Kenya 

UK Government’s MOBILIST Programme Subscribes KSh1.94B to QuickMart IPO 

The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), through its MOBILIST programme, has subscribed for US$15 million, approximately KSh1.94 billion, worth of shares in the initial public offering (IPO) of QuickMart PLC (“QuickMart”), ahead of the retailer’s proposed listing on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). At the stated Kenyan shilling equivalent, the subscription represents approximately 13% of the KSh15 billion offer, with share allotment to be completed in accordance with the offer terms. 

(Source: Citizen) 

Uganda 

Fear as 200 Illegal Crossing Points Threaten Ebola Response 

With more than 200 illegal crossing points along the Kenya–Uganda border, stretching 57 kilometres from Majani to Malaba, border authorities say efforts to contain Ebola and prevent its spread into Uganda may prove challenging. Dr Joseph Oprong, Director of Preventive and Promotive Public Health Services in Kenya’s Busia County, told this publication on Wednesday that the unofficial crossings pose a risk because some travellers bypass the gazetted crossings at Busia and Malaba without screening. 

(Source: Monitor) 

Tanzania 

TSh124.6B Pangani Bridge Construction Reaches 72% Completion 

Construction of the TSh124.6 billion Pangani Bridge in the Tanga Region has reached 72 per cent completion, with work now focused on building the bridge deck. TANROADS Regional Manager Engineer Msama Msama said the project includes the bridge and 25.6 kilometres of connecting roads along the Pangani–Tungamaa road section. He said all foundation work and construction of the bridge’s nine piers were complete, while deck construction was ongoing using Moving Scaffolding System (MSS) technology. 

(Source: Daily News) 

Rwanda 

Insurers Urged to Adopt Risk-Based Pricing for Motor Insurance 

Insurance companies have been urged to adopt data-driven pricing models that account for individual risk profiles, rather than charging motorists similar premiums regardless of their driving history or risk level. Hebert Asiimwe, Head of Financial Sector Development at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, said better use of customer data would enable insurers to develop more personalised products and set premiums that reflect the risks associated with individual policyholders. 

(Source: New Times) 

Ethiopia 

Expert Cites Crucial Role of International Cooperation in Enhancing Ethiopia’s Public Audit Quality 

International cooperation can help Ethiopia strengthen public accountability and improve public financial management through institutional capacity development, knowledge-sharing, and adopting international best practices, said Muhammed Dabo, Senior Manager at the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI) Bilateral Support Unit. The INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI) also highlighted the importance of international cooperation in strengthening public financial management through institutional capacity development and the adoption of global best practices. 

(Source: ENA) 

Sudan 

RSF Drones Strike Tendelti Power Plant, Cutting Electricity to North Kordofan 

A drone operated by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) bombed the Tendelti power transformer station in western White Nile State on Tuesday, knocking out the main transmission line to North Kordofan. Government sources in the Tendelti locality told Sudan Tribune that an RSF drone fired two missiles at the local power facility on Tuesday morning. The strike sparked a major fire at the plant, located in the far west of White Nile State. Sources reported that the bombing caused a complete shutdown of the facility, cutting off electricity to the city of Tendelti. 

(Source: Sudan Tribune) 

Somalia 

Gov’t Delegation Agrees to Cooperation with Morocco on Tourism, Renewable Energy, Mining and Agriculture 

A delegation from the Federal Government of Somalia, on an official visit to Morocco, met with several Moroccan ministries and institutions to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the fields of the economy, energy, mining, petroleum, water, agriculture, and tourism. The delegation includes Abdullahi Hayir Duale, Director General of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism; the Directors General of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Commerce; and directors, managers and officials from the Somali Chamber of Commerce and the country’s banking associations. The meetings form part of broader efforts to expand cooperation between Somalia and Morocco, develop investment opportunities, promote knowledge exchange and support economic growth. 

(Source: SONNA)