East Africa

East Africa

Details: East Africa; 28 June 2023; 452

PalmPay, a pioneering Africa-focused fintech platform, is celebrating a significant landmark in its journey, marking 25 million users on its app and an extensive network of 500,000 mobile money agents and 300,000 merchants in its payments ecosystem. This rapid growth within just four years of its market entry in Nigeria is testament to the company's robust strategy centered on offering secure, user-friendly and inclusive financial services.

Sofia Zab, Global CMO, PalmPay: "We are proud to be a driving force of financial inclusion and cashless payment adoption in Nigeria. PalmPay's growth validates our approach and illustrates the increasing demand for innovative fintech solutions that address the unique needs of Africa's underserved population."

PalmPay's user-friendly application simplifies digital transactions, making them swift and convenient. This has driven a shift in consumer behaviour from cash to digital payments. Today, the company processes more than $5 billion per month. The PalmPay app offers a comprehensive suite of financial services that empower its customers with tools to manage their finances in one place.

This week, the company is launching its savings service, which include a 20% annual interest savings plan available to all users. The fintech also provides banking services for businesses, equipping them with dedicated apps, web portal and POS. PalmPay's efforts in promoting financial inclusion have been notably impactful, with around 30% of its users stating that their first-ever financial account was created on the app.

Its expansive network of mobile money agents help users deposit and withdraw money and guide consumers on how to use the PalmPay app. Its agents also serve consumers who do not have access to smartphones by transacting on their behalf, thereby extending access to PalmPay's services to millions of additional people.

The company's success in Nigeria has been propelled by its proprietary payment infrastructure, which offers unmatched reliability in a market that has long grappled with unstable financial systems. The platform boasts a 99.5% 10-second transaction success rate, distinguishing PalmPay in a highly competitive fintech space.

"PalmPay is more than a digital wallet - we are building a comprehensive platform to offer consumers all the tools they need to thrive financially. As we move forward, our aim is to become Africa's financial superapp. ", added Zab. "Our partners benefit from our robust payment infrastructure and data-driven approach, which enables us to connect their offerings directly to their target customers, fostering mutual growth within our digital ecosystem."

The company's next strategic step is to bridge the gap between consumers and businesses by digitising merchant payments. PalmPay is onboarding tens of thousands of offline retailers every month, many of whom are spurred to join the platform following requests from its customers who want to be able to pay with transfer.

Chika Nwosu, Managing Director, PalmPay Nigeria: "The consumer base has now become one of the major driving forces of wider cashless adoption in the Nigerian payments ecosystem. We see an enormous potential in digitising payments for the retail and informal economy, which reduces their cost of doing business and helps them build the digital track record to qualify for credit and other financial services."

Looking ahead, PalmPay is extending its operations to more countries and plans to offer cross-border transactions in future. The company is already piloting services in Ghana and is preparing launch plans for several other African markets. Pie Kamau, Africa Tech

Details: East Africa; 28 June 2023; 426

Summary

The gathering at the Hall of the Law School of Tanzania (LST), was graced by High Court Judge, Asina Omar, who also serves at the Temeke One Stop Judicial Centre

Dar es Salaam. Stakeholders from Ireland and Tanzania met here yesterday to discuss and approve a book of collection of decided cases on sexual violence against children from the two countries.

The gathering at the Hall of the Law School of Tanzania (LST), was graced by High Court Judge, Asina Omar, who also serves at the Temeke One Stop Judicial Centre.

It was coordinated by the Institute of Judicial Administration (IJA) with the funding of the Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI) through the Irish Embassy in Tanzania.

Opening the one-day meeting, Judge Asina said the book containing various cases that provide important reference for various people, including those involved in the protection of child rights and the fight against sexual violence on children.

"This book contains cases that have been decided by the High Court of Tanzania and the Court of Appeal of Tanzania as well as cases from Ireland related to sexual violence against children.

“So, when completed, it will be an easy reference for various people including us as judges, magistrates, prosecutors and those teaching about children's rights," said Judge Asina.

IRLI Programme Manager, Sean McHale, who spoke at the meeting via video conferencing, noted that cases of child abuse should be dealt with early. “That is why our institution has been part of the preparation of the book,” said the manager.

Retired High Court Judge, Sophia Wambura explained some of the reasons that have been contributing to gender and sexual violence against children, including adults sleeping with their children in the same room.

"This issue of children has many challenges, if we go back to family upbringing, you find a young man gets married and lives in the same room with his two or three children.

“We sometimes do things in the room, thinking that the children are asleep while they are not, the next day they tell each other what they saw at night. So these things start when the children are still young," noted retired Judge Sophia.

The meeting was also attended other retired Judges and representatives from the ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and the ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups.

Others who attended the meeting included resident magistrates and judges, prosecutors, state attorneys, a representative from the Gender Desk at the Police Force headquarters, social welfare officers, lawyers association (TLS), association of women judges and magistrates.

The book is under a joint preparation between IRLI and IJA as the Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions was signed in March, 2023, with the aim of enhancing cooperation in the area of the child’s rights. The Citizen

Details: East Africa; 28 June 2023; 398

Azimio leader Raila Odinga has vowed to mobilise street demonstrations from July 7 to protest the Finance Bill assented to by President William Ruto.

By signing the Bill, Raila said the president ignored pleas by Kenyans not to inflict more pain on the cost of living.

“Now you know that the only language Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza understands is street protests and boycotts,” he said at Kamukunji Wednesday on arrival from an overseas trip.

Odinga told a rally in Kamukunji that the Kenya Kwanza government had betrayed Kenyans hence the need to boycott.

“We are the people,” Odinga said, “and the people are supreme.”

He said the Bill signed by President Ruto will push the cost of living up and make life difficult for Kenyans.

“And that is why we are saying that Ruto must be made to listen to the people and the only way is to resist,” he said signalling the resumption of mass protests.

He said, “protests and boycotts is the only language Ruto will understand because he declined to listen to the voice of the people.”

President Ruto signed into law a bill that raises taxes on a wide range of items defying criticism that it will pile more economic hardship on citizens.

The new tax package was approved by parliament last week and will double tax on fuel to 16 percent and introduce a new housing levy, a move expected to have a ripple effect in a country hamstrung by high inflation.

Ruto, who took office in September after a bitterly fought election, is seeking to fill the government’s depleted coffers and repair a heavily-indebted economy inherited from his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta, who splurged on major infrastructure projects.

Kenya is now sitting on a public debt mountain of almost $70 billion or about 67 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), and repayment costs have jumped as the shilling sinks to record lows of around 140 to the dollar.

The new law — expected to generate more than $2.1 billion — will hike taxes on basic goods and services including food and mobile money transfers.

The contentious bill stipulates for a 1.5 percent levy on the salaries of all tax-paying Kenyans that will be matched by employers to fund an affordable housing programme.

People who earn 500,000 shillings ($3,600) a month will now pay 32.5 percent in income taxes while those making 800,000 shillings ($5,700) will pay 35 percent, up from the current 30 percent.

Sales tax for small businesses has also been tripled to three percent.

A new five percent withholding tax for digital content creators has also been introduced.

The bill was approved by the National Assembly despite widespread opposition from Kenyans, civil society and Azimio leaders with the president declaring that it will be passed.

He even dared MPs who will fail to support it, branding them “the enemy of the people and progress.” capital FM

Details: East Africa; 28 June 2023; 468

Dr Maria Nassali, a senior lecturer from the Makerere University School of Law, has rallied lawyers and judges to revisit their perspectives on abortion.

Nassali was speaking during the launch of the case digest for abortion in Africa organized by the Women’s Pro Bono Initiative at an event held in Kampala recently.

Abortion remains one of the most contentious issues in Uganda, mired in political, social, cultural, and religious contestations. Nassali said: “The women’s unfettered right to reproductive autonomy is yet to be recognized as a positive international human right. Although abortion cases are reported, they are hardly prosecuted but often used for extortion and as evidence of defilement”.

Nassali noted that there was a need for legal practitioners to allow pregnant women to decide what happens to the unborn baby. She added, “It is the pregnant lady who knows the circumstances under which she got pregnant. This same lady should have the liberty to decide whether she either retains or aborts the child. As practitioners of the law, we should recognize that women come with all forms of diversity. Some young girls are being sexually abused by relatives and older men who abuse the trust bestowed in them”.

Meanwhile, Rahom Bukirwa, the programmes manager of the Women’s Pro Bono Initiative, said the case digest on abortion in Africa was prepared to help both Ugandan lawyers and judges access previously decided cases on abortion from across the continent and the grounds for their determination.

She said, “There are generally very few cases of abortion in the records of courts in Africa. This case digest is drawn from cases in South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, and Malawi. Since the law relies on decided cases, the case digest will come in handy for both the lawyers and members of the bench”.

Ugandan courts have not made a single decision on abortion. The two cases are still before the Constitutional court. By Samuel Muhindo, The Observer

Details: East Africa; 26 June 2023; 440

Rwanda is set to showcase its best at Doha Expo 2023.

Rwanda will showcase its diverse range of horticulture produce, highlight its fascinating traditions, and introduce its many delicious local foods at the Doha Expo 2023, joining dozens of other nations at the milestone event.

The International Horticultural Expo 2023 will be held at Al Bidda Park from 2 October 2023 to 28 March 2024 and will focus on themes such as modern agriculture, technology and innovation, environmental awareness, and sustainability.

Expo 2023 Doha is being meticulously prepared, with the Qatari government investing in infrastructure and engaging partners to create an immersive visitor experience.

As Qatar takes the lead in hosting this A1 horticultural exhibition in the Gulf, MENA, and arid region, this six-month exhibition will be classified as a World Exposition, signifying its global significance and adding to a list of achievements followings Qatar’s successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2022.

During the recent 3rd Economic Forum in Qatar, President Paul Kagame emphasised the vast opportunities for growth and investment in the GCC region.

The National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), Rwanda Development Board (RDB), and the Expo directors sealed a momentous contract, confirming Rwanda’s participation in this grand exhibition to showcase their modern agriculture.

“Horticulture in Rwanda may be a relatively new industry, but its rapid development is making a significant impact nationwide. With horticulture production spread across all 30 districts, Rwanda excels in four key categories: vegetables, fruits, nuts, and flowers,” said Igor Marara, the ambassador of Rwanda to Qatar.

“The sector’s remarkable contribution of 28% to the national GDP showcases its economic potential and importance. It is also the sector that is driving the adoption of the most innovative agriculture techniques in Rwanda, ones that are respectful to our environment,” the envoy said.

Meanwhile, Rwandan businesses are eager to get involved.

“We have been proudly serving the regional market, and now we aspire to reach international markets. We hope our products will find their place on the shelves of Qatari supermarkets,” a representative from leading producer of high-quality roses, Bella Flower, which will attend the event, said.

Bella Flowers is a producer of high-quality roses, grown in Rwanda since 2014.

Boasting advanced facilities and pristine water from Lake Muhazi facilities and 22 rose varieties, Bella Flowers represent Rwanda’s commitment to sustainability and have made a name in the global floriculture industry.

The collaboration serves as another milestone in strengthening the relationship between Rwanda and Qatar, fostering economic growth, and facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise. Doha News