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Tag: East Africa.

  • Bebe Cool set to take over East Africa with his new album ‘Break The Chains’

    Bebe Cool set to take over East Africa with his new album ‘Break The Chains’

    Since the release of his album, Break the Chains, Bebe Cool has been in a slew of activities to promote the album.

    From shooting a number of visualisers with Joshua Baraka for their single Cheque and showing up in a number of activations such as DJ Carlos Perez’s event and a number of media interviews.
    After exhausting media in Uganda, the artist now has his sights on the bigger picture; Bebe Cool will be starting his African tour leg with Nairobi, Kenya.

    Bebe Cool has a long and documented relationship with Kenya and Nairobi generally; it is the city where he started his career sharing a room with a security man before he was spotted by a good samaritan who would later help him access a quality studio.

    As they always say, the rest is history.Bebe Cool has gone on to seek Nairobi for production and collaboration purposes, for instance, he shot the first single off his Go Mama album, Love You Everyday, in Kenya.

    He later worked with V Jay One, a Kenyan director for the video of his title song Go Mama. But Bebe Cool has done a couple of things with Kenyan artists such as K-Rupt, Redsan, Nameless, Sauti Sol, Wyre and Nazizi, as the duo Necessary Noize.

    Bebe Cool has been to Nairobi various times though, since his visit to the country in 2017, during which trip he recorded various performances for the televised music show, Coke Studio, he has not visited again.

    “This feels like a home coming, Nairobi is where all the journey started, it is where I was mentored,” Bebe Cool says.

    In Nairobi, Bebe Cool will catch up with Kanya’s big names in the industry as well as the emerging movers and shakers of the city that birthed a wave of East African music at the beginning of the 2000s.

    Bebe Cool’s new album, Break the Chains, is the artist’s adventure into emerging sounds such as Afrotech, Afrobeats and Afroelectronics; for Bebe Cool, he notes that this is a step intended not to simply benefit him but challenge the African music industry to dream and think bigger.
    With songs such as Boy Like Me, African Love, alongside Afrobeats Queen Yemi Alade and Cheque alongside Joshua Baraka, the album has been shaking up streaming platform with close to a million streams since its release at the end of May.

  • Binance appoints a Director for the East Africa Region

    Binance appoints a Director for the East Africa Region

    Binance, the world’s leading crypto and blockchain infrastructure provider, has announced the appointment of Nadeem Anjarwalla as its Director for East Africa, leading business operations across over 12 markets in the region. He brings with him extensive experience in building and scaling business operations across many industries.

    Prior to joining Binance, Nadeem served as Partner at Global Founders Capital, a global venture capital fund where he was responsible for making and managing the funds investments across Africa primarily in early stage technology enabled businesses.

    Nadeem served as an advisor on a number of the investments, helping guide, navigate and scale their operations, a thread common throughout his career including while General Manager at Uber Eats where he sat on the Sub-Saharan Africa Leadership Team and scaled Uber Eats’ presence in the region.

    Nadeem holds a BA in Philosophy Politics and Economics from Oxford University and a MA from Stanford University.

    “I am proud to be joining Binance at such a pivotal moment in the industry. While still early, the East African region has seen tremendous growth in recent times and I look forward to aiding blockchain adoption and leading the charge that is revolutionising innovation, financial inclusion and economic competitiveness across East Africa”, said Nadeem.

    With certain regions in East Africa being some of Africa’s largest crypto markets, Nadeem joins at a crucial moment for blockchain and crypto in the region. As the regional director, he is set to enhance the growing community in East Africa and support the region in being part of the technological revolution that is changing the world.

  • Jeńm set to launch in East Africa

    Jeńm set to launch in East Africa

    A new clothing line, Jenm, is set to launch in East africa starting with South Sudan in June this year.
    The clothing line deals in ladies clothes and kids and high end clothing.
    Their coming to East Africa is set to change the face of fashion in the area.
    The June launch will be mega launch and the clothes they will be dealing with are all made in Europe.
    The official launch of the brand will coincide with the opening of the Jenm store in South Sudanese capital Juba.
    The clothes will be available for delivery in Uganda as well Kenya after the official launch in June
  • TuneCore launches operations in Africa

    TuneCore launches operations in Africa

    East Africa: TuneCore, the leading digital music distribution and publishing administration company for independent artists, has launched operations in Africa. Jade Leaf has been hired as Head of TuneCore for Southern Africa and will share responsibility for key countries in East Africa with Chioma Onuchukwu, who has been hired as Head of TuneCore for West Africa. Both Leaf and Onuchukwu will report to Faryal Khan-Thompson, Vice President, International, TuneCore.

    Onuchukwu will be based in Nigeria and oversee countries in West Africa including Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia. She will also look after Tanzania and Ethiopia in East Africa.  Leaf’s territory encompasses Southern Africa, including South Africa, where she will be based, as well as Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Lesotho. Leaf will also manage TuneCore operations in East African countries Kenya and Uganda.

    Said Onuchukwu, “I am elated to be joining a renowned, independent music distribution powerhouse, especially in an incredible era for music creators in Africa at a time when we are gaining global recognition and increasing momentum. I look forward to collaborating with and supporting local artists.”


    Before joining TuneCore, Onuchukwu was Marketing Manager at uduX Music, a music streaming platform in Nigeria. There she worked directly with popular African artists such as Davido, Yemi Alade, Patoranking, Kizz Daniel and more.

    Commented Leaf, “I am incredibly excited to join the team in a time where the global conversation is around independence and ownership. TuneCore opens up a world of potential for independent artists at every level of their careers. Africa is home to a diverse range of artists who are seeking a reliable distribution service who understands their local needs and can ultimately give them the opportunity to turn their art into commercial success.”

    Previously, Leaf worked at Africa’s largest Pay TV operator, Multichoice as the Marketing Manager for Youth & Music Channels, where she led brand re-imaging and marketing efforts for Music TV giant Channel O. Before that, she worked at Sony Music Entertainment Africa, focusing on African artists and content, as well as numerous marketing campaigns & projects for local and international artists.

    There has been a meteoric rise in the uptake of streaming services in Africa, the growth has been attributed to several factors such as an increase in internet penetration via smartphones, the entrance of international and local streaming platforms in key territories and its youth population – more than 60% of African’s are under the age of 25. In 2020, TuneCore saw an increase in music releases globally, with many African artists opting to use the DIY Distributor – Kofi Mole from Ghana and Small Doctor in Nigeria, Spoegwolf in South Africa, Mpho Sebina in Botswana and Fena Gitu in Kenya to name a few.

    Stated Khan-Thompson, “Africa is an extremely exciting music market with a lot of potential for growth. By hiring Jade and Chioma to lead our efforts, TuneCore is well positioned to maximize opportunities for independent artists across the continent. Both Chioma and Jade bring a wealth of experience and genuine interest in helping artists make their dreams come true. I couldn’t be more thrilled to have two incredible women representing the TuneCore brand in the continent”

    TuneCore, owned by Paris-based Believe, has been aggressively expanding its international operations, having gone from 5 countries in 2020 to 8 countries and 3 major regions in 2021. The company added India, Russia and Brazil last year and this year adds LATAM, Southeast Asia and Africa. The company’s website is fully localized for 8 countries and translated into 13 languages and counting.

  • East African Partners calls on African-Americans to consider returning and investing home

    East African Partners calls on African-Americans to consider returning and investing home

    East African Partners (EAP) a company that markets East Africa as an investment destination has on Monday June 8 rallied African Americans to consider taking up investments in East Africa.

    East Africa has for the recent years ranked as the most attractive investment destination— helped by its expanding consumer market, increasing availability of hard currency, exchange rate stability, a diversified economy and steady improvement in business environment, particularly investment-related legal reforms.

    The region’s ease of doing business has been boosted by its developed infrastructure, healthy, well-educated workforce, the most efficient goods market and strong institutions.

    For weeks now several African Americans have taken to the streets to protest against racial discrimination that has left many of them treated to many kinds of injustice. This follows the gruesome murder of the late George Floyd an African American who was killed by a Caucasian Police officer in the USA on 25 May, 2020.

    From that background, several calls to African Americans to consider returning to their cradle land, different African countries have made arrangements to ensure a safe landing for these sons and daughters of the African continent.

    “I believe that it is time for our brothers and sisters to consider coming back home and focus on rebuilding Africa, their home instead of building the Caucasian man’s home,” said EAP Managing Director Isaac Kigozi in a statement dated Monday June 8.

    He added: I stayed in the US for more than 20 years but a few years ago I chose to come back to settle home and I can attest to the fact that African governments have created a conducive environment to resettle those willing to settle home as well as those willing to set up business investments”.

    The region is home to many investment opportunities including Oil and Gas, Infrastructure, Real Estate, Tourism, Education, Health, Transport, Agriculture, Technology, among others.

    Early this year, Kigozi’s EAP led a delegation of African Americans including Michael Broughton, Mark Hernandez, Veronica Smith and Dr. Julius O.Ebinu who met with President Museveni.

    The President whom the group of investors met at Liao Shen Industrial Park in Kapeeka, Nakaseke District encouraged them to take advantage of Uganda’s vast opportunities to invest in any of the lucrative sectors.

    He also promised to render them any kind of support that they would need in setting up any investment venture.

    President Museveni is known to severely punish government officials who frustrate investors.

  • East Africa Business Council donates UGX 6m Face Masks for 30,000 people in Cross-Border communities

    In support of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, the East African Business Council (EABC) has donated Face Masks worth UGX60million to cross-border communities in Uganda.

    The reusable Face Masks are intended to help protect over 30,000 members of communities at Uganda’s border points who at the highest risk of contracting COVID-19. In recent weeks Uganda has recorded COVID-19 positive cases mostly from cargo truck drivers crossing the borders from within the East African Community (EAC).

    While making the donation, the EABC appealed to everyone in the EAC region to avoid stigmatization ofcargo truck drivers as it could lead to a break in the supply chain in the EAC, affecting trade and investment.

    The EABC has approached the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to support the distribution of the masks at the border points of Malaba, Busia, Mutukula, Katuna, Kikagate, Kagitumba, Cyanika, Elegu, Nimule, Oraba and others where cross-border activities take place.

    “We trust the URA as one of the government agencies that has been central to Uganda’s success in the fight against the spread of COVID-19, and recognize the effort invested in tracking and monitoring truck drivers. We know this will support the work of the Ministry of Health and we will encourage more businesses to contribute to all government efforts against COVID-19,” said EABC Director Stuart Mwesigwa (Roofings Group).

    The communities to benefit from this consignment include customs officials, clearing agents, cross-border women traders, porters and truck drivers themselves.

    The masks were procured in Uganda and manufactured by Ugandan SME Chrisams Designs.

    “This is an indicator that the EABC values local content in East Africa and we will actively support the development of business at all levels. We have also arranged to order similar consignments from each EAC Partner State and we urge the governments to focus on building business in East Africa,” said EABC Director Simon Kaheru (Coca-Cola Beverages Africa).

    Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister, Gen. Moses Ali, welcomed the gesture as significant and highly meaningful.

    “We are winning this war because of contributions such as these. COVID-19 is the enemy and the enemy is already squatting. Every contribution we get will help us defeat this enemy fully. It is also good to note that these Face Masks were made by a Ugandan and East African business,” said Gen. Ali.

    He was flanked by Hon. Mary Karooro Okurut, Minister in charge of General Duties, and COVID-19 Task Force Chairperson Emmanuel Katongole and Member Robert Kabushenga.

    The EABC has also donated masks to Rwanda Revenue Authority to aid in the fight against the Covid-19 at Rusumo One Stop Border Post, and will continue to mobilise business across the region.

  • East Africa: Economic Outlook 2020

    East Africa: Economic Outlook 2020

    With recovery in the two largest economies, we see growth in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) accelerating from recent lows in 2020. A still-solid growth performance in East Africa should mean that the subregion remains one of the continent’s out performers.

    Uganda: Delay to first oil is likely to weaken near-term growth prospects. We have lowered our 2020 and 2021 growth forecasts to 6.0% and 6.2% (6.2% and 6.5% prior). Although the full impact of the regional locust invasion is difficult to assess, food prices have already been pressured higher – from a low base – by December flooding in eastern Uganda. We now expect the Bank of Uganda to keep its policy rate on hold at 9.0% throughout 2020, having previously seen scope for more easing. Given elections in 2021, and rising caution over the extent of the government’s public financing requirement, we see the BoU adopting a tighter policy stance, with 200bps of rate hikes in 2021.

    Razia Khan, Chief Economist Africa & Middle East further added: “Uganda’s fiscal policy challenges will remain centred on raising its low rate of revenue collection. Ideally, the authorities want to see a gradual increment of at least 0.5ppt of GDP in revenue each year. Achieving sustained progress in revenue mobilisation, especially with elections approaching, has traditionally been a challenge.” 

    Kenya: We expect Kenya’s economy to accelerate 5.8% in 2020, with private-sector credit growth receiving a boost from the loan rate cap removal, and recent central bank easing. A stepped-up effort to deal with delays in government payments will also help, as will the continued focus on growth-supportive ‘Big Four initiatives’. Although the recent locust invasion is a source of potential pressure on agriculture, creating a firm base for sustained medium-term growth will matter much more.

    Following the loan rate cap removal, existing bank loans will not reprice higher. However, a more favourable credit growth environment should boost activity, creating more business demand for borrowing – not just for working capital purposes, but for longer-term investment

    Razia Khan asserted; “The key test for Kenya in the years ahead will be the strength of its fiscal consolidation intent. Encouragingly, authorities have unveiled plans for further cuts to discretionary spending. Revenue administration measures are already bearing fruit, with an improved record on tax collection in the recent past. While rising public debt has been a key concern – especially with the October 2019 raising of the debt ceiling to KES 9tn, from an earlier cap of 50% of GDP – a sustained and meaningful fiscal consolidation should boost confidence. Kenya’s efforts to replace expensive debt with more affordable sources of financing is encouraging. However, revenue and expenditure measures will need to drive the effort to lower fiscal deficits.”

    Razia Khan

    Tanzania: The bank expects relatively robust growth of 6.5% in 2020 from 6.6% in 2019, with inflation forecast at 4.2% from a low of 3.4% in 2019. Following an easing of monetary policy in 2018-19, private-sector credit extension is starting to accelerate, having previously been in negative territory in 2017. The current account deficit will likely stay wide in 2020. While we have revised our 2019 deficit forecast to 4.2% of GDP (previous 5.6%), we see it expanding in 2020 to 4.5% (5.5%) of GDP due to higher imports. In 2019, the trade deficit increased on higher capital goods and oil imports. This was despite higher gold exports, which increased 26% y/y in the year to September 2019 due to higher prices; and the recommencement of cashew exports.

    Sarah Baynton-Glen, Economist, Africa: “Although growth has slowed, the outlook for 2020 remains relatively robust. The government’s blueprint to improve the business environment, accommodative monetary policy, and public infrastructure investment should support growth. Agriculture should be a key growth driver in 2020, and the government is targeting USD 2bn of annual horticulture exports by 2025 (USD 821mn in 2018). Resolution of issues arising from state intervention in agriculture and mining should also provide a more positive backdrop to growth in 2020 and support Tanzania’s FX market, with greater cashew exports and the expected resumption of gold and copper concentrates exports. Elections will be closely watched, although lack of a unified opposition will likely see President Magufuli secure a second term.”

  • KIU hosts 9th UVCF Conference tagged Higher Education in Uganda

    KIU hosts 9th UVCF Conference tagged Higher Education in Uganda

    Kampala International University (KIU) today hosts the 9th Uganda Vice-Chancellors’ Forum (UVCF) Conference, under the theme ‘Higher Education in Uganda’.

    The event which is being held at the Iddi Basajjabala Memorial Library (IBML), in her main campus in Kansanga-Ggaba Road, Kampala, had Vice-Chancellors and other management staff from various universities (including public and private universities) across Uganda in attendance.

    The Vice-Chancellor KIU; Dr. Mouhammad Mpezamihigo took participants present round the IBML for a tour around the Library facility, after which he welcomed all participants to KIU for the 9th UVCF Conference in his opening remark.

    Showcasing an overview of other facilities of KIU in pictures including her Western campus in Ishaka-Bushenyi, which houses the University’s Medical School and the newly built Engineering Laboratories, Dr. Mpezamihigo recounted the giant feats the university has achieved in recent times, especially, KIU being the only university in Uganda with its own teaching hospital as well as an emerging HUb of Science in East Africa with the most recent accreditation of 12 Engineering programmes for the university by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).

    “KIU is the only medical school with its own teaching hospital in Uganda,” Dr. Mouhammad Mpezamihigo proclaimed.

    Addressing the participants, the Minister of General Duties, Office of the Prime Minister; Hon. Mary Karooro Okurut, who is the Guest of Honour, expressed her delight for being present at the 9th UVCF Conference. She, therefore, stated that the journey of higher education in Uganda has thrived, compared to how it all started.

    “We can see where we are, the journey has been great.”

    Minister of General Duties, Office of the Prime Minister, Republic of Uganda.

    Hon. Okurut, specifically, acknowledge and appreciated all the partners of higher education in Uganda such as the World Bank and the entire donor community that has joined hands with the government to take higher education in Uganda to where it is today.

    On their own, the two presenters for the day: Dr. A. B. Kasozi; Research Fellow, Makerere Institute of Social Research and Professor John Mugisha; Vice-Chancellor Cavendish University, both in Uganda, spoke on the theme – ‘Higher Education in Uganda’. After their presentations, both speakers proposed a way forward for the Ugandan higher education system with regards to scrapping A-Level education system in Uganda and combining disciplines from arts and sciences for students in secondary schools up to entry-level at the universities, so as to embrace a wholesome education for her citizens in the present academic revolution.

    Government Should Consider Private Universities For Research Grants

    While appreciating the government for the loan scheme initiative in higher education, KIU Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Affairs; Professor George Nasinyama in addition to other participants, called on the government to also invest funds across boards in the higher education system in Uganda, stating that not only government but private universities inclusive should be considered as beneficiaries of the loan scheme and/or grants from the government of Uganda, as they all add to the academic quota of the country in one way or another.

    Before closing the meeting, Hon. Dr. J.C Muyingo; Minister of State for Higher Education, made his remarks where he urged all Vice-Chancellors and other university leaderships present to think of what they can do for themselves before seeking for external help from international agencies.

    “We should think of what we can do for ourselves before we seek external help … before we broaden our search for international assistance. For example, quality control should start with us.”

    KIU To Allow Students From Other Universities Enjoy Research Based Facilities At Her Main Campus Library

    Speaking about KIU, Hon. Dr. Muyingo appreciated the university, through the leadership of Dr. Mpezamihigo and other management team, for their good initiative of intending to open up its facilities to students from other universities and the general public, for academic and research purposes.

    More so, the Minister for Higher Education thanked the organizers of the conference for such a great meeting with a pool of ideas, as well as all Vice-Chancellors for using the Forum to strengthen the university systems and for solving other social economic problems in the country, going by the resolutions from the conference. The Minister, therefore, declared the 9th UVCF Conference formally closed.