Zambia skipped a $56.1 million coupon payment on Jan. 30 on its Eurobond maturing in 2027, the Finance Ministry confirmed Sunday.
The southern African nation became Africa’s first pandemic-era sovereign to default after it missed a $42.5 million Eurobond coupon payment in November.
Zambia warned in October that it wouldn’t be able to meet obligations on foreign commercial debt unless creditors provided it with relief while the government worked to restructure its loans. [Bloomberg]
In a new interview, Kenyan tech entrepreneur Mubarak Muyika tells Yahoo Finance that aspiring business leaders on the continent understand the immense role that big tech companies will play in its economic development, saying that the acceleration of Africa’s digital commerce amid COVID-19 owes to steps taken by tech giants in the U.S.
“What's really driving growth in Africa isn't really COVID-19,” says Muyika, 26, the founder of an enterprise software company called Zagace. “It’s about big tech politics in the Bay Area.”
“The technical system in Africa isn't controlled in Africa,” he adds. “If you want to expand a business in Africa, it doesn't make sense to really invest in Africa, you invest in the Bay Area.”
“That’s where there’s the talent,” he says. “That's where there's big tech.”
In May, Facebook launched a project to build a massive 37,000-kilometer long undersea cable around Africa to bring internet access to more of its residents. The year before, Google (GOOG, GOOGL) made waves when it opened an artificial intelligence lab in Ghana, the first for the company on the continent.
Highlighting the industry’s potential on the continent, Google published a blog post in November entitled, “Understanding Africa’s $180 billion internet economy future.” Growth of the tech sector in Africa will include an influx of new consumers, predicts data firm Digital TV Research, which said in a report in October that the number of streaming subscribers on the continent will increase five-fold to nearly 13 million by 2025.
‘We have to be like the big five’
Muyika, who was raised in the suburbs of Nairobi but now spends most of his time in Silicon Valley, said his company counts nearly 2 million paying customers — 70% of them in Africa — for its suite of app-based enterprise products for small businesses.
He said he looks to the growth and scale of U.S. tech giants as a model.
“To become a big tech company in Africa, we have to be like the big five in the Bay Area,” he says.
Muyika, who grew up in the suburbs of Nairobi, spoke to Yahoo Finance Editor-in-Chief Andy Serwer in an episode of “Influencers with Andy Serwer,” a weekly interview series with leaders in business, politics, and entertainment.
Speaking with Yahoo Finance, Muyika said the tech giants not only promise potential growth for the region, but that Africa also provides an opportunity for those companies, which will gain a large swath of new customers and a friendly regulatory environment.
“We are at the point where the next billion customers for big tech...are going to come from Africa,” he says. “We're talking about a population that's going to be joining the internet.” [Yahoo.com]
In a unique public/private partnership, MTN, Africa’s leading mobile network, has announced a donation of US$25 million to support the African Union’s COVID-19 vaccination programme.
The donation will help secure up to seven million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for health workers across the continent, which will contribute to the vaccination initiative of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
“The devastating impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented and profound. Public and private partnerships are needed if we are to succeed in the fight against the pandemic and restore social and economic norms for our continent and our communities,” says Ralph Mupita, President and Chief Executive Officer of MTN Group.
On 14 January 2021, President Cyril Ramaphosa, Chairperson of the African Union, announced that the African Union had secured a provisional 270 million COVID-19 vaccine doses on behalf of its Member States, through advance procurement commitment guarantees of up to US$2 billion to the manufacturers by the African Export-Import Bank.
This was an important milestone in efforts to ensure equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine for Africa’s people. However, with a population of about 1.3 billion, Africa requires many more doses to achieve at least 60 percent herd immunity. Contributions by private organisations, like MTN, are therefore essential to help the continent reach its target.
“Our goal is to ensure that all those who need the COVID-19 vaccine have access to it very quickly, but the biggest hurdle in Africa has been financing of the vaccines, and the logistics of vaccinating at scale. We therefore welcome the right partnerships, like the one with MTN, to achieve our minimum 60 per cent vaccination target,” says Dr John Nkengasong, Director of Africa CDC.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, MTN has made significant contributions to help limit the spread of the disease and save lives and livelihoods within its African market.
This donation is another example of MTN’s efforts to help find lasting solutions to solve the challenges facing the continent and to guarantee a healthy Africa, for all Africans.
“We believe ongoing collaborations with key stakeholders across sectors are essential as vaccines are deployed in all our markets, with communication tools, technology and digital services being vital support infrastructure for a successful mass vaccination programme,” concludes Mupita. “In the coming months, MTN Group will look at similar support commitments for the markets in which we operate in the Middle East.” [MTN.COM]
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has formally launched the Africa Adaptation. Acceleration Program (AAAP) that would mobilize $25 billion to scale up and accelerate climate change adaptation actions across Africa.
This disclosure was made by the President of AfDB, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, during the Climate Adaptation Summit (CAS) 2021, hosted by the government of the Netherlands and the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA).
According to Dr. Adesina,
Dr. Adesina thanked Ban Ki-Moon for his role in the establishment of GCA’s regional office for Africa in Abidjan in 2020, which was hosted by the Bank.
He also acknowledged that the presence of John Kerry, U.S. special envoy for climate, provided a boost to global climate efforts and stated, “With you in charge, and the strong and palpable leadership of President Biden, we are reenergized on the global agenda on climate change”
The cases reached 50,319 following 1,408 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours out of 13,524 tests done, representing a 10.4 percent positivity rate.
According to the figures, 1,489 patients were discharged during the same period, bringing the total recoveries to 42,771 while 17 people died, bringing the total deaths to 705.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Jonas Chanda said schools will go ahead and reopen next month despite the cases not subsidizing.
He said during a COVID-19 update press briefing that this, however, will call for increased surveillance on schools by the education authorities. [CGTN]
ZAMBIA has been allocated 8.7million doses of Covid-19 vaccines under a facility being pioneered by the Africa Union.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, His Excellency Emmanuel Mwamba announced the development.
He said the initiative is being done under the COVID-19 African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT) a platform which has been created to ensure that upto 60% of Africa’s population were vaccinated against the Coronavirus by December 2021.
He said AVATT was created by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Chairperson of the African Union, in November 2020.
He said AVATT has been mandated to secure the necessary vaccines and blended financing resources for achieving Africa’s COVID-19 vaccination strategy which targets vaccinating a minimum of 60 per cent of Africa’s population.
Mr. Mwamba said AVATT’s efforts are focused on; securing enough safe and efficacious vaccine doses to vaccinate at least 60 per cent of the African population, estimating the funding needs for vaccine procurement and delivery and creating the financing mechanisms required to ensure that all African Union Member States can access and receive the vaccine doses they need to reach a minimum of 60 per cent immunisation.
He said under the mechanism, the vaccines are being sourced from Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, and AstraZeneca.
Pfizer and Johnsons & Johnsons are among the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, while AstraZeneca PLC is a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical.
He said a finance facility has been created under the AVATT- the Advance Procurement Commitment (APC) Facility to be backed by African Import and Export Bank (Afreximbank).
He said this mechanism aims at ensuring Africa’s access to the COVID-19 vaccines from no later than April 2021, by providing assurance to identified vaccine manufacturers that vaccine orders placed through the African Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP), are firm and will be paid for as may be agreed.
APC aims to guarantee Africa’s access to of COVID-19 vaccines in a manner that reduces the fiscal burden on member countries.
The mechanism will also ensure a timely, equitable and cost-effective availability of COVID-19 vaccine supplies within the African continent and by so doing, mitigate the protracted financial and socio-economic costs of the COVID-19.
This is also to provide a credible platform around which a blend of funding can be attached to support Africa’s COVID-19 vaccine procurement requirements.
The Task Team has provisionally secured 270 million vaccine doses for Africa for the critical period from April to December 2021.
He said Zambia’s allocation may rise to 25million doses by December 2021.
These vaccine doses, which are in addition to the expected COVAX doses, will be distributed through the African Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP).
The candidates and related quantities are; 50 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, 100million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, through the Serum Institute of India and 120 million doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine (upon satisfactory conclusion of phase III trials).
He said the vaccines will obtain prior approval by AVATT on the recommendation of the Africa-CDC.
Africa CDC will approve the vaccines having considered the necessary conditions, efficacy including vaccines which have been trialled in Africa and safety.
Mr. Mwamba said the Permanent Representative Committee (PRC) was briefed of the progress that has been made to ensure that member states began to receive the vaccines from March- April 2021.
This is according to issued by Mrs. Inutu Mupango Mwanza First Secretary (Press&Tourism), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia [Mwebantu]
Full-time
Contract type: National employment contract
Company Description
SNV Netherlands Development Organisation is a not-for-profit international development organisation. Founded in the Netherlands 50 years ago, we have built a long-term, local presence in 38 of the poorest countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Our global team of local and international advisors works with local partners to equip communities, businesses and organisations with the tools, knowledge and connections they need to increase their incomes and gain access to basic services – empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and guide their own development. For more information, please refer to our website: www.snvworld.org.
The Chambeshi Lukanga Sanitation & Hygiene Project
SNV Zambia is implementing the multi-country, Dutch funded Chambeshi-Lukanga Sanitation & Hygiene project in partnership with Chambeshi and Lukanga Water and Sanitation Companies as well as the respective Local Authorities of Kabwe, Kasama, Mbala, Nakonde and Mpulungu. The 5 years project (2017-2022) aims to sustainably improve access to and use of sanitation services and improve hygiene behaviours for 200,000 and 260,000 people respectively in peri-urban/urban areas. It is built on three core strategic objectives, namely (1) increasing demand for improved WASH facilities and practices, (2) improving the quality of service provision and by (3) improving governance of the sector.
Job Description
Project Assistant Position Summary
The Project Assistant (PA) will work in a cross-cutting support role for the Chambeshi Lukanga Sanitation & Hygiene Project under the coordination of the Project Manager. The role entails administrative management support responsibilities with contribution expected also on communication & visibility. Specific scope of work within the project is the following:
Support Project Administration in full compliance with SNV’s administrative and financial guidelines, including:
Supporting in procurement of goods and services,
Budgeting for activities and organization of respective retirements,
Logistic and Travel arrangements,
Documentation of payment requests
Provide general support to project activities and its documentation, including:
Preparing meetings agendas, attendance lists, attendant’s signatures
Activities & meeting reports, including recording and photo taking when relevant
Project documentation – hard and soft copies
Oversee consistency and coherence with SNV, donor and partner visibility guidelines for all activities and products of the project
Assist the technical advisors work as requested
The Project Assistant (PA) key responsibilities are the following:
Guarantee full alignment of financial and administrative operations within the Chambeshi Lukanga Sanitation & Hygiene Project with SNV’s financial and administrative guidelines
Lead administrative and financial related communication between the Lusaka office and the project locations
Ensure project documentation in line with SNV’s Project Management reporting and accountability requirements
Provide timely and high quality response to logistical and general support requests from the technical team
Guarantee quality and compliance with visibility guidelines, including in the office space, in the documents published and in the public events/activities delivered
Provide logistical support for project activities
Qualifications
a) University degree
b) Minimum 2 (two) years of relevant professional experiences, preferably in an International NGO
c) Knowledge in finance and administration procedures
d) Experience in organizing events/activities/training, including logistics and procurements
e) Very organized, results-driven, structured work style skills
f) Ability to communicate with a different range of stakeholders and partners, including government counterparts and international partners and donors
g) Ability to document activities (both in writing and visually) in an organized, straightforward way
h) Knowledge in Sanitation issues is a plus
Good computer skills (Ms. Word, Ms. Excel, Ms. Power Point, Internet and Outlook)[SNV JOBS]
Additional Information
Interested candidates should apply by sending Cover letter and CV not later than 19th January 2021.
We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Any form of solicitation by phone or other means will be treated as disqualification of the candidate. SNV is an equal employment provider.
The PF government says it is not considering introducing a National Dress Code.
In a statement, National Guidance and Religious Affairs Minister Reverend Godfridah Sumaili says the reported in the Daily Mail was a misrepresentation.
Reverend Sumaili said what is being considered is a National Dress which will be introduced after extensive consultations with stakeholders.
She said her Ministry cannot impose a National Dress on the citizenry.
Reverend Sumaili said the debate in the Dress Code is out of context and premature to be a topic currently in the midst of other national challenges such as the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. [LUSAKA TIMES]
Buy African Women in Cybersecurity
Zambia’s cabinet has approved the establishment of a national cybersecurity policy to ensure responsible use of social media and to protect users of social media, a statement released on Tuesday said.
The National Cyber Security Policy will also ensure effective mechanisms are put in place for a well-coordinated governance framework on cybersecurity in order to foster the creation of a secure, reliable and trustworthy cyber environment that increases confidence.
“The government, through this policy, will take responsibility of ensuring that the public sector, private sector, and civil society are not only aware of the dangers of cyberspace, but also that the respective sectors take necessary measures of securing themselves,” the statement said.
The policy will also assist in inculcating a culture of cybersecurity and protect victims against cybercrimes, guide the mechanism of coordinating cybersecurity matters and develop high local technical skills in cybersecurity, it added.
It also provides for child online protection and facilitates the identification, declaration and protection of national critical infrastructure. [africa.cgtn.com]
SOUTH Africa has announced the closure of 20 land port of entries until February 15, 2021, as part of the ongoing alert level three measures to fight increasing numbers of Coronavirus infections in that country.
According to a statement availed by First Secretary Press and Public Relations Officer Naomi Nyawali, Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Jackson Miti confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the border closures in a televised address to the nation.
“President Ramaphosa mentioned that based on recommendations of the National Coronavirus Command Council, Cabinet decided to maintain the country on adjusted alert level three in addition to new restrictions to reduce the high risk of transmission,” read the statement.
High Commissioner Miti advised Zambians intending to enter or depart South Africa to ensure that they were among categories of people that were exempted from travel restrictions.
He disclosed that the announced categories of people that would be allowed to enter or depart South Africa include transporters of fuel, cargo and goods, emergency medical attention for life-threatening conditions and permanent residents, foreign nationals leaving South Africa and daily commuters attending school in the country. [News Diggers]
Matilda Mwaba-Lucas, daughter to Ms Mwaba announced the sad development.
Ms Mwaba started her career in the corporate sector, however, after training in martial arts she was elected Chairperson of the Zambia Police Judo Club from 1997-1998.
She was then elected president of the Zambian National Judo Federation and served for 7 years.
Ms. Mwaba also served on the National Olympic Committee of Zambia Board.
She was the first female Judo Association President and later founded and became Chief Executive Director of the National Organisation for Women in Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation (NOWSPAR), a sports NGO.
NOWSPAR’s mission is to advocate for the equal participation of women and girls in sport at all levels, through research, policy analysis, awareness-raising and capacity development of women in sport and organisations to enhance the delivery of sport for the benefit of women.
May Her Soul Rest In Eternal Peace
Our heartfelt condolences to her family and the NOWSPAR team, an NGO she founded.
Go well Mama Judo. [MWEBANTU]
Zambian President Edgar Lungu has dismissed Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya with immediate effect, the president’s office said on Sunday, without giving a reason for the move.
Once seen as a potential presidential replacement for Lungu, Chilufya’s political ambitions have faded amid growing calls for his dismissal from opposition parties and health workers.
“The President has thanked Dr Chilufya for the services rendered to government and wished him well in his future endeavours,” the office said in a statement.
Chilufya, health minister since his appointment in 2016, was not immediately available for comment. - [REUTERS]
Fellow Citizens,
— Edgar Chagwa Lungu (@EdgarCLungu) January 10, 2021
I have terminated the appointment of Hon. Dr Chitalu Chilufya as Minister of Health with immediate effect.
To this effect, I have transferred Hon Dr. Jonas Kamima Chanda, MP Bwana Mkubwa, to the Ministry of Health. pic.twitter.com/RCYW0lFzZV
It wrote in a notice: “Due to the rising number of cases & the new strain in Zambia, we will be closing for our 1-week break, starting today. The rumour making its way around is unfounded, nevertheless- at Grandaddy’s we do care and we will monitor the situation before making a decision on reopening.” - [Zambia Reports Website]
