The World Trade Organization's (WTO) forthcoming 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12), to be held from 30 November to 3 December, comes at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted human and economic activities and heightened the significance of trade-related responses to accompany other global initiatives. Enhancing the participation of developing countries, including Commonwealth least developed countries (LDCs), in the multilateral trading system is indispensable because trade is an essential tool for growth and development. The WTO LDC Group, which includes eleven of the thirteen Commonwealth LDCs, have prepared and advanced proposals on their priorities and expected outcomes at MC12.[1] The below analysis by Colin Zhuawu, Economic Adviser (Multilateral Trade), Trade, Oceans and Natural Resources Directorate of the Commonwealth Secretariat, assesses the priorities of Commonwealth LDCs at MC12 and suggests possible strategies to pursue a favourable outcome. Multilateral Negotiating Issues Agriculture Discussions on Agriculture focus on several disciplines intended to correct trade distortions in agricultural trade, encompassing domestic support, export competition and market access. The discussions provide an opportunity for developing and least developed countries to address their food security needs through a Special Safeguard Mechanism and provision on Public Stockholding (PSH). Reductions in trade distorting domestic support by the world's largest subsidisers is imperative to improve access to markets for farmers in Commonwealth LDCs. Due to the highly complex and technical nature of deliberations on domestic support, a realistic outcome at MC12 would be agreement to initiate a specific work programme post-MC12 on the necessary reductions. However, Commonwealth LDCs might...

Summary East African Community partner states through their Finance ministers have approved a proposal that will see contributions from each partner state reflect a country’s ability to pay. The committee has proposed a hybrid model of financing the EAC budget, in which 65 percent of the budget is contributed equally by all partner states. The council has also directed cost cutting measures at the Arusha-based regional bloc to ensure that the cost of running the Community is as low as possible. East African Community partner states through their Finance ministers have approved a proposal that will see contributions from each partner state reflect a country’s ability to pay. This was despite a rejection of the same by Tanzania. A Sectoral Council on Finance and Economic Affairs meeting held last week in Mombasa and chaired by Kenya’s National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani has now recommended changes on the EAC contributions model. The committee has proposed a hybrid model of financing the EAC budget, in which 65 percent of the budget is contributed equally by all partner states. The proposal will also see 35 percent of the total budget assessed based on partner states’ average nominal GDP per capita for the previous five years, as assessed by the World Bank. The move is expected to improve remittances to the EAC organs and institutions to enable them run their activities smoothly. “The Sectoral Council on Finance and Economic Affairs recommends to the Council to: Approve a hybrid model of financing the EAC...

With a landmass bigger than India, China, the US and Europe combined, few doubt the scale of the African continent and its resources. However, until recently, only some have seen it as the growth market that it is fast becoming. Africa has grown its economy by five per cent annually over the last decade. With its population steadily growing towards two billion, the continent is projected to have the largest workforce by 2040. Also, with a collective GDP of $2.6 trillion by 2020 and $1.4 trillion of consumer spending, many see the impact of around 500m new middle-class consumers. After witnessing its worst recession in half a century in 2020, Africa’s economy is forecast to grow at a healthy pace of 3.8 per cent in 2021, driven by rising global demand as restrictions are eased, untapped market opportunities, a rebound in commodity prices and a rise in oil prices. While Africa’s vastness and diversity allow for entrepreneurship to flourish across communities, it also poses challenges to creating universal solutions for issues such as poverty and food security, because each country has its unique capacity for innovation. For instance, while Ethiopia, Uganda, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ghana, Rwanda and Kenya ranked in the top 10 fastest growing economies worldwide in 2020, the continent still holds some of the poorest nations in the world. African economies are not the same in design. We have the oil exporters: Nigeria, Angola, Libya and Algeria; and the more diversified economies found in Egypt, South Africa and Morocco. Then...

Malawi remains among countries in Africa attracting insignificant Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), thereby missing out on the top 15 African countries wooing investors, figures compiled by audit and business advisory firm EY show. The 2021 Africa Attractiveness Report shows that despite Malawi and other countries in Africa reforming to attract FDI, the country still sits below the 50 percent mark on the ease of doing business. The report, an annual analysis by the EY on the FDI market in Africa, notes that investors are moving away from oil exploration and mining to new age sectors, including information and communications technology, retail and business services. It said there is need for countries such as Malawi to  reposition and diversify. Reads the report in part: “Countries need to improve governance, continue with political reforms, enhance transparency, diversify its economy, invest in infrastructure and proactively seek inbound investment to create more employment opportunities for its people.” According to the report, the bulk of investments in southern Africa were concentrated in South Africa owing to its diversified economy, followed by neighbouring Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique. In an interview yesterday, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences associate professor of economics Betchani Tchereni observed that making Malawi a destination for investors requires softening the processes for any investor to enter the Malawi market. He said in Malawi, an investor needs to fulfil a number of requirements to establish a business which is cumbersome and derails investment. He said: “We need to bring these processes under...

Summary All Congo’s raw materials, including the most critical for harnessing clean energy in the era of combating global warming, will suddenly become locally available to the East African countries at their different stages of industrial development. Citizens of space-constrained EAC member states will be able to grow food in the extensive fertile soils of the Congo that are abundantly watered by nature. All seven EAC members can just develop one power dam at Inga Falls to produce all the electricity they will need for all their factories, homes railways and vehicles as the world automakers speed up the outlawing of fuel-burning vehicles. Unless something goes terribly wrong in the next couple of weeks, the Democratic Republic of Congo will start 2022 as a member of the East African Community. The EAC Council of Ministers last week approved DRC’s application after Kinshasa reportedly ticked all the boxes required to qualify for membership. The EAC Summit of six presidents will go through the motions to endorse and then brother Felix Tshisekedi will join their select club as the seventh member. Here are ten points to ponder before you decide to be excited or depressed about this important development. 1. The Common Market of the Community/Customs Union will grow dramatically from 180 million to 270 million people. 2. All Congo’s raw materials, including the most critical for harnessing clean energy in the era of combating global warming, will suddenly become locally available to the East African countries at their different stages of...

The East African Community is hoping that more than four million tourists can visit the region by 2022. EAC Secretary General Dr Peter Mathuki says they have embarked on a campaign in the festive season starting on 1st December 2021 to encourage both intrastate tourism and foreign tourism. Dr Mathuki launched the Tembea Nyumbani campaign to revamp the sector that was heavily affected by the Covid19 pandemic. https://youtu.be/u-w47KpAdjE Read original article

SUMMARY Parliament proposed amendments to the Advocates Act, saying lawyers from the two countries qualify for similar treatment as their counterparts from Uganda and Tanzania. The amendments if approved will change Section 12 of the Advocates Act, which currently only allows Ugandan and Tanzanian lawyers to practice in Kenya. The proposed changes come barely a month after the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee blocked Rwandan and Burundian lawyers from practising in Kenya. Advocates from Rwanda and Burundi will be allowed to work in Kenya if Parliament adopts proposed changes to the law in line with the spirit of the East African Community (EAC). Parliament proposed amendments to the Advocates Act, saying lawyers from the two countries qualify for similar treatment as their counterparts from Uganda and Tanzania. Rwandan and Burundian advocates were in 2019 locked out from practising locally, a move that MPs say contravenes the spirit of the EAC. “The Bill proposes to include an advocate of the High Court of Rwanda and an advocate of the High Court of Burundi as being eligible for admission as an advocate in Kenya,” the Bill reads in its memorandum. The amendments if approved will change Section 12 of the Advocates Act, which currently only allows Ugandan and Tanzanian lawyers to practice in Kenya. The Judiciary and the Council for Legal Education (CLE) have previously raised concerns on the lack of uniformity in the qualifications for admission to study law degree and to join the respective bars of the EAC member States....

... Call for effective use of natural resources The two Heads of State remarked this in separate events held at the Magogoni State House in Dar es Salaam, including citing the Tanzania- Uganda Oil and Gas Symposium and State Banquet. According to the Presidents, it was crucial for the countries to act fast so that their numerous resources can sustainably benefit the citizens of the two nations. On her part, President Samia revealed that the East African states have been endowed with immense natural resources, which have not been tapped as stated earlier by President Museveni. “The many natural resources a country possesses do not imply wealth, it’s important to tap and promote investment through the supply of raw materials, particularly in the areas including agriculture and geographical opportunities to create more jobs within the coun- try,” said President Samia. She cited other areas as production of goods, human resource investment and in- dustries established as well as examples of fertiliser factories, which should be exploited. The Head of State observed that experts from the two countries have agreed to explore more areas of cooperation in the energy sector, noting that the East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project (EACOP) will mean less if other areas of co- operation are not exhausted for mutual interest. She also cited the gas pipe- line to Uganda and the liquefied natural gas project (LNG) in Tanzania, which are going to add value to the EACOP project. The President, however, requested the private sector in...

UGANDAN President Yoweri Museveni has acknowledged the economic strides made by Tanzania in the area of infrastructures, and the increase in trade and investment being driven by the spirit of hard work, thereby boosting the country’s economy. President Museveni disclosed this after visiting the Dar es Salaam Port expansion and the execution of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), to witness the progress of the country’s key strategic projects in Dar es Salaam, on Sunday. At the Dar Port, he was able to make a tour at berth number 10 and 11 and also witnessed the Dar es Salaam main station built in the form of a Tanzanite mineral, rare gemstone only found in Tanzania. According to him, transporting freight by means of railway is considered effective, easier and saves time, taking into account that trains have the ability to move large volumes of cargo in a single trip. “The railway line is anticipated to boost the economies of our East African countries,” said President Museveni, who is in the country for a three-day state visit. Earlier, the Minister for Works and Transport, Prof Makame Mbarawa, said the implementation of the modern railway construction project is going to link the Dar es Salaam Port in Tanzania and Port Bell in Uganda, which are crucial for the economies of the two coun- tries and EAC through Lake Victoria. Prof Mbarawa noted that the process would thereby help fast- track loading and off-loading as well as reduce cargo congestion at the ports. He...

Malawi’s leading commercial banker, Stock Exchange listed FDH Bank impressed the international stage and left an indelible mark at this year’s Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in Durban, South Africa. FDH Plc, which is the only Malawian bank to have participated at the 2021, mounted a business stand at one of the continent’s biggest business trade fairs to showcase its business packages. Chippi Saka, a Malawian based in South Africa and working as a trade and market officer in the department of economic integration at the African Union Development Agency (AUDA) formerly NEPAD. NEPAD said he has been impressed by FDH bank’s level of excellence and commitment to quality banking services. Speaking in an interview with Nyasa Times from his base in one of the busiest cities on the African continent, Johannesburg, Saka who is also a qualified accountant, said: “FDH Bank is a very serious and forward-thinking bank and I am impressed with their professional demeanour at Africa Intra-African Trade Fair. “I have in the past four days been visiting the Malawi stand at the Intra-African Trade Fair. FDH bank is amazingly impressive – It is the most ‘impressive’ bank and the only bank from my land of birth showcasing their products and services.” Saka said FDH Bank is ticking all the right boxes in its quest to becoming an international bank adding that all its services are people-centred. Said Saka: “FDH Bank is meeting people’s needs. FDH is selling itself vigorously to world stage. FDH is repositioning. FDH is...