Uganda Embroiled in Corruption within its Mining Sector – Africa Business Roundup

Campaign group Global Witness has released a report ‘undermined’ which claims there is widespread corruption in the issuing of concessions in Uganda’s mining industry.

Key findings of the investigation include:

• Miners are working in dangerous, largely unregulated conditions – with children exposed to toxic chemicals on a daily basis;
• Almost half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas are at risk as mining threatens Bwindi and Rwenzori national parks, part of the famous Virunga ecosystem, and also risks the economically critical tourism industry which depends on the country’s natural beauty and wildlife;
• The country is deprived of tax revenues that could be spent on schools, hospitals, and roads
  Minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan – that might be funding conflict and human rights abuses – pass through Uganda on their way to international markets Read more

East Africa Drives Africa Growth in 2016

Much of Africa’s growth in 2016, AfDB says, was driven by East Africa where several countries recorded “strong performances.” Overall, of the continent’s sub-regions, East Africa posted the highest growth rate with 5.3%, led by Ethiopia. Read more

A Third of African Men Smoke

Kenya fits tobacco lorries with devices that transmit their routes to the authorities, helping them keep tabs on the merchandise. How to pay for extra law enforcement? Globally, tobacco-tax revenues are about $270bn a year, but less than $1bn of that is spent on anti-smoking policies. Read more

African Women Leaders Network launched to boost women’s leadership of Africa

UN Women, the African Union Commission, and the Permanent Mission of Germany last week launched the African Women Leaders Network, an initiative that seeks to enhance the leadership of women in the transformation of Africa with a focus on governance, peace, and stability.

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