Kenya

Senators, MPs reach a deal on revenue allocation to counties 

County governments are set to receive Ksh 387 billion as equitable revenue share raised after the National Assembly Committee and the Senate struck a deal on the Division of Revenue Bill, 2024.  The impasse came about when the National Assembly voted against the Ksh 400 billion that had been proposed in the Bill. The National Assembly had proposed to reduce the allocation to Ksh 380 billion, which was slightly less than the allocation in Finance Bill 2024. The National Assembly, as goodwill, offered an additional Ksh 45 billion to the County Government Additional Allocation Bill in exchange for a speedy passage of both bills ahead of the long recess. When asked about the remarks made by the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury urging the governors to accept the proposed Ksh 380 billion, the legislators acknowledged that this amounted to interference with parliament’s mandate and the mediation committee. 

(Business Daily)

Tanzania

Government instals transformers to boost power supply in Dar es Salaam

The Tanzanian Government has announced the installation of transformers Kinyerezi 1 in a bid to improve the supply of electricity within Dar Es Salaam. The combined transformers are said to exceed 500  megavolts, increasing the reliance on natural sources of energy in the Kinyerezi 1 area. The installation aims to address the rising energy demands driven by the city’s rapid economic growth and development. The government avers that the increase in transformers is strategic in supporting the city’s expansion. 

(The Citizen) 

Uganda 

15 million mobile money SIM cards are inactive, UCC data shows

The Ugandan Communication Commission (UCC), in its assessment of the year’s performance, has found that, on average, about 14 million SIM cards are inactive, which accounts for about 33.1% of mobile money subscribers in Uganda. A mobile money SIM card is declared inactive if it does not transact consecutively for 90 days. Under the National Payment System Act, once such a SIM  card is declared inactive, it is suspended if the owner does not respond to the notice issued. The account is declared dormant, and any money held in it is transferred to the Bank of Uganda if no claims are made.  The UCC stated that once the SIM cards remain inactive for a while, the lines are repurposed and re-circulated into the market for use by potential new subscribers. 

(The Monitor) 

Ethiopia

NBE to undergo major reorganisation amid banking liberalisation

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) is set to undergo significant institutional reorganisation as the country moves toward a more liberalised financial system. Two key proclamations are expected to be finalised in the coming weeks, marking a turning point for Ethiopia’s banking sector. During recent parliamentary sessions, NBE Governor Mamo Esmelealem Mihretu outlined plans to modernise the regulatory body. Under the new NBE proclamation, a seven-member monetary policy committee will be formed to recommend monetary policies, including setting the National Bank Rate. The banking business proclamation aims to open Ethiopia’s financial sector to international banks while protecting local institutions. Under the draft law, Ethiopian-born foreign nationals will also gain investment opportunities with flexible options for using local or foreign currency.

(2 Merkato.com) 

Rwanda

Govt makes case for proposed public procurement institute

The government aims to address challenges such as gaps in procurement practices, insufficient technical expertise, limited knowledge among procurement officers, non-compliance with bidding regulations, and violations of procurement laws through the establishment of a National Institute of Procurement. The Minister of State in charge of the National Treasury at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) emphasised the need to overcome these obstacles to ensure Rwanda develops a robust pool of skilled procurement professionals. The institute is not intended to replace those already in existence but rather to focus on continuous professional development and certification in the procurement field. Through specialised training, the government aims to equip professionals with the critical skills needed to optimise purchasing processes, strengthen supplier partnerships, and drive cost efficiency.

(The New Times)

South Sudan

Acute food insecurity to hit majority of S. Sudan’s population next year, says UN

Sixty per cent of South Sudan’s population is projected to be severely food insecure next year, with more than two million children at risk of malnutrition, warns data from a United Nations-backed review. The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) review published on Monday, 18th November 2024, estimated that starting in April, 57% of the population would be suffering from acute food insecurity, which the UN defines as when a “person’s inability to consume adequate food puts their lives or livelihoods in immediate danger”. Almost 7.7 million people will be classed as acutely food insecure, according to the IPC, an increase from 7.1 million people the previous lean season.

(Aljazeera) 

Somalia

Somalia appoints new Director General for SNBS

The Somali government has appointed Dr. Abdisalan Abdirahman Mohamed as the new Director General of the Somalia National Bureau of Statistics (SNBS). The appointment was recommended by Minister of Planning, Investment, and Economic Development Mohamud Abdirahman Sheikh Farah and ratified during the weekly Cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre. Dr. Mohamed, with a PhD in Economics, is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing the statistical framework of Somalia, promoting data-driven governance, and contributing to the country’s development. His expertise is anticipated to fortify the SNBS’s efforts in providing accurate and timely data. 

(Shabelle  Media Network)