of gold estimated to be positive in the next five years, JMP Mali 2017 is the ideal platform where participants will not only gain an in-depth insight into the dynamics of the metals market but mid-size and small miners will have the opportunity to meet and showcase to prospective investors.

With the likes of leading gold mining companies such as B2GOLD Mali, Anglo Gold Ashanti, Randgold Resources and many more participating at the event, attendees will get the opportunity to look into this commodity that is increasingly playing an important role in the global economy and precious minerals market. 

The 7th Edition of JMP Mali comprising of three days of trade exhibition, workshops, conference sessions and discussions will focus on encouraging diversification, improving infrastructure, furthering economic development and increasing socio-economic benefits by bringing in investors from all over the world in a vastly untapped market.

JMP Mali 2017 aims to bring together experts and major industry players to delve into the issues and look into the prospects facing the resources industry.

Contact the JMP Team:  W: www.ametrade.org/jmp     T: +44 (0) 207 700 4949        E: jmp@ametrade.org

London, UNITED KINGDOM

  http://www.ametrade.org

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Source: Mali's Growing Gold Economy- Desirable Mining Destination for Investors

Underrated Adventure Destinations in Africa

When it comes to traveling to Africa, people usually think of and go to South Africa, Kenya Morocco, and Egypt when it's politically stable. Hot spot tourist destinations have earned this distinction; they certainly deserve to be on a person's bucket list but certain off the grid places are worthy as well.

Source: Underrated Adventure Destinations in Africa

The 10 next must-see countries: Destinations just about to go mainstream

Unique: Moscow has a look all of its own. Photo: Shutterstock RUSSIA

Though Russia has never quite cracked the tourism mainstream, thanks in part to general global distrust, watch for its popularity to grow over the next 10 years. The country is hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2018, allowing it a showcase for its wares in front of the world's largest sporting audience. What those fans will see is a huge nation with a fascinating history, a country of high culture, of ballet and art and literature, of endless open spaces, of bustling, beautiful cities, and of numerous semi-autonomous republics. The growing popularity of the Trans-Siberian train trip, as well as river cruising, is sure to further boost interest. 

russiatourism.ru

INDONESIA

Leave Bali aside for a second, as it's so clearly a major destination for Australians already, and focus on the rest of Indonesia. After all, there's much to discover in this nation of more than 17,000 islands, much to explore, and as the Indonesian government rolls out its plan to build 10 "new Balis" in the next 10 years, the popularity of the country is set to skyrocket. The first of those new Balis, Lombok, is already well on its way to completion. Two others – Lake Toba in North Sumatra, a lush, cool area; and Borobudur, an historic site in Central Java – will also soon be prepped for large-scale tourism.  

indonesia.travel

Baobab trees in Madagascar. Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK

MADAGASCAR

Tourism in Madagascar is already booming: visitor numbers jumped 20 per cent from 2015 to 2016, and that trend seems likely to continue given the island nation's considerable natural drawcards. An incredible five per cent of all known animal and plant species are unique to Madagascar, a product of terrain that varies from deserts to rainforests, from mountains to ocean. The island's 5000 kilometres of coastline encircle vast tracts of almost untouched land, including numerous national parks, seven of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Tourism here is a little rough and ready, but for those who love adventure, Madagascar is heaven.

madagascar-tourisme.com/en

CAMBODIA

Anyone who has visited Siem Reap in the last few years would understand that tourism in Cambodia is already booming (visitor numbers skyrocketed in the early 2000s, and have been rising every year since), thanks in large part to the popularity of the Temples of Angkor. However, the country has a lot more to offer than seeing dawn at Angkor Wat, and its myriad attractions – the capital, Phnom Penh, is a modern city with a great riverside location; the south coast is dotted with fishing villages and tropical islands; the Mekong hosts river cruises; Battambang is all colonial charm – are sure to be discovered as tourism infrastructure improves. 

tourismcambodia.com

Fresh scallops Peruvian style, Lima, Peru. Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK

CHILE

Supermodel-slender Chile is a country of wildly varying landscapes. In the south is Patagonia, with its vast tracts of rugged beauty, jagged mountain peaks and windswept plains; above that is the Lakes District, a beautiful area of rolling hills and sparkling stretches of water; in the country's centre there are wine regions, plus Chile's three larges cities – Santiago, Valparaiso and Concepcion – as well as the mighty Andes mountain range; while in the north there's the Atacama, the world's highest and driest desert. All of these regions offer something different for tourists, and are a large reason why Chile's star is on the rise.

chile.travel/en

NAMIBIA

Namibia has so much going for it – stunning desert landscapes in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, fields of towering red dunes that dip and rise like a raging, frozen sea; world-class game reserves such as Etosha, filled with wildlife; Germanic seaside towns like Swakopmund, as bizarre in their isolation as they are enjoyable in atmosphere; plus unique tribal culture in the form of the Himba and Herero people – that it's only a matter of time before it's discovered by the masses. That this is one of the safest and mostly sparsely populated countries in Africa only adds to the appeal.

namibiatourism.com.na

NEPAL

Nepal was once a tourism hotspot, and it will be again. Though the earthquake of 2015 destroyed plenty of infrastructure, as well as the country's standing as a "get there now" tourist destination, Nepal is already bouncing back, with visitor numbers shooting up almost 40 per cent in 2016, and still rising. What keeps people coming back? It's Nepal's mix of the adventurous and the spiritual: the Hindu and Buddhist religious sites, the laidback atmosphere, and the towering Himalayas, those spectacular mountains that dominate the skyline. There's more to the Himalayas, too, than the classic trek to Everest Base Camp, with fantastic alternatives in Annapurna and Lantang.

welcomenepal.com

Desert camp at Wadi Rum, Jordan. Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK

JORDAN

Jordan is a small country blessed with several world-leading tourism experiences, from exploring world heritage-listed ruins in Petra, to spending a night in the desert at Wadi Rum, to floating in the Dead Sea. That you can enjoy all of these in a safe, friendly environment, while still soaking up the exoticism of Middle Eastern culture, only adds to its appeal. Jordan avoided most of the tension during the Arab Spring, and has been politically stable for some time now, making it the perfect jumping off point for those keen on a Middle Eastern adventure, but slightly intimidated by the region. 

visitjordan.com

SLOVENIA 

With its small slice of Adriatic coastline, its snow-capped mountain peaks, its stunning rivers and lakes, and its charming cities and friendly villages, Slovenia is the little country that could. There's so much to love about this nation of only two million people, tucked as it is between established tourism hotspots like Italy and Croatia. Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana, is beautiful and relaxed, but it's the country's natural attractions that will have the visitors pouring in over the next few years: Lake Bled, with its famous island church; the Julian Alps, snow-capped and stunning; the Adriatic coast, sparkling and beautiful. Come here to hike, bike, or just relax.

slovenia.info/en

ECUADOR

With airfares from Australia to South America hitting all-time lows in recent years, plenty of people have already discovered what this amazing continent has to offer: they've been to Machu Picchu, they've explored Patagonia, they've hit the beach in Brazil. Now, they're after something new, and that's where Ecuador comes in. The country might not have mainstream recognition just yet, but when you're home to vast tracts of the Amazon, to the high peaks of the Andes, to colonial cities such as Quito, to unique indigenous culture, and, of course, to a small island chain called the Galapagos, it's only a matter of time before people find you.

ecuador.travel

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Source: The 10 next must-see countries: Destinations just about to go mainstream

Where is hot in November? 10 of the best holiday destinations

Hands up: Who else needs a holiday? (Picture: Getty Images)

Winter is coming. The heavy jacket has already started to become one of my fashion staples, and it's still September.

Autumn is upon us and as the nights draw in and the leaves turn brown, the thoughts of sunshine, barbecues and Pimm's in the park begin to fade.

What happens when you call off your wedding

Feeling a touch of the post-summer blues? Well, to plan in advance, here is our guide to the best destinations for some November sun, with a range of options depending on how warm you like the climate.

Madeira The island boats similar conditions to coastal California (Picture: Getty)

The home of football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is situated off the north coast of Africa.

This region of Portugal offers warm weather in November.

Temperatures reach a maximum of 21.7ºC whilst nights drop to a refreshing minimum of 16ºC.

The climate of Madeira is similar to that found around the Mediterranean or in coastal California.

Tenerife Tabaiba beach, off the coast of El Rosario, Tenerife (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

Tenerife, the largest of Spain's Canary Islands, is home to Mount Teide one of the world's largest volcanoes, 7500m above the ocean floor.

November marks the beginning of the winter season in Tenerife meaning that the temperature does begin to cool.

However average maximum temperatures of 24.3ºC will help you to top up on your summer tan.

Cape Verde View on Vila das Pombas Santo Antao, Cape Verde) and Ribeira do Paúl (Picture: Getty)

The archipelago of islands off the east coast of Africa – not only boasts a Caribbean climate – it offers a mix of cultural cuisines from Africa, Brazil and Portugal.

The average temperature in November is 26ºC.

Cyprus Pathos has great heritage like the Tomb of the Kings (Picture: Getty)

Cyprus is blessed with sunshine all year round and in November temperatures reach highs of 23ºC.

Paphos has a fantastic selection of leisurely activities such as: wine tours, watersports, and ancient sites.

Fuerteventura Harbour at dusk, Corralejo, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands (Picture: Getty)

Fuerteventura is the second of the largest Canary Islands and has year-round sunshine and arguably the biggest beaches in the Canaries.

Temperatures average at a maximum of 24.2ºC in November, although it does start to become windy.

Mauritius Le Morne, Dinarobin Hotel (Picture: Getty Images)

For those with want to go that extra bit more lavish, Mauritius in November marks the start of the summer season where temperatures are ideal.

The average temperature is around 24ºC and peaks at 28ºC.

Mauritius is an island of volcanic origin, but boasts of some the world's best beaches, national parks and has an eclectic mix of cultures too.

On a beautiful warm day you should definitely head over to the Black River Gorges National Park, Seven Colored Earths (Chamarel) and Ile Aux Cerfs.

Bangkok Grand palace and Wat phra keaw at sunset (Picture: Getty)

November is one of the cooler months in Bangkok, but highs do still reach an average 33.1ºC (yes that's still hot).

Thailand's wet season draws to a close in November with rainfall dropping significantly to an average of 56 mm.

The nation's capital is a brilliant city full of vigour, culture and energy.

Vietnam Phu Quoc island from above (Picture: Getty)

Phu Quoc is brimming with culture and beautiful scenery. There are beaches and national parks, pearl farms, fishing villages and night markets to explore.

The average temperature is 28ºC.

Singapore Singapore skyline panoramic view (Picture: Getty)

If you want a more metropolis landscape, then look no further than Singapore.

Situated near the equator, temperatures during this month reach a maximum average of 31.3ºC.

The Humidity is high in November at around making for a very warm climate.

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Malta Stunning dusk view of Birgu from high up in Valletta (Picture: Getty)

Malta is one of the Mediterranean's gems.

There are great hotels in St Julian's and Sliema. But if you would like to explore some culture, then Valletta will sure to delight with a sense of medieval grandeur.

MORE: Where is hot in October? 10 of the best autumn holiday destinations

Source: Where is hot in November? 10 of the best holiday destinations

East Africa: One E-Passport, One Language, EAC Trade Starts With Intra-Trade

analysis By Rehema Kulwa

WALTER Rodney, a prominent Guyanese historian, political activist and scholar once wrote details in his book 'How Europe underdeveloped Africa' and many scholars took hats off to him while others saw his shortfalls in his school of thought and labelled it one sided, but perhaps, former Nigerian President Olesegun Obasanjo overruled it all in 1994 while burying Kenya doyen politician Jaramogi Oginga Odinga by saying: "Thank God Africa has been saved from many earthquakes and Tsunami, but the only earthquakes and Tsunami we have are in form of bad leaders."

To be precise he was of the opinion that Africa is going back to the oblivion as a result of bad leadership and expects outsiders to develop it as if there has been a binding contract that they must develop the continent.

To bring the point home again, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere every now and again talked of the continent fighting three common enemies he named as poverty, diseases and ignorance/ illiteracy, but after five decades from independence the enemies are still eating the continent to its bones including East Africa member states in this context.

Leaders (think-tanks in this vein) have thought of coming together to form joint blocs to help them address the challenges, but a prominent Nigerian ScholarChinua Achebe has begged to know if the war would be won if individual member states still treat each other with suspicion through a character he calls Okwonkwo asking his brothers a question that 'how can we fight a common enemy if my own brothers have turned against me?'

This is the typical picture each member state ought to address to uplift young brother like South Sudan now facing famine, civil strife, poor infrastructures and others in their East Africa Community (EAC).

Today, with new East Africa Community (EAC) electronic passports, and one unifying Kiswahili language for communication and trade, the bloc still thinks of wooing first outsiders to come to the region to invest and trade with on individual basis without first giving intra-trade between the member states.

The community has six partners of the United Republic of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, and recently South Sudan with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania and commands a population of over 150 million citizens, big enough to provide enough market for all sorts of its trade just like before the coming of the colonialists when barter trade brought cohesion amongst the partners.

The region has vast resources and has proved to be lucrative to many foreign investors with its 22 per cent of its population living in urban areas, and this implies again that all sorts of goods and services produced by any member state would automatically get market.

With a land area of 1.82 million square kilometres and a combined Gross Domestic Product of US$ 146 billion (EAC Statistics for 2016), the region bears great strategic and geopolitical significance and prospects to its member states to exploit.

They ought to respect the work of the EAC as guided by its Treaty that which established the Community with the sole aim of promoting peace and addressing the fore-mentioned enemies of development.

As one of the fastest growing regional economic blocs in the world, EAC should widen and deepen its co-operation among the Partner States in vari ous key spheres for their mutual benefit and see into it that it addresses political, economic and social evils which are likely to emerge in member states and cause rifts in the cooperation.

At the moment, the regional integration process is in full swing as far as Media Houses are concerned and reflect the encouraging progress of the East African Customs Union, the establishment of the Common Market and the implementation of the East African Monetary Union Protocol.

Before the bloc tries to woo outside investors who happen to have powerful economic muscles and technologies, its member states should be given priority in the most attractive destinations for mining, oil, and gas activities.

For instance, Uganda has made discoveries of around 2.5 billion barrels of oil, while Tanzania has large natural gas deposits. Earlier this year the discovery of crude in Kenya's northern Turkana region also created a lot of excitement.

Although the commercially viability of the find still needs be confirmed, large corporations like Petrobras, Total and Apache Corporation have reportedly expressed interest in Turkana, but have the member states been given priority?

In addition, East Africa also boasts other resources such as gemstones, gold, coal, diamonds and limestone. "East Africa is the next frontier for mining in Africa ... East Africa is in the stage of discovery.

This is the place to invest in," says Monica Gichuhi, executive officer of the Kenya Chamber of Mines, a body whose mandate is to lobby for favourable legislation and showcase Kenya as a viable mining destination.

The region has adopted a pro-foreign investment policy. The economic blueprints of the individual countries support public-private partnerships (PPPs). Most of the capital intensive projects, especially in infrastructure and telecommunications are to be financed and implemented by foreign firms.

This is one of the reasons why China's investment in the region has grown rapidly. Each of the countries has been active in fostering relations with other governments in a bid to encourage foreign direct investments.

But in general, each nation has profile potential investment areas which can be tapped as a destination and be improved significantly in recent years to feed the other member state(s) in need of its lacked material.

Yes, Africa is a 'can do' place and there has been enormous progress within the past few years for effective business between African countries. It is true that most of this has been more with agricultural products, but more countries are building capacities and becoming more competitive and open to industrial trade no matter how slow!!!

There is hope for a way forward, but we need more visionary leaders at all levels.

Source: East Africa: One E-Passport, One Language, EAC Trade Starts With Intra-Trade

Rubel Hossain denied NOC to travel to South Africa

1

Bangladesh will play a two-Test series against South Africa.

2

They are also supposed to play three ODIs and two T20Is.

3

He has played 24 Test matches and picked up 32 wickets.

Bangladesh fast-bowler Rubel Hossain is doubtful to participate in the upcoming two-Test series against South Africa after he was denied immigration clearance to visit the country.

The 27-year-old was to fly along with his teammates, but having failed to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from immigration authorities, which is a now a mandate for visiting South Africa irrespective of whether a visa is obtained or not, forced Emirates to refuse him a place on the airline.

Reflecting on the same, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury said that the board is discussing the matter with Cricket South Africa (CSA) while the airlines are also trying their level best to resolve the issue.

"There is a new provision that the passenger needs to have an 'Okay to Board' clearance from the ultimate destination. It is the responsibility of the concerned airlines before issuing the boarding pass to any individual," ESPNcricinfo quoted Chowdhury as saying.

"We are in touch with Cricket South Africa and hopefully, the matter will be resolved soon. He will fly to South Africa with the first available flight once the matter is resolved," Chowdhury explained further.

Rubel was one of three players - alongside Subhasis Roy and Mahmudullah - to have earned a recall in the Test squad for South Africa tour.

Bangladesh are slated to play two Tests, three ODIs and two T20Is, beginning September 28 in Potchefstroom.

Source: Rubel Hossain denied NOC to travel to South Africa

First of Its Kind Study in the MENA Region Reveals Key Drivers to Create Happier Destinations

Through the study, neuroscientists identified a clear distinction between conscious and subconscious responses.

Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, unveiled the results of a first of its kind neuroscience study in the region, designed to identify the most powerful drivers behind emotional attachment to urban developments and communities.

Conducted by Neurons Inc and commissioned by Majid Al Futtaim; the UAE-based study used Electroencephalography (EEG) and Eye Tracking technology to measure how participants subconsciously as well as consciously responded to nearly 100 images of urban developments and landscapes from around the world. Over 1 million data points were then analysed to determine the findings.

Neuroscientists found the elements of everyday human activity (a visual focus in 80% of the 10 best performing images), greenery (70%), artistic features (50%) and bright colours (50%) were the most powerful drivers of emotional engagement with destinations and environments.

An emphasis was put on greenery, which was naturally landscaped and positioned in a way that provided a sense of human scale and privacy. The study also highlighted a subconscious preference for shades of blue and green in design and artistic features that people can interact with and embrace natural materials.

The strongest negative responses were recorded in images that displayed a visible lack of human interaction and natural landscapes. Dirt and damage were also shown to have an immediate negative and lasting impact on participants.

The announcement comes as the governments across the region; continue to place significant emphasis on transformative policies and practices for the real estate sector in a bid to drive economic diversity. In the UAE, both public and private sector entities are focused on enabling a nation-wide happiness agenda that seeks to enhance happiness and satisfaction for citizens and expats in the UAE through better services and infrastructure.

Hawazen Esber, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim – Communities, said: "Historically, researchers and developers have focused on the conscious drivers of preference for real estate design and development. In a testament to the region's progressive take on the transformation of the real estate sector; our unique neuroscience research study enables a deeper understanding of what subconsciously drives emotional value and a sense of belonging for our customers and the wider community."

Through the study, neuroscientists identified a clear distinction between conscious and subconscious responses. For instance, when asked, respondents consciously indicated a liking for vibrant environments with highly active social interaction. However, when analysing subconscious brain activity, scientists found that simple, everyday human activities around homes and communities have a more positive and lasting impact on our minds.

"As destination creators, it is our vision and role to create mixed-used destinations with a heart and soul; where people can come together to celebrate life and create great memories with their loved ones, every day. The study helps us identify crucial elements that make for happy, heathy communities and become the foundation for how we bring our integrated retail, leisure and entertainment offering to design mixed-use destinations that drive holistic value for residents and surrounding communities," he continued.

The neuroscience study was designed in collaboration with Neurons Inc to inform Majid Al Futtaim's unique approach to placemaking - an approach to property planning, development and design that encourages emotional and functional value. Across the globe, the effective integration of placemaking principles has been seen to substantially enhance the commercial value of destinations and improve resident and visitor experiences. 

Source: First of Its Kind Study in the MENA Region Reveals Key Drivers to Create Happier Destinations

The best places to go in Africa

Morocco: Visit the famous spice markets and entrench yourself in Arab culture. In Marrakech, known as the Red City, there's plenty to grab your attention. "A must is the Djemaa el Fna, the largest market in Morocco and the biggest square in Africa," says Claudia Worth, product manager of Abercrombie & Kent. "Make sure to have a walk around the square in the evening when musicians, dancers and storytellers come out." Wander around the many souks adjacent to Djemaa el Fna, where you can buy everything from spices to teapots. Getty Images

Source: The best places to go in Africa

Tokyo named best value long-haul holiday destination

Japan's capital is among the best value long-haul travel spots. PA

Tokyo has been named the best value long-distance holiday destination for British visitors, according to a study.

The Japanese capital city jumped to top place in the list of affordable spots from 30 top destinations surveyed for the Post Office Travel Money.

With the UK pound dropping in value over recent months, holidaymakers are feeling the pinch.

But plummeting prices for food and drink have helped cement Tokyo's place as one of the cheapest spots.

Cheap food and drink have pushed down costs of UK travellers in Japan. PA

The survey looked at average costs for ten tourist staples, including accommodation, museum entry, food and drink.

Far Eastern cities came out top for travellers seeking adventure on a budget, with three of the top five destinations in Asia.

The top five value long-haul spots were:

Tokyo, Japan

Beijing, China

Dubai, UAE

Cape Town, South Africa

Bangkok, Thailand

Washington DC was named the cheapest of four cities surveyed in North America, with New York coming out as the priciest.

New York was one of the priciest destinations surveyed. PA

Andrew Brown of Post Office Travel Money said that a Twitter poll of 14,000 found that half of people mainly looked at the price of flights and hotels - but other costs can add up.

With continuing uncertainty about sterling, it is more important than ever before for people planning winter sun holidays to do their homework and pick a destination where prices for tourist staples are low. > Japan looks very affordable these days with low prices for meals and drinks in a wide range of centrally-located restaurants and bars. It is also good news that prices have dipped in popular Caribbean islands.

Andrew Brown, Post Office Travel Money

Prices were researched by tailor-made holiday firm Travelbag.

Source: Tokyo named best value long-haul holiday destination

Going off the beaten track: The rise of alternative holiday destinations

CHRISTIAN HARTMANN/REUTERS

People will still want to visit landmark spots, but they may find that they are paying much more.

Let's start with the good news. In one sense at least, the world of escorted travel is about to get a lot less crowded, with tour groups shrinking in size. "Smaller destinations are becoming more popular, and as a result we are going to see smaller group sizes too," says Gavin Tollman, chief executive officer of Trafalgar Tours. "Forty-odd people is the current industry standard; we're going to see that go down to 20-odd people."

In all other ways, however, travellers in the next decade will find that the world is an increasingly crowded place. Tourism numbers have shot up over the past 10 years – from 846 million in 2006 to 1.24 billion in 2016, according to the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer – and show no signs of slowing down.

"More and more people will be travelling, and we will see increasing numbers of people exploring different destinations because at certain times of year, some destinations are already full," says Tollman. "We're already seeing hugely increased interest in alternative destinations such as Nepal and South Korea."

Buddhist believers perform a giant dragon-shaped lantern during a Lotus Lantern parade in Seoul, South Korea.

People will still want to visit Paris and Venice, of course, but they may find that they are paying much more, particularly in peak season. As a consequence, destinations and tour operators alike will be working harder to lure visitors during the off-season, Tollman says.

READ MORE:* 10 lesser-known New Zealand holiday spots* TripAdvisor names best holiday destinations in NZ and the world* Holiday bucket lists: Why you should stop trying to see everything

"In Calgary, for instance, you simply can't get more seats for the Calgary Stampede; so it's about bringing other aspects of Alberta to the forefront," Tollman says. "In Australia, there are certain times of year when the Barrier Reef is saturated. I love the way that Western Australia's Ningaloo Reef is now presented as an alternative."

Western Australia's Ningaloo Reef os proving a great alternative to Great Barrier Reef.

The sheer number of travellers will also mean we need to plan our holidays further in advance. Already hikers hoping to trek the Inca Trail, for instance, need to book at least a year in advance. Say goodbye to the spur-of-the-moment holiday, says Sujata Rahman, Abercrombie & Kent's regional managing director, Australia/Asia Pacific. "We will need to do a lot more forward planning."

However, once travellers do get their feet on the ground, Rahman says that they will have plenty of opportunities to get to grips with their destination. "Touring was traditionally about seeing the world go past from the windows," Rahman says. "People are no longer content with seeing; they want to be doing."

In some ways, Rahman says, her company's high-spending guests are harking back to their pasts. "When we were younger, the charm of backpacking was that you could meet the locals," Rahman says. "That was lost for a while, now it's coming back."

Already hikers hoping to trek the Inca Trail, for instance, need to book at least a year in advance.

Tollman agrees that meetings with locals will be considered highlights of any itinerary. More than just providing great memories, he says that these interactions also make an important economic contribution to regional economies. 

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"We have a lady in Perugia who is the last weaver using one of those wonderful Renaissance looms, who we visit on our tours," he says. "She has said that if it wasn't for our guests, she would be out of business.

"In the Loire Valley, we work with a goat cheese farmer; we send her a group once a week for 40-odd weeks a year. It is an illustration of how travel can be a force for good, helping to sustain community businesses."

The Calgary Stampede often packs to capacity already, so tourism are looking at other aspects of Alberta to the forefront.

Our desire to experience local cultures, rather than just ticking off sights, is a sign of our growing sophistication as travellers. The next generation of young travellers will be even more experienced, says World Expedition's Responsible Travel Manager, Donna Lawrence.

"We have school groups that are going to Nepal, Vietnam and Cambodia," she says. "These 14 and 15-year-old kids are experiencing these amazing destinations; as a result, they are much more globally aware, with a better cultural understanding, than previous generations."

These adventurous travellers will naturally be keen to explore undiscovered destinations. However, Abercrombie & Kent's Rahman says it is not just new destinations that will intrigue travellers. "It is not necessarily about finding a corner of the world which they have never been to," she says. 

Tourism continues to grow in Nepal, with visitors opting for hiking holidays exploring the wilderness.

"Perhaps they have been to India five times before, but they have never been to Pushkar. Or perhaps they will be drawn by a philanthropic element. People want to feel that they are giving back to communities. We have set up bike shops in Zambia and Uganda, and our guests go to the bike shop, learn about the project, and can hire a bike and ride around the village. It's a way of having a positive impact."

Choosing a holiday destination is partly about following our dreams but is also, of course, shaped by geopolitical realities. Intrepid Travel's managing director, James Thornton, says that while some destinations will fall off the must-visit list due to security concerns, others will work their back on. 

"Ten years ago, we were seeing large numbers of travellers going to Syria, and a lot more were going to Egypt [than are now]," he says. "However, not many travellers were going to destinations such as Colombia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Iran, which are popular now."

Climate change will also change our travel plans. "We are already seeing the impacts of global warming on the polar regions, with ice shelves splitting off," says Thornton.

Africa's safari industry is also facing an uncertain future. "Anyone who works in or visits Africa is concerned by the multiple challenges facing the continent," says Rahman. "You have a growing population, which leads to increased clearing of wilderness – and then there are the impacts of climate change. 

"However, I am heartened by the number of people and organisations doing whatever they can do to improve conservation. The challenges are enormous, but there is reason for optimism."

WILL DRIVERLESS CARS REVOLUTIONISE ROAD TRIPPING?

It's an inviting vision: the road trip where the car does all the driving. No more tired, cranky drivers; instead, the holiday begins the moment you leave home. Rather than staring at the road for the entire trip, you might catch up with that must-watch series you downloaded, do some last-minute trip planning, or even take a nap.

Unfortunately, it's not likely to happen within the next decade. While major car manufacturers are putting a lot of work into autonomous cars, "the development will happen in stages",says Shaun Cleary, corporate communications manager at Audi Australia. 

Car autonomy is measured in five levels, with level five being a fully self-driving car. Audi's upcoming A8, which will launch in Australia next year, will feature level three technology, which means it is capable of driving itself for short periods, particularly in traffic jams. The car also has technology that allows for remote parking. 

One of the factors impeding the introduction of autonomous cars is the lack of an appropriate legal framework. "The current legislation states that the driver must be in control of the vehicle at all times," Cleary says. 

With most of the trials of the new technology happening in Europe, that is where driverless cars will probably make their debut. However, that doesn't mean the Australian road trip won't change in the near future. State governments are starting to plan for more widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Queensland has already announced the launch of a "super highway" for electric vehicles from Brisbane to Cairns. The route will feature 18 car charging stations capable of charging a vehicle in 30 minutes, and drivers will be able to re-charge for free for the first 12 months.

- Traveller.com.au

Source: Going off the beaten track: The rise of alternative holiday destinations

Why SA is the ultimate rugby destination

Cape Town - South Africa's international appeal as a sought after tourist destination will prove as decisive as South Africa's standing as a recognised rugby powerhouse in influencing the vote to determine the hosts of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The bidding process, for the first time in the tournament's history, is underpinned by World Rugby's Weighted Criteria Scorecard.

Host cities, venues and tournament infra-structure make up 50 percent of this scorecard - and it's a scorecard that speaks favourably to South Africa because of the stadia legacy of FIFA 2010 and the internationally acknowledged and celebrated reputation of South Africa's premier cities.

South Africa's Rugby World Cup bid platform is strengthened because of eight  super stadia in seven cities, and while the rugby leadership rightfully can boast about the quality of the already operational and functional stadia, it's the attraction of the cities that are home to these stadia that could determine which way the Council members vote.

The leadership of all three bidding teams (South Africa, France and Ireland) will get an opportunity to present to World Rugby's Council in London on September 25.

The Council will then vote to determine the winning bid on November 15, but in the interim (in October) World Rugby's Executive will also receive the evaluation commissions report and independent service provider reports, as per the Weighted Criteria Scorecard.

It would generally be accepted that the Council vote would be consistent with the independent recommendation but it's no guarantee that the Council members share the view of those independents when it comes to who gets ranked one, two and three.

The independents, who are assessing each bid, may conclude that very little separates the three in an overall percentage, which then highlights the importance of how the selling job gets done (to the Council members) by each country's respective bidding teams.

What makes South Africa's sell to the World Council that much easier, outside of an extremely compelling commercial and technical bid, is the city and provincial make-up of the country.

The Western Cape is renowned as one of the world's top tourist destinations, while South Africa's international appeal includes wildlife and spectacular beaches and coastlines.

There's more to hosting a World Cup than the match day occasion and it's here where South Africa has an advantage in the diversity of the offering, from Table Mountain to the Kruger National Park.

'We do believe we have answered all the rugby related questions,' says South African Rugby Union President Mark Alexander. 'Our bid is very strong, but so is the lure of visiting South Africa for the tourist experience. It's very unique.'

South Africa's host cities' decision makers, like the government (provincially and nationally) had to agree that there was value in hosting a Rugby World Cup. There had to be benefit beyond rugby's needs as a sport.

It had to make economic sense; and it does.

Port Elizabeth, as just one example, detailed the financial gains of hosting a Springbok Test match.

Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber acting CEO Prince Matonsi estimated that there would be in excess of R155 million contribution to the region's GDP, based on having the Springboks in Port Elizabeth for one week during this year's Rugby Championship.

Imagine the commercial return when several international teams are based in the region for a month during a World Cup?

Matonsi is among the converted as to the benefits of international sporting events in his region.

'It benefits the different businesses that are involved, filters through the rest of the economy and also gives an injection into maintenance of the (Nelson Mandela Bay) stadium, which is crucial to Port Elizabeth being a world-class sporting destination.'

South African Rugby Union Commercial Manager Tsholo Khubeka says the response from the proposed host city's respective leaderships has made South Africa's bid even more compelling.

'We've said from the outset that this is a bid about South Africa and South Africans, of which rugby is the vehicle. It has to have the support of government and it has to have the buy in from those host city representatives. We're fortunate and blessed to be able to have the (city) locations we have in terms of our bid.

'Our stadia offering is without comparison and so too is the tourist aspect of what you can do when visiting each of the host cities.'

South Africa's bid also focuses on the World Bank's Purchasing Price Parity data, which shows that visitors to the 2023 World Cup can experience three weeks in South Africa for what it would cost for one week in either France or Ireland.

South Africa is renowned for its rugby, but the success of hosting the Rugby World Cup, like the bid itself, is about what supports the rugby offering.

And when it comes to tourism in South Africa, it's pretty much got everything and a low cost with no compromise to quality.

Source: Why SA is the ultimate rugby destination

Accor : Fairmont Hotels Kenya launches new three-stop destination campaign

Fairmont Hotels and Resorts Kenya has announced its new strategic direction to position its Kenyan properties as a three stop destination with a potential for leisure and business guests to experience the best of East Africa.

The resorts offer unrivalled luxury and adventure in three iconic properties; The Norfolk, Mount Kenya Safari Club and Mara Safari Club.

Guillaume Durand, group director sales and marketing, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts Kenya, said: "We are launching a new communications campaign to position our Kenyan properties as a three stop destination. Drawing on the unique characteristics, location, history and heritage of each hotel we aim to highlight the benefits of experiencing all three to both leisure and business travellers, including meetings, conferences and incentives. With easy transportation between properties either via small aircraft or road, guests have the opportunity to discover the best of the city, beautiful natural landscapes and the adventure of safari."

A tailored PR and marketing campaign will focus on consumer and business incentive outlets, targeting luxury lifestyle publications. The primary target markets are the UK, mainland Europe and the USA with secondary target markets Asia and Australia. Fairmont Hotels and Resorts Kenya will have a presence at leading international luxury trade events ILTM Americas (September 25-28) and ILTM in Cannes (December 4-7), as key platforms to showcase the new strategic positioning.

The three stop experience will see leisure and business travellers begin their journey at Fairmont The Norfolk in Nairobi. A landmark hotel steeped in history, the property is the optimal city base to explore renowned wildlife conservancies such as the Giraffe Centre and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust famed for its elephant orphanage. Championship golf courses in the city allow for premium play. Meeting and conference facilities cater to business needs, while award-winning restaurants serve excellent Kenyan and international cuisine.

Moshi Perera, general manager, Fairmont The Norfolk and Fairmont Mara Safari Club said of The Norfolk: "The hotel continues to be one of the most beloved landmarks in the city attracting international travellers and local regulars alike. Refurbished over the years to add a modern touch whilst retaining authenticity The Norfolk offers guests the best of both worlds; the vibrancy of the city minutes away and traditional charm."

Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club is the exclusive former home of actor William Holden and has played host to Hollywood's elite. The property offers a snap shot of the bygone era with hunting lodge furnishings and wood-burning fireplaces. Part of a Unesco World Heritage site overlooking Mount Kenya, the property also boasts a manicured nine-hole golf course interspersed with ponds and sand banks - the only golf course in Africa to bisect the Equator. Additional incentive options embrace the surroundings and range from hiking to adventure survival.

Laurent Chaudet, general manager, Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club said: "The hotel's position in close proximity to Mount Kenya, coupled with its history as the retreat of movie star William Holden give the property its illustrious appeal. In addition, the hotel provides guests with a unique blend of relaxation and adventure. The day can begin game watching and change dramatically to mountain climbing or move at a more leisurely pace with horse riding excursions, golf or R&R by the pool."

The journey concludes at Fairmont Mara Safari Club, in the north west of the Masai Mara at the foot of Aitong Hills. A glamping experience, the camp is located on an oxbow of the Mara River with all the en-suite tents looking out onto the river, where pods of hippo gather. The property is perfect for leisure and guided safari game drives. In migration season (July - October), this is one of the best locations to see herds of wildebeest crossing at the National Reserve.

Munene Ngotho, general manager, Fairmont Mara Safari Club said: "An experience not to be missed Fairmont Mara Safari Club is where the adventure takes off. Not only do guests have the opportunity to see the big 5, cultural experiences include Maasai traditional jumping dance shared by the tribe in the resorts main building plus guests can visit a nearby village and spend time with the people." - TradeArabia News Service

آ© Copyright 2014 www.tradearabia.com

(c) 2017 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info)., source Middle East & North African Newspapers

Source: Accor : Fairmont Hotels Kenya launches new three-stop destination campaign

FROM MAGAZINE: Africa: from 'hopeless' to the growth frontier

Despite the challenges of geopolitics, macroeconomic, skilled labour force and connectivity, Africa still emerges as an investment haven. In the World Bank's Logistics Performance Index, most of the African countries have outperformed expectations. Going by the LPI and the outlook on Africa for next two decades, it is undoubtedly 'destination Africa'.

Renjini Liza Varghese & Twinkle Sahita

The world doesn't address Africa as 'hopeless' continent anymore. The big nations, the multi-national companies, economists all have remolded their opinion on Africa to the next investment destination after Asia in the coming decades.

A decade ago one of the leading financial magazines had called Africa as a 'hopeless continent.' The winds started blowing in favour of Africa in a bigger way, and 10 years later all are queueing up for Africa as it is the second fastest growing region after Asia. This trend, all believe, will continue in the foreseeable future. The World Economic Forum (WEF) in one of its reports highlighted that "Africa is home to seven of the 10 fastest-growing economies in the world."

Green shoots in African economy in 2017 after a sharp decline in 2016 is a clear indication that the continent is getting back on the track.The untapped potential in the Sub-Saharan African region came to the forefront when the multi-national companies started focusing on Africa more. The sudden surge in investments in infrastructure development (road, rail and transport connectivity) from China, clubbed with conducive regulatory and policy support and regaining momentum in economy have brought Africa into the global centre stage.

The advancement in economy trickles down to all segments of the business. The latest Logistics Performance Index (LPI) by the World Bank shows that the African countries have moved itself to the upward trajectory. South Africa continues to lead the pack by positioning itself at 20 in the world ranking. Countries like Tanzania and Mozambique significantly improved its performance in comparison to the 2014 ranking.

World Economic Forum report painted a different picture on the ground reality when the African economy plunged into slumber in 2016, "An environment where private sector-led investments is starting to flourish, in large part thanks to government-led far-reaching economic and political reforms." That means the adversities gave birth to new opportunities.

Investment attractivenessMultinational consulting firm, Ernst & Young's (EY) 'Attractive Programme Report 2017' which was released in May 2017 is very bullish on Africa. "Even as Sub Saharan Africa's (SSA) three largest economies — Nigeria, South Africa and Angola — saw sharp downward revisions in growth forecasts, a diverse group of the second tier economies in Africa — including Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Egypt — are expected to sustain high growth rates over the next five years."

They attributed it to the increased regional mobility, rapid urbanisation and population growth. EY report also says "The flow of foreign direct investments (FDI) into Africa registered an upward trend. During 2016, capital investment into Africa rose 31.9 percent. Investment per project averaged $139m, against $92.5m in 2015. This surge was driven by several large, capital intensive projects in the real estate, hospitality and construction (RHC), and transport & logistics sectors. The continent's share of global FDI capital flows increased to 11.4 percent, up from 9.4 percent in 2015. That made Africa the second fastest growing destination when measured by FDI capital."

Global transport and logistics providers see an opportunity to act as "connectors" for Africans and markets, considering the relatively underdeveloped state of infrastructure. In 2016, automotive FDI projects increased 6.5 percent. With 14 FDI projects Morocco retained the top spot for investment, followed by South Africa, Algeria, Tunisia and Nigeria.

By registering a 20.9 percent increase in FDI projects, transport and logistics became the fifth largest sector in 2016. The sector also ranked second by FDI investment and was the fourth largest contributor to FDI jobs.

Setting the stageEspecially in the past decade, Africa witnessed a sizable development in transport and logistics infrastructure segment. New airports, opening up of skies for international carriers with supporting aviation policies, inter country and intra-country rail networks, construction of road networks with cross border access, and larger sea ports.

Dedicated efforts are put into further accelerate Africa's trade potential. Initiatives like MoveAfrica by NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa's Development) aimed at the free movement of goods across the continent, establishment of the CFTA (Continental Free Trade Area) by December 2017; preceded by the Tripartite FTA launched by Heads of State and Government of COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa), EAC (East African Community) and SADC (Southern African Development Community) in June 2015 are the steps in this direction.

Open skiesEconomists are upbeat about the African aviation segment as it will be one of the fastest-growing aviation regions over the next 20 years, with annual expansion averaging nearly 5 percent. Currently its contribution to the economic activity of the continent is $80 billion annually.

Five African countries lead international air trade to/from Africa – South Africa contributing 16.1 percent, followed by Egypt with 15.9 percent, Kenya holding 12.9 percent, Nigeria 10.7 percent, and Ethiopia with 10 percent in 2015. African carriers' posted the largest year-on-year increase in demand of all regions in March 2017 with freight volumes growing 33.5 percent.

The growth of air cargo segment in Africa mainly depends on technological innovation, regulatory reforms and investment in infrastructure. To fuel the growth further the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) had called for a faster implementation of the Lome Declaration. The primary objective of the Lome Declaration is to promote the unobstructed flow and rapid release of goods through enhanced trade facilitation and custom clearance frameworks.

Air freight is key enabler of international trade, especially the high value and time-sensitive goods. Interestingly air freight carries around 35 percent of world trade by value.

"The growth in African freight traffic outpaced the global average last year and that cargo capacity offered by African carriers in the region surged by over 20 percent in 2016. And the implementation of the Lomé Declaration in total will drive the air cargo further," said the president of the ICAO Council, Dr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu while addressing the Second Meeting on Air Cargo Development in Africa.

According to IATA, Africa's share of world air freight market is only 1.6 percent as against the whopping 37.5 percent in Asia Pacific. But this drastically will change as soon as more countries within the continent liberalise the sky.

Europe accounts for 60 percent of the African cargo and commands the majority of international air trade. In the recent past Africa has become the largest contributor to the global flower exporting market. Kenya accounts for about 38 percent of cut roses sold in the European Union making it the third largest exporter of cut flowers in the world. Ethiopia and Tanzania are other East African countries with significant share in global cut flower export.

Keeping pace with the demand growth in cargo segment most of the operators are building new capabilities. Kenya Airways (KQ) opened a state-of-the-art cargo express centre at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in April. Ethiopian Airlines joined the bandwagon by opening Africa's largest cargo terminal recently in pursuit to offer its customers the best.

Mrisho Yassin, CEO, Swissport Tanzania, spoke about Tanzania emerging as logistic hub in the region. "There are a number of factors which makes Tanzania as one of the emerging logistics country in Africa. That includes investment needs (prospects in oil and gas and minerals deposits). For the satisfaction of internal consumables requirements, we are importing a number of products from abroad due to limited local manufacturing capacity. In Agricultural prospects – we have a potential to export horticulture products, animal products and in transit point – especially for sea freight for landlocked neighboring countries."

On the civil aviation side, signing of a 'Solemn Declaration' by 21 African heads of state re-affirming their commitment to breaking down the artificial barriers obstructing air transport service expansion between African nations by implementing the Yamoussoukro Decision also a crucial step.

Store safeAdvancement in technology has put the warehousing management in an advantageous position. However to enhance efficiency and optimise the supply chain capacity addition in warehousing is essential.

Leading the pack is Agility which plans to set up a network of logistics hubs across Africa. It is building a 100,000 sqm logistics park on a 40 acre site at Tema Free Zone, east of Accra. PK24 industrial zone is on the northern outskirts of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, covering 940 hectares. The first phase of 200 hectares is being constructed by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), and Heineken has been announced as the first occupier.

Kenya is not too far behind. Africa Logistics Park (ALP) is Kenya's first international standard modern logistics and distribution complex. It is of 50,000 sqm and currently under construction at Tatu Industrial Park. It is expected to be operational by October 2018.

The Momentum Africa Real Estate Fund that has announced plans to invest in the development of the Agbara Estate, an industrial and logistics hub in Ogun State, west of Lagos, Nigeria.

Fortress Income Fund has begun the construction of a major logistics park on the former Clairwood Race Course in South Durban, South Africa. The park is planned to have 350,000 sqm of warehousing space, with completion expected in 2020.

The volume carriersLike any other country, around 90 percent of Africa's trade happens by sea, making its ports crucial points in logistics networks. Africa though known as a landlocked continent, one would be surprised with the number of ports in each region.  West Africa has 18 ports: East Africa has 3 ports and Southern Africa has 8 ports. According to the latest estimates, Africa's ports need about $5 billion in investments every year to cope with the increasing container and cargo traffic.

Development in this segment is more visible may be because of the sheer size and the volume handled through the terminals. Transnet Port Terminals, one of the leading names in port development and managing entity in Africa, have made an investment totaling to Rand 17,304 million over the last 10 years.

In an email interaction Transnet Port Terminals elaborated on the major developments in the port infrastructure in the last decade. "Commissioning of the Ngqura Container Terminal in the Eastern Cape was a major achievement. And in 2011: Acquisition of 7 Ship-To-Shore Cranes for DCT Pier2, first tandem lift STS cranes in Africa. 2012 saw the delivery of a R70 million Liebherr crane in East London with a lifting capacity of 144 tonnes, a standard load operation of 77 tonnes and a spreader load operation of 63 tonnes. Arrival of a R140 million ship-loader in the Richards Bay terminal with a 2500-tonne per hour capacity happened in 2013. In the same year, took the delivery of 21 Hyundai forklifts in Richards Bay for break-bulk operations. And July 2017 witnessed the commencement of the assembly of 2 of 23 Straddle cranes at DCT Pier2."

While looking forward, by 2020, 13m TEU new deepwater capacity is foreseen in West Africa; In Southern and East Africa, 23.2m TEU new deepwater capacity projects is planned, of which 22m TEU are part of 3 mega multipurpose port complex projects.

APM Terminals is investing $1.5 billion for a new multi-purpose port in Tema and also has similar plans in Nigeria. Lamu Port is planned for construction about 300 km north of the existing port at Mombasa in Kenya. The China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) has won a contract to build the first three berths of the port.

Algerian government announced plans for a $3.3 billion investment into construction of a new deep water port at El Hamdania.DP World Berbera complements its investment of $442 million in Djibouti. It had added 2.2 million TEUs of capacity in Africa over the past three to five years, bringing the total annual capacity to 6.2 million TEUs.

RailwaysThe shift in investments in Africa happened swiftly. The infrastructure development segment which was dominated by European investments once is now being handled by Chinese funding and companies.

The major achievement in this segment was the opening of the Mombasa-Nairobi SGR line this year. The 609 km long line cost $3.8 billion. This is part of the $13 billion line that eventually will link Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and even South Sudan and Ethiopia.Last year, the $4.2 billion railway line of 750 kilometres long, connecting Addis Ababa and Djibouti Railway was opened. In the 10-year period between 2004 and 2014, African countries borrowed nearly $10 billion for railway projects from China, facilitated by the China Export Import Bank.

Zambia-Malawi railway that is pegged at a cost of $2.26 billion will be constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). Lagos Rail Mass Transit System in Nigeria is another project that is handled by the CCECC. The Chinese company also handles the $876 million Abuja-Kaduna Rail Line in Nigeria. The $8.3bn contract for the Lagos-Kano standard gauge modernisation project is also in CCECC kitty.

Changing gearsAccording to a report jointly prepared by the Boston Consulting Group and the Africa Finance Corporation estimates that the annual infrastructure investment gap in Africa is at around $100 billion. Power accounts for 40 percent of total spending needs, followed by water supply, sanitation, and transport.

The report also listed out the key challenges faced in infrastructure funding in Africa and they are: limited public sector capabilities, insufficient political will, policy uncertainty, weak regulatory environments, shortage of man power with technical skills, financing complexities attributable to narrow financial markets, higher actual and provisional risks, longer project durations, significant cost overruns, and currency mismatches.

However in the past decade and a half the inter country and intra-country road network have improve tremendously.

"Although Sub Saharan Africa is rich in opportunities, it cannot fully unlock its potential unless it closes its significant infrastructure gap. Closing this gap and accelerating social and economic growth and development will certainly take time," added the report.

Albert G Zeufack, World Bank Chief Economist for the Africa Region, in the LPI report says, "We need to implement reforms that increase the productivity of African workers and create a stable macroeconomic environment. Better and more productive jobs are instrumental to tackling poverty on the continent."

While we see buoyancy in investments in Africa, many a times the lack of policy and regulatory support dampens the projects resulting in delays. The need of the hour for Africa is to encourage more private participation in projects as many of the countries are unable to fund their projects.

The Sub Saharan Africa region has nearly a billion people and by 2030 will have the world's largest and youngest labor force. And if the SSA is able to connect the region with a stronger infrastructure network, then this generation would unlock Africa's full potential and place the continent on par with any other world country.

Source: FROM MAGAZINE: Africa: from 'hopeless' to the growth frontier

Tchad remains a Good Investment Destination of choice for the United Bank for Africa

Sunday, September 10, 2017 10:00AM / UBA Plc 

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc was present at the roundtable Forum organized in Paris from September 6 – 8, 2017, by the government of the Republic of Tchad, on the financing of the National Development Plan 2017- 2021. 

The Forum was opened and closed by the Tchadian President, His Excellency, Idris Deby Itno. In attendance were the President of Mauritania, His Excellency Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, all the Tchadian cabinet ministers, representatives from various governments including the governments of Japan, Canada, the U.S.A, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and from the African Union, AfDB, EU, IMF, the IFC and many others.  

The Chairman of UBA GROUP, Mr Tony Elumelu was represented by the CEO, UBA Francophone Africa, Emeke E. Iweriebor.  

Iweriebor who spoke at a session during the forum stated that UBA's decision to invest in Tchad a decade ago turned out to be a very sound investment decision. 'UBA Tchad has contributed to the growth of the Tcahdian economy through financing infrastructure, a critical lever in sustainable development'.  He went further to explain that UBA Tchad is one of the Pan-African bank's high performing subsidiaries in Africa and encouraged potential investors to look into Tchad as an investment destination. 

With presence in 19 African countries and in London, Paris and New York, UBA has supported several projects in Tchad including a 60 Mega Watt Central Electricity power plant in Farcha. UBA contributed $18.5million and led the syndication that raised $80 million for the project resulting in an improvement in the access to electricity in Tchad by 3.9%.  

The bank continues to support the government of Tchad in its development initiatives in the areas of infrastructure, Oil and Gas and other key sectors of the economy. 

The Forum on the National Development plan saw many organisations and countries pledge support to Tchad with about $20 billion having been raised. 

Ending the forum, President Itno thanked all the people and organisations present who had come to support Tchad, promising that the administration was going to put in the maximum effort to ensure that the development plan is successful. 'This administration is a transparent one that is working with partners to ensure successful implementation of all the projects. It is the responsibility of the government to lead the country to sustainable development' he said.

 

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Source: Tchad remains a Good Investment Destination of choice for the United Bank for Africa