INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MASTERCLASS - DAR ES SALAAM, 12 & 13 NOVEMBER 2015

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APPLE SAYS SALES OF NEW iPHONES ARE OFF TO A STRONG START

15 September 2015 - Apple said on Monday that advance orders of its new iPhones were on pace to beat the 10 million units the previous versions logged in their first weekend last year, a feat that analysts attributed to the inclusion of sales from China.

The Chinese debut of the prior models, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, was delayed last year as the company awaited approval from regulators. Many analysts say China is poised to overtake theUnited States as Apple’s biggest market.

Searching for signs of whether Apple can top its 2014 performance, investors were initially encouraged by the company’s remarks but later tempered their enthusiasm. Apple shares were up 0.7% in afternoon trading after rising as much as 2.3% earlier in the session.

Apple did not disclose the specific number of advance orders it received for the new iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. Analysts had expected about 4.5 million for the first 24 hours, compared with 4 million during the first day last year.

Apple began taking preorders on Saturday for the phones, which will begin shipping Sept. 25.

UNESCO, TCRA YATAKA WADAU WA HABARI KATIKA MATUMIZI YA INTANETI KUZINGATIA USIRI NA MAADILI

Mwenyekiti wa National Governance Internet Forum ambaye pia ni Rais wa Klabu za Waandishi wa Habari Tanzania (UTPC), Kenneth Simbaya akiwakaribisha wadau wa mitandao na watumiaji wa intaneti kwenye jukwaa hilo kabla ya kumkaribisha mwakilishi wa Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa TCRA kufungua rasmi jukwaa hilo.. Kulia ni Katibu Mtendaji wa Tanzania Education and Research Network (TERNET), Amos Nungu na Kushoto ni Ofisa Miradi ya Mawasiliano, Habari na Tehama wa Shirika la Kimataifa la Sayansi, Elimu na Utamaduni (UNESCO) nchini, Al Amin Yusuph akifuatiwa na Mwakilishi wa Mkurugenzi Mkuu Mamlaka ya Mawasiliano Tanzania (TCRA), Bw. Sunday Richard. (Picha zote na Zainul Mzige wa Modewjiblog)

Na Mwandishi Mwetu

SHIRIKA la Umoja wa Mataifa la Elimu, Sayansi na Utamaduni, (UNESCO), limewaomba wadau wa habari hasa wa matumizi ya intaneti kuzingatia maadili na usiri katika kazi zao ili kutovunja sheria zilizowekwa na mamlaka husika likiwemo suala la sheria ya mtandao iliyopitishwa hivi karibuni nchini Tanzania.

Hayo yameelezwa na Ofisa Miradi ya Mawasiliano, Habari na Tehama wa Shirika la Kimataifa la Sayansi, Elimu na Utamaduni (UNESCO) nchini, Al Amin Yusuph aliyekuwa akimwakilisha Mkurugenzi wa UNESCO, Zulmira Rodrigues katika Jukwaa la wadau wa usimamizi wa masuala ya mtandao (NIGF), lililofanyika mwishoni mwa wiki na kuandaliwa na Umoja wa Klabu za Waandishi wa Habari Tanzania (UTPC).

SIMBA CEMENT YAIPIGA JEKI SHULE YA MSINGI MIKANJUNI

Meneja Kiwanda wa Kampuni ya Saruji Tanga (Simba Cement), Mhandisi Ben Lema (wa tatu kulia), akikabidhi sehemu ya msaada wa mifuko 160 ya saruji kwa Mwalimu Mkuu wa Shule ya Msingi Mikanjuni ya mjini Tanga, Grayso Mnyumba kusaidia kuboresha mazingira ya shule, katika hafla iliyofanyika eneo la kiwanda, Pongwe, Tanga mwishoni mwa wiki. Wengine ni wafanyakazi wa saruji na kutoka shule ya Mikanjuni. Kampuni hiyo kupitia mpango wake wa kusaidia jamii (CSR) kwa mwaka huu imeshatumia kiasi cha shs 46,651,120 kusaidia katika maeneo ya elimu, afya, maendeleo ya jamii na mazingira sehemu mbalimbali nchini.

Meneja Usalama na Mazingira wa Kampuni ya Saruji Tanga (Simba Cement), Leon Breedt (wa pili kulia), akikabidhi sehemu ya msaada wa mifuko 160 ya saruji kwa Mwalimu Mkuu wa Shule ya Msingi Mikanjuni ya mjini Tanga, Grayso Mnyumba, kusaidia uboreshaji wa mazingira ya shule, katika hafla iliyofanyika eneo la kiwanda, Pongwe, Tanga mwishoni mwa wiki. Wengine ni wafanyakazi wa saruji na kutoka shule ya Mikanjuni. Kampuni hiyo kupitia mpango wake wa kusaidia jamii (CSR) kwa mwaka huu imeshatumia kiasi cha shs 46,651,120 kusaidia katika maeneo ya elimu, afya, maendeleo ya jamii na mazingira sehemu mbalimbali nchini.

Meneja Uzalishaji wa Kampuni ya Saruji Tanga (Simba Cement), Isaack Mandara (wa tatu kulia), akikabidhi sehemu ya msaada wa mifuko 160 ya saruji kwa Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Shule ya Msingi Mikanjuni ya mjini Tanga, Hassani Mohamedi Zuberi kusaidia uboreshaji wa mazingira ya shule, katika hafla iliyofanyika eneo la kiwanda, Pongwe, Tanga mwishoni mwa wiki. Wengine ni wafanyakazi wa saruji na kutoka shule ya Mikanjuni. Kampuni hiyo kupitia mpango wake wa kusaidia jamii (CSR) kwa mwaka huu imeshatumia kiasi cha shs 46,651,120 kusaidia katika maeneo ya elimu, afya, maendeleo ya jamii na mazingira sehemu mbalimbali nchini.

LAFARGE TANZANIA HANDS OVER COMMUNITY WATER PROJECT TO SONGWE VIWANDANI VILLAGE IN MBEYA

The Lafarge Tanzania CEO, Catherine Langreney and the Mbeya District Commissioner, Nyirembe Sabi cut the ribbon to launch the water project donated by Lafarge Tanzania to Songwe Viwandani village in Mbeya region over the weekend.

The Lafarge Tanzania CEO, Catherine Langreney and the Mbeya District Commissioner, Nyirembe Sabi help the Songwe Viwandani villagers fetch water after commissioning of a water project funded by Lafarge Tanzania to Songwe Viwandani village in Mbeya region over the weekend.

September 12, 2015: Lafarge Tanzania has commissioned a community water project of over Tsh 10 million to the Songwe Viwandani village in Mbeya region. This project consists of a water storage tank and equipment to supply drinking water for this village.

Speaking at the brief ceremony on the site, the Lafarge Tanzania CEO Catherine Langreney said that Lafarge Tanzania was committed to helping the communities get access to clean water by providing long term and sustainable solutions through provision sustainable water sources as a way of giving back to the community.

“Lafarge Tanzania recognizes that water is a basic need and an important catalyst for both economic and social development of the country. Finding sustainable solutions to the problems of our people underscores our commitment to the communities in which we operate” said Langreney adding that clean, accessible water is essential to the health of communities and it is critical to environment and essential for economic prosperity.

RAIS DKT. JAKAYA KIKWETE AZINDUA MIRADI YA NYUMBA ZA NHC MKOANI KIGOMA

Picha za matukio mbalimbali wakati Rais Dkt. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete alipofanya uzinduzi wa jengo la Lumumba Complex na nyumba za bei nafuu zilizojengwa na Shirika la Nyumba la Taifa NHC eneo la Mlole mjini Kigoma.

Rais Dkt. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete akikata utepe wakati wa uzinduzi wa nyumba za bei nafuu zilizojengwa na Shirika la Nyumba la Taifa NHC eneo la Mlole mjini Kigoma. Wengine katika picha ni Waziri wa Ardhi Nyumba na Maendeleo ya Makazi Mhe.William Lukuvi (wapili kushoto), Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Kigoma Issa Machibya (wapili kulia), Mbunge aliyemaliza muda wake wa Kigoma mjini Mh.Peter Serukamba (wanne kjshoto), Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa NHC Bwana Nehemia Mchechu kulia na kushoto ni Mwenyekiti wa CCM mkoa wa Kigoma Ndugu Walid Aman Kabouru.

Rais Jakaya Kikwete, Waziri wa Ardhi, Lukuvi, Mkurugenzi Mkuu NHC, Mchechu na Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Kigoma, Machibya wakifurahi mara baada ya kukata utepe.

Rais Dkt. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete akikata utepe kufungua jengo la kitega uchumi la Shirika la Nyumba la Taifa NHC Lumumba Complex mjini Kigoma. Wengine katika picha ni Mke wa Rais Mama Salma Kikwete, (watatu kushoto), Waziri wa Ardhi Nyumba na Maendeleo ya Makazi Mh.William Lukuvi, (wanne kushoto), Mkuu wa mkoa wa Kigoma Issa Machibya, (Wapili kulia), Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Shirika la Nyumba la Taifa NHC Bwana Nehemia Mchechu (kulia), na kushoto ni Mbunge aliyemaliza muda wake wa Jimbo la Kigoma mjini Mh.Peter Serukamba.

Rais Dkt. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete akifunua jiwe katika jiwe kuashiria kufungua rasmi jengo la kitega uchumi la Shirika la Nyumba la Taifa National Housing Lumumba Business Complex mjini Kigoma. Wapili kushoto ni Mke wa Rais Mama Salma Kikwete na watatu kushoto ni Mkurugenzi mkuu wa NHC Bwana Nehemia Mchechu.

Rais Jakaya Kikwete akikata utepe kuashiria ufunguzi wa Jengo la Lumumba Complex Mjini Kigoma.

Rais Jakaya Kikwete alipowasili katika jengo la Lumumba plaza ambapo alifungua rasmi jengo hilo la kitega uchumi la Shirika la Nyumba la Taifa mjini Kigoma. Anayesalimiana naye ni Meneja wa NHC Kigoma, Nistas Mvungi na wanaoshuhudia ni Mkurugenzi wa Usimamizi wa Miliki wa NHC, Hamad Abdallah, Mjumbe wa Bodi ya NHC, Subira Mchumo na kushoto kabisa ni Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Shirika la Nyumba la Taifa, Nehemia Kyando Mchechu.

MOBILE DEVICES REVOLUTION IN EAST AFRICA

DAR ES SALAAM, 15 September 2015 - Ahead of Jovago’s launch of its hotel booking application this month (September), smart phones are still ruling the market but featured phones are complementing them according to a survey done in East Africa.

According to the survey released by Jovago Tanzania, it shows that since 2011 Smartphone penetration remains popular compared to feature phones, by increasing from 3% in 2011 to 15% in 2015 and is projected to reach 33% by 2018.

But also, Samsung Metro being the most popular brand among the top five handsets, Nokia Lumia 520, Samsung Galaxy SIV, Nokia S60 and iPhone are among the top brands enjoying popularity in the East African market.

AFRICAN MINISTERS OF ENERGY AND FINANCE TO MEET CHINESE INVESTORS IN BEIJING

2015 – a turning point for Africa and Foreign Direct Investment. 8 of Africa’s Ministers of Energy and Finance and key Chinese investors to meet in Beijing to outline investment projects

EnergyNet are delighted that the 4th Annual Africa Infrastructure and Power Forum takes place once again at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Beijing, China from the 15-16th October 2015.

As of 2011, China’s investment in Africa was 4.3% of its global trade. The growth of China-Africa trade is revolutionising African development, stimulating crucial upgrades of the continent’s infrastructure and power development - highlighted in June when Tanzania awarded a consortium of Chinese railway companies projects valued at $9billion.

AIPF is the Investment Forum where African organisations can meet face-to-face with key project owners and - more importantly - major Chinese investors into Africa.

Download the latest agenda to view details of participating speakers and project presentations.

THE 3 US AIRLINES TRYING TO FEND OFF THEIR LAVISH MIDDLE EASTERN RIVALS SUFFERED A BIG SETBACK LAST WEEK

Tim Clark, president of Emirates, talks to reporters during a flight tour organized by the airline in Dubai.

Over the past 15 years, Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar have grown to become three of world's most highly regarded international airlines.

Through a series of agreements between the US government and their respective home nations, the Middle Eastern trio — dubbed the ME3 — have increased their presence in the US market.

However, American, United, and Delta Air Lines — the three biggest US airlines, dubbed the US3— allege that ME3's explosive growth and lavish spending are a result of billions of dollars of unfair government subsidies.

Now the US3 wants the federal government to do something about the subsidies, that they say let ME3 encroach on their turf.

OSCAR MGAYA ELECTED TO JOIN THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR HOUSING FINANCE

DAR INSPIRED TO RECYCLE TRASH INTO HIGH END PRODUCTS

Participants of the Msasani Beach Clean up and Anza upcycling event looking at some of the products made from waste materials during the event at the Msasani Bonde la Mpunga beach over the weekend.

Participants of the Msasani Beach Clean up and Anza upcycling event looking at some of the products made by Wonder Welders workshop from waste materials during the event at the Msasani Bonde la Mpunga beach over the weekend.

Participants of the Msasani Beach Clean up and Anza upcycling event collecting waste from the Msasani Bonde la Mpunga beach in Dar es salaam over the weekend.

Dar es Salaam residents have been challenged to creatively recycle trash materials and convert them into new materials or products of higher value and quality - which would lead to economic empowerment while giving waste materials a new purpose and most importantly avoiding adding them to landfill.

Sarah Scott, the CEO of Archipelago Productions, organizers of the Msasani Beach Clean Up and Anza Upcycle Fiesta which took place at Msasani Beach in Dar es Salaam over the weekend said during the event that waste products can be turned into treasure and people can make money from it while keeping the environment clean at the same time.

Scott, who has been instrumental in the cleanup of the Msasani beachfront, says there is a lot of trash on this beach that can’t be reused but there are a lot of objects in the streets that can be reused.

TIB CORPORATE FINANCE LIMITED NAME CHANGE TO TIB CORPORATE BANK LIMITED

TOWARDS A NEW DEAL ON ENERGY FOR AFRICA

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is hosting a High Level Stakeholder Consultative Meeting on the theme “Towards a New Deal on Energy for Africa”, at the Bank’s Abidjan headquarters, on September 17-18, 2015, to review the Bank’s energy activities and chart the way for a transformative partnership on energy for Africa.

The event will bring together leaders in the energy sector to craft next steps towards a Transformative Partnership on Energy for Africa to provide a major platform for structured private sector, multilateral and bilateral partnerships and financing to solve Africa’s energy challenge.

The Meeting will also articulate implementation actions to inform the New Deal on Energy for Africa and identify opportunities for scaling up renewable energy on the continent.

KEEP THE COAST CLEAR AT COCO BEACH OYSTERBAY

READ INTERNATIONAL TO BUILD MORE SECONDARY LIBRARIES IN TANZANIA

READ International board member, Faraja Kotta Nyalandu (R ), and READ founder, Rob Wilson (second left) together with some Makumbusho Secondary students, cut a cake to celebrate the international NGO 10 years anniversary in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

AIMING to address the distinct lack of access to educational resources in Tanzanian secondary schools, an international Non Governmental Organization (NGO) READ International, has announced plans to build more than 500 libraries in the country in ten years.

“Though the support from our mutual donors we are planning to build at least 50 libraries every year,” Rob Wilson, the founder of READ International said in Dar es Salaam during the 10th anniversary of READ International.

“In 10 years we have donated 1.4 million books and we have refurbished 72 libraries so far. With more support from different education stakeholders we can achieve even more in the next 10 years. We now want to aim bigger than ever before but that means we'll need support more than ever before to reach the path to sustainable education development in the country,” he said.

NATIONAL HOUSING CORPORATION - MOROCCO SQUARE PROJECT, BOOK NOW!!!

NATIONAL BANK OF COMMERCE LAUNCHES REWARDS PROGRAM

NBC Bank Tanzania Managing Director, Edward Marks (4th left), Barclays Africa Group Chief Executive, Retail and Business Banking, Roy Ross (R), NBC Head of Retail Banking Musa Jallow (5th L), and NBC Head of Liabilities and Affluent banking, Andrew Massawe (L), poses for a souvenir photo with some of NBC Rewards program partners; Vamsi Krishna (2nd L) from Venice Group and Bindu Chuen (3rd L) from Rhapsody’s restaurant, during the banks Rewards program launching ceremony in Dar es Salaam on Friday last week.

FASTJET INCREASES LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, – fastjet, the low-cost pan-African airline, has increased the number of flights on its growing international and domestic network from Dar es Salaam’s Julius Nyerere International Airport, Tanzania, in response to strong passenger demand.

fastjet now offers daily flights on its international routes from Dar es Salaam to Johannesburg, Harare and Lusaka, providing passengers with increased and more convenient travel options at affordable fares.

It has also doubled its flight frequency on the newly launched Dar es Salaam – Lilongwe route from two to four flights per week, which follows not long after the first flight took off between the two cities on 29 July 2015. fastjet’s Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro to Entebbe routes remain at three times weekly schedules.

HUDUMA YA TIGO PESA KUSITISHWA KWAAJILI YA UBORESHAJI

Dar es Salaam Septemba, 7, 2015, Kampuni ya simu ya Tigo Tanzania itasitisha huduma zake maarufu za kutuma na kupokea fedha ya Tigo Pesa wikendi hii kwa muda wa saa 17 ili kufanya maboresho ya huduma hiyo.

Taarifa iliyotumwa kwa vyombo vya habari na kampuni ya simu leo jijini Dar es Salaam inasema kuwa kusitishwa kwa huduma ya Tigo Pesa kuanzia Jumamosi usiku hadi Jumapili mchana utakuwa mwendelezo wa zoezi la uboreshaji wa huduma za kifedha za simu kwa takribani siku saba, “ kuifanya huduma ya Tigo Pesa kuwa ya kasi, imara na rahisi kupatikana.”

Huduma za Tigo Pesa zitakazo athirika kutokana na zoezi la marekebisho ni pamoja na ubadilishaji wa nenol a siri na usajili wa wateja wapya ambazo hazitakuwepo kuanzia Septemba 8 hadi 15, ubadilishaji namba ya simu kuanzia Septemba 12 hadi 15 na uboreshaji wa simu utakosekana kuanzia Septemba 6 hadi 16

DOING TOURISM BUSINESS IN AFRICA

Much has been said and written about the fortunes of doing business on the African continent or simply, in countries outside ones own familiar comforts. There is something to be gleaned from those who have gone before us and have gathered various insights into what it takes to make operating in Africa a success.

For a global tourism marketing organisation like South African Tourism, we are of the opinion that all these views and learnings are valid. Doing business on the continent is not smooth sailing and it’s definitely not for those who aren’t in it for the long haul.

To quote Mark Steinhobel, Chairman of the VWV Group:

“If you take the time to understand Africa, if you respect her many cultures and diverse needs, and if you cast off your own preconceptions, you will discover that she is the wonder and beauty of the rainbow , with a real pot of gold at its end.”

UZINDUZI WA MAONESHO YA BIDHAA TOKA CHINA (BRANDS OF CHINA)

Mkurugenzi wa huduma za wanachama wa TPSF Louis Accaro (kulia) akibadilishana mawazo na mkurugenzi wa Tanzania Chamber of Commerce , Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA) wakati wa uzinduzi wa maonesho ya bidhaa toka China (Brands of China) yanayotarajiwa kuanza Sept 10 hadi 13 mwaka huu katika ukumbi wa Diamond Jubilee.

UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC PROFIT RISES 40% AS HALF YEAR EARNINGS HITS N167 BILLION

Phillips Oduoza, Group Managing Director/CEO.

KAYMU REACHES 5 MILLION FANS ON FACEBOOK.

UGANDA SECURITIES EXCHANGE LAUNCHES AUTOMATED TRADING SYSTEM

On September 1, 2015, Uganda Securities Exchange (USE) had the official launch of the Automated trading system over a breakfast at Kampala Serena, the guest of honor was the Hon. Prime Minister of Uganda Ruhakana Rugunda.

Hon. Prime Minister of Uganda Ruhakana Rugunda, delivers his speech at the event.

ENERGY COMPANY AWARDED ONE YEAR OIL DRILLING EXTENSION PERIOD IN TANZANIA

Swala Energy Limited (Swala) has recently announced that it has been awarded by the Tanzanian Ministry of Energy and Mining (MEM) with an extension period for oil drilling operations to start on February 20th, 2017 in Kilosa-Kilombero and Pangani licenses, central and northern regions of Tanzania.

The announcement was made in a press release dated August 30th, 2015 available on Australian Securities Exchange’s (ASX) website, where Swala also explained that the one-year extension period awarded is set to be deducted from the four-year extension period that is currently approved and that would have started in February 20th, 2016.

Swala which currently holds a 50% stake in both licenses under a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) approved by the Tanzanian Government in 2012, explained that since the sounding test’s program was completed in December 2014 and during the first half of 2015 it carried out the data’s interpretation together with the Tanzanian Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), there was not time enough to confirm drilling locations and secure long lead-time items by February 2016.

Click here to access the complete article

LAUNCH OF TANZANIA'S FIRST UK UNIVERSITIES WEEK

EAST AFRICA DAIRY DEVELOPMENT (EADD II) PROJECT PUBLISHES THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY ON TANZANIA DAIRY INDUSTRY

EY 2014 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA BANKING REVIEW - FULL REPORT

EY 2014 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA BANKING REVIEW - SUMMARY

MULTICHOICE AFRICA KICKS OFF THE BIGGEST CONTENT SHOWCASE IN AFRICA

MC's during the official opening of MultiChoice Africa Content Showcase Extravaganza, IK (right) and Eku at the Outrigger Beach Resort in Mauritius.(Photos by MultiChoice and Zainul Mzige of Modewjiblog).

It was a magical night filled with #OnlyTheBest of African entertainment when MultiChoice Africa kicked off its second #OnlyTheBest Content Showcase Extravaganza in spectacular style at the Outrigger Resort.

The star-studded guestlist read like the who's who of Africa's entertainment and media.

The guests walked down the African media Walk of Fame onto a red-carpet that opened up to a sensational night of dazzling entertainment. The event, dubbed 'Night of a Thousand Stars' saw all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Bollywood and Nollywood come to life on the island paradise, as guests that include Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic, Desmond Elliot and Ramsey Nuoah were given the full movie-star treatment. Flavour, Stonebwoy and The Mavins kept the guests on their feet with their popular hits while the night's MCs IK and Eku kept the glamorous proceedings running smoothly.

Guest also experienced host IK who also brought his popular show, 'High Lites with IK', to the stage in Mauritius with a delightful interview with Nigerian crooner Banky W alongside music by DJ Sousa.

Red carpet treatment for the guest #OnlyTheBest.
MultiChoice Africa's CEO Tim Jacobs also took to the stage to welcome guests with a promise that the video entertainment service provider will do all it can to make only the best content available to its subscribers on any platform, on any device and at any time.

“We believe television is an extremely powerful tool that can educate, entertain and inform. The evolution of this medium has become fast and furious and as a business we are constantly evolving to stay ahead,” said Jacobs at a glittering ‘Night of a Thousand Stars’ event. “MultiChoice’s business is built around three key pillars: people; content - in the form of great entertainment, news and sport - and the latest cutting-edge technology. Our mission is to ensure that our subscribers do not miss out on any of the stories, events or moments that are shaping our future.”

SEFA AWARDED "POWER TRANSACTION OF THE YEAR" FOR JUMEME RURAL ENERGY SUPPLY PROJECT IN TANZANIA

The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) was awarded “Power Transaction of the Year” by the East African Power Industry for its role in financing the development of an independent solar hybrid mini-grid project in rural Tanzania. The prize was received at the awards gala on August 27 during its annual convention which gathered about 1,200 industry leaders and professionals in Nairobi, Kenya.

With national electricity coverage estimated at about 21% in Tanzania, at the end of 2014,SEFA approved a preparation grant for joint venture Jumeme - Rural Power Supply Ltd (JRPS) to develop a mini-grid project using predominately solar energy to expand rural electrification in the northwestern part of the country. The first phase of the project intends to help 16 villages – home to 82,000 people in 11,000 households, 2,600 businesses, 42 public offices, 32 schools, 12 health centers and 77 religious buildings – gain access to modern energy services. An additional 500 new businesses are also expected to be created following the implementation of the first phase of the project.

THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF ITS AFRICAN BOND INDEX

Botswana and Namibia join index family bringing transparency to most liquid African bond markets

The African Development Bank (AfDB) through the African Financial Markets Initiative (AFMI) launched its AfDB/ AFMISM Bloomberg® African Bond Index (ABABI) in February 2015. Calculated by Bloomberg Indices, the composite index is currently comprised of the Bloomberg South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria and Kenya local currency sovereign indices and will be joined from October 2015 by Botswana and Namibia.

"As more African countries are increasingly looking to domestic capital markets to source much-needed financing for economic development, we are delighted to welcome Botswana and Namibia to the index and expect to include more countries to it as soon as reliable pricing information is made available,” says Stefan Nalletamby, Director of the AfDB’s Financial Sector Development Department.

UBA TANZANIA PILOTED THE FINANCIAL SERVICES & INVESTMENT WEEK WITH THE UBA PREPAID CARD

MOBILE DEVICES REVOLUTION IN EAST AFRICA

JOVAGO LAUNCHES MOBILE APP

DONALD KABERUKA STEPS DOWN AFTER 10 YEARS AS PRESIDENT OF THE AfDB

Monday, August 31 was the last full day in office for Donald Kaberuka, who steps down after 10 years as President of the African Development Bank.

Speaking to Bank staff on Friday, Kaberuka said, “I was optimistic then, and I’m optimistic now: I leave the Bank as confident as ever about where Africa is heading. Presidents come and go, but the Bank stays. Africa needs a strong AfDB – and we have an AfDB that gets stronger by the day.

“In all of our challenges, we have always been sure of the cause we were fighting for – the economic transformation of this continent. I’ve fought the fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. Whatever I do now, I know that it will be about Africa, for Africa, and most likely in Africa.”