Major International Business Headlines Brief ::: 14 May 2025
Bulls n Bears
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Major International Business Headlines Brief ::: 14 May 2025
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ü Nigeria: Vandalism - NRC Averts Train Accident Along Warri-Itakpe Railway Corridor
ü Nigeria Needs 100,000MW for Sustainable Growth - Ex-Power Minister
ü Nigeria: FG Commissions 2.5mw Solar Hybrid Power Project At NDA
ü Ethiopia Secures Over 1.6 Bln USD in Foreign Investment
ü Nigeria: House Urges Govt to Intervene, Ensure Reversal of Blockade By Benin Republic
ü Nigeria: Govt Sues Pan Ocean for $49.9m in Unpaid Oil Royalties
ü Nigeria: PDP Denies Anyanwu Signed Anambra Forms Despite Contrary Evidence At INEC
ü Nigeria: Tax Reform Bills Win for States, Step Toward Revenue Autonomy
ü South Africa: Lottery Underspends R1-Billion in Grants
ü Nigeria Sees Highest Growth in 10 years - World Bank Report
ü Kenya: Funding Crisis Derails Confirmation of Over 20,000 Intern Teachers
ü South Africa: Gautrain Cuts Fares for Vulnerable Groups
ü Nigeria Committed to Tax Reforms - Tinubu
ü Kenya: Illicit Brew Accounts for 60pc of All Alcohol Sold - Euromonitor Study
ü Tanzania: East African Allies - Tanzania and Somalia Accelerate Partnership for Regional Prosperity
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Nigeria: Vandalism - NRC Averts Train Accident Along Warri-Itakpe Railway Corridor
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has averted a potential train accident along the Warri-Itakpe railway corridor following the quick mobilisation of staff to fix 250 kilometres of tracks and bolts/clips removed by hoodlums.
Managing director of the Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa who made this known, said the quick alert raised by the Agbarho vigilante community of Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State necessitated the immediate mobilisation of staff to repair the vandalised section before allowing the Warri-Itakpe passenger train to operate on Monday morning.
He noted that, the repair work carried out at the Agbarho-Okpara section caused delay of the WITS 01 of May 12, 2025 for 40 minutes before departure.
The NRC boss explained further that, "Following a report from the community vigilante group of track vandalism at Agbarho Community, Ughelli North LGA of Delta State, the railway track and safety officers were quickly dispatched early this morning to verify the report and do the needful for safe passage of the train
"Arriving at the site, the men discovered that from km 250 Agbarho - Okpara Section had been vandalized and the hold down bolts and clips made away with by the hoodlums.
"The Railway crew promptly replaced all that were vandalized and the track has been confirmed safe for the passage of trains and because of that unfortunate incident, WITS 01 of May 12, 2025 experienced a 40 minutes delay in departure."
In another sad development, in the Eastern District of the Corporation, following a reported case of vandalisation by PTO (HO) of two spans on bridge No.24 at KM284 (Oghaho section) Nkanu East LGA, Enugu State, Eastern District, a team of Railway Policemen and engineering crew were despatched from Enugu to the site on an assessment and security watch.
The managing director stated that, on getting to the site, NRC officials discovered that a whole length of (Bridge 24) heavy frames were cut into pieces by the criminals, using oxygen and acetylene.
He pointed out that, while the vandals had fled, the long spans bridge beams were met on ground and efforts are being made to recover them.
While commending the effort of the security agencies so far in stopping this economic sabotage, Opeifa encouraged them to redouble efforts as his administration is ever ready to support them in dealing with the challenging task of securing railway facilities across the country.
He specifically thanked the Agbarho Community Vigilante Group for having an eye on the NRC track adding that other communities to emulate the Agbarho Community Vigilante and begin to own Railway facilities in their communities as they are national assets.
Read the original article on Leadership.
Nigeria Needs 100,000MW for Sustainable Growth - Ex-Power Minister
Nigeria must generate and make available at least 100,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity to meet its industrial, economic, and population demands, according to Barth Nnaji, former minister of power and chairman of Geometric Power Limited.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV's Morning Show, Nnaji said Nigeria's current energy generation and transmission capabilities fall woefully short of the levels required to stimulate sustainable economic growth and provide reliable power to its over 200 million citizens.
"As we are now, the transmission infrastructure is simply not going to be able to carry the required power in the nation. We need at least 100,000mw of power here to be available--not just installed--to be able to serve this country," he said.
Nnaji highlighted that Nigeria's installed power capacity--currently hovering around 13,000MW, with less than 5,000MW actually available on the grid--lags behind the energy needs of comparable emerging economies. In contrast, South Africa, with a much smaller population, has an installed capacity of over 58,000mw, while Brazil and India are generating over 180,000mw and 400,000mw respectively.
Speaking on the Federal Government's new National Integrated Electricity Policy, Nnaji described the initiative as promising but warned that without proper execution, it may not yield significant results.
"For the policy to work, there must be aggressive investment in generation capacity, complete overhaul and expansion of transmission infrastructure, and the implementation of cost-reflective tariffs," he stated.
He criticised the continued financial burden placed on the federal government due to a dysfunctional pricing model in the electricity sector, pointing to the more than N4 trillion debt accumulated due to unsustainable electricity subsidies.
"If we want to have electricity, it must be paid for. There is no place in the world where electricity is free. But it must be affordable and cost-reflective. When DisCos are unable to recover their costs, and the Federal Government continues to bear the gap, it becomes unsustainable," Nnaji explained.
The former minister also weighed in on the Federal Government's proposal to ban the importation of solar panels in a bid to promote local manufacturing. While supportive of the idea in principle, Nnaji expressed doubts about Nigeria's current readiness for such a transition.
"The idea of producing goods for our consumption is good. But do we have the capacity to produce solar panels to meet demand? I'm not sure that we are there yet," he said.
He cautioned that while the move could eventually boost domestic manufacturing, a sudden ban could lead to unintended consequences, including shortages and price hikes.
"I don't think that immediately banning the importation of solar panels will get us there. But perhaps it might stimulate a lot of people to invest in local production," he noted.
Instead of relying solely on renewables, Nnaji advocated for a more balanced and pragmatic energy strategy--one that leverages Nigeria's abundant natural gas reserves as a bridge fuel while scaling up renewable energy solutions over time.
"We think that renewable energy is an immediate solution. It is not going to be an immediate solution for a while," he said.
He urged the government and private sector to invest more in gas-powered electricity plants, saying the country's massive natural gas resources remain underutilised.
"We have an abundance of natural gas. We need to capitalise on this by producing the gas to power plants. At the same time, we should be encouraging the building of solar plants. It must be a combined strategy," he said.
Nnaji's remarks come at a time when Nigeria is grappling with a deepening power crisis that has crippled industries, constrained economic productivity, and hindered foreign investment.
As global conversations around energy transition and climate change accelerate, stakeholders are calling on the Nigerian government to make bold, data-driven decisions to address energy poverty while unlocking the economic potential of a stable electricity supply.For Nnaji, the way forward is clear: "We cannot afford to delay. Power is the foundation of industrial growth, job creation, and national prosperity. Without adequate power, development will remain a distant dream."
Read the original article on Leadership.
Nigeria: FG Commissions 2.5mw Solar Hybrid Power Project At NDA
The federal government has commissioned a 2.5 megawatt solar hybrid power plant at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna through the Ministry of Power and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
The project, part of the Energising Education Programme (EEP) Phase II, is expected to provide uninterrupted power to academic buildings, staff quarters, barracks and other critical facilities, benefiting over 12,368 people, including cadets, faculty, and administrative staff.
Speaking at the commissioning, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu emphasised the need for a sustained investment of $10 billion annually over the next two decades to resolve the country's power crisis.
He also highlighted the importance of bridging the 50% metering gap through the presidential initiative, which aims to install 18 million meters in five years.
REA Managing Director, Abba Abubakar, said the project would significantly reduce dependence on diesel and greenhouse gas emissions.
The hybrid system integrates solar PV, battery storage, and diesel backup to ensure a round-the-clock electricity supply.
He added that the project created 403 jobs during its construction, trained 20 female STEM cadets in solar installation, installed seven transformers and 288 solar-powered street lights across 9 kilometres, thereby enhancing night-time security and mobility within the academy.
The NDA Commandant, Major General Abdul Ibrahim, lauded the initiative and assured of continued collaboration with the Ministry of Power.
Read the original article on Daily Trust.
Ethiopia Secures Over 1.6 Bln USD in Foreign Investment
ADDIS ABABA-- Ethiopia is making significant strides in its bid to become a premier investment destination in Africa, having secured over 1.6 billion USDs in foreign investment during the Invest in Ethiopia High-Level Business Forum 2025.
The forum was concluded yesterday here and the two-day event drew global investors, development partners, and key government officials, marking a major milestone in the country's ambitious economic reform and transformation agenda.
Speaking on the occasion, Finance Minister Ahmed Shide described the event as a powerful endorsement of Ethiopia's reform journey and its commitment to private sector-led growth.
He emphasized that the government remains unwavering in its efforts to stabilize the macro-economy, foster a competitive business environment, and implement the recently launched Macroeconomic Reform Program.
He invited international investors to become active partners in Ethiopia's transformation, stressing that the moment is ripe for bold, long-term investments.
The forum's highlight was the signing of five major investment agreements, signaling a surge in investor confidence and a strong vote of trust in Ethiopia's future.
Among the agreements signed were large-scale investments in renewable energy, mining, and manufacturing, with companies committing substantial capital to develop solar infrastructure, establish mineral processing plants, and expand local industrial capacity.
The deals reflect growing international interest in Ethiopia's resource potential and strategic location.
Minister Ahmed noted that the forum served multiple critical purposes. It successfully communicated the government's policy reforms to the international business community, showcased Ethiopia's broad investment and trade opportunities, and fostered meaningful connections between local and global stakeholders. He added that the investment commitments secured during the forum were a tangible outcome of these efforts and a testament to Ethiopia's growing appeal as a destination for capital and innovation.
The Ethiopian Investment Commission Commissioner Zeleke Temesgen echoed the finance minister's sentiments. In his closing remarks, he praised the forum for bridging the gap between global investors and Ethiopia's public and private sectors. He underlined that creating a favorable investment climate remains at the heart of the Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda.
While acknowledging ongoing challenges, Zeleke affirmed the Commission's dedication to resolving investor concerns and enhancing inter-agency coordination to facilitate smooth business operations.
The forum also highlighted Ethiopia's sectoral strengths, with growing opportunities in agriculture, ICT, services, and renewable energy. It demonstrated that the government's reform narrative is resonating globally, as evidenced by the scale and diversity of investments announced.
Looking ahead, Finance Minister Ahmed Shide announced plans to institutionalize the Invest in Ethiopia Forum as an annual platform for engagement, strategy, and capital mobilization. He concluded by reaffirming the government's commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship, supporting innovation, and building a resilient economy driven by the private sector.
The 2025 forum, with its high-level participation and substantial outcomes, represents a turning point in Ethiopia's investment journey--positioning the country as a dynamic and forward-looking hub for sustainable growth in Africa.
Read the original article on Ethiopian Herald.
Nigeria: House Urges Govt to Intervene, Ensure Reversal of Blockade By Benin Republic
Abuja — The House of Representatives has called on the federal government to intervene and ensure the reversal of the blockade by the government of Republic of Benin for free movement of people, goods and services.
The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion moved at the plenary on Tuesday by Hon. Mohammed Bio.
Moving the motion, the lawmaker said there are several border communities in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, one of which is Tabera, sharing boundary with Tandu Community in Parakou, Republic of Benin.
Bio explained the proximity of Nigeria through Baruten to the Republic of Benin has opened up bilateral relationships between the two countries in the area of movement of people, goods and services.
He added that Tabera-Tandu Road serves as the easiest road and sole agricultural trade route linking Okuta District in Nigeria with Parakou Province in the Republic of Benin.
The lawmaker recalled that on the 6th May, Beninese Security Personnel in joint operation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce on the order of the President of Republic of Benin effected a pre-dawn blockade of Tabera-Tandu Road with heavy stones, barring movement of people, goods and services between Nigeria and Republic of Benin.
Bio argued that this presidential directive of blockade has disrupted movement of people, seasonal cashew and soya beans trade that are critical to rural livelihood of people in the border communities of the two countries.
He expressed worry that the blockade is making life unbearable for people and this may force them to cause breach of law and order.
The lawmaker also expressed worry that the blockade poses a significant strain on bilateral relations and ECOWAS trade cooperation which Nigeria and Republic of Benin are parties to.
He noted that continuation of the blockade restricting movement of people, goods and services without urgent resolution could ignite rancours between people of the two countries and further contribute to insecurity the two countries are battling within that part of the countries.
The House resolved to: "Urge the federal government to initiate diplomatic representations to the Government of Republic of Benin to resolve the problem and ensure reversal of the blockade for free movement of people, goods and services in accordance with agreements between the two countries and ECOWAS Policy."
It also mandated the House Committees on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Integration for Africa, Treaties, Protocols and Agreements to intervene and report back to the House within four weeks.
Read the original article on This Day.
Nigeria: Govt Sues Pan Ocean for $49.9m in Unpaid Oil Royalties
The federal government has reignited its legal battle against Pan Ocean Oil Corporation (Nigeria) Limited over the alleged non-payment of $49,936,088.31 in oil and gas royalties, concession rentals, and gas flaring penalties.
The plaintiffs in the suit are the Minister of Petroleum Resources, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In an amended statement of claim filed before the Federal High Court in Lagos by Akin Akintoye, SAN, the government alleged that Pan Ocean, while operating Oil Mining Lease (OML) 98 under a joint venture with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), failed to meet its statutory obligations under the Petroleum Act.
These obligations include the payment of royalties, concession rentals, and gas flare penalties.
Despite several demands and Pan Ocean's written acknowledgment of the debt in a letter dated January 24, 2019, the government claimed the company has refused to pay the outstanding amount.
In the suit before Justice Daniel Osiagor, the government further stated that Pan Ocean's continued non-compliance prompted the Minister of Petroleum to revoke OML 98.
The plaintiffs argued that the unpaid royalties deprive the government of vital revenue needed for national development.
They emphasised that the case was not about asset ownership or crude oil sales, but about mandatory statutory payments required from all leaseholders.
The government is seeking a declaration confirming Pan Ocean's liability and an order compelling the company to pay $49,936,088.31 as of March 24, 2019.
It is also requesting interest at the rate of 10 percent per annum from February 1, 2019, until the date of judgment, and post-judgment interest until the debt is fully paid.
In its defence and counter-claim, filed by George Babalola, SAN, Pan Ocean denied most of the government's allegations.
The company attributed its inability to meet payment obligations in part to NNPC's alleged seizure of its share of crude oil worth $24,091,674 between January 2018 and March 2019.
Pan Ocean also cited heavy capital investments, including a 3D/4D seismic survey, a 200 mmscfd gas processing plant, and the Amukpe-Escravos crude export pipeline as reasons for its financial strain.
It said it invested $20.87 million in the seismic survey alone, intended to boost the declining production capacity of OML 98.
After the revocation of OML 98, Pan Ocean said it continued to operate the lease as a default operator on behalf of the government until May 2021, when the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) took over operations.
During that period, the company claimed it incurred $65.35 million in operational costs, of which $36 million has been reconciled with the Department of Petroleum Resources (now the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC).
As a result, Pan Ocean is counter-claiming a total of approximately $110 million--specifically, $65,352,399 for post-revocation operations (including the reconciled $36 million and an unreconciled $29.34 million), $20,874,164.40 for its share of the seismic data project, and $24,091,674 as its 40 percent share of crude oil proceeds allegedly withheld.
The company is asserting its right to set off the reconciled costs against the government's claim and is seeking full reimbursement for all expenses incurred during its stewardship of OML 98.
Read the original article on This Day.
Nigeria: PDP Denies Anyanwu Signed Anambra Forms Despite Contrary Evidence At INEC
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday,denied claims that Senator Samuel Anyanwu signed the list submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), bearing the names of its candidates in the Anambra State PDP governorship, despite evidence to the contrary that he actually did.
But Anyanwu has stood his ground, insisting that in spite of the denial by a section of the PDP leadership, he actually signed the forms.
This was as a former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, also yesterday, described his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a hospital, with a 50-50 chance of survival.
Disputing claims that Anyanwu signed the nomination forms bearing the party's candidates for the Anambra election, the PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the forms were signed by the acting national secretary, Mr. Setonji Koshoedo
"The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a report in today's (yesterday) edition of the THISDAY Newspapers regarding the forwarding of the nomination of our party's candidates for the November 8, 2025, Anambra State Governorship election to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
"The said report with the caption "Wike Tightens Grip on PDP as Anyanwu Reassumes Role as National Secretary" is false and apparently scripted to mislead the public and cause confusion in our party.
"For the avoidance of doubt, the Nomination Form for the PDP candidate in the Anambra State governorship election was signed by the duly authorised signatories of the party; the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Iliya Damagum and the Acting National Secretary, Arch. Setonji Koshoedo in a letter with reference number: PDP/DOM/GF.2/VOL.1J/25-065 dated Wednesday, May 07, 2025. (Document attached).
"It should be noted that in the light of the Supreme Court judgement affirming the supremacy of the Party over its Internal affairs, the NWC in a letter with reference number: PDP/DOM/GF.2/ VOL. IF/25-061, dated May 05, 2025 and signed by the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Iliya Damagum and the Acting National Secretary, Arch. Setonji Koshoedo. (Document attached), conveyed to INEC, the resolution taken at its 600th meeting wherein it directed the Deputy National Secretary to act as National Secretary in line with the provision of Section 36 (2) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).
"For clarity Section 36 (2) of the PDP Constitution empowers the Deputy National Secretary "to act as National Secretary whenever so directed," Ologunagba stated.
He further said, "It is also clear by the date and time stamp on the nomination page on INEC portal that the Commission concluded on the nomination process based on the documents duly co-signed by the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Iliya Damagum and the Acting National Secretary, Arch. Setonji Koshoedo.
"The NWC, therefore, urges all members of the PDP, the media and the general public to disregard the said report as well as the fake letter being circulated in the social media.
"While reassuring on the credibility of our internal processes, the NWC urges all members of the PDP to remain steadfast and focused especially as our Party prepares for the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and the National Convention," Ologunagba explained.
However, when contacted, Anyanwu, insisted that he signed the authentic nomination forms for the Anambra State Governorship election.
According to him, he signed the nomination form when INEC rejected the earlier nomination form sent to election management board.
"The person that signed the statement is not in the true picture of what is happening" Anyanwu further stated, adding that, "he was persuaded to sign the nomination forms on Monday. Debo Ologunagba does not know what is happening.
"INEC rejected the earlier letter signed by Sotonji Kodesho as acting national secretary.He is not known to INEC. So, I will keep my cool. What I did is in the over all interest of the party. INEC should also tell Nigerians whose letter is accepted in the nomination form," he said.
Anyanwu told THISDAY that when his attention was drawn to the statement, "Even a governor and a member of the Saraki-led committee called and pleaded that I should sign the nomination forms. I signed the nomination forms on Monday," Anyanwu said.
He also disclosed that the Saraki strategy committee has resolved the leadership crisis in the party.
PDP in Intensive Care, Has 50% Chance of Survival, Declares Ex-Benue Gov, Suswam
A former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, has described his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a hospital, with a 50-50 chance of survival.
The ex-governor, who spoke on Arise Television, explained that it would be difficult to revive the party if the Bukola Saraki committee failed to bring PDP's divided house together.
Suswam spoke, even as a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Bode George, flayed key members, who have recently defected from the party, describing their action as disgraceful.
Characterising the party as 'very sick', Suswam expressed doubt as to whether the PDP could fully recover to face the 2027 general election, insisting that more defections would take place if the party failed to put its house in order.
His words: "For now, I would say that PDP is in the hospital. It's in the ICU to some extent. Yes, it is. Can it be rescued? Yes, if the proper medicine is applied. It's a 50-50 situation.
"This last effort, which is headed by Senator Saraki, if we are unable to address the issue, then of course it's likely that you might not have PDP the way you have it now," he argued.
"Senator Saraki is a very distinguished Nigerian. Of course, when it comes to character and integrity, you can count on him. And so I believe that people will listen to him. Whether some of them will believe him is a different kettle of fish.
"But then, he has an arduous task of reconciling people who are genuinely aggrieved. He has started the efforts and I believe that will yield results," the former Benue state governor added.
He lamented that the party had taken too long to fix its problems, stressing that it was a testament to the party's lack of urgency in handling its challenges.
He explained: "It took PDP so long to convene a meeting to talk about these issues. And so people are asking the question, are these people serious? And I asked that question myself. PDP as a party, are we serious? I don't think that we're that serious."
Suswam said even the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party that is expected to hold soon is still in doubt, pointing out that the event has already been postponed up to five times.
"NEC of the party is a make or mar NEC. I would say that I don't have much confidence in the NEC holding because it has been postponed for up to five times. And if the NEC holds, this NEC will make or mar PDP. For now, let's hope that the efforts of this great Nigerian Senator, Saraki, will yield some result," he said.
Speaking further, he said, "A lot of people are hanging on, waiting to see the ultimate end of this party," with many members having lost hope and believing the party might not survive its current crisis.
On his part, George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, has stressed that although the party was not beyond redemption, the recent defection of key members was disgraceful.
Speaking, too, on Arise Television, George noted that those who were bent on killing the party because of their personal grievances, were dancing on the grave of the party's founding fathers.
"I believe there's always room for reconciliation, especially in a political setup. You don't shut your doors and think all is not well. The essence of this is to ensure that you moderate the anger that has been exhibited on all sides.
"Because Nigerians are waiting, they are watching, and it's a load of disgrace when I see some of the top-rated members of our party jumping ship. It doesn't speak well of civilised behavior.
"But I'm happy that they have selected a few people who will meet (all) groups and be able to reconcile them, so that by the time we come to the next meeting on the 27th of this month, it will be seamless and be like before," he posited.
He however, reminded the Saraki committee to tell all the groups they would be meeting with that a "divided house will remain a defeated house," and that, "because of their personal grievances, they should remember that they are still dancing on the graves of the founding fathers of our party and this party is not an enterprise of any individual.
On whether the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was not being overly pampered by the party, George maintained that a party, like families, will always have all kinds of characters, but insisted that no one was above the party.
"No individual is bigger than this party. This reconciliation committee will be the last gap before the next meeting," he added.
Read the original article on This Day.
Nigeria: Tax Reform Bills Win for States, Step Toward Revenue Autonomy
Analysts in the financial service sector have lauded the recent passage of four major tax reform bills by the Nigerian Senate, describing them as a bold step toward fiscal federalism and a rebalancing of revenue control between the federal and subnational governments.
The four bills, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, the Nigerian Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill form a critical pillar of President Bola Tinubu's fiscal reform agenda. Together, they propose a sweeping overhaul of Nigeria's tax architecture, including the replacement of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) with a new Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS), harmonisation of tax administration across tiers of government, and a coordinated national approach to tax policy enforcement.
One of the most debated provisions was the revision of the Value Added Tax (VAT) sharing formula. While the Senate rejected a proposal to gradually raise VAT from 7.5 per cent to 15 per cent by 2030, it approved a redistribution of revenues. Under the new formula, the federal government's share drops from 15 per cent to 10 per cent, the states' share rises from 50 per cent to 55 per cent, and local governments retain their 35 per cent allocation.
Analysts at Parthian Partners described the VAT adjustment as noteworthy, adding that based on the place of consumption.
They stated: "Notably, VAT rate was left unchanged at 7.5 per cent, as against the proposed increase to 10 per cent. However, there was a revision in the VAT sharing formula. Now based on the place of consumption, the Federal Government will receive 10 per cent, down from 15 per cent, States will get 55 per cent up from 50 per cent, while Local Governments will receive 35 per cent unchanged.
On their part, Commercio Partners noted that the restructuring of the Nigerian Revenue Service would bring greater accountability through "regional representation and strict reporting standards," while allowing more room for state autonomy in tax matters. "The Senate passed all four tax reform bills proposed by President Tinubu, rejecting attempts to raise VAT and cut statutory funding for key agencies like TETFund, NITDA, and NASENI," the firm stated.
The reforms are also seen as a political win for state governors, many of whom have long agitated for a fairer revenue-sharing formula. Analysts argue that the new structure, while still centrally coordinated, gives subnational entities a stronger fiscal base to develop infrastructure and improve social services.
In its policy outlook, Commercio added that while stakeholder resistance--particularly from labour unions like the TUC and academic unions like ASUU--played a role in halting the VAT increase, the retention of the existing rate alongside a more equitable revenue formula shows that legislative compromise is still possible in Nigeria's tax policy discourse.
They stated: "The Nigerian Senate has successfully passed all four tax reform bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu, marking a significant step in overhauling the country's tax administration and revenue collection systems. Recently, the Senate approved the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill and the Nigerian Tax Administration Bill, which, among other provisions, proposed the replacement of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) with a new Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) and recommended adjustments to the VAT revenue-sharing formula to favour states and local governments.
"The structure of the NRS includes regional representation and strict reporting standards, while debates centered around VAT collection methods and the autonomy of states in revenue sharing. On Thursday, the Senate passed the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, rejecting proposals to gradually increase VAT to 15 per cent by 2030 and to reduce statutory funding for key agencies like TETFund, NITDA, and NASENI.
"Stakeholder opposition, especially from TUC and ASUU, led the Senate to retain the 7.5 per cent VAT rate and preserve agency funding, while recommending the inclusion of cybersecurity and defense agencies in the distribution of statutory funds. With all four bills passed and a harmonisation committee set up to reconcile differences with the House of Representatives' version, the final unified bills will be sent to President Tinubu for assent." With the establishment of a harmonisation committee to reconcile differences with the House of Representatives' version of the bills, analysts are optimistic the final laws once signed by the President could signal a shift in Nigeria's fiscal structure toward one that encourages state-led development and diversifies the revenue base beyond oil.
Read the original article on This Day.
South Africa: Lottery Underspends R1-Billion in Grants
Auditor-General find lots of problems, as the institution battles to recover from over a decade of mismanagement and corruption
The Auditor-General issued the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) a qualified audit opinion for 2023/24, citing poor internal controls and nearly R1-billion in underspent grant funds.
Grant delays were mainly caused by vacancies and weaknesses in grant processing and oversight.
The audit revealed repeated non-compliance, unachieved performance targets, asset mismanagement and failure to investigate irregular expenditure.
Three material irregularities were flagged, including millions lost in incomplete or undelivered projects.
The Auditor-General of South Africa has urged the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) to urgently tighten its internal controls. For the 2023/24 financial year, the Auditor-General issued the NLC with a qualified audit, flagging poor financial oversight, non-compliance and nearly R1-billion in unspent grant funding.
In a briefing to Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) on Tuesday, officials from the Auditor-General's office highlighted several concerns, notably a massive underspending on grants. The NLC underspent R957-million in grant allocations. This was largely due to vacancies in the NLCs Distribution Agency committee, which delayed adjudicating grant applications, as well as systemic weaknesses in grant processing and internal controls.
Corne Myburgh, Auditor-General business unit leader, said the main qualification area remained grants management. "There have been a number of years where the NLC has received qualified opinions. For the last two years specifically, it was more in relation to the grants management," said Myburgh.
She acknowledged some improvements, including the introduction of site visits before grant approval, changes to the NLC's grants policy and adjustments to its accounting policy. However, she said the NLC still fell short of meeting audit requirements.
Auditor-General senior manager Aphendule Mantiyane said the audit outcome was consistent with the previous year, but the nature of the qualification had changed. In 2022/23, the NLC had not been able to provide reliable evidence that its expenditure on grant allocations was properly recorded, due to poor record-keeping.
But for 2023/24, the NLC had recorded grant spending in its financial statements, even though the conditions required to recognise this spending had not been fully met.
Mantiyane also flagged repeated non-compliance with legislation, performance targets, and financial controls. "We again identified instances of non-compliance ... This is an area that needed attention and improvement from management," she said.
On performance planning, the Auditor-General found that the NLC had removed a key indicator from its annual performance plan: the requirement to process grant applications within 150 days. Mantiyane said the NLC claimed it would be unable to meet the target, and so omitted it from the plan entirely.
"We found this to be unreasonable," said Mantiyane. "Management was supposed to set a target that was achievable considering their circumstances. Because this indicator was not included in the annual performance plan or report ... it undermines the system of transparency, accountability and oversight because there was simply no reflection on how the entity is performing against this particular indicator," Mantiyane said.
The Auditor-General found that vacancies in the Distribution Agency committee, which adjudicates grant applications, severely affected the NLC's performance. In previous years, separate committees were assigned to sectors like sport, arts and culture, and charities. For 2023/24, there was only one committee handling all sectors, causing delays and contributing to the underspending on grants.
The Auditor-General told Parliament that the NLC had not reactivated its pro-active funding stream, which the NLC Board suspended in 2023 to strengthen its internal controls. This funding mechanism was at the heart of the looting of the lottery. Pro-active funding was previously awarded by the NLC for emergency disaster assistance and areas identified as priorities. Unlike other lottery funding, pro-active funding did not require a grant application.
Vacancies in senior management also weakened the NLC. The Chief Operating Officer position has been vacant since August 2022 and remained unfilled by the end of the audit period. Key divisions like legal, finance, and Information and Communication Technology, also had high vacancy rates, which made it harder for the NLC to carry out its mandate.
The Auditor-General issued notice of three material irregularities. These included:
The Motheo Sports Complex in Soweto, where R6-million in grant funding was paid out, but no sports complex was delivered.
The eDumbe Old Age Home in KwaZulu-Natal, where R26-million was disbursed but construction was abandoned before completion.
An additional R13-million was paid to a professional service provider appointed to help finalise the eDumbe project, but no work was delivered.
The audit also revealed gaps in the NLC's financial management. Some grants were approved before mandatory conditions were met, while other grant agreements were not even signed before funds were disbursed, Parliament heard.
The Auditor-General also highlighted asset mismanagement. Mantiyane said the NLC sold assets to staff members via auction without first offering them to educational institutions and non-profit organisations, as legally required. In terms of consequence management, the NLC failed to investigate irregular expenditure within the required 30 days.
On the quality of financial statements, the NLC and its Distribution Trust Fund (a subsidiary of the NLC) failed to maintain proper records, particularly on grant allocations.
The Auditor-General said the NLC needed to tighten internal controls, ensure oversight bodies are kept informed, and prioritise credibility in its financial reporting.
"Inadequate financial statements impact operations and increase the cost of audits," said Mantiyane. "They also hinder transparency and the ability to reflect accurately on how public funds are used."
The NLC had been plagued by corruption for well over a decade until a new board took over in 2022 and a new commissioner came onboard in 2023. Several top-level managers, facing disciplinary action for facilitating corruption, have left. But based on the Auditor-General's report, there is a long way to go before the new management gets the organisation right.
Read the original article on GroundUp.
Nigeria Sees Highest Growth in 10 years - World Bank Report
Nevertheless, poverty remains high and inflation is expected to remain over 20% through the year. The report comes amid a raft of reforms by President Bola Tinubu's government.
Nigeria is showing strong growth but ordinary people are still sufferingImage: Wang Guansen/Xinhua/picture alliance
Nigeria's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 3.4% in 2024, the World Bank said in a new report published Monday.
That's the highest rate of growth since 2014, excluding the 2021-2022 COVID-19 rebound, the bank said.
The acceleration in Nigeria's GDP growth was driven mainly by a continued oil and gas sector recovery and strong growth in the tech and finance industries, according to the latest Nigeria Development Update.
The World Bank expects the rate of growth of Nigeria's economy to slightly increase in 2025 to 3.7%.
At the same time, the country's agriculture sector showed slow growth, the bank warned, because of insecurity in the Middle Belt and high input costs.
The Middle Belt refers to a broad sweep of 14 states across the center of Nigeria.
Hundreds of thousands of hectares of farmland have been abandoned there because of ongoing violent clashes, often between farmers and nomadic herdsmen.
Nigeria suffers through tough reforms
At a presentation of its report in the capital Abuja, the World Bank praised government reforms in Africa's largest economy.
President Bola Tinubu implemented a broad swath of economic reforms after winning the 2023 elections.
These include ending costly petrol subsidies, slashing electricity allowances and twice devaluing the naira currency.
A recent report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Nigeria also praised the reforms and issued a warning about high levels of poverty.
Tinubu recently justified his reforms, stressing that he made what he called "tough decisions" so that Nigeria could grow.
"We are gradually seeing the light at the end of the tunnel," Tinubu said on Friday.
Inflation to remain high
But the reforms have come at a cost for many ordinary Nigerians, who are facing the worst cost-of-living crisis in nearly 30 years, according to Human Rights Watch.
Successive years of rising inflation and surges in food prices have seen poverty soar in the West African nation — although some key staples have become cheaper in the past few months.
Nearly half of all Nigerians lived in poverty in 2024, the World Bank update found, making Nigeria home to the world's second-largest poor population after India.
The 2024 Global Hunger Index ranks Nigeria 110th out of 127 countries. Nearly a third of its children are stunted because of chronic undernutrition.
While inflation is expected to fall over the course of this year, it is still forecast to remain high at an average of 22.1%, the World Bank said.
"Labor incomes have not kept up with inflation, depleting the purchasing power of Nigerians. Poverty has deepened and broadened, especially among urban Nigerians," it said.
There is a need for the economy to generate more and better jobs at scale and reduce poverty, the bank noted, especially if it wants to reach its goal of achieving a $1 trillion (€900 billion) economy by 2030.
Edited by: Alex Berry
Kenya: Funding Crisis Derails Confirmation of Over 20,000 Intern Teachers
Nairobi — Budget shortfall has thrown the future of over 20,000 intern teachers into disarray, after the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) revealed it lacks the funds to absorb them into the permanent workforce.
Despite their recruitment in the current financial year, the teachers will remain in limbo following a staggering Sh 3.5 billion deficit that has crippled the Commission's capacity to regularize their employment.
This disclosure before the National Assembly Education Committee raised concerns demanding on the fate of the interns who had hoped their temporary roles would usher them into long-term teaching positions under government payroll.
TSC Director of Finance, Cheptumo Ayabei, confirmed the Commission is not in a position to convert the intern teachers to permanent status due to the financial crunch.
He disclosed that while the intention to regularize their employment still stands, the immediate lack of funds means they will remain as interns for an extended period potentially for up to two more years pending further instructions or financial allocation.
"As we speak that funding has not been provided so these teachers will continue to serve for the next two years or otherwise advised so there's provision to recruit these teachers but we are going to recruit 20,000 teachers this year," said Ayabei.
Additionally, a court ruling had given a ruling , requiring that intern teachers be confirmed within a year. However, given the prevailing financial limitations, Ayabei noted that the best-case scenario would be to fulfill this requirement by December 2025 within the timeline of the 2025/2026 financial year.
Baringo North MP Benjamin Makilap. questioned the rationale behind planning to recruit another batch of intern teachers, despite a growing backlog of those yet to be absorbed.
"When you were recruiting the teachers was it one year or two years because you can't bring before us a budget that you want to recruit new intern teachers yet there's a backlog,"Makilap added.
"I know there's a court ruling and the best we have now is a maximum of one year, we need to confirm the existing intern teacher by December which is within the financial year 2025/2026,"he stressed.
MPs raised questions about inclusivity in the recruitment process particularly the neglect of trained teachers over the age of 45, who remain jobless despite their qualifications.
Teso South MP Mary Emase challenged the Commission to consider affirmative action for these overlooked professionals, many of whom are nearing retirement without ever having served in the public sector.
"I don't know if there's an affirmative action to recruit teachers who are over 45 years of age and they haven't been absorbed even as interns because these are teachers who have been trained and are already approaching retirement age and have not been employed," said Emase.
The concern was echoed by Education Committee Chair Julius Melly, who criticized the apparent age bias in TSC's hiring policies saying the socio-economic burden borne by older, unemployed teachers, many of whom have families to support.
"We have a lot of aging teachers' population who haven't been recruited into the system and many of them have family responsibilities. You can't say that you will not recruit a teacher aged 45 years just because of his age, any teacher can be recruited up to 2 years of recruitment," noted the committee chair.
MPs called for more deliberate and data-driven recruitment strategies that factor in age as a critical element. Luanda MP Dick Maungu proposed that the Commission prioritize older teachers for employment as a way to redress years of exclusion and neglect.
"Why don't you do a target recruitment based on age, if an individual is above 45 years, it will be easier you will morph them up... These aged teachers are actually Kenyans and they are perishing, we can actually set the minimum age of recruitment so that we conclusively deal with this matter," said Maungu.
Makilap urged the TSC to release comprehensive data on all registered teachers. He argued that having access to this information is critical to understanding the scale of the problem and the resources needed to resolve it.
"The TSC should give us data of registered teachers with registration certificate by TSC so that we can quantify the numbers and know the amount of resources that will be required to recruit these teachers," stated Makilap.
Ayabei reiterated that the conversion of intern teachers into permanent roles is dependent on the availability of funds. He stressed that the TSC had engaged the National Treasury but received no financial room to support conversions due to overarching fiscal constraints.
"The conversion of teachers is all based on funding, if we get the funding, we convert them into permanent and pensionable. We did engage National Treasury and because of fiscal space and constraints, we were not given provision for conversion," he affirmed.
In the upcoming financial year,the TSC is also grappling with an additional Sh 5.71 Billion which will affect the funding of the medical insurance cover and the financial requirement for the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Director Legal, labour and Industrial action Cavin Anyuor revealed that the National Treasury has remained non-committal on the funding mechanism of the July 2025 to June 2029 with the current framework set to lapse in June.
"The area which has not been funded is the CBA, although we are still negotiating the CBA, but we have written to the National Treasury to consider, because the CBA that we have is ending on 30th June 2025 and a new one should commence of first July ,"Anyuor stated.
Read the original article on Capital FM.
South Africa: Gautrain Cuts Fares for Vulnerable Groups
The Gautrain has launched KlevaMova, a new initiative offering a 50% discount on train fares for students, pensioners, people with disabilities, and low-income households earning R350,000 or less annually, reports IOL. Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela and the Gautrain Management Agency said the move aims to ease the financial burden of travel and improve access to affordable public transport across the province. The Gauteng Household Travel Survey found that almost 60% of households spent more than 10% of their income on public transportation. Diale-Tlabela said that affordable and accessible public transport is crucial to reducing the cost of living for many South Africans.
Police Chase Crash Injures Several in Pinetown
An alleged suspect was shot and several others injured after a high-speed police chase ended in a multi-vehicle crash on Underwood Road in Pinetown, west of Durban, reports SABC News. The suspect, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds, and five occupants of another vehicle, a family returning home from school, were treated on the scene before being taken to the hospital. ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said that the events leading up to the shooting are not clear.
National Funding Delay Threatens Gauteng Budget
Gauteng Treasury is considering whether to withdraw its provincial budget due to uncertainty surrounding the national budget, which has been stalled after the Division of Revenue Bill was withdrawn by the finance minister, reports EWN. This bill determines how much funding each province receives from the National Treasury, and with Gauteng relying on national allocations for about 90% of its budget, the province is assessing potential implications. Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile said a final decision would depend on changes in the national budget, set to be presented on May 21. Despite the uncertainty, Maile assured that service delivery would continue, as legislation allows provinces to spend up to 45% of their previous budgets in the interim.
More South African news
Nigeria Committed to Tax Reforms - Tinubu
"In this regard, the establishment of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms marked a significant turning point," the president said.
President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his commitment to undertake bold and comprehensive reforms to reposition the country's fiscal architecture for resilience, inclusiveness and economic growth.
On Tuesday, Mr Tinubu said this during the 27th Annual Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) Tax Conference in Abuja.
The conference's theme was "Taxation for development, policies, law and implementation".
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The president, who was represented by the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, said the central pillar of the reforms was taxation.
"I believe that a robust, transparent and fair tax system is essential not only for financing government operations but also for creating an environment of accountability, stability and long-term development.
"Accordingly, the government has taken deliberate steps to restructure and modernise our tax administration and legal framework.
"In this regard, the establishment of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms marked a significant turning point," the president said.
According to him, the committee was tasked to simplify the tax system, broaden the tax base, curb leakages and ensure alignment between fiscal policy and national development objectives.
"Members of the committee worked tirelessly to achieve their mandates, which include addressing issues of multiplicity of taxes and improving coordination between the federal, state and local government tax authorities.
"The federal government also pushed forward with the Economy Stabilisation Bill, which has now also been passed," he said.
He said the success of any reform depended on implementation, adding that the conference presented an opportunity for all stakeholders to explore how policies and laws can be translated into practical and measurable outcomes.
"This is also an occasion to discuss solutions to long-standing issues such as taxation, informal sector integration, fiscal federalism and equity in taxation.
"As tax professionals and policy makers, you are the custodians of Nigeria's tax future.
"I, therefore, urge you to leverage this platform to engage meaningfully, challenge assumptions and craft pathways that will strengthen our tax institutions, boost revenue and ultimately improve the lives of Nigerians," Mr Tinubu said.
The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, said that the theme was evidence that the CITN acknowledges the centrality of government revenue generation in the achievement of growth and development for any country.
Mr Shettima was represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs in the Office of the VP, Tope Fasua.
He said the focus on the tax aspect of revenue conferred a dual responsibility on the taxpayer and the tax administrator.
"Taxation is crucial to the achievement of economic development. We hope to listen to ideas at this conference around how to ensure that a stakeholder's view is taken right from the policy enactment stage up to the point of implementation.
"This is bearing in mind that taxation is a continuous affair, and legitimacy is conferred by the delivery of service to taxpayers.
" The need for a stakeholder point of view is why the Presidential Committee of Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms is made up of professionals from diverse walks of life," he said.
The 16th President of the CITN Council, Samuel Agbeluyi, said that tax was an important factor in every economy.
Mr Agbeluyi said that taxation was not merely a tool for revenue generation but a powerful instrument for promoting equity, redistributing wealth, incentivising growth and funding public services.
"However, for taxation to truly serve these developmental goals, policy formulation, legal framework, and implementation mechanisms must be harmoniously aligned.
"When policy is progressive, the law is enabling, and implementation is both efficient and equitable.
"The result is a tax system that engenders trust, encourages voluntary compliance and delivers shared prosperity," the official said.
He said that Nigeria faced significant challenges in the economy, security, and social dimensions, adding that there was a dire need for sustainable solutions.
"At the heart of these solutions lies our tax system.
"In this regard, one cannot overlook the commendable effort by the Tinubu-led administration.
"The work of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms reflects a resolute commitment to charting a course for sustainable socio-economic development through an effective and efficient taxation system," he said.
(NAN)
Read the original article on Premium Times.
Kenya: Illicit Brew Accounts for 60pc of All Alcohol Sold - Euromonitor Study
Nairobi — Illicit alcohol now accounts for 60 per cent of all alcohol sold, and illegal alcohol sold in Kenya has increased by 27 per cent since 2022, according to a study by Euromonitor International.
The illicit alcohol market continues to grow in both volume and value and growth in the illicit market has exceeded that in the legal market over the last two years.
The study commissioned by the Alcoholic Beverages Association of Kenya (ABAK) established that the government is losing Sh120 billion annually in foregone taxes, mostly because of homemade brews and illegally made spirits.
Fiscal loss of Sh120 billion is mostly due to the artisanal brewing and illicit manufacturing of spirits. Fiscal losses have grown by 68 per cent since 2022.
Homemade brews like muratina and chang'aa make up most of the 60 per cent illicit alcohol people drink but the real money in the illegal alcohol trade comes from smuggling, counterfeit brands and tax cheating. Although illicit artisanal homebrew represents 67% of the illicit alcohol market, most of the illicit alcohol value lies in smuggling, counterfeits and tax leakage.
Most of the money lost by the government is because of tax leakage, about KSh73 billion, followed by counterfeit and fake brands, which cost an estimated KSh64 billion.
The study has established that higher alcohol taxes are pushing more people toward cheaper, illegal options. The illegal options are powered by the smuggling of ethanol, which has increased, and the study also found that losses from smuggling alone have doubled since 2022," said ABAK chairman Eric Githua. . The smuggling of ethanol increased, with the tax loss related to smuggling increasing by 144% since 2022.
Mr Githua said the study calls for a collaborative effort to help tackle the menace of illicit alcohol in the country.
"Our aim when we commissioned this study is to help the government understand the size of the problem, comparing it to the 2023 study, as well as identify ways to combat this issue," said Mr Githua.
The study was carried out to establish the prevalence of illicit alcohol in the country, which has over the years continued to claim lives and maim consumers as the Government struggles to contain the menace.
Because of the clandestine and informal nature of the illicit alcohol trade, it is difficult to obtain official data, and Government agencies often lack accurate statistics because such activities are unregulated, unreported, and frequently operate outside legal frameworks. Illicit alcohol continues to be widespread, impacting spirits, beer and wine. While counterfeit and contraband alcohol are key types of illicit alcohol, artisanal brews such as Busaa and Changaa are much more widely available and are increasingly produced on a commercial scale.
Industry Principal Secretary Dr Juma Mukhwana said the study establishes a good base from which to generate the policies and actions necessary to curb the production and sale of illicit liquor.
"This latest study confirms what we have all along suspected; that the illicit market has grown bigger than the legal market. It is mainstrteam, it is organised and it is big. As we seek to eliminate illicit alcohol, we must learn from studies such as this one commissioned by ABAK to create strategies and tactics that protect the legal alcohol, fight the illicit alcohol and maintain the culture and traditions of our people in regards to alcohol," said Dr Mukhwana in a speech read on his behalf by Karanja Njora, the Secretary for Administration in the ministry.
Assistant Inspector General Cunningham Suiyanka described the findings of the study as alarming and a warning that Kenya risks losing a generation to illicit alcohol.
"This report is a good first step, and we now need to go back to the drawing board and see what is the next step. We need to start acting now. My biggest enemy is a counterfeit drink. The counterfeit drink is more dangerous than chang'aa so let's act urgently," said Mr Suiyanka.
Beverly Opora, Secretary of Administration at the Ministry of Interior, described the trade in illicit alcohol as a major concern for the ministry.
"Illicit alcohol is a major risk to internal security as it leads to organised crime. Many of our brothers in jail were under the influence when they committed the crimes," said Ms Opora.
The study also established that while consumers know what makes alcohol illegal, like when it's smuggled or fake, and they understand the risks, many of them still buy and sell illegal alcohol, and in many communities, it's seen as normal and socially acceptable.
Consumers are motivated to buy illicit alcohol because of its lower prices, accessibility through informal channels like street vendors and residential homes and the desire for premium brands at lower costs, according to the study.
The prevalence of illicit alcohol is driven by high excise taxes on legal alcohol, affordability and accessibility, weak enforcement and corruption and the cultural acceptance of homemade brews.
To combat illicit alcohol, the study recommends three tactics: Tighten ethanol regulations and harmonise excise duties regionally, Increase consumer awareness through social media and public campaigns, and strengthen enforcement mechanisms and penalties.
Read the original article on Capital FM.
Tanzania: East African Allies - Tanzania and Somalia Accelerate Partnership for Regional Prosperity
The Permanent Secretary for East African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Stephen Mbundi, engaged in discussions with H.E. Ilyas Ali Hassan, the Somali Ambassador to Tanzania, regarding bilateral relations between Tanzania and Somalia.
The meeting was held at the Ministry's offices in Dar es Salaam on May 12, 2025. The primary agenda focused on expediting visa issuance for Somali citizens and the implementation of recent agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the two nations.
Furthermore, the ambassadors addressed the issue of visa-on-arrival for Somali nationals, considering various eligibility criteria, beginning with officials holding diplomatic and service passports, followed by ordinary passport holders. Ambassador Mbundi assured Ambassador Hassan that this matter is being addressed with utmost seriousness by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tanzania, particularly in light of the shared membership of both countries in the East African Community.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation across sectors such as investment, trade, tourism, and knowledge exchange. These initiatives aim to improve the livelihoods of citizens in both countries and promote mutual prosperity.
Read the original article on Radio Dalsan.
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