Category: Business

Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui has affirmed the government’s commitment to support those engaged in various artisan works.

Chelugui on Monday divulged that plans are underway to establish various apps to help in marketing products of artisans in the country.

He noted that through digital marketing, products of artisans will attract buyers across the globe saying this will uplift livelihoods of the artisans.

The CS was speaking during Kigumo basket weavers’ expo and fundraiser, an event that was organised by nominated senator Veronica Maina.

He said the artisans need to form cooperatives so as to access financial assistance from the government, saying farmers especially those in coffee, dairy and avocado are getting a huge boost from government funds.

‘I am pleased to see the products of the weavers from this area. The baskets are of high quality and what is needed is just to market the products online. The government is establishing various marketing apps where the artisans will
upload their products to seek local and international buyers,’ he noted.

Chelugui who was accompanied by his gender and land counterparts, Aisha Jumwa and Alice Wahome respectively noted that by joining cooperatives, the artisans will also have opportunities to access various government funds.

‘The government has various funds aimed at supporting youth and women. I urge the weavers to form a cooperative and apply for financing from the Women Enterprise Fund or from the Uwezo Fund. This support will ensure they produce high-quality products to meet international standards,’ he added.

The CS further noted that through other agencies like Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE), the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement Project (NYOTA) and the Hustler Fund, the government is committed to promoting MSMES through funding, training and capacity building as part of the Bottom Up Economic Transmission Agenda (BETA).

His sentiments were echoed by Jumwa, who said the Uwezo fund is meant to uplift the livelihoods
of women and asked the women who have majored in weaving to source financial support from the fund.

The gender CS observed that her ministry has also developed Sanaa App to help various women groups market their products.

Marketing via the internet, Jumwa noted, is more profitable as the mode locks out brokers in the value chain.

‘The important factor is to help our women access markets without being exploited by middlemen. The ministry of gender has already developed the Sanaa app to help those engaged in artisanal work market their products,’ she added.

Jumwa further said the ministry is working to ensure funds are allocated in the next national budget to assist women groups in accessing raw materials for making their products.

Availability of materials, she observed, will prevent the women from using low-quality materials leading to production of goods of poor quality.

Lands CS on her part lauded the event organised by the nominated senator saying the expo will greatly impact the economy at grassroot
s as it directly involves empowering women who practice weaving so that they can find market for their products locally and internationally.

Wahome promised to source funds for completion of two markets in Kigumo namely Muthithi and Kangari so as to promote trading activities in the area.

The nominated senator said that her target is to see women’s products marketed, saying the members have been weaving quality baskets for many years without better gains.

Ms Maina said the money raised in the event will go a long way towards helping the members of the group whose majority are elderly and face challenges in accessing raw materials to make the baskets.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Nandi Deputy Governor Yulita Mitei has urged banking institutions to develop products that are favourable to farmers to boost food security.

Speaking at Kapsabet Showground during a two-day business trade exhibition organised by Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Nandi County Government, Dr Yulita Mitei said the county administration has invested heavily in the agriculture sector calling on banks to emulate the same to make Nandi the bread basket of the country.

She said financial institutions can provide savings and deposit accounts designed for farmers with features like low or no minimum balance requirements and easy access to funds.

These accounts can help farmers build financial stability and plan for future investments.

‘We welcome investors to work with the county government to operationalize various flagship projects like dairy plant in Kabiyet, coffee milling plant in Tinderet, chicken processing plant in Kapsabet town, Nandi textile unit in Mosoriot among others. We are willing to engage wi
th them and be the link so that we can exploit the big potential in Nandi,’ she said.

The Deputy Governor said Trade Expo plays a crucial role in nurturing business by offering valuable network opportunities, presenting innovative products and services and facilitating knowledge exchange among industry participants.

She said there is need to create a strong environment that supports the growth of local enterprises adding that value addition is the way to go.

Dr Mitei assured exhibitors that the county government is going to assist them through the established e-commerce platforms to sell their products and connect them with sponsors in business sector and banking institutions for financial support.

‘We endorse initiatives such as the Trade Expo, acknowledging their importance in promoting economic growth and cultivating a dynamic business community. We express our gratitude to the sponsors who have contributed their resources to making this event a success. We also extend our thanks to the exhibitors for
their significant turnout to showcase their products and services,’ she said.

The chairperson of Nandi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Elly Chepkwony, said the expo was meant to connect and support micro, small, and medium enterprises sectors with opportunities, potential investors, mentorship, valuable resources and empowerment to scale up their businesses.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, Lucia Iipumbu, has emphasised the importance of ensuring that the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Bill is fit for purpose and guarantees that an avenue for value addition is created to generate jobs.

According to the minister, the establishment of SEZ can significantly boost industrialisation, enhance export capabilities, and stimulate economic growth, especially as Namibia readies itself to participate fully in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Adopted in August 2022, the SEZ Policy includes a provision for both fiscal and non-fiscal investment incentives for various investment categories such as exporters and manufacturers.

Iipumbu, who was speaking at stakeholder consultations on the drafting of the SEZ policy, national informal economy, startups and entrepreneurship development policy in Walvis Bay on Monday, noted that these legislations are key in shaping the economic dimension of Namibia which can ultimately result in significant growth and de
velopment of the country.

‘Firstly, SEZs have over the years proven to be a catalyst for economic transformation around the globe, which is done through creating specific areas with favourable business conditions and incentives advanced by government, in order to boost and attract both domestic and foreign investments, foster innovation, and generate employment opportunities,’ the minister said.

It is for this reason that the ministry embarked on a journey to tailor the SEZ concept to Namibia’s unique needs and aspirations in order to eventually have it as a law to replace the Economic Processing Zone (EPZ) regime, which has thus far brought about various challenges.

Erongo hosts 3 981 business establishments, of which 3 286 were characterised as micro establishments, 453 as small establishments and 195 as medium establishments respectively.

Governor Neville Andre Itope said that only 47 establishments in the region constitute large establishments.

‘Therefore, it becomes important that our engagements ar
e focused on advancing these businesses, to help them grow by creating a conducive and enabling legislation, operational environment that will eventually stimulate optimal growth and investment of these and future prospective ones,’ he added.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Shepherdstree managing partner Ekkehard Friedrick highlighted Namibia’s oil discovery success rate on Tuesday, saying the country has an 86 per cent success rate in terms of exploration compared to the global average of 30 per cent.

Friedrick made the remarks during a presentation held as part of the Namibia Local Content Conference in Lderitz on Tuesday, saying Namibia’s oil discoveries offshore are progressing at a rapid rate.

‘We are moving at an unprecedented rate. That can be good but can also be bad because we might be taking shortcuts that we are not aware of in terms of environmental laws and so on, but if we do this correct, we have the opportunities to create wealth because we have a low population,’ he said during his presentation on the topic ‘The Namibian Oil and Gas story – globally significant finds vs. local opportunity.’

He added that Namibia in 2023 was part of the four top countries in the world in terms of oil discovery.

John Ferraz, an executive for projects at the Edward Nathan Sonne
nbergs law firm said more opportunities for entrepreneurs lie in supporting the oil and gas industry and urged them to form joint ventures.

‘When you consider the range of services needed to support those teams at sea and when the vessels come in is massive. Even supplying water to those who are on sea working is a business opportunity on its own, I know there are a lot of local content policies that drive manufacturing, but I will say to Namibians concentrate on joint ventures, concentrate on low capital requirements for entry into these opportunities,’ he stressed.

Ferraz added that it is important that Namibia sends a message to investors that local content provides an enabling and supporting environment and is not a barrier.

‘The oil and gas industry is an opportunity for celebration and not for tribulation. You are not starting an industry, you are joining an existing industry. It might be seen that in the oil and gas industry, local content is an issue and it is not. Investors want two things – certa
inty and to keep their costs down. Their rules are clear as long the rules do not present a barrier,’ he said.

The three-day conference is aimed at providing a platform for dialogue, collaboration and the exchange of ideas that will shape the future of the oil and gas industry.

The conference is being held under the theme ‘Empowering Namibia’s energy ambitions by connecting industries and indigenous talent’ and about 300 people from Namibia, Angola, Nigeria, Dubai, South Africa and England are taking part in the conference hosted by the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Antila Consultancy.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Namibian Standards Institution on Tuesday, during their stakeholder awareness campaign, engaged representatives of the Omaheke Region on the newly enacted Metrology Act, Act 5 of 2022.

The meeting at Gobabis attracted stakeholders from government institutions and business people including farmers from the region, with the aim of creating awareness of the new Act before its implementation.

Omaheke Regional Governor Pijoo Nganate, who was the keynote speaker, highlighted the importance of the new Act to Omaheke as a region and how it will transform the regional economy to the benefit of its people, especially farmers.

‘Metrology encompasses the principles in our daily lives, from the weight of the cattle we raise to the distance our goods travel across borders. Metrology ensures that these measurements are accurate, reliable and standardised,’ he noted.

Nganate furthermore indicated that because the region is known for its cattle farming, precision in measurement is crucial.

‘Accurate measurements of l
ivestock health, feed quantities and milk production are crucial for maximising productivity and ensuring animal welfare. The new Metrology Act will provide farmers with the tools and standards necessary to make informed decisions and optimise their farming practices, leading to increased efficiency and profitability,’ Nganate said.

The governor urged all stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the new Act and embrace the opportunities it will present in the region and the country at large.

‘This legislation is more than just numbers and standards, it is about ensuring a bright and prosperous future for our livestock farming and industrial community,’ he said.

Simasiku Matali, the head of metrology at the Namibian Standards Institution indicated that the new Act is aimed at informing and capacitating the nation on changes to the metrology legal framework. On administration and enforcement related matters, he also shared that they are engaging all stakeholders in the 14 regions of Namibia.

‘The Act cam
e at a time when Namibia is experiencing a growing need for accelerated metrology services and regulatory framework as a result of domestic and international market access,’ he said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Addis Ababa: The desire and involvement of the private sector in Ethiopia’s energy sector has been growing, Water and Energy State Minister Sultan Welle said.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, the state minister stated that the participation of the private sector is crucial to the nation’s energy demand and to provide energy for countries in the region.

Accordingly, the Ethiopian government has, for instance, signed an agreement recently with AMEA Power, one of the fastest growing renewable energy companies in the region, to generate about 300MW which is an onshore wind project in the Somali region.

The Aysha wind energy project, which is being developed in partnership with Dongfang Electric and LAFTO Turbine Technologies, is also poised to become the largest wind energy project in the Horn of Africa, Sultan noted.

Regarding other ongoing projects, the state minister said the 150 megawatts Corbetti Geothermal Power Project and the Tulu Moyo geothermal projects are clear manifestation of the growing tren
d of the private sector participation in energy generation.

For him, the recently launched National Sustainable Energy Development Strategy (N-SEDS) will also help to attract more private actors in the sector.

N-SEDS seeks to achieve energy access and social equity, economic growth and competitiveness, energy efficiency and conservation, energy security and resilience and environmental sustainability.

Moreover, the establishment of the Petroleum and Energy Authority is a big step and will play a pivotal role in the increase of the private sector in the nation’s energy sector, he pointed out.

“When we see the private sector engagement, there are actors who have been in successive talks with us as the desire to engage in Ethiopia’s energy sector has been also growing from the Arab world, Europe, Asia, among others,” the state minister elaborated.

Ethiopia has abundant renewable energy resources and the potential to generate over 60,000 megawatts (MW) of electric power from hydroelectric, wind, solar, and g
eothermal sources.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency