THE Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s (ICASA’s) amendment of applicable radio regulations and making available an additional 500 Mhz of bandwidth for Wi-Fi use is welcome news for communities across the country. This is according to Gabriel Ramokotjo, information and communicationtechnology (ICT) consultant and advisor, who believes this move will mean more people, and their devices, would be able to log onto better quality, faster Wi-Fi. “Finally, we can reimagine the Community Network (CN) model as fully-fledged, digital divide-bridging…

Over the past few years, the development of Rwanda’s infrastructure and economy has greatly benefitted from the significant investment from China, according to insiders. The two countries have strengthened cooperation in various fields, particularly in the area of investment.   “The collaboration in investment has led to numerous benefits for both countries, such as increased economic growth, job opportunities, and improved access to resources and capital,” Emmanuel Bugingo, chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security in the Chamber…

THE move by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to grant banks authority to determine their own foreign exchange (fx) trading rates has shaken the financial markets. Analysts believe the move strongly indicates the devaluation of the Nigerian naira and its vulnerability to market forces. The announcement led to intense volatility in the fx markets, with naira quotes ranging from US$1:₦470 to ₦755. FBN Quest believes depending on where rates eventually settle, the movecould potentially narrow or eliminate the arbitrage…

THE travails faced by Zula Zula Adventure Bus depict the lack of support faced by up-and-coming players in the hospitality sector to establish their industries. It is also a reflection how these small and medium enterprises (SMEs) overcome such challenges, through resilience. Zula Zula derives its name from the Zulu word translating to, “Wander about everywhere.” The company went literally anywhere in search of support, to no avail, which was compounded by its formation during the COVID-19 when the industry…

The Fifth EAEU-ASEAN Business Dialogue has discussed opportunities for EAEU and ASEAN cooperation in the new economic reality and prospects for the implementation of infrastructure projects that would promote trade and economic ties between the member states of the two integration alliances. It was held on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Thursday 15 June.  The year 2023 marks the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Eurasian Economic Commission…

EMIRATES and Kenya Airways have announced an interline partnership to allow customers of both airlines access to new destinations within a single itinerary. The agreement will provide customers with increased travel options as well as seamless baggage check-in to their final destination. Emirates customers will now be able to fly to 28 destinations on the Kenya Airways network, using Nairobi as the gateway to numerous African cities. Additionally, as part of a bilateral interline arrangement, Emirates passengers travelling via Dubai…

EGYPT has applied to join the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) bloc. Georgy Borisenko, the Russian ambassador to the North African country, revealed the development. The envoy said Egypt had applied to join the group because one of the initiatives that BRICS was currently engaged in, such as the maximum transfer of trade to alternative currencies or the creation of a joint currency, was important to them. “Egypt is very interested in this,” Borisenko said, as per…

The 26th Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), a unique event in the world of economics and business, kicked off on Wednesday in St. Petersburg, Russia. Each year the event attracts thousands of participants from different countries – politicians, entrepreneurs, and founders of technology start-ups. A rich programme awaits forum participants: industry discussions, panel sessions, and business meetings devoted to discussing topical issues in various sectors of the economy and business. There are more than 150 events in all. The…

The India-Russia Business Forum was held on Wednesday on the sidelines ofthe St. Petersburg International Economic Forum ( SPIEF). The participants discussed the efforts the governments of India and Russia are taking to overcome transport and logistics problems, prospects of setting up a joint banking and financial structure to support the bilateral trade potential, andhigh-priority areas of cooperation between India and Russia. The talk was moderated by Ksenia Komissarova, Editor-in-Chief of the TVBRICS Media Network.“Last year was the 75th year since…

BRICS foreign ministers met in Cape Town on Thursday 1 June. One of the current issues on the agenda is working out the criteria for accepting new members into BRICS. In addition, work will continue on preparations for the August 15th summit of the association. The Chairperson of the meeting, Naledi Pandor, South Africa’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that the partnership of the ‘Five’ is to drive inclusion of Africa and the global South in a more just and…