KENYA

Madaraka Day: Ruto launches Hustler Group Loan

President William Ruto on Thursday launched the Hustler Group Loan, the second product of the Hustler Fund, which he said is aimed at enabling groups of at least 10 to access funds.

The groups will be required to have at least 10 members to be eligible for borrowing between sh 20,000 and sh 1,000,000, President Ruto said.

The Hustler Fund Personal Loan has been disbursing loans of between sh 500 and sh 50,000.

So far, Kenya Kwanza has launched two of the four products envisioned to comprise the Hustler Fund – the Personal Loan launched on November 30, 2022, and the Group Loan launched on June 1, 2023.

The products yet to be launched are the SME Loan product and the Start-Up Loan.

(Source: Daily Nation)

TANZANIA

Inside Tanzania’s TSh3 trillion energy development plan

Energy minister January Makamba told Parliament that the proposed TSh3.049 trillion budget for his ministry for the fiscal year 2023/24 was in line with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s goal of expanding electricity coverage, protecting the environment through the use of clean energy, protecting Tanzanians against volatile global petroleum prices and ensuring that Tanzanians benefit from its massive natural gas resources.

Apart from completing the construction of the 2,115MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, the government will continue with the preparations for the execution of the $42 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant and completing the task of connecting all villages to electricity.

(Source: The Citizen)

UGANDA

President Museveni defends Uganda anti-LGBTQ law

Twenty-four hours after the US government led its European allies in attacking Uganda over the new Anti-Homosexuality Act, President Yoweri Museveni has defended his decision to sign the Bill into law, calling on all Ugandans to remain firm. 

He rallied the country around the law just as the World Bank Group became the latest West-leaning enterprise to signal it may also withhold funding to Uganda because of the law.

Yesterday, the World Bank, one of the leading multilateral lending institutions, said that the law runs counter to its values of non-discrimination. 

“The World Bank Group is highly concerned with Uganda’s enactment of the 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act.  If implemented, the Act would endanger people by placing an added barrier to vital medical care, disease screening, and precautions,” the statement said.

(Source: The East African)

RWANDA

How much does govt spend on renting public offices?

The government is taking proactive steps to address the issue of exorbitant office rental costs for public entities, which amount to approximately Rwf12 billion annually.

According to Noel Nsanzineza, the acting Director General of the Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA), the government currently rents 85,000 square meters (m2) of office space for 35 public entities, including agencies and courts of law.

To mitigate this financial burden, the government aims to acquire its own buildings capable of accommodating these entities.

(Source: The New Times)

ETHIOPIA

Foreign Affairs state minister, Kuwait ambassador hold talks

Foreign Affairs State Minister Mesganu Arga and Kuwait Ambassador Nayef Hapes Al-Otaibi held talks at his office today.

According to the ministry, the state minister commended the historic and excellent bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Kuwait. 

He also expressed his gratitude to the Government of Kuwait for its sustained assistance to Ethiopia at different times.

Furthermore, Mesganu called for additional support to the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in conflict-affected areas of Ethiopia.

He also emphasized the importance of materializing the Joint Ministerial Commission meeting between the two countries. 

The state minister added that both countries should work closely together, alongside the IGAD and the African Union, to help resolve the challenges faced by the Horn of Africa region.

(Source: ENA)

SUDAN

US imposes sanctions ‘to promote accountability in Sudan’

The US today imposed visa restrictions on “specific individuals in Sudan, including officials from the SAF, RSF, and leaders from the former Omar Al Bashir regime, responsible for, or complicit in, undermining Sudan’s democratic transition”. US sanctions have also been imposed on four companies “generating revenue from, and contributing to, the conflict in Sudan”.

In a press statement today, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, says that as directed by US President Joe Biden in his May 4 Executive Order, “Today we are holding accountable the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and entities under their control for actions that threaten the peace, security, and stability of Sudan”.

Blinken says the USA is implementing three specific measures to promote accountability for the actions committed by the two forces, including imposing visa restrictions, levying economic sanctions, and updating our business advisory for Sudan.

(Source: Dabanga)

ERITREA

President Isaias Afwerki and President Vladimir Putin hold talks

President Isaias Afwerki and President Vladimir Putin held an extensive discussion in the Kremlin in the mid-afternoon hours of Wednesday, May 31, on the enhancement of bilateral ties as well as on international issues and developments of interest to the two countries.

President Putin welcoming President Isaias Afwerki and his delegation underlined that President Isaias’ first official visit to Russian Federation will contribute highly to the development of bilateral ties.

President Putin further noted that the visit was occurring at an auspicious time of Eritrea’s 32nd Independence Day Anniversary and 30 years of formal diplomatic ties.

(Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea)

SOMALIA

Somali president talks to Turkey’s Erdogan

The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, spoke on the phone with the President of the Republic of Turkey, Rajab Dayib Erdogan, who was re-elected as the President of the country on Sunday this week.

President Hassan Sheikh has congratulated Turkish President Rajab Dayib Erdogan on his historic victory in the elections held in Turkey, according to a press release issued by the Presidency.

The two Presidents of Somalia and Turkey underlined the importance of the historical relationship between Somalia and Turkey and how to accelerate the past cooperation between the two countries.

The Turkish government is one of the governments that support Somalia, and Turkey has a large military base in Mogadishu, where Somali soldiers are trained.

(Source: Radio Dalsan)