In mid-October, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is anticipated to authorize the release of 10% of the newly agreed USD 3.4 billion Extended Credit Facility (ECF) for Ethiopia.

In her latest press briefing, Julie Kozack, Director of the Communications Department of the IMF, stated that a Staff-Level Agreement on policies for the First Review under the program has been conducted recently, “and consideration by our Executive Board is scheduled for October 18th.”

A staff team from the IMF, led by Alvaro Piris, was in Addis Ababa from September 17 to 26, 2024, to discuss progress on reforms and the authorities’ policy priorities in the context of the first review of Ethiopia’s economic program supported by the IMF’s ECF, which was approved on July 29.

After the visit, Piris stated that the IMF staff team and the Ethiopian authorities have reached a staff-level agreement on the first review of Ethiopia’s economic program under the ECF arrangement.

“The agreement is subject to the approval of IMF management and the Executive Board in the coming weeks. Upon completion of the Executive Board review, Ethiopia would have access to SDR 255.60 million (USD 345 million),” he said.

On Thursday, October 3, Kozack underlined that the IMF financing, which is about USD 3.4 billion, is the IMF’s largest program under its Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility to date. From the approved amount, about USD one billion (30 percent of the total amount) was disbursed immediately after the board approved the program.

“I would also like to add that the program aims to fill an external financing gap, which is estimated at USD 10.7 billion through 2027/28. And there is broadly equal burden sharing in filling this gap between the IMF, Ethiopia’s development partners, and debt treatment under the Common Framework,” she added. Capital

By JULIUS MBALUTO 

Kenyan Lawyer turned activist Morara Kebaso was attacked by goons at Bomas of Kenya Nairobi. He was attending public participation happening countrywide gaining views of Kenyans pertaining the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Videos captured show chairs and other objects being thrown at him before the police got him out of the venue. Morara had been barred at the gate and when he got in at the Bomas of Kenya, he was denied the chance to address Kenyans and share his views. On his X-Platform, Morara said; 

“I was barred from entering Bomas at the gate. When I finally got in, I was denied the mic at Bomas floor. Chaos erupted. I am hurt. Headed to hospital. I live to speak another day,” his post read.

Previously, Morara was captured telling Kenyans that the impeachment process was a divisionary tactic used by the government to divert attention on importance issues like the implementation of SHA and the controversy surrounding JKA -Adani deal. He had argued the impeachment should be for both Deputy President and the President as they were chosen on one ticket. 

The public participation goes on with reports of chaos emerging in different parts of the country. 

By MIKE OMUODO

Huawei ICT Academy held a successful instructor workshop bringing together key instructors and stakeholders from across the country, and providing a platform for knowledge exchange, updates on academy programs, and a roadmap for the future of ICT education in Kenya.

Ms. Fang Zheng, Huawei’s Human Resource Director, officially opened the workshop. She emphasized the critical role that the academy plays in addressing the country’s ICT skill gaps, highlighting the importance of continuous professional development for instructors.

“We believe in empowering instructors with the tools and knowledge to produce world-class ICT talent. Today’s workshop is a testament to Huawei’s long-term commitment to digital education in Kenya,” stated Ms. Zheng

The first session was led by Mr. Michael Kamau, Huawei ICT Academy Manager and Mr. Yuta Leng Public Relations Expert, who provided an in-depth review of the academy’s progress over the past year. Key points of discussion included the Huawei ICT Academy’s growth and achievements, as well as insights into the upcoming Huawei ICT Competition for 2024-2025. The competition, which aims to foster innovation and technical skills among Kenyan students, was introduced with a strong focus on preparing participants for the challenges and opportunities of the digital world.

Huawei ICT Competition

Huawei announced that the 9th Edition of the Huawei ICT Competition is open and free for registration. Interested students can participate in the Practice Track (Network, Cloud and Computing Tracks) or the A.I Innovation Track. After registration the ICT Competition participants will be provided with an advanced training and e-learning platform to prepare for a National Final in 2024 and a Regional and Global Final Round in 2025.

This year Huawei also announced the launch of the Instructor Competition designed to Accumulate excellent experiment cases to promote the integration of key technologies such as A.I and Cloud. The instructor competition will also promote excellent teachers by setting excellent global benchmarks, enhance self-motivation of partner instructors, and promote the operation of ICT Academies.

Additionally, the workshop covered a review of the academy’s key performance indicators (KPIs) for the last quarter, as well as a calendar preview for the upcoming academic year. This review was essential in assessing the academy’s impact on Kenya’s ICT talent ecosystem and in setting clear targets for the year ahead.

The workshop featured a case presentation on best practices for managing professional exam centers, focusing on Huawei Certified ICT Professional (HCIP) and Huawei Certified ICT Expert (HCIE) certifications. These globally recognized certifications are essential for individuals seeking advanced careers in ICT, and the presentation provided insights on streamlining the exam process, maintaining high standards, and increasing student success rates. Following the presentation, an open discussion was held, where attendees explored ways to enhance the quality of education within the academy.

The workshop is part of Huawei’s ongoing efforts to support the development of ICT education in Kenya. Since the establishment of its first ICT Academy in 2017, Huawei has continuously worked with Kenyan academic institutions to build a strong talent pipeline in the country. The Huawei ICT Academy program has since expanded significantly, training thousands of students and instructors and offering access to Huawei’s cutting-edge technology and global expertise.

The workshop concluded with an acknowledgment of the participants’ contributions and a call to action for continued collaboration between Huawei and local educational institutions to create a robust ICT ecosystem in Kenya.

About Huawei ICT Academy

Huawei ICT Academy is a global initiative that partners with educational institutions to deliver industry-leading ICT training and certification programs. Through its partnerships with universities and colleges, Huawei is building a robust talent ecosystem that supports digital transformation efforts in more than 70 countries, including Kenya. The academy offers students access to world-class resources, certification opportunities, and career development in key ICT areas such as networking, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence.