Radio Imanzi

18/05/2023

Akamaro k'ISOMERO: Ivyashikiye NTABWENGE kubera KAMIZI, ingene umuryango wamufashe mu mugongo...

29/04/2023

Igikino ISOMERO ISOKO RY'UBUZIMA: Ico NTABWENGE yahomvye...

16/12/2022

Mu Burundi bikomeje kugorana Ku bahanzi Nyarwanda! Ibi ni ibiki Koko! ibitaramo biri guhagarikwa umusubirizo pee😔😔😔😭😭😭😭😭ubuse kuki babikoze Koko! bari kubamagana!

KANDA SUBSCRIBE, LIKE NA COMMENTS KUGIRANGO VIDEO ZIJYE ZIKUGERAHO MU BAMBERE🥰🥰🥰

ABARUNDI BARI KWAMAGANA ABAHANZI NYARWANDA BARI BAGIYE KUGORERA IBITARAMO MU BURUNDI, MBEGA AGAHINDA WEEEEEEEEEEEUBUSE BARABAHORA IKI RA?

28/10/2022

28/10/2022

MTN launches MTN Skills Academy

MTN has launched the MTN Skills Academy to develop people across the continent as producers, consumers and innovators of digital technologies.

The ‘Digital Skills for Digital Jobs’ programme aim to enhance the link between digital skills training and demand for jobs, with the MTN Skills Academy acting as an accessible-to-all tool.

MTN’s operations across Rwanda, Ghana, Uganda and Zambia will be the first to roll out the MTN Skills Academy in 2022, followed by the MTN Group’s other markets in 2023.

“We aim to create solutions that enhance opportunities and tackle some of the challenges that Africa faces. Unemployment is chief among these, exacerbated by low digital literacy, access and skills,” says MTN Group chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer Nompilo Morafo.

The initiative complements the programmes being deployed across Rwanda and the continent, enhancing the ecosystem, said Rwanda’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology and Innovation Paula Ingabire during the launch on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress Africa in Kigali, Rwanda.

“We are particularly pleased to have the tools to get to hard-to-reach places by getting devices into people’s hands so that they can participate in the initiative and get the necessary skills to be employable.”

Of sub-Saharan Africa’s 200-million young people, around 38-million are not in any form of education, employment or training, explains MTN Rwanda CEO Mapula Bodibe.

“This number is rising, and young women are more than twice as likely to be affected as young men, according to the International Labour Organisation. The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development says that 60% of youth and adults must have at least a minimum level of proficiency in sustainable digital skills by 2025,” he continues.

The MTN Skills Academy, along with various public and private sector partners, focuses on: digital solutions to make career guidance accessible to all young people; access to free online digital and financial skills training; driving work readiness to enhance employment prospects; and creating a public and private sector-wide job hub to improve job placement prospects across Africa.

The inclusive programme features low-data use; zero-rating in select markets; country-specific and language functionality; as well as features that enable its use by differently-abled persons.

“It leverages the strengths of partners, including PACE Career Centre to provide comprehensive career guidance and online learning provider Coursera to provide basic, intermediate and advanced technology and business skills training.”

“With the MTN Skills Academy, Africans can prepare for emerging careers at unprecedented speed and scale, contributing significantly to solving the unemployment challenges the continent faces,” Morafo concludes.

Source: engineeringnews

28/10/2022

Gen Kazura meets Commander of French contingent deployed in Gabon
The Chief of Defence Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), General Jean Bosco Kazura has received Brig Gen François-Xavier Mabin, the commander of a French contingent deployed in Gabon.
Brig Gen Mabin is in Rwanda on a four-day official visit, which ends Friday.
According to an RDF statement, Brig Gen Mabin visit aims at strengthening military cooperation between RDF and the French Armed Forces, following discussions held in Paris in March between Gen Kazura and his French counterpart, Gen Thierry Burkhard.
Brigadier General Mabin said,“We have set up a roadmap and today we are in its implementation which will result in numerous cooperation actions and exchanges starting in 2023.”

28/10/2022

RWANDA: Police seize smuggled liquors worth Frw50 million

The Rwanda National Police RNP Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime (ASOC) unit has seized assorted wines, spirits and beers in Gisenyi Sector, Rubavu District valued at about Frw50 million.

The wines and liquors including Hennessy, Moet, and Jameson were recovered on Wednesday, October 26, in a house located in Gisenyi town, Rubavu Cell, Munini Village.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Mucyo Rukundo, the Western Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO) said that one person was arrested over the alleged smuggling and fraud.

"On Wednesday, October 26, at about 11p.m. in response to credible information on smuggled alcoholic beverages stored in a house in Gisenyi town; the ASOC team and the Regional Police Unit went to the said house where boxes of assorted wines, spirit and beers were recovered. Among them are 138 bottles of Hennessy, 120 bottles of Leffe beer, 96 bottles of Moet, 72 bottles of Bacardi, 72 bottles of Grand Marnier, 65 bottles of Jameson, 54 Sheridan's, among others," CIP Rukundo said.

Other wines and Whisky recovered include Glenfiddich, Absolut, V***e Clicquot, and Double Black.

"One suspect identified as Mbarushimana Alias Danny, was arrested at the store. The second person said to be the rightful owner of the wines and liquors, identified as Gakwaya Silas, is still on the run," CIP Rukundo added.

Mbarushimana told the Police that he was hired by Gakwaya to guard the house. He added that the goods were sneaked into Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), at night.

Smuggling is punishable under the East African Community Management Act, which is applicable in Rwanda, which provides that seized smuggled goods under article 199, are auctioned.

A taxpayer who commits fraud is also subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax and a likely imprisonment of between six months and two years.

25/10/2022

EU Lifts Sanctions against Burundi's new Prime Minister

The European Union (EU) has lifted sanctions against Burundi's new Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca and 2 other top officials imposed in 2015 for a violent crackdown on protests and a failed coup attempt.

Ndirakobuca and two others were said to be “undermining democracy or obstructing efforts to achieve a political solution to the current crisis in Burundi”.

The individuals were said to have been involved in perpetrating “acts of violence, repression or incitement to violence, including acts which constitute serious human rights violations”, according to a statement by the EU published in 2015

The other two officials whose sanctions have been lifted are Godefroid BIZIMANA who is the Director-General of the National Police and Léonard Ngendakumana former army general. Responsible for obstructing the search for a political solution in Burundi by participating in the attempted coup d'état of 13 May 2015 to overthrow the Burundi Government”.

25/10/2022

Rwanda Named as a Leader in Pushing Digital Acceleration in Africa

GSMA director general Mats Granryd has named Rwanda as a leader in pushing digital acceleration in the African Continent.

Mr. Granyrd was speaking today at the opening ceremony of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) which is being held in Kigali, Rwanda from October 25-27, 2022, bringing together 2,000 participants from more than 75 operators with almost 400 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem.

The meeting which normally takes place in Barcelona Spain will be showcasing cutting-edge technology demos that will redraw the boundaries of possibility.

The MWC also fuels innovation and grows ideas by introducing investors to visionary startups and guiding governments in the transition from physical to digital.

The Director General emphasized the powers of mobile connectivity and industry collaboration as major catalysts towards socioeconomic welfare, naming Rwanda as a leader in pushing digital acceleration in the African continent.

Granryd opened today’s keynote by recalling a story on how mobile technology has transformed the world in fundamental ways: before solar energy system and mobile banking were introduced, a local nurse had to close her home clinic after dark.

Today, her neighboring communities have access to a responsive healthcare system – progressing the growth of social welfare and inclusion.

The account points to the ample opportunities introduced by partnership across business sectors, a crucial factor in leveraging digitalization for the greater good and closing key barriers.

“Together, we need to make sure we are building towards a better and more resilient future for everyone. That means we are leaving no one behind,” he said.

Working together
Across Sub-Saharan Africa, mobile growth and pe*******on rates continue to grow. By the end of 2021, the region had more than 500 million mobile subscribers (more than 46 per cent of its population), offering a promising outlook on the continent’s digital acceleration.

However, Granryd warned of ongoing challenges, noting private sectors, government and civil society must work together to untangle the gender gap, digital literacy and cost issues.

Also appearing on the keynote session, Nompilo Morafo, chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer at MTN, concurred on the region’s challenges.

“Companies cannot do it alone. The government cannot do it alone. We need to make sure true collaborations really enhance digital economies across the continent.

25/10/2022

FULL SPEECH: President Kagame’s Remarks at the Mobile World Congress 2022, Kigali Rwanda

Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA, senior officials, business leaders, members of diplomatic corps, distinguished ladies and gentlemen.

It is a real pleasure to be joining you for the opening of the first in person mobile world congress in Africa.

I welcome you all to Rwanda, we are very pleased to host you. I wish to thank GSMA for choosing our country as the venue for this year's conference.

Digital technologies are a catalytic force for development in Africa, yet almost half of adults in low- and middle-income countries do not have access to the internet and even when living in areas with broadband coverage.

Digital infrastructure is key but it's not enough to leverage the potential of connectivity, investments in digital skills and literacy must be integrated in our national policies.

In Rwanda with the support of the private sector, Kigali Innovation City aims to develop a competitive and productive workforce and conducive environment for startups.

Africa is home to creative and tech savvy youth looking for the right platform to contribute solutions, we cannot afford to reduce them to statistics only or seat idly by as they seek opportunity outside of Africa.

Our young people have a lot to offer, we must do our part and keep our promise to them.

Significant strides have been made on the continent to accelerate the digital transformation through initiatives spearheaded by the African Union and Smart Africa among others.

However, to leave no one behind we must create a more enabling legal and regulatory environment.

However, to leave no one behind means a number of things as well and we must recognize that digital transformation is not a zero-sum game where progress must come at the expense of the most vulnerable not at all.

Everyone regardless of status, gender or nationality must benefit if we want to create lasting change.

Universal and meaningful connectivity for all can be a springboard for the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

This is less about leapfrogging legacy systems and more about digitizing faster and taking full ownership in building the Africa we want because we can all of us together.

Everywhere in the world emerging technologies are shaping our economic future as well as the conditions for peace and security.

To speed up prosperity technology has to go hand in hand with good governance. I trust that you will take this message with you throughout the conference.

Once again you are welcome to Rwanda, I wish you a very productive meeting and a pleasant stay in our country.

I thank you for your Kind Attention.

24/10/2022

KIGALI: Six killed, several injured in fatal accident

Six people were killed, and four others injured after a truck lost control along Yamaha-Kinamba road in Nyarugenge District on Sunday, October 23.

The spokesperson for Traffic and Road Safety department, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rene Irere, said that fatal accident occurred at about 4 p.m. when a HOWO truck registration number RAD 421E, experienced brake failure as it was sloping towards Kinamba from Yamaha in Amizero Village, Amahoro Cell, Muhima Sector of Nyarugenge District.

"The truck lost its brakes and rammed into another vehicle before rolling over the bridge. A team of medical personnel immediately rushed to the scene to save lives.

Unfortunately, six people, including the driver of the truck; and pedestrians who included two children, lost their lives. Bodies of the deceased were taken to Kacyiru hospital," SSP Irere said.

Four other people, who sustained serious injuries, he added, were evacuated to the hospital for medical attention.

Although the truck had a valid mechanical inspection certificate and installed with a speed governor, SSP Irere advised drivers to always inspect the status of their vehicles before embarking on the journey and to fix any mechanical fault that can lead to road accident, loss of lives and property.

24/10/2022

Rwanda and Mozambique Scraps Visa Requirements Between the two Countries
Rwanda and Mozambique have waivered Visa requirements for holders of ordinary passports between the two countries.

Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs Vincent Biruta and Mozambique's Minister of Interior signed an agreement on the exemption from Visa requirements for the nationals of the two countries in Kigali Rwanda on Thursday this week.

The Agreement is expected to encourage free movement and enhance collaboration between the two countries.

Rwanda and Mozambique enjoy good bilateral relations, since July 2021, a total of 2,000 Rwandan troops have been deployed in Cabo Delgado working alongside the Mozambican army and a Southern African Development Community (SADC) task force fighting Islamist militants, Ansar al-Sunna.

Rwanda for many years has been implementing an open policy where citizens from several countries are allowed to enter Rwanda without any visa requirement.

The visa-open policy has positioned Rwanda as one of the most open countries in the African continent.

19/10/2022

Uganda, Rwanda to beat Kenya in dollar millionaires growth

Kenya will trail Uganda and Rwanda in terms of growth in the number of super-rich individuals with investible assets worth more than $100 million over the next decade, due to more conducive business environments in the two East Africa Community states.

Kenya is projected to post a 55 percent growth in the number of centi-millionaires over the next 10 years to 2032, trailing Rwanda at 70 percent and Uganda at 65 percent, said a report by research firms New World Wealth and Henley & Partners.

Globally, Vietnam, India and Mauritius are expected to post the fastest growth in centi-millionaires in the decade at 95 percent, 80 percent and 75 percent, respectively.

The report said Kenya remains strong in wealth creation partly due to well-developed and neutral news media outlets that form investment decisions.

“It is important that most major outlets in a country are neutral and objective. A well-developed financial media space is especially important as it helps disseminate information to investors,” the report says.

Besides a favorable financial media, Kenya remains a favorable holiday destination for the centi-millionaires. The country is ranked the 9th top holiday destination for the mega-rich, with the Hamptons in the US leading the pack.

American centi-millionaires travelling to Kenya for the annual migration boosts the nation’s tourism industry, with luxury hotels and lodges such as Giraffe Manor (the most Instagrammed hotel), Kichwa Tembo tented and Angama Mara cashing in to accommodate the moneyed guests” Maryanne Maina, the chief executive officer of Swan Maison Concierge Paris, said in a comment in the report.

A separate report by New World Wealth and Henley & Partners last month ranked Nairobi fifth in terms of the number of dollar millionaires. The report showed Nairobi has 5,000 high net worth individuals (HNWI).

The report showed Nairobi is also home to 240 multi-millionaires, who have a net worth of more than $10 million, and 11 centi-millionaires, who are worth more than $100 million. It, however, does not have a dollar billionaire.

Kenya has 8,500-dollar millionaires, according to the Africa Wealth Report 2022, which was released by the same firm in April. This means that Nairobi is home to 59 percent of Kenya’s HNWIs, underlining its status as Kenya’s economic hub and richest city.

However, no African city made it to the list of the top 20 cities globally that have the highest number of dollar millionaires, which was dominated by US cities.

Henley & Partners Chief Executive Juerg Steffen noted that 14 of the Top 20 wealthiest cities in the world are in countries that host formal investment migration programmes, and actively encourage foreign direct investment in return for residence or citizenship rights.

SOURCE: NATION AFRICA

19/10/2022

Rwandan delegation attends Interpol General Assembly in India

The Rwandan delegation headed by the Secretary General of Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Col (rtd) Jeannot Ruhunga alongside Rwanda National Police (RNP) Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in charge of Administration and Personnel, Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza, is in New Delhi, India where they are attending the 90th INTERPOL General Assembly, which started on Tuesday October 18.

Rwanda hosted the 84th Interpol General Assembly in November 2015.

On the sideline of the ongoing 90th INTERPOL GA, on Tuesday, the Rwandan delegation held series of bilateral meetings with Police Chiefs and other high-ranking officials from law enforcement agencies in Europe and Africa.

DIGP Ujeneza, during the meeting with the Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Police, Gen. Jaroslaw Szymczyk; they discussed ways for RNP and Polish Police to work together in various matters of policing, including capacity building and fight against transnational organized crime.

DIGP Ujeneza also met with the Czech Republic Police delegation headed by Col. Sarka Hvrankova, the Director of International Police Cooperation. They also discussed ways to formalize cooperation especially in capacity development.

Meanwhile, the Rwandan delegation held a meeting with the Governor Director General of Turkish Police National Police, Mr Mehmet Aktas, who appreciated the good relations between Rwanda and Turkey.

In other separate bilateral meetings, the Rwandan delegation met with the Acting Botswana Commissioner of Police, Mr. Phemelo Ramakorwane, the National Commissioner of Eswatini Royal Police, Mr. William Dlamini, Namibian Police Chief, Lt. Gen Joseph Shimweelao Shikongo, Zimbabwe Commissioner General of Police, Mr. Tandabantu Godwin Matanga, and the General Commissioner of Belgian Federal Police, Mr. Marc Mesmaeker.

Discussions focused on building and strengthening cooperation and collaboration in policing matters.

The 90th Interpol General Assembly, which started on Tuesday October 18, will this Wednesday focus on strengthening collaborative response to financial crime and corruption, governance and data processing as well as operational and strategic partnership.

19/10/2022

RwandAir to operate direct flights from Kigali to London Effective November 6th

Rwandair will begin operating direct flights between Kigali and London from next month after dropping the route's stopover in Brussels.

The carrier will offer four weekly flights onboard its Airbus A330 fleet from November 6th.

Presently, the airline operates three weekly flights between Kigali and London involving a brief stopover in Brussels.

Yvonne Makolo, RwandAir CEO, said: "We are excited to be launching direct flights to London, which are on sale from today, due to the popularity of our current services. The UK is an incredibly important market for us, and we know our customers will value the shorter flight times and increased connections that will be offered by the new service."

Tickets for the new direct flights are now on sale, with return flights starting at £661 ($746). The airline's timings are ideal for passengers looking to connect to Rwandair's extensive network, which includes 28 destinations across Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

The full schedule is as follows:

1) KGL to LHR (Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun) - departs Kigali at 23:35, arrives in London at 06:20+1.

2) LHR to KGL (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun) - departs London at 20:30, arrives in Kigali at 07:00+1.

Rwandair's Airbus A330s will continue serving London, having been a mainstay on this route for the past five years. The airline has one Airbus A330-200 and one Airbus A330-300, both of which are fairly youthful at six years old.

Both of Rwandair's A330s were delivered to the airline in late 2016 and offer business and economy seating - the shorter -200 aircraft seats 244 passengers, while the longer -300 can accommodate up to 277 travelers.

These two jets are the only widebodies in the Rwandair fleet, which now consists of 12 aircraft. The airline also operates the Boeing 737, CRJ-900 and DHC-8 Dash 8 across its regional network.

19/10/2022

Europe Weighs Funding Rwandan Troops in Fighting Islamic State

The European Union is considering providing financial support to Rwandan troops fighting an armed Islamic State-linked force in Mozambique’s gas-rich northeastern region.

The insurgency by Islamist fighters that began in the region in 2017 has left more than 3,000 people dead and displaced nearly a million and prompted French energy company Total Energies SE to suspend a $20 billion natural gas project. Were production to begin, it would offer Europe an alternative source of supplies at a time when Russia is restricting gas sales to the continent.

The EU is “discussing the provision of support to the Rwandan deployment in Mozambique,” said Nabila Massrali, spokeswoman for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. “We will not comment on it until a decision is taken.”

According to Bloomberg, talks with member states are at an advanced stage, with the proposal receiving strong support from France, Germany and Italy, said two EU officials, who asked not to be identified because they aren’t authorized to speak publicly on the matter. The rationale for the deal aligns with the bloc’s desire to help the continent provide African solutions to African problems, while simultaneously upholding peace and security and securing a huge gas reserve off the Mozambican coast, the people said.

“There is ongoing joint mobilization by Rwanda and Mozambique to secure support from the EU peace facility, to ensure gains made against violent extremists” are maintained, said Yolande Makolo, a Rwanda government spokeswoman.

A 2,000-strong force of police and troops “dislodged insurgents from their strongholds” and “allowed civilians to return to their villages,” she said in an emailed response to questions.

Last month, the EU agreed to provide 15 million euros ($14.6 million) to the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique under the European Peace Facility, a 5-billion-euro fund that enables Europe to arm African armies bilaterally.

19/10/2022

Bank of Kigali Awarded Best Bank in Rwanda for Second Consecutive Year

Bank of Kigali (BK) has been awarded the Best Bank in Rwanda by the World's Best Banks Awards 2022 organized by an International Magazine, Global Finance.

The Global Finance (Magazine) award confirms Bank of Kigali's position as a leading bank in Rwanda.

The award also recognizes the success of the bank's reforms that has led to sustain­able growth of the lender and ben­efits its customers, investors and the country’s economy as whole.

The awards ceremony took place on October 15th, during the IMF/World Bank meetings in Washington, DC.

The Bank of Kigali has won the Global Finance ‘’Best Bank in Rwanda’’ for two consecutive years. The Global Finance accolades have become a trusted standard of excellence for the global financial community.

In the area of digital innovation, the bank continues to take lead in Rwanda with life-changing innovations in the financial services sector.

Bank of Kigali was incorporated in the Republic of Rwanda on December 22nd, 1966, as a joint venture between the Government of Rwanda and Belgolaise, the subsidiary of Fortis Bank.

The public private partnership involved the ownership of 50% of the ordinary share capital. The bank commenced its operations in 1967, serving as one of the then market leaders in the banking sector.

Following Fortis Bank strategy of withdrawing its operations in Africa in 2005, the Government of Rwanda acquired the Belgolaise share in 2007, thus increasing its direct and indirect shareholding in the Bank to 100%.

In compliance with revised laws relating to private companies in Rwanda, in 2011 the Bank changed its name from Bank of Kigali S.A to Bank of Kigali Limited and to BK Group PLC in 2017 with 3 subsidiary companies namely BK General Insurance, BK TecHouse and BK Capital.

19/10/2022

160 Zimbabwe Teachers Set to Arrive in Rwanda This Week

The first batch of over 160 teachers who successfully applied for jobs in Rwanda under a bilateral agreement between Zimbabwe and Rwanda will be leaving Harare today Wednesday evening for Kigali, according to Zimbabwe’s Sunday Mail.

The successful candidates went through online written examinations and oral interviews jointly conducted by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and Rwanda's Ministry of Education.

Last year, Zimbabwe and Rwanda agreed to facilitate the recruitment of 477 Zimbabwean professionals from various fields.

Recruitment is understood to be a continuous process through which more professionals are expected to progressively benefit.

17/10/2022

MOZAMBIQUE: Rwanda Security Forces discover a stockpile of weapons and ammunition hidden by terrorists

Rwandan soldiers in Mozambique unearthed a massive cache of weapons and ammunition in what is described as “pre-emptive action” to prevent ASWJ (Al Sunnah wa Jama’ah) operatives using them in future.
According to an official statement by the Rwanda Defense Forces, the stockpile includes hundreds of weapons ranging from small arms and rockets as well as ammunition and shells.
The weapons and ammunition were hidden by the terrorists during the time when the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) pursued and dislodged them from their strongholds in areas in Siri 1 and 2 in the general area of Mbau, the statement said.
The operation to discover the weapons is a pre-emptive action which denies the enemy the opportunity of returning and re-equipping themselves for further insurgent actions.

17/10/2022

IMF confident that Rwanda, Uganda economies to grow faster next year


Rwanda and Uganda will lead East African Community’s growth next year, but the International Monetary Fund warns of tough times ahead.

The tough times are being projected because of the tightening of economic policies, especially by the US whose Central Bank, the Federal Reserve Bank has been raising interest rates to curb inflation.

According to the IMF World Economic Outlook October forecast, Rwanda will grow at 6.7 and Uganda and 5.9 per cent in 2023, showing accelerated growths from 6.0 and 4.7 per cent respectively expected for this year. The two are followed by South Sudan with 5.6 per cent and Kenya which is expected to grow at 5.2 per cent and Tanzania with 5.1.

All the EAC countries are projected to post growths that are higher than the Sub-Saharan African average of 3.6 per cent, which itself declined sharply from the 4.7 per cent posted in 2021, according to the IMF.

The lower growth is due to “a worldwide slowdown, tighter global financial conditions, and a dramatic pickup in global inflation spill into a region already wearied by an ongoing series of shocks,” according to the outlook.

Uganda’s growth prospects are tied to an expected better agricultural output with the weather conditions expected to be better, and increased investment in the oil and gas sector as the country and the oil companies push for the first production in 2025.

The IMF report titled: Living on the Edge states worsening food security, inflation, and debt as the main challenges facing African countries, arising from the global shocks.

“Rising food and energy prices are striking at the region’s most vulnerable, and public debt and inflation are at levels not seen in decades. The most recent turmoil comes on top of a prolonged pandemic, leaving authorities with their most difficult and uncertain policy environment in years,” says the report.

The IMF says the outlook remains highly uncertain for Africa and that consequently, countries in the region are “living on the edge.”

“Late last year, sub-Saharan Africa appeared to be on a strong recovery path out of a long pandemic. Unfortunately, this progress has been abruptly interrupted by turmoil in global markets, placing further pressures on policymakers in the region,” said Abebe Aemro Selassie, Director of the IMF’s African Department.

Speaking outside the IMF and World Bank meetings, Bank of Uganda Deputy Governor Michael Atingi-Ego said it was high time African countries stopped relying on other regions if they were to avoid such external shocks.

“Africa is an innocent bystander and is being badly hit. It’s high time we, as Africans, come with our own solutions because it looks like these shocks are going to become more frequent and the intensity is going to become stronger,” he told a media interview in Washington DC.

External shocks have ensured that inflation increased faster and more persistently than previously anticipated, leading to high prices for essential food and energy items, which comprise about half of the region’s consumption basket.

And while the recent pickup in inflation is less striking relative to historical averages for sub-Saharan Africa, the cost-of-living squeeze has pushed millions of people into acute food insecurity and could weigh on economic growth and undermine social and political stability, according to the IMF analysis.

The East and Horn of Africa countries are some of the worst hit by food scarcity this year, with Uganda’s Karamoja region and Kenya’s north having to rely on emergency food aid, in a situation made worse by poor harvests.

Selassie appealed to authorities to give priority to vulnerable people in need of food.

“The utmost priority must be to protect the most vulnerable. Scarce resources should go to those who need them most. Poorly targeted emergency measures should be gradually phased out.”

He also cautioned against raising interest rates in a way that may abet inflation. “Policymakers should cautiously raise policy rates while keeping a close eye on inflation expectations and foreign exchange reserves,” he said, adding that the policymakers need to continue consolidating their public finances to preserve fiscal sustainability, particularly in the context of rising interest rates.

“With help, sub-Saharan Africa will be poised to fulfil the promise of the African century, contributing to a more prosperous, greener future for the region and the world,” he said.

The least growth rates are expected in Equatorial Guinea, the only ones expected to contact, South Africa, Eswatini, and Lesotho, all of which will grow by less than 2 per cent. In 2023, Senegal, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of Congo will lead Sub-Saharan Africa’s growth with rates of 8.1, 7.3, and 6.7 per cent respectively.

SOURCE: The Independent