Kenya

Kenya Power to Compensate Homes and Businesses for Blackouts

Kenya Power will soon be required to compensate consumers for prolonged blackouts and delays in restoring electricity under new draft energy regulations. Customers will receive up to 75 per cent of their average daily consumption as compensation, with payouts capped at KSh 550,559 for large users and smaller amounts for households. Prepaid consumers will get free tokens, while postpaid customers will have their bills reduced. Compensation will also cover unreliable supply, reconnection delays, property damage, financial losses, and even bodily harm linked to outages. Claims must be made within a year and settled within 90 days once approved. The regulations follow longstanding complaints from businesses that blackouts harm competitiveness. However, Kenya Power states that outages have decreased due to the installation of more transformers and network upgrades. Consumers will not be compensated for outages caused by vandalism, third-party interference, or faults on the customer’s side.

(Source: Business Daily)

Uganda

10k Savings Groups initiated by World Vision Receive Loans Financing from VisionFund

Nearly 10,000 savings groups initiated by World Vision Uganda have received approximately USD 2 million in FAST (Finance Accelerating Savings Groups Transformation) loans from VisionFund over the past three years. These groups serve about 400,000 members, of whom 60 per cent are women. Digitising via the DreamSave app is making transactions more transparent and easier. However, many rural children lack birth certificates, which restricts access to financial services. The report argues that combining savings group financing with other social services is essential in reducing poverty and enhancing inclusion.

(Source: The Independent)

Tanzania

TBS Unveils 2024 Food Fortification Regulations

The Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) has introduced new 2024 regulations requiring staple foods such as maize flour, wheat flour, cooking oil, and salt to be fortified with essential nutrients. The aim is to address malnutrition issues such as anaemia and stunting, especially among the most vulnerable. Standard No. 328 will outline the mandatory addition of these nutrients, and compliance with this standard will be necessary for product registration and certification. TBS has also started training stakeholders in the maize industry to ensure producers meet quality standards and protect public health.

(Source: The Daily News)

Rwanda

Govt to Phase Out Harmful Refrigerant Gases Within Five Years

Rwanda has announced plans to entirely phase out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) within five years as part of its climate action strategy. These gases, commonly used in refrigerators and air conditioners, are among the most hazardous greenhouse pollutants because they trap heat in the atmosphere at levels much higher than carbon dioxide. The Ministry of Environment states that the country will steadily transition to safer alternatives while ensuring that businesses and households have access to affordable and effective technologies. Officials emphasise that this transition is vital not only for Rwanda’s environmental obligations but also for safeguarding public health and aligning with international agreements such as the Kigali Amendment. The government will collaborate with industry stakeholders, importers, and technicians to train and equip them with the necessary knowledge to handle new refrigerants safely. Through this initiative, Rwanda aims to establish itself as a regional leader in eliminating harmful gases and addressing the global climate crisis.

(Source: The New Times)

 

Ethiopia

Ethiopian Airlines to Launch International Flights from Bishoftu Airport by 2030

Ethiopian Airlines plans to commence international flights from Bishoftu Airport by 2030 once construction is finished. The new airport is part of Ethiopia’s significant infrastructure development. The CEO stated that the project has already begun, including the relocation of farmers from the site, and funding for construction is being sought. The vision for the project aligns with broader goals, such as modernising Addis Ababa’s Bole Airport for domestic flights and updating the airline’s long-term strategy from “Vision 2035” to “Vision 2040.”

(Source: ENA)

Sudan 

Sudan’s Al Jazirah Scheme Crippled By ‘Thirst’ Amid Official Disputes

Sudan’s Al Jazirah irrigation scheme, one of the largest in the world, is collapsing due to war damage and disputes between the irrigation ministry and the project’s management. Farmers say only about ten per cent of the land is under cultivation, mostly rain-fed, while vast areas have been left barren due to a lack of water. Irrigation canals and equipment have been destroyed, and many farmers are unable to access financing because the central bank and finance ministry refuse guarantees. The Agricultural Bank is demanding repayment of arrears before issuing new loans. Farmers accuse the government of neglect and deliberate obstruction, while internal power struggles involving remnants of the former regime have contributed to the chaos. Disagreements within the reconstruction committee have halted any accurate assessment of losses.

(Source: The Sudan Tribune)

Somalia

SoDMA Commissioner Appoints New Directors to Bolster Humanitarian and Development Efforts

The Commissioner of Somalia’s National Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mohamud Moallin Abudlle, has recently appointed two new directors to strengthen humanitarian and development efforts. Ibrahim Abdullahi Ahmed (Sheellare), a veteran journalist and early member of SoDMA’s founding team, is now Director of Information, Communication, and Technology. He is expected to modernise SoDMA’s data systems and enhance how it shares vital information with the public during emergencies. The second appointment is Abubakar Ahmed Mohamed, who will lead the Food Security and Social Protection Department, a key role in assisting those affected by drought, conflict, and other threats. The Commissioner urged both to serve with honesty, dedication, and responsibility. This move is seen as a strategic step to improve SoDMA’s capacity to respond to disasters and coordinate aid more effectively.

(Source: SONNA)