RAIS JAKAYA KIKWETE AZINDUA STUDIO ZA AZAM MEDIA JIJINI DAR ES SALAAM

Rais Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (katikati) akikata utepe kuzindua rasmi studio za kisasa za Azam Media jijini Dar es Salaam jana. Rais Kikwete alizindua studio hizo ambazo ni za kisasa zaidi zilizowahi kufunguliwa katika nchi za Afrika Mashariki na Jangwa la Sahara zilizogharimu sh Bilioni 53. Wengine kutoka kushoto ni Naibu Ofisa Mtendaji Mkuu wa Azam Media, Tido Mhando, Waziri wa Habari, Utamaduni, Vijana na Michezo, Dk. Fenella Mukangara na Mwenyekiti Mtendaji wa Makampuni ya Bakhresa, Said Salim Bakhresa.

Rais Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (kulia) akilakiwa na Naibu Ofisa Mtendaji Mkuu wa Azam Media, Tido Mhando alipokwenda kuzindua rasmi studio za Azam Media jijini Dar es Salaam jana. Katikati ni Ofisa Mtendaji Mkuu wa Azam Media, Rhys Torrington.

Rais Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete akizungumza katika hafla ya uzinduzi wa studio za Azam Media jijini Dar es Salaam jana.

Ofisa Mtendaji Mkuu wa Azam Media, Rhys Torrington akizungumza wakati wa hafla ya uzinduzi wa studio za Azam Media jijini Dar es Salaam jana.

Rais Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Waziri wa Habari, Utamaduni, Vijana na Michezo, Dk. Fenella Mukangara, uongozi wa Azam Media pamoja na baadhi ya wageni waalikwa wakiangalia moja ya magari ya kurushia matangazo ya moja kwa moja baada ya uzinduzi rasmi wa studio za kampuni hiyo jijini Dar es Salaam jana.

Wasanii wa muziki wa kizazi kipya, Barnaba (kushoto) na Mwansiti Alimasi wakiimba wakati wa hafla ya uzinduzi wa studio za Azam Media jijini Dar es Salaam jana. (Picha na Peter Mgongo).

Bofya hapa kuona picha zaidi

RAIS JAKAYA KIKWETE AHUDHURIA KIKAO CHA WAKUU WA NCHI ZA JUMUIYA YA AFRIKA MASHARIKI JIJINI KIGALI, RWANDA, LEO

Rais Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete akiwa na wakuu wenzake wa Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki, jijini Kigali, Rwanda mchana huu. Wengine toka kulia ni Rais Uhuru Kenyatta wa Kenya, Rais Yoweri Museveni wa Uganda, mwenyeji wao Rais Paul Kagame wa Rwanda na Rais Salva Kiir wa Sudan ya Kusini ambaye amehudhuria kama mwalikwa. (Picha na Fred Maro).

"STANDARD CHARTERED TROPHY - ROAD TO ANFIELD” - MWANANCHI COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED LEAVES FOR NAIROBI, KENYA TO REPRESENT TANZANIA

Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania CEO, Ms. Liz Lloyd (first left), speaks at an event to flag off the Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL) Team. The Team will represent Tanzania in the East Africa Tournament of the “Standard Chartered Trophy - Road to Anfield”. Looking on are the Chairman of the National Sports Council, Mr. Dioniz Malinzi (second left), and the Executive Editor of MCL, Mr. Bakari Machumu (first right).

Ms. Liz Lloyd, CEO Standard Chartered Bank (second left), hands over a flight ticket to Majuto Omary of MCL (first right), the Team’s Captain. Looking on are the Chairman of the National Sports Council, Mr. Dioniz Malinzi (first left), and the Executive Editor of MCL, Mr. Bakari Machumu (second right).

“Go and do Tanzania Proud!” Mr. Malinzi, Chairman of the National Sports Council (first left), tells the team as he hands over the Country’s flag to the MCL Team - Looking on are Ms. Liz Lloyd, CEO Standard Chartered Bank (second left), and the Executive Editor of MCL, Mr. Bakari Machumu (first right).

Following the launch of the “Standard Chartered Trophy - Road to Anfield” football tournament late last month, the Bank held a successful National tournament on 28th February, 2015 where various teams from different companies battled it out for a chance to represent the country at the East Africa Tournament scheduled to take place in Nairobi, Kenya on 07th March, 2015.

Mwananchi Communications Limited emerged as winners and are expected to represent Tanzania in today’s matches against the winning teams in Kenya and Uganda.

Kenya will be represented by Postal Corporation of Kenya while Uganda will be represented by Roofings Uganda Limited. The winner of today’s matches will represent East Africa at Anfield, the home ground of Liverpool FC, where a total of 10 teams from across Standard Chartered's global footprints will compete for the ultimate trophy on the 7 & 8th May 2015.

DHL AWARDED INTERNATIONAL ALL CARGO CARRIER OF THE YEAR IN AFRICA

KATIBU MKUU KIONGOZI AFURAHISHWA NA UWEPO WA SACCOS MAKAZINI

Katibu Mkuu Kiongozi Balozi Ombeni Sefue (kushoto) akimsikiliza Mshauri Mkuu na Mlezi wa Ikulu SACCOS Bw Joseph Sanga (wa tatu kulia) akimuelezea mikakati ya ushirika huo wakati wa hafla fupi ya kumkabidhi kitabu chake cha uanachama wa ushirika huo Ikulu Dar es salaam. Wa pili kushoto ni Makamu Mwenyekiti wa Ikulu SACCOS, Bw. Deodatus Gaudio, akifuatiwa na Katibu wake Bw. Benedicto Damiano na kulia ni Mtunza Hazina Bi. Judith Medson.

Katibu Mkuu Kiongozi Balozi Ombeni Sefue akipokea kitabu chake cha uanachama toka kwa Makamu Mwenyekiti wa Ikulu SACCOS, Bw. Deodatus Gaudio (wa tatu toka kulia). Wengine ni Katibu wa ushirika huo Bw. Benedicto Damiano (wa pili kulia), Mtunza Hazina Bi. Judith Medson (wa pili kushoto) na Mshauri Mkuu na Mlezi wa Ikulu SACCOS Bw Joseph Sanga (wa kwanza kulia), wakati wa hafla fupi ya kumkabidhi kitabu chake cha uanachama wa ushirika huo Ikulu Dar es salaam.

Katibu Mkuu Kiongozi Balozi Ombeni Sefue akionyesha kitabu chake cha uanachama baadas ya kukabidhiwa na Makamu Mwenyekiti wa Ikulu SACCOS, Bw. Deodatus Gaudio wakishuhudiwa na Katibu wa ushirika huo Bw. Benedicto Damiano, Mtunza Hazina Bi. Judith Medson (wa pili kushoto) Mshauri Mkuu na Mlezi wa Ikulu SACCOS Bw Joseph Sanga (wa kwanza kulia),wakati wa hafla fupi ya kumkabidhi kitabu chake cha uanachama wa ushirika huo Ikulu Dar es salaam.

Katibu Mkuu Kiongozi Balozi Ombeni Sefue akipata maelezo ya matumizi ya kitabu cha uanachama toka kwa Mshauri Mkuu na Mlezi wa Ikulu SACCOS Bw Joseph Sanga (kulia), wakati wa hafla fupi ya kumkabidhi kitabu chake cha uanachama wa ushirika huo Ikulu Dar es salaam. Kati kati ni Makamu Mwenyekiti wa ushirika huo Bw. Deodatus Gudio. (PICHA NA IKULU).

Katibu Mkuu Kiongozi Balozi Ombeni Sefue amefurahishwa na uwepo wa vyama vya Ushirika vya Akiba na mikopo (SACCOS) katika taasisi na idara za serikali, akisema kuwa hilo ni jambo la maana kwa kuwa inatoa fursa kwa watumishi kuwa na kipato cha ziada kitachosaidia kuwaletea ahueni kwani mishahara pekee haikidhi matakwa yao yote.

Amesema SACCOS ni ​kama ​ benki ya mtu mnyonge, na kusisitiza kwamba mifuko ya aina hiyo inaposimamiwa vizuri faida yake kwa wanachama ni kubwa sana kwani humpa mtumishi ahueni na kumfanya afanye kazi kwa moyo na bila wasiwasi ama usongo wa mawazo.

BENKI YA CRDB YAFANYA IBADA MAALUM YA KUMSHUKURU MUNGU

Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Benki ya CRDB Dk. Charles Kimei (kulia) akibadilishana mawazo na mchungaji wa Kanisa la Kiinjili la Kilutheri Tanzania (KKKT) Usharika wa Msasani, mchungaji Elgard Metili wakati wa ibada maalum ya kumshukuru mungu kwa ajili ya mafanikio ya Benki ya CRDB katika kipindi cha mwaka 2014.

Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Benki ya CRDB, Dk. Charles Kimei (kushoto) akiwa na mke wake wakiwa katika ibada ya Shukrani kutokana na mafanikio waliyopata katika kipindi cha mwaka 2014.

Baadhi ya Wakurugenzi wa Benki ya CRDB wakiwa katika ibada ya Shukrani.

Maofisa wa Benki ya CRDB wakiwa katika ibada.

Mkurugenzi wa Masoko Utafiti Huduma kwa Wateja.

Bofya hapa kwa picha zaidi

MH. EDWARD LOWASSA AKUTANA KWA MAZUNGUMZO NA BALOZI WA UINGEREZA NCHINI

Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Bunge ya Mambo ya nchi za Nje, Mh. Edward Lowassa akisalimiana na Balozi wa Uingereza nchini Tanzania, Mh. Dianna Melrose aliyefika ofisini kwake leo kwa mazungumzo.

Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Bunge ya Mambo ya nchi za Nje, Mh. Edward Lowassa akizungumza na Balozi wa Uingereza nchini Tanzania, Mh. Dianna Melrose ofisini kwake, jijini Dar es salaam leo.

Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Bunge ya Mambo ya nchi za Nje, Mh. Edward Lowassa akiagana na Balozi wa Uingereza nchini Tanzania, Mh. Dianna Melrose mara baada ya kumaliza mazungumzo yao.

MAKAMU WA RAIS DKT. BILAL AFUNGUA MKUTANO WA PILI WA MIFUKO YA HIFADHI YA JAMII

Makamu wa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Dkt. Mohammed Gharib Bilal, akihutubia wakati akifungua rasmi Mkutano Mkuu wa pili wa Mifuko ya Hifadhi ya Jamii, uliofanyika Hoteli ya Serena jijini Dar es Salaam, leo Feb 5, 2015.

Makamu wa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Dkt. Mohammed Gharib Bilal, akisalimiana na Kamishina Mstaafu wa TRA, Harry Kitilya, wakati walipokutana baada ya kufungua rasmi Mkutano Mkuu wa pili wa Mifuko ya Hifadhi ya Jamii, uliofanyika kwenye Hoteli ya Serena jijini Dar es Salaam, leo Feb 5, 2015.

Makamu wa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Dkt. Mohammed Gharib Bilal, akiagana na Mtendaji Mkuu wa Kampuni ya Burn Ltd, Malaczynski Burn, baada ya kufungua rasmi Mkutano Mkuu wa pili wa Mifuko ya Hifadhi ya Jamii, uliofanyika kwenye Hoteli ya Serena jijini Dar es Salaam, leo Feb 5, 2015.

BILIONI 56 ZATUMIKA KUJENGA STUDIO ZA AZAM TV, RAIS KIKWETE KUZIZINDUA KESHO

Tido Mhando

JUMLA dola za Kimarekani Milioni 31 (zaidi ya Sh. Bilioni 56 za Tanzania) zimetumika kutengeneza studio mpya za kisasa za Azam TV, zilizopo eneo la Tabata Relini, Dar es Salaam.

Hayo yamesemwa na Naibu Mtendaji Mkuu wa Azam Media Limited, Tido Mhando wamiliki wa Azam TV leo mchana katika Mkutano na Waandishi wa Habari, Tabata, Dar es Salaam.

Mhando mwenye uzoefu wa kuongoza kampuni kubwa za vyombo vya habari zikiwemo Idhaa ya Kiswahili BBC, Shirika la Utangazaji la Taifa (TBC) na Mwananchi Communication Limited (MCL), amesema studio hizo zina ubora kuliko nyingine zote nchini.

“Ni studio ambazo labda unaweza ukazifananisha na studio za kampuni kubwa kama CNN, Aljazeera BBC, na kwa kuwa za kwetu ni mpya, zinaweza kuwa na ubora kuliko hizo,” amesema.

KENYA: KOTO ENTERS US$11M HOUSING FINANCE DEAL WITH JAMII BANK

A US$11m contract has been signed by two companies to see construction of prefabricated houses for customers in Kenya, where a three and five-bedroom house will be priced between US$ 33,000 (Sh3 million) and US$ 88,000 (Sh8 million) respectively under mortgage loan facility.

The agreement involves Jamii Bora Bank (JBB) and Koto Housing Kenya, and the project will commence soon and see potential home owners receiving funds from the bank to implement solutions from Koto. Customers to be financed through the mortgage must have land for construction.

The mortgage loan facility is set at 18 per cent over a period of between five and 20 years.

The two companies said this was a very wise initiative that will make developers richer in that they will get to save a lot of money. This is because prefabricated houses are cheaper and quick to build. According to the two, customers will save a lot in rent by moving quickly into a finished home.

CONSTRUCTION OF 7,480 HOUSING UNITS IN KIGALI, RWANDA KICKS OFF

Construction of 7,480 housing units in Kigali, Rwanda has finally kicked off as the Minister for Infrastructure; James Musoni broke the ground on 26th February in Batsinda where the construction will take place.

The Batsinda II will involve Kanombe and Ndera Affordable Housing Project where 2000 units will be constructed in each project, Rugarama where 2,743 units will be constructed and 128 housing units for the Ziniya Pilot Project.

Construction will be done in phase’s beginning this month starting with roads, and the estate is expected to be ready in two years time. It will help quell demand of affordable housing in the country, expected to reach 560,000 units by 2020, meaning 93,400 units must be constructed every year from now.

MBUZI HAWA TENA! TUKIO LA HISANI DAR KUCHANGISHA ZAIDI YA SH BILIONI MOJA MWAKA 2015

THE GOAT RACES ARE BACK! DAR'S PREMIER CHARITY EVENT ON TRACK TO RAISE OVER A BILLION SHILLINGS IN 2015

Southern Sun Dar es Salaam Hotel Sales Manager, Punim Kanabar (2nd L) speaks to journalists (not in the picture) regarding Southern Sun Hotel's sponsorship towards this year Dar es Salaam Charity Goat Races scheduled for May 30th, 2015 in Dar es Salaam. This was during a press launch held in Dar es Salaam today. From left are, Kilimanjaro Premium Lager Brand Manager, Pamela Kikuli (sponsors), Regent Tanzania General Manager, Ryan O’Sullivan (sponsors) and Dar es Salaam Charity Goat Races Chair, Karen Stanley.

Dar es Salaam Charity Goat Races Chair, Karen Stanley (4th L) addressing journalists (not in the picture) during a function to launch the 2015 Dar es Salaam Charity Goat Races scheduled for May 30th, 2015 in Dar es Salaam. Looking on are representatives from companies that will sponsor the event.

SEASONED TANZANIAN BANKER MINNIE KIBUTA JOINS AFRIWISE CONSULT AS DIRECTOR

Minnie Kibuta

Afriwise Consult, a multi-disciplinary, Sub Saharan Africa focused consulting firm, today announced that Minnie Kibuta has joined Afriwise as a director. This marks a significant expansion of the firm's ability to assist clients with strategy development and implementation, business development and growing business and customer segments throughout the African continent.

Minnie Kibuta previously worked in executive positions in financial institutions such as Barclays Africa, Ecobank and the Tanzania National Bank of Commerce. 

Johannesburg, South Africa - March 4, 2015: With a successful career as an executive in telecommunications and financial services in Sub Saharan Africa, Minnie Kibuta joins Afriwise consult from Barclays Africa’s Corporate and Investment Banking division in South Africa.

Minnie previously also held leadership positions in East Africa at Ecobank, the National Bank of Commerce of Tanzania and the TRI Group.

Minnie Kibuta’s appointment affirms Afriwise’s commitment to offer its clients a different, more holistic consulting approach. In addition, it strengthens the firm’s ability to provide access to genuine on the ground expertise in Sub Sahara Africa as Minnie is Tanzanian and has a wealth of expertise in East Africa. 

KENYA AIRWAYS WINS AFRICAN CARGO AIRLINE OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR SECOND TIME

A Kenya Airways cargo jet at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. KQ has won the African Cargo Airline of the Year award for the second year running.

Kenya Airways has won the African Cargo Airline of the Year award for the second year running.

The award was presented to Kenya Airways cargo division during the STAT Times International Award for Excellence in Air Cargo event which is organised by STAT Trade Times, a monthly India-based aviation and air cargo publication.

The event, which was held in South Africa, was attended by global air cargo players who included Etihad Cargo, National Air Cargo and South African Airways Cargo.

VISA AND AIRTEL EXTEND MOBILE PAYMENTS TO SEVEN AFRICAN COUNTRIES

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) and Bharti Airtel, a leading telecommunications services provider with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa, today announced a partnership to bring innovative mobile payment services to seven markets in Africa including Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Seychelles and Tanzania.

Visa and Airtel will build on the existing capabilities of Airtel’s Mobile Money service, allowing subscribers to use their Airtel Money account to pay in stores and online wherever Visa is accepted. Additionally, customers can withdraw money and make payments from their Airtel Money account using their Airtel Money Visa companion card.

DAR BOURSE EXPECTS SIX MORE INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS

Mr Moremi Marwa, CEO, Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange

UP to six companies, most of them banks and microfinance institutions, could list on Tanzania’s stock exchange this year, the chief executive of the bourse said.

Mr Moremi Marwa said at the Reuters Africa Investment Summit he also expected the government to approve regulations for the mandatory listing of shares in mobile phone operators by April.

Like other African bourses, Tanzania’s exchange wants to encourage more firms to list or use the exchange to raise funds via corporate bonds, a potentially cheaper route than borrowing from banks where lending rates can be 18 to 30 percent.

“This year we anticipate five or six IPOs (initial public offerings),” Marwa said in an interview in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam.

REX ENERGY KUPELEKA UMEME WA JUA KWA KAYA MILIONI MOJA NA LAKI TANO NCHINI

Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa kampuni ya Rex Energy Francis Kibhisa akizungumza wakati wa uzinduzi wa Teknolojia mpya ya umeme wa jua ya gharama nafuu ijulikanayo kama 3G+Solar Homes System (SHS). Katikati ni Paul Kiwele Naibu Kamishna wa Nishati Mbadala wa Wizara ya Nishati na Madini na mwisho ni Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa kampuni ya Solaric Pvt Lt kutoka Bagladesh Didar Islam.

Mgeni rasmi katika uzinduzi wa Teknolojia mpya ya umeme wa jua ya gharama nafuu ijulikanayo kama 3G+Solar Homes System (SHS) Naibu Kamishna wa Nishati Mbadala wa Wizara ya Nishati na Madini Paul Kiwele (katikati), akizindua teknolojia hiyo jijini Dar es Salaam juzi. Kushoto kwake ni Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa kampuni ya Rex Energy Francis Kibhisa na Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa kampuni ya Solaric Pvt Lt kutoka Bagladesh Didar Islam.

Injinia Arnold Swai wa Kampuni ya Rex Energy akionyesha namna Teknolojia mpya ya umeme wa jua ya gharama nafuu ijulikanayo kama 3G+Solar Homes System (SHS) inavyofanya kazi. Kutoka kulia ni Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa kampuni ya Solaric Pvt Lt kutoka Bagladesh Didar Islam akifuatiwa na Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa kampuni ya Rex Energy Francis Kibhisa na Naibu Kamishna wa Nishati Mbadala wa Wizara ya Nishati na Madini Paul Kiwele.

Mwandishi wa habari kutoka kituo cha televisheni cha channel 10 Peter Shedrack akipokea zawadi ya solar mpya aina ya 3G+Solar Homes System (SHS) aliyojishindia wakati wa droo iliyochezeshwa kwenye uzinduzi wa teknolojia hiyo jijini Dar es Salaa. Anayemkabidhi ni Naibu Kamishna wa Nishati Mbadala kutoka Wizara ya Nishati na Madini Paul Kiwele na kushoto ni Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa kampuni ya Rex Energy Francis Kibhisa.

Na Mwandishi Wetu

Naibu Kamishna wa Nishati Mbadala wa Wizara ya Nishati na Madini amezindua usambazaji wa Teknolojia ya Umeme wa Jua, Rex Energy, inayotarajia kuzifikia kaya milioni moja na nusu kufikia mwaka 2020 kupitia teknolijia mpya ya umeme wa jua wa gharama nafuu.

Akizungumza wakati wa uzinduzi wa teknolojia hiyo mpya inayojulikana kama 3G+ Solar Home System (SHS) iliyobuniwa kwa ajili ya matumizi ya nyumbani na ikiwa ni mara ya kwanza kutumika Tanzania, Mkurugenzi Mtendai wa Rex Energy Francis Kibhisa lengo la mradi huo ni kuwafikia watanzania wengi zaidi

TAASISI YA KIFEDHA YA BAYPORT FINANCIAL SERVICES YAZINDUA TAWI LAKE JIPYA WILAYANI KWIMBA JIJINI MWANZA

Meneja Mauzo wa Taasisi ya Kifedha ya Bayport Financial Services Kanda ya Ziwa, Lugano Kasambala (wa pili kulia), akimuelekeza jambo Katibu Tawala wa Wilaya Kwimba, Vicent Emmanuel (wa kwanza kulia), katika uzinduzi wa tawi jipya wilayani humo, uliofanyika Machi 2 mwaka huu. Wengine ni maofisa wa taasisi hiyo, Ramadhan Hanafi na Monica Mwangoka.

Katibu Tawala wa wilaya ya Kwimba, Vicent Emmanuel, (kushoto) akikata utepe kuashiria kuzindua rasmi tawi jipya la taasisi ya kifedha ya Bayport Financial Services, wilayani Kwimba, mkoani Mwanza. Kulia ni Meneja Mauzo wa taasisi hiyo Kanda ya Ziwa, Lugano Kasambala. (Picha na Mpigapicha Wetu).

Na Mwandishi Wetu, Kwimba
TAASISI ya kifedha ya Bayport Financial Services inayojihusisha na mambo ya mikopo imepongezwa na serikali kwa hatua yake ya kufungua tawi wilayani Kwimba mkoani Mwanza.

Shughuli za uzinduzi huo zilifanyika Machi 2 mwaka huu, huku mgeni rasmi akiwa ni Katibu Tawala wa Wilaya ya Kwimba, Vicent Emmanuel, akiongozana na viongozi mbalimbali wa serikali wilayani humo.

CONSTRUCTION OF A US$ 2BN COAL POWER PLANT IN LAMU, KENYA TO COMMENCE IN OCTOBER 2015

Construction of a multimillion coal power plant in Lamu, Kenya is set to commence in October this year, Amu Power Company has confirmed.

Amu Power, a company formed by a consortium of Centum and Gulf Energy, expressed their gratitude to the Kenyan Government for awarding them the tender, and further said that at least 870 acres of land are needed for the development of the 981.5 Megawatts coal project.

Gulf Energy Managing Director, Francis Njogu said they are currently waiting to be issued with the land where the construction will take place and they are anticipating that the land acquisition process will be completed before October this year.

The new coal power plant, which will be set up in Manda area in Lamu County, will be the biggest private sector-led infrastructure project in East and Central Africa and after construction, begins it will initiate operations within 21 months.

STANCHART RISKS REIGNITING BANK BONUS ROW

The emerging markets bank will pay around £715m in bonuses despite a disappointing 2014, Sky News understands.

Liverpool FC sponsor Standard Chartered is paying £715 in bonuses

The emerging markets bank Standard Chartered will risk reigniting a row over City bonuses this week when it reveals that it is cutting bonuses by a smaller percentage than its decline in profits.

Sky News understands that the lender, which announced a boardroom clearout last week, will say on Wednesday that it is shrinking its bonus pool by approximately 9% from last year's $1.208bn (£786m), according to insiders.

That would mean Standard Chartered's bonus pool for 2014 will be in the region of £715m, they said.

A GLOBAL ENERGY SHIFT: HOW US SHALE PRODUCTION IS SHAPING A NEW WORLD ORDER

US shale production has significantly altered the landscape of the global energy market. Ahead of the Institute of International Finance's annual spring meeting in Qatar, James King looks at how OPEC is responding to this seismic shift.

The outlook for the global energy sector will be at the forefront of the agenda when the Institute of International Finance gathers for its annual spring meeting in Doha, Qatar, this month. This is for good reason. Since oil prices began their swift descent in June 2014, cracks have started to emerge in the existing framework of global oil supply and demand. The position of the Organisation for Petroleum Co-operation (OPEC), as well as its constituent member states, which have dominated supply for decades, is eroding in the face of unconventional oil production from North America.

The global relevance of US shale producers has been self-evident for some time. But what has changed in this latest oil price plunge is their position in the energy pecking order. Today, American shale producers, operating from Texas to North Dakota, have emerged as the world’s key swing supplier. This status became clear following OPEC’s decision to maintain its existing output in November 2014, in an effort to squeeze higher cost producers.

COSTCO IS REPLACING AMERICAN EXPRESS WITH VISA AND CITI

Costco has entered a new co-branding agreement with Citi and Visa after the end of its deal with American Express.

Last month American Express said it was ending the deal with Costco because it was "unable to reach terms that would have made economic sense for our Company and shareholders."

In a statement, Costco said:

Costco Wholesale Corporation ("Costco") (NASDAQ: COST) today announced it has entered into a new co-brand credit card program agreement with Citi and an acceptance and co-brand incentive agreement with Visa. The implementation of these agreements is subject to the purchase of the existing co-brand credit card portfolio by Citi.

Under the terms of the agreements, Citi, the world's largest issuer of consumer credit cards, would become the exclusive issuer of Costco's co-brand credit cards and Visa will replace American Express as the credit card network for Costco in the United States and Puerto Rico beginning April 1, 2016. Once issued, Costco's co-brand Visa credit card would provide generous rewards to Costco members, serve as the Costco membership card, and would be accepted at Costco locations in the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as all merchants worldwide that accept Visa credit cards.

BARCLAYS AWARDS JENKINS FIRST BONUS AS CEO, CUTS PAY POOL

Barclays Plc Chief Executive Officer, Antony Jenkins

(Bloomberg) -- Barclays Plc paid Chief Executive Officer Antony Jenkins his first bonus since taking the job in 2012 as the bank reported an increase in annual profit, while shrinking overall awards in the investment bank.

Jenkins, 53, was awarded a 1.1 million-pound ($1.7 million) bonus for 2014, while his total annual compensation was 5.5 million pounds, the London-based bank said in its annual report Tuesday.

Two and a half years after replacing Robert Diamond as CEO, Jenkins is working to shrink the fixed income-dominated investment bank his predecessor created and focus on more profitable businesses. Pretax profit for 2014 rose to 5.5 billion pounds from 4.9 billion pounds a year earlier, the U.K.’s second-largest bank said.

FORBES: THE BLACK BILLIONAIRES 2015

Of the 1,826 people who made it to the 2015 FORBES list of the World’s Billionaires, 11 of them are black, up from 9 a year ago.

Nigerian cement tycoon Aliko Dangote is still the richest black person in the world, with a fortune estimated at $15.7 billion. He is followed by Saudi-Ethiopian construction magnate Mohammed Al-Amoudi, who is worth $10.8 billion.

This year, two new moguls join the ranks of the richest black people on earth. They are American basketball legend Michael Jordan and Nigerian energy magnateFemi Otedola. Angolan investor Isabel dos Santos, American media mogulOprah Winfrey and Nigerian oil woman Folorunsho Alakija are still the only black female billionaires on the FORBES billionaires list.

Meet the 11 richest black people on earth:

Aliko Dangote, $15.7 billion

Nigerian, Sugar, Cement, Flour

Dangote has lost close to $10 billion since March last year on account of falling stock prices of his four publicly-listed companies and a recent devaluation of the Naira. But he still remains the world’s richest black person. Dangote, 57, initially made his fortune trading in cement, sugar and flour but subsequently ventured into manufacturing these commodities. His crown jewel, Dangote Cement, is the largest manufacturer of cement in Africa and has a market capitalization of $15 billion. Dangote is also building an oil refinery that will be completed in 2016. It is expected to have a refining capacity of 400,000 barrels a day and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on oil imports.

Aliko Dangote

Mohammed Al-Amoudi, $10.9 billion

Saudi Arabian, Oil

Son of a Saudi father and Ethiopian mother, Al-Amoudi made his first fortune in construction in Saudi Arabia. In Ethiopia he has invested in sectors including agriculture, cement production and gold mining. He also owns a significant stake in the National Oil Company of Ethiopia. Outside Ethiopia, he owns oil refineries in Morocco and Sweden and oil fields off West Africa.

AFRICA'S RICHEST FEMALE BILLIONAIRE IS SENDING PORTUGUESE BANK SHARES THROUGH THE ROOF

Isabel dos Santos, Africa's youngest and only female
billionaire and daughter of Angola's president.

Isabel dos Santos, the daughter of the president of Angola and Africa's first female billionaire, is sending the share prices of two of Portugal's biggest banks surging.

A source told Reuters that dos Santos wrote to the CEO of Spain's Caixabank, suggesting a merger of the Portuguese banks Millennium BCP and Banco BPI.

Until recently dos Santos was Africa's only female billionaire. She has been joined in that small club by Nigeria's Folorunsho Alakija, but according to Forbes' rankings she remains the continent's wealthiest woman.

Caixabank already owns nearly half of Banco BPI, and it is trying to take a majority stake, but dos Santos owns nearly a fifth. A merger between the two banks was suggested back in 2007 but never saw the light of day.

According to The Wall Street Journal, dos Santos' letter says the Caixabank attempt to take over BPI doesn't reflect the "true value" of the bank, making a merger a better option. Of course, that is convenient for dos Santos, because a higher value would make her shares worth more money.

BILL GATES IS NAMED WORLD'S RICHEST PERSON AGAIN

Bill Gates has been named the world's richest person for 16 of the last 20 years

Bill Gates has been declared the richest man in the world for the 16th time by Forbes magazine's annual ranking of global billionaires.

The Microsoft founder once again beat Mexican businessman Carlos Slim to the top spot.

Mr Gates' net worth rose by just over $3bn (£1.94bn) in the year to 13 February, to $79bn.

There are a record 1,826 billionaires in the world, Forbes said, an increase of 181 in the past 12 months.

THE 30 YEAR-OLD NIGERIAN MOBILE PHONE ENTREPRENEUR WHO IS CHALLENGING APPLE IN AFRICA

Michael Akindele.

SOLO Timeline Phone.

Michael Akindele, a 30 year-old Nigerian, is a director and a co-founder of SOLO Phone, an experience-driven digital content and smartphone company focused on delivering the best content and services on the mobile platform to African consumers.

SOLO Phone, which was established in Nigeria in 2012, is an experience-driven mobile device manufacturer which aims to provide the best content and services to the African consumer at an affordable price. The company manufactures smartphones priced at $150, bundled with free music of up to 20 million songs licensed from Sony, Universal and Warner. SOLO also recently launched a Video-On-Demand App available to all Android devices in Nigeria which offers the latest Nollywood and Hollywood movies from global movie studios.

I recently had a chat with Akindele where he recounted his entrepreneurial journey and explained why he feels SOLO phones will give other smartphones a run for their money.

What’s your personal and professional background?

I was born August 29, 1984 in Washington D.C., to Nigerian parents. At the age of 2 years old, my family moved to Nigeria and spent the next 10 years in Ibadan. At the age of 12, my family returned to the US where I continued my education in Alexandria, Virginia. After graduating from T.C. Williams High School, I attended George Mason University in Fairfax, VA where I received a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from the Volgneau School of Engineering with a focus on Computer Science and Information Technology. I also received a minor in Business Administration from George Mason’s School of Management. While at George Mason I was a member of the Track & Field Team and competed in the hurdles and middle distance running events. Being an athlete on a Division I Track & Field team gave me the confidence I needed to take on events outside of sports and a chance to win. Two days after graduating from George Mason I began my career as a Technology Consultant with Accenture. I gained valuable professional experience from being a Technology Analyst with Accenture. While at Accenture, I started working on a project, which quickly progressed and birthed The Apprentice: Africa. A business partner and myself successfully licensed an American reality game show from Mark Burnett Productions for the Sub-Saharan media market, which featured real estate magnate, businessman and television personality Donald Trump. I returned to Nigeria January 2007 and was part of a team that developed, produced and distributed the African edition of an 18 week reality show titled The Apprentice: Africa that had a strong following in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

MTN UGANDA FINED SHS5B FOR BREACH OF UGANDA COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION DIRECTIVES

UCC acting director for broadcasting, Mr Fred Otunnu (C) flanked by other UCC officials.

The Uganda communications commission has slapped a Shs5billion fine on MTN Uganda for alleged breach of the commissions directive's. UCC acting director for broadcasting, Mr Fred Otunnu announced on Tuesday that MTN has repeatedly defied directives from the commission particular the directive to desist from using short codes 157, 169, 178 and 183, hence violating the SMS guidelines.

''UCC issues directives to all licensees on a number of compliance issues but established that MTN has repeatedly defied Commission," Mr Otunu said.

Accordingly, the Commission has invoked section 41 (1) (a) & 41 (2) (b) of the Uganda Communications Act and has imposed a fine on MTN (U).