How a producers’ organization helped farmers successfully export avocado to Europe ACCRA, Ghana, August 26, 2021/APO Group/ -- “Before the Forest and Farm Facility Programme (FFF) reached out to us, I faced many challenges in marketing the avocado produce from my farm,” says Paul Mitei, a farmer from Kiptoben Village, Nakuru County, Kenya. Paul says he wanted to know more about how the avocado and tomato value chains worked, and the proper inputs that are critical to avocado cultivation and meeting market demands. Paul is married with 3 children and has a 5-acre farm where his family tends to avocado trees. He says he started to grow avocadoes because other farmers in his community were growing them, but at that time he had poor crop management skills which led to low fruit yields, no profit and a lot of frustration. . To improve his knowledge and capacity on the avocado value chain, he joined the Nakuru Small Holder Fruit Producers Association (NASFPA) with the hopes of higher sales of his farm produce. “Being a member of NASFPA, I am now well informed about better market access and can benefit from the FFF project. The initiative also gave me the opportunity to export my produce to Europe,” Paul said. He now produces high value fruits and sells together with his fellow NASFPA members. Paul currently has 104 avocado fruit trees out of which 15 were fully mature by last year. Out of the 15 matured trees he harvested 500 kgs last...

Kenyans are known globally to be tech-savvy due to their fast adoption of new innovations and the fact that the country has one of the highest mobile phone penetrations in Africa. Majority of Kenyans now say digital services have improved their diverse areas of their lives, according to new survey. A report on Kenya’s Digital Economy by a global advisory firm, Dalberg shows about 84 percent of Kenyans use digital services such as sending and receiving money on mobile money, social media, access to news, information, farming, government digital platforms and selling and buying online. It adds that increasing adoption of digital devices and services in the country is helping reduce the digital divide and improving standards of living. Some 74 percent respondents indicated that internet is important for meeting their day-to-day needs, with only 1.2 percent claiming it made their life worse. “Most Kenyans see a better quality of life ...and some see improved economic conditions as a result of using digital devices and services. Unsurprisingly, the strongest impact that people experience is a greater sense of connection (92 percent),” the report states. “Many users also believe that digital services support their individual needs. A sizable minority, 30 percent, have seen their income increase,” it says. The survey focused on 2,456 households across the country. Kenya’s digital economy has expanded over the years due to internet access and high mobile penetration at 130.3 percent, according to the Communications Authority of Kenya. Mobile subscriptions stands at 62 million, more than...

COMESA, with financial support from the European Union has been implementing the Small-Scale Cross Border Trade Initiative (SSCBTI) which aims at increasing small scale cross-border trade flows in the COMESA Tripartite region. This is being done by facilitating small-scale cross border trade between targeted countries through effective policy and governance reforms, institutional capacity building, improved border infrastructure and better gender disaggregated data collection and monitoring. Launched in May 2018, the COMESA SSCBTI has so far conducted over 600,000 interviews through 52 enumerators deployed at the targeted borders at Mwami/Mchinji between Zambia and Malawi, Kasumbalesa between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chirundu between Zambia and Zimbabwe and Nakonde/Tunduma between Zambia and Tanzania. Under Result Area 4 of the SSCBTI programme, the focus is on gender disaggregated statistical data and analysis that is systematically collected, compiled, harmonized and disseminated. Gender disaggregated data can reveal deprivations and inequalities that may not be fully reflected in aggregated data. “The goal is to remove gender-related constraints that women face in participating in trade and understand the obstacles to cross border commerce that happens within the region,” according to a report by the COMESA Statistics Unit that coordinated the data collection. For now, the SSCBTI is focusing on the five border posts along key corridors in the region with the purpose of piloting upgrades and trade facilitation measures that can be replicated elsewhere in the COMESA region and beyond. Th expectation is to increase evidence-based knowledge on the topic and inform better trade policy-making...

East African Community (EAC) Secretary-General, Peter Mathuki has urged the private sector to take advantage of the ongoing bilateral engagements between partner states to resolve trade disputes. Mathuki further asked traders to promptly harmonize their positions on trade agreements at the national level before engaging their counterparts in other partner states to fast-track trade deliberations. Speaking during a CEOs engagement roundtable with business leaders in Arusha, Mathuki asked the business community to push for Public-Private Partnerships. “Regular consultations and dialogues within the national private sector bodies are critical in building consensus within a partner state,” Mathuki said. He added that divergent positions within a country will only delay in concluding trade deliberations at the regional level, affecting the implementation of regional trade policies. He attributed the increased trade flows between Kenya and Tanzania to public and private bilateral dialogues in recent months. According to data from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) published by the Central Bank of Kenya, Kenya’s imports from Tanzania grew by 70 percent from January to June, compared to the same period last year. The statistics indicate that the value of goods ordered by Kenya from Tanzania stood at $167.5 million in the stated period. The same data shows that Kenya’s export to Tanzania dipped by 21.39 per cent ($158 million), resulting in a rare deficit of $9.3 million. Further, the Secretary-General noted the trade volumes at the Namanga border increased sixfold last month, compared to a similar period last year. Mathuki urged the private sector to...

Readers discuss how the Belt and Road Initiative could help African nations better prepare for climate change and China’s commitment to socialism and communism We have been witnessing some serious climate catastrophes across the world. Unprecedented and massive floods affecting central and northern Europe were followed by record rainfall in Henan, China, and northern India. Climate change is affecting millions of lives across the world. The consensus in the scientific community is that climate change is anthropogenic – caused primarily by greenhouse gas emissions. The industrialised world is acting to mitigate greenhouse emissions, although with mixed results. At the same time, it is expected that economic and industrial development in the least developed countries in Asia or Africa could worsen the global climate crisis. Yet, the least developed countries are disproportionately affected by climate change. For example, the accelerating desertification and drought in the Sahel region boosted cyclone activity on the East African coast and even increased the frequency of locust infestations in the Horn of Africa, affecting the food security of millions of people. By increasing investment in infrastructure and financial assistance, China’s Belt and Road Initiative is expected to help African nations better prepare to cope with climate change. Belt and Road Initiative explained In a chapter in the book Climate Change, Hazards and Adaptation Options, Michael Addaney argues that the “infrastructural development” and “agricultural modernisation”, and the strengthening of “logistical connectivity” and “effective partnerships”, via the Belt and Road Initiative will boost Africa’s capacity to adapt to...

In Summary In the last 100 days, Mathuki says he has focused on laying the groundwork of his vision while providing leadership at the Secretariat and EAC organs and institutions Calls for a coordinated approach among EAC partner states in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic Trade within the East African Community has increased significantly over the past three months despite the ravages caused by Covid-19. EAC secretary general Peter Mathuki said at the Namanga border post in particular, trade between Kenya and Tanzania has risen six-fold. There is still room for improvement. Intra-EAC trade stands at less than 15 per cent compared to 70 per cent in the EU, he said, adding that the community would try to raise it over the next five years. Mathuki spoke during the Secretary General's First 100 Days Forum. It focused on the highlights, challenges and achievements since he assumed office on April 27. He said the 100 days' report is part of accountability to the people of East Africa. The Star's Eliud Kibii earlier sent in questions to the secretary general through the secretariat, which he responded to during the forum. The Star: While it is still early to talk of accomplishments, in which areas do you feel you have laid a solid foundation? Dr Peter Mathuki: In the last 100 days, I have focused on laying the groundwork of my vision for the community, while providing leadership at the secretariat and other EAC organs and institutions. As I took over office, I committed to...

What you need to know: Kenya is set to benefit from more exports and cheap imports with the admission of DRC into the EAC. According to the CS, the national government has made deliberate efforts to cater for SMEs by undertaking various targeted initiatives. Sir, even as Kenya races to make it easy to start and run businesses in the country, it could be that the government is sabotaging itself with a sustained high cost of electricity, corruption and a high tax regime which only gets worse. How do you intend to get to your destination with these factors unresolved, and probably only getting worse? Japhter Muriuki, Germany The government has been increasing access to electricity and also reducing the cost of electricity through full implementation of the last mile connectivity programme, which on completion, is expected to affordably connect every household to the national power grid. It has also set up an industrial zone in Naivasha where cheap, green energy for industries is being made available for heavy industries. Under the Ease of Doing Business agenda, the government has been automating and digitising a number of critical government services to the public, in effect reducing costs and improving revenue collection hence reducing wastage of public resources. A majority of services are now on digital platforms. There are recent and ongoing initiatives on the tax front, such as simplified tax procedures through the i-Tax system. There is enhanced transparency by the Kenya revenue Authority (KRA) and the National Treasury in...

The conversation about Investing in Africa is shifting from one of deficits and gaps to one about Opportunities, Prospects, Trends, Innovation and creativity, to the Companies and industries who have paid close attention to how business in Africa operates. Despite the effects of Covid-19 Africa remains the ripe land of opportunities and as the conversation about Investing in Africa is shifting from one of deficits and gaps to one about Opportunities, Prospects, Trends, Innovation and creativity, in the Companies and industries who have paid close attention to how business in Africa operates. Africa continues to be the newest destination for emerging market investors and according to Eric Osiakwan, the managing partner at Chanzo Capital, half of the world’s fastest-growing economies have been in Africa, with Ghana and Ethiopia among the countries which showed a real GDP growth of 8 percent in 2018. Photo/Courtesy In an interview with this reporter at the Social House hotel in Lavington area of Nairobi, Eric Osiakwan a renowned tech investor and entrepreneur says that Investors seek out emerging markets for the prospect of high returns, as they often experience faster economic growth as measured by GDP. However, along with higher returns usually comes much greater risk. “Investors’ risk in emerging market economies can include political instability, domestic infrastructure problems, currency volatility and illiquid equity, as many large companies may still be state-owned or private.” Eric said Obviously there are a number of reasons why Africa presents an incredible investment opportunity, according to Eric; “Africa is perhaps the most exciting investment destination...

The East African Community Secretariat is keen to harmonise the region's Common External Tariff (CET)) to protect industries within the bloc and boost intra-EAC trade. It targets to have a uniform application of CET in the bloc by end of this year, Secretary General Peter Mathuki said as he marked 100 days in office this week. CET is a uniform tariff rate adopted by a customs union or common market to imports from countries outside the union. The 38th meeting of the Sectoral Council of Ministers on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment (SCTIFI), in May adopted a three-band CET structure of zero per cent, 10 per cent and 25 per cent. There is also a sensitive items list with exceptions to the three-band rule for specified commodities attracting high rates of duty (notably, all above 30 per cent). It is anticipated that an agreement on a rate that is above 25 per cent shall be concluded before the end of 2021. Reviewing of the CET is expected to encourage manufacturing whilst protecting local industries from imported finished goods. The EAC belongs to all of us and we have a collective duty to work together towards our common agenda for economic integration and sustainable development EAC Secretary General, Peter Mathuki Whilst consensus has been achieved on the lower tariff bands of CET, it is yet to be achieved for the upper tariff band. In Kenya, manufacturers holds that Kenya should adopt 35 per cent as the fourth tariff band, to support the industrialisation agenda. “We...

Uganda’s foreign affairs minister Gen Jeje Odongo met with the Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Uganda Attilio Pacifici to “discuss matters of regional and international interest for the mutual benefit of both parties”, the ministry said in a Wednesday statement. The European Union and the East African nation have been cooperating in wide-ranging areas of development since the commencement of diplomatic relations in 1975. For instance, according to Uganda Coffee Development Authority, Europe is the main destination for Uganda’s coffee, taking a 61% import share as per June export figures. The Union is also Uganda’s biggest trading partner outside of Africa. In 2018, Uganda recorded a positive trade balance with the EU, exporting goods worth $560 million to the EU market while importing goods worth $530m from the EU. Uganda exports on average $60.7million out of the $100bn of EU’s annual average imports, Amelia Kyambadde, Uganda’s former trade minister, said last year. Uganda’s major imports from the EU are machinery, transport equipment, chemical and related products, miscellaneous manufactured articles and manufactured products. Through the European Development Fund, the Union, by the end of 2020, had pumped 558 million euros into supporting sustainable development, good governance and the inclusive green economy. On average, the EU commits 140 million euros annually to development cooperation, according to Trademarkea.com. “If you consider not only direct EU funding but also our member states, 11 of which are present here locally, we are Uganda’s biggest development partner,” reads the website. “In 2017...