Kenya has suspended a recent ban on the importation of milk powder into the country “to allow for the Dairy Industry (Import and Export) Regulations 2021 to apply accordingly”.

The Kenya Dairy Board had on March 6 announced an indefinite suspension of milk powder imports in move seen as protecting processors and farmers from lower prices since the milk powder imports could lead to a glut in the market since the anticipated seasonal rains are expected to significantly boost local milk production and reduce the need for imports.

But in a statement dated March 14, 2023, Kenya’s Agriculture and Livestock Development Permanent Secretary Harry Kimtai announced the suspension of the ban on the milk powder imports.

"Take note that the importation of products under the East African Community (EAC) protocol refers to good being imported from outside the East African Community, while good traded within the EAC are referred to as transfers,” Mr Kimtai said.

Uganda, which sells milk products to Kenya, welcomed the new announcement.

“I am delighted to inform the dairy industry in Uganda that the ban [by Kenya] on milk products has been suspended. I have also had fruitful discussions with Mr Abdi Dubat, Permanent Secretary in Kneya’s Ministry of East African Community on bilateral issues,” said Ms Rebecca Kadaga, Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs.

The announcement suspending milk powder imports to Kenya had dampened hopes raised by President William Ruto when he took power and announced that cheap milk imports from Uganda would be allowed and that the Kenyan milk would be processed for the international market.

Leading buyer

Kenya has been the leading buyer of Uganda’s milk products, although the trade relations have not been good due to several barriers, prompting Uganda to search for new markets for its milk and milk products.

According to Uganda’s Dairy Development Authority, the country has established new markets for its milk, which include the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Zambia and Algeria. Others are United Arab Emirates, Syria, Japan, Oman, USA, Nepal and Bangladesh.

During his recent three-day official visit to Algeria, President Yoweri Museveni reportedly made a breakthrough in finding a market for Uganda’s milk.

It is reported that Algeria agreed to buy Uganda's powdered milk in the several agreements and memorandums of understanding signed between the two countries.

“We discussed issues on growing the prosperity of Africa, agreed to work together in the areas of trade, energy, education, agriculture and counter-terrorism where they have experience in this, just like us,” said Museveni.

“We are looking at powdered milk which is already coming here,” said Museveni while in the Algerian capital Algiers.

Museveni said Algeria will be buying milk worth $500 million and, according to Uganda’s Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze, the country is no longer worried about the market, but will now focus on perfecting the standards. - NELSON NATURINDA, The EastAfrican

The tinderbox that is Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to spawn a litany of horrors, including dozens of deaths and displacement of over a hundred thousand Congolese, a United Nations (UN) daily media briefing was told this week.

“A string of attacks on civilians in North Kivu displaced more than 100 000 people and claimed dozens of lives in the last week,” Stéphane Dujarric said.

Information from humanitarian agencies working in the sprawling central African country is that over 50 000 people displaced from Rutshuru “found safety” in Kibirizi, the man who speaks for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters. Another 55 000 people living in the Masisi fled from conflict to shelter in neighbouring villages as well as to Goma and Minova in South Kivu.

“UN peacekeepers report sheltering 95 children at their base in Sake, including 50 children from an orphanage.  This followed weekend clashes between the Congolese defence forces and the M23 [23 March Movement] armed group.  Four civilians died during the clashes and at least five others were injured.  Peacekeepers provided medical assistance to the injured at their base and later evacuated them to Goma.  The children were transferred to a centre for children in Goma. 

“MONUSCO (United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in DRC) further reported since early March, the ADF (Allied Democratic Forces) rebel group reportedly killed at least 97 civilians in Beni territory, in North Kivu.  Due to ongoing joint operations between the Ugandan and Congolese defence forces, UN peacekeepers do not have access south of Beni, where suspected ADF members perpetrated attacks.

“We along with our humanitarian partners provide health support, education, food, water and sanitation among other much-needed services to thousands of people in Beni and surrounding areas,” Dujarric said adding the UN was working on scaling its response.

On North Kivu he said renewed violence in the region caused the displacement of more than 800 000 men, women and children in the past year.  There are presently over six million internally displaced people in DRC. Defence Web

Flutterwave, Africa's payments technology company, has announced that it has received its Electronic Money Issuer and Remittance Licenses from the National Bank of Rwanda. This will help the company expand its operations in East Africa.

With these new licenses, in addition to being a Payment Service Provider, Flutterwave can offer money deposit and withdrawal, electronic funds transfer, as well as inbound and outbound remittance services to the 13.46 million people living and working in Rwanda.

According to Rwanda's National Institute of Statistics, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Rwanda account for about 97% of businesses and contribute almost 55% to the total GDP. That makes MSMEs critical to job creation and the economic growth of the country.

Flutterwave will be deploying a range of products in Rwanda, including Send by Flutterwave, its cross-border money transfer solution. Also available will be Flutterwave for Business and its suite of products, including Store, payment links, invoices and checkout to help individuals and businesses in Rwanda make the most of the booming eCommerce market.

Olugbenga "GB' Agboola, Founder and CEO of Flutterwave, commented on the news, "From our first transaction to over 400 million now, we've remained committed to our vision of connecting all parts of Africa through payments and connecting Africa to the world. As a country well known for fostering innovation and promoting the use of digital technology, Rwanda has always been important to our expansion plans in East Africa.

We are delighted for the vote of confidence in being granted these licenses. With them, we will leverage our extensive global reach and continuous growth in emerging markets to provide MSMEs in Rwanda with the tools they need to stimulate the economy, facilitate seamless cross-border transactions for Rwandans and support the expansion drive of global and Rwandan businesses."

Commenting on the news, Leah Uwiroheye, Flutterwave's East Africa Regional Lead, Regulatory and Government Affairs, said, "This is a great achievement for the company. As Rwanda continues executing important reforms to enhance the ease of doing business and implementing its Fintech Strategy 2022-2027, Flutterwave keeps contributing towards achieving a cashless economy by innovating and employing digital technology to support businesses and stimulate the economic growth of countries where we operate.

The licenses will enable us to provide safe, secure and seamless payment services for individuals and businesses in Rwanda. This is definitely a starting point for Flutterwave as we continue to expand across East Africa." By Bob Koigi, Africa Tech