CMA CGM GROUP IMPROVES WEST AFRICA-ASIA CONNECTIONS

AS ASIA-AFRICA SUMMIT [AAS] 2015 TAKES PLACE & ASIAN-AFRICAN BUSINESS COUNCIL IS LAUNCHEDFull Story On Page 3 & 9

AFRICATRADE-WATCH

Africa’s Growth Impacted By Oil, Commodity Prices Fall

ISSUE 48 | MAY 2015

Kenya: Mombasa Cargo Volumes Up 11.5%

Namibia: Walvis Bay As Alternative Corridor for Brazil

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Africa’s 2015 Growth Impacted By Oil, Commodity Prices Fall

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CMA CGM Group Improves West Africa-Asia Connections

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27

Kenya: Mombasa Cargo Volumes Up 11.5%

Namibia: Walvis Bay Showcased As Alternative Corridor for Brazil

Contents

Top Stories

03 /African Group News

07 /Events Diary & News Briefs

09 /Pan Africa

21 /Eastern Africa

15 /Western Africa

27 /Southern Africa

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AFRICATRADE-WATCH

ISSUE 48 | MAY 2015

News Headlines By RegionPan AfricaAsia-Africa Summit [AAS] 2015: Leaders In Jakarta For 60th Anniversary Of Bi-Continental Gathering

General: USA Advisory Council Wants US-Africa Infrastructure Center / World Bank: Africa’s 2015 Growth Impacted By Oil, Commodity Prices Fall / AfTra, CBI Join Forces In Spreading Market Information For African Exporters On 25 EU Sectors / AfDB: US$40 Million Trade Deal With Spanish Bank / AfDB Hopes To Work With AIIB / AfDB Launching The Continental Business Network [CBN]

Western AfricaAngola: Angola Business Week / Portugal Opens Credit Line To Support Portuguese Companies / Puma Energy Opens One of World’s Largest Offshore Fuelling Facilities

Cameroon: Kribi Port Project Shortlist / Container Auction At Douala Port

DRC: Dredging Of The Congo River

Equatorial Guinea: China Signs A US$2 Billion Infrastructure Agreement

Ghana: GPHA Introduces Online Vessel Booking System / GPHA Improves Security & Communications / Tema Harbour To Receive Power Barges

Guinea: Boke Port Development

Liberia: Liberia And Guinea Reopen Border To Facilitate Trade

Senegal: Emerging Senegal Plan - Wooing US Investors To Boost Infrastructure / Dakar Records 7% Increase In Freight Activity

Eastern AfricaRegional: Overlapping Trade Blocs Trigger Illegal Trade

Kenya: Clearing Agents Want One Regional Customs System / Mombasa Cargo Volumes Up 11.5%

Mauritius: Mauritius And Madagascar Trade Cooperation

Mozambique: Exports Fall 5% In 2014

Somalia: Somalia Maritime Administration - Guidelines Being Drawn

Tanzania: New Tanga Port To Boost Economy / Dar Es Salaam Maritime Gateway Project - US$600 Million Facelift / Stakeholders Want One Stop Centre At Dar Port / TPA Boosting ICT Efficiency

Southern AfricaRegional: Leaders Approve 50-Year Industrialization Strategy

Namibia: Walvis Bay Showcased As Alternative Corridor for Brazil

South Africa: South Africa And USA To Build Trade Ties / TNPA’s Tugboat Project On Time / Ngqura Port Takes Delivery Of Automated Mooring Units / Transnet Appoints Gama Acting CEO

Zimbabwe: Sino-Zim Trade Volumes Top US$1.2 Billion

Puma Energy

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Website: www.delmas.comEmail: lhv.marketing@delmas.netTweet: @DelmasWeDeliver

CMA CGM Marseille Head Offi ce4, Quai d’Arenc 13235 Marseille cedex 02 France

Tel : +33 (0)4 88 91 90 00

www.cmacgm.com

Disclaimer of LiabilityCMA CGM / DELMAS make every effort to provide and maintain usable,

and timely information in this report. No responsibility is accepted for

the accuracy, completeness, or relevance to the user’s purpose, of

the information. Accordingly Delmas denies any liability for any direct,

indirect or consequential loss or damage suffered by any person as a

result of relying on any published information. Conclusions drawn from,

or actions undertaken on the basis of, such data and information are the

sole responsibility of the reader.

THE TRADE & TRANSPORT REPORTBrought to you by CMA CGM / DELMAS Marketing

Rachel Bennett Dominic Rawle

DELMAS Improves West Africa-Asia Connections Our service from Asia to West Africa targeting the Northern Range ports of Mauritania, Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia will now tranship at Algeciras instead of Tangiers. The move will improve efficiency of our Mediterranean transhipment operations at no additional cost to our customers. All transit times remain unchanged.

With improved transhipment offered in Algerciras between our EURAF 3 and FAL 1 services we are able to promote smooth onward connections to Nouakchott, Banjul, Conakry, Freetown, Monrovia and Buchanan. Furthermore our FAL 1 Asia service offers a dedicated weekly service in relay from Asia with 6-ports of call in China including Xiamen. Also our transhipment hub in Malaysia connects all main South East Asia ports.

The change of hub is effective from MV Jules Verne voyage FLB50W calling at Algeciras 4 June. For rates and bookings you can contact your local CMA CGM / DELMAS agent. Or connect to our eBusiness portal to access to 24 / 7 eBusiness Solutions.

DUNKRUS Service Now Connects Rouen To Africa All Year RoundCMA CGM / DELMAS is offering the only direct all year round service linking Rouen port, France to Tangiers port, Morocco.

Calls are now offered on a permanent basis on our new DUNKRUS service which were previously seasonal.

The DUNKRUS service offers the best transit times on the market and also allows a direct connection between Morocco and European markets, as well as African destinations through transhipment in our Tangiers hub.

For more information: http://www.delmas.com/products-services/line-services/flyer/FAL

For more information: http://www.delmas.com/products-services/line-services/flyer/DUNKRUS

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AFRICAN GROUP NEWSCMA CGM / DELMAS

Agency NewsGroup Conference Focuses On West-Africa TradesOn 22-23rd April the ‘West Africa 2015 - More and Better’ seminar was held at the CMA CGM head office in Marseilles, France. The event gathered more than 80 participants from our worldwide agencies and specifically from our West African country network. The conference promoted the Group’s Africa growth prospects in gaining market share, increasing its investments in dry ports and terminals and the development of both the CMA CGM and DELMAS brands across the African continent.

Congo Agency In Pointe Noire RelocatedPlease be advised that DELMAS CONGO Pointe Noire has moved. Our local agency experts are on standby to offer you advice, answer your queries and assist with rates and bookings. Our EURAF 5 service allows CMA CGM / DELMAS to offer weekly calls at Pointe Noire port providing schedule reliability and swift transit times. This service offers weekly connections at Tangier Med for efficient transhipment to North Europe.

DELMAS CONGO 15 avenue du Général de Gaulle, Immeuble IMMOCO - 2ème étageBP 884, POINTE NOIRE, CONGO

South African Agency Gets New Managing DirectorWe are pleased to announce the recent appointment of Mr Vitesh Ramphal as the new Managing Director of CMA CGM Shipping Agencies South Africa Pty Lt based in our Durban agency office. With the aid of our knowledge and expertise on the African market, our network of African agents are able to offer every aspect of ocean transport and in-land distribution, so ensuring smooth, flexible shipments from beginning to end.

Come And Visit Us!Come and visit us at our stand at ‘The Cargo Show’ on 30th June-1st July. The event is held at the Sandton Convention Center, Johannesburg, South Africa. This shipping conference focuses on efficiencies and strategic supply chain management for operators, cargo owners and forwarders. Business to Business meetings will also be held.

For more information view: http://www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/the-carg-show-africa/index.stm

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Corporate Environment & SafetyThe CMA CGM Group is a leading and recognised industry player concerning Safety & Security issues, adopting the highest standards. We continuously review both national and international regulations across Africa and the World and how these impact trade. Numerous new regulations will entry into force this year, we focus on the following rules:

Environment: Sulphur EmissionsThis regulation focuses on Sulphur emissions [SOx] where IMO rules need to be strictly followed. Ships trading in designated Emission Control Areas [ECAs] have to use fuel oil on board with a sulphur content of no more than 0.10% from 1 January 2015, against the previous limit of 1% up until 31 December 2014. Tighter rules come into effect under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution form ships [MARPOL] Annex VI.

At CMA CGM/ DELMAS we pleased to report zero deficiencies since the ruling was launched. Furthermore we are looking at new solutions to ensure compliancy to include the modification of tanks by using both new developments and retrofitting of ships. State of the art technology solutions are also examined for best solutions such as scrubbers for vessels operating only in Emission Control Areas. It also should be noted that the limit in sulphur emissions applicable worldwide in 2020 will be reduced to 0.5%.

Safety: Nairobi Convention On Wrecks Removal The Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007, was adopted by an international conference held in Kenya in 2007. The IMO ruling entered into force on 14 April 2015. The Convention places strict liability on owners for locating, marking and removing wrecks deemed to be a hazard and makes State certification of insurance, or other form of financial security for such liability. It also provides States Parties with a right of direct action against insurers. The convention has already been ratified by Congo, Nigeria and Morocco.

Safety: Container Weight VerificationNew requirements were adopted by the International Maritime Organization [IMO] regarding containers weighting and will come into force in July 2016. These new requirements amend the SOLAS convention. The shipper will be responsible for the verification of the gross mass of a container carrying cargo. If the shipping document does not provide the verified gross mass and the master or his representative and the terminal representative have not obtained the verified gross mass of the packed container, it shall not be loaded on to the ship.

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AFRICAN GROUP NEWSCMA CGM / DELMAS

Corporate Social ResponsibilityTo see more information on Corporate Social Responsibility please view our website at

http://www.cma-cgm.com/the-group/corporate-social-responsibility/environment

Here you can find details of our commitment to safety & security as well as ethics and the environment. This area includes information on both cargo and terminal safety and security.

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May 201519-20 MOZAMBUILD 2015 (Maputo, Mozambique) www.mozambuild.com

20-21 UMEC 2014 (Kampala, Uganda) www.umec-uganda.com

20-22 INDUTEC (Midrand, South Africa) http://ems.mbendi.com/Industry-and-Technology-Fair/indutec-2015.htm

27-29 2nd Cameroon International Mining Conference & Exhibition (Yaoundé, Cameroon) http://cimecameroon.com/

27-31 ZAMINEX / CMACS 2015 (Kitwe, Zambia) http://www.cacss.co.zm/

June 2015 2-6 SINPORT (San Pedro, Cote d’Ivoire) http://sinportci.com/

3-6 SISEMI SENEGAL (Dakar, Senegal) http://www.sisemisenegal.com/v1/

9-10 Connecting West Africa (Dakar, Senegal) http://westafrica.comworldseries.com/

18-19 5th Zambia International Mining and Energy Conference and Exhibition (Lusaka, Zambia) www.zimeczambia.com

18-19 West Africa Anti-Corruption Summit (Accra, Ghana) http://www.c5-online.com/2015/624/west-africa-anti-corruption-summit

22-24 African Iron & Steel Conference (Maputo, Mozambique) http://www.metalbulletin.com/events/african-iron-ore-conference/details.html

23-24 Gas Africa (Johannesburg, South Africa) http://www.mbendi.com/a_sndmsg/event_view.asp?I=15503

23-25 AVI Africa 2015 [Poultry] (Johannesburg, South Africa) http://www.sapoultry.co.za

24-26 Water Africa and West Africa Building & Construction Exhibition and Seminars 2015 (Accra, Ghana) http://www.ace-events.com/

28-8 Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) / Saba Saba (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) http://www.tantrade.or.tz/events.php?yearID=2015&monthID=6&dayID=28&e=19

July 2015 2-3 Aviana Kenya 2015 / Kenya Poultry 2015 (Nairobi, Kenya) http://www.avianaafrica.com

15-17 POWER-GEN Africa (Cape Town, South Africa) http://www.powergenafrica.com/index.html 15-17 Distributech Africa (Cape Town, South Africa) http://www.distributechafrica.com/

22-24 FESPA Africa / Africa Print (Johannesburg, South Africa) http://www.fespa.com/calendar/fespa-events/fespa-africa-2015.html

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AFRICAN SHIPPING

EVENTS DIARY

ANGOLA - Saudi Arabia is organising a business mission to Angola to

assess the economic potential of the country.

COTE D’IVOIRE - Is to sell its debut Islamic bond in the next 2-3 months -

assessing whether to make sukuk issues a regular part of fund raising.

- U.S. private equity firm Brookstone Partners plans to invest up to US750m in 3x hydroelectric dams in Ivory Coast through its Moroccan arm Platinum Powers. A 100 MW dam will be constructed on the Bafing River / 110 MW dam on the Sassandra River with construction to start Q1 2016 over 5-years. Location for 3rd dam yet to be decided.

GHANA - Ministry of Food and Agriculture has announced a total ban of

importation of poultry and and poultry products from Burkina Faso.

- Commodities trading house Touton Group has purchased a cocoa bean processing factory in Ghana with 24,000 T capacity pa. The factory was previously owned by Niche Cocoa Industry Ltd.

NIGERIA - Dangote Cement to begin production in Tanzania in August,

as sub-Saharan Africa’s leading cement producer eyes new markets on the continent. A $500-million factory with annual capacity of 3-million tonnes will double the country’s annual output of cement to 6-million T.

- Ogun State plans to undertake construction of intra/inter-city light rail network to connect parts of the region. State has signed a US$3.2bn contract with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCEEC) to deliver the project within 3-years. It is expected that the railway network will ease transport as well as movement of commodities across the state. It will also lessen pressure on highways in the state. The contractor is expected to source for project funds.

- Solo announced it has exchanged its shareholding in Pan Minerals Oil and Gas AG for a direct holding of 15.9% in Burj Petroleum Africa Limited, a private UK registered company created with the purpose of participating in the current marginal field licensing round in Nigeria. Burj Africa, together with its partners, Global Oil and Gas and Truvent Consulting, has made application for 2-marginal fields.

- Lafarge Africa Plc has announced it will soon start construction of 500 housing units in the Federal Capital.

TOGO - Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama, the current head

of ECOWAS, arrived in Togo on a mediation mission after the opposition complained of irregularities in the presidential vote. President Faure Gnassingbe won re-election to a 3rd term based on provisional results with more than 1.2 million votes [58.75%]

Western AfricaKENYA - US Secretary of State John Kerry is in Kenya for a 3-day visit:

to discuss security, terrorism, trade and President Barack Obama’s visit in July.

- Kenyan billionaire Naushad Merali’s Sameer Group is to build a US$30m milk factory in Nakuru. Sameer Agriculture & Livestock Ltd (SALL) is keen to expand its production capacity. SALL owns a large market share in Kenya with its Daima brand of fresh milk and yoghurts.

MOZAMBIQUE - Fitch Ratings kept its rating on Mozambique’s long-term debt

in foreign and national currency at “B+” with a stable outlook. Economic growth expected to fall to 6.8% after an average of 7.2% recorded in the last 5-years.

NAMIBIA - Government’s medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF)

was announced covering infrastructural projects over next 3 years to include: New road between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay (N$1,3 billion), the Karibib-Usakos-Swakopmund road upgrade (N$747 million), farm land purchases for land reform (N$592 million), Walvis Bay airport upgrade (N$447 million), and the Namibian navy HQ in Walvis Bay (N$396 million). Also Namibian air force HQ at Karibib (N$348 million), desalination plant at Swakopmund (N$172 million), residential services at Walvis Bay N$157 million, upgrade of Swakopmund-Henties Bay-Kamanjab road (N$156 million), testing and inspection centre for Namibian Standards Institute at Walvis Bay (N$137 million), residential service at Henties Bay (N$124 million) and railway network upgrading in Erongo (N$123 million).

RWANDA - China & Rwanda signed a MoU with SINOHYDRO, a Chinese

engineering and construction company to implement the hydro power station projects of Nyabugogo II and Mutobo Project station.

SOUTH AFRICA - Coal producer KUYASA Mining Ltd plans to build a 600 MW

power plant at a cost of about US$1.7b to be located near its mine near Delmas.

- Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone has penned an agreement with Byromate, a renewable power firm, to see construction of a R2billion biomass electricity plant. Expected to start in Q3 2016 and end in 2018.

TANZANIA - Graphite developer Kibaran Resources moved a step closer

to the development of its Epanko graphite project announcing it had received an environmental permit from the office of the Vice President - a pre-requisite.

- EWURA raised the price of petrol in Dar es Salaam by 111 shillings to 1,866 shillings ($0.9439) per litre / diesel by 23 shillings to 1,695 shillings per litre.

Eastern & Southern Africa

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AFRICAN PROJECT

BRIEFS

Asia-Africa Summit [AAS] 2015Leaders In Jakarta For 60th Anniversary Of Bi-Continental Gathering Leaders of 30 countries from Africa and Asia gathered in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, for several days of talks marking the 60th anniversary of the bi-continental gathering. The first Asian-African Summit [ASS] was held in the city of Bandung, on Java island, in 1955.

The focus at the 6-day conference, themed “Strengthening South-South Cooperation”, was on economic cooperation at a multilateral level.

Trade between the 2-continents has grown from US$2.8 billion in 1990 to US$270 billion by 2012, as bilateral deals gained prominence. In proportional terms, exports from Asia to Africa form just 26% of Asia’s total exports today, while Africa’s exports to Asia add up to a mere 3% of its total exports. These levels are far below full potential, prompting some 500 business leaders from both sides to agree to form an Asian-African Business Council. The target is for future flows to surpass US$1.5 trillion by 2020.

Asia-African Business Summit [AABS]On the sidelines of AAS 2015, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry [KADIN - Kamar Dagang dan Industri - www.kadin-indonesia.or.id] hosted the Asia-African Business Summit [AABS - http://aabs2015.kadinindonesia.org], where Asian and African businessmen gathered and worked out how to strengthen economic cooperation. Themed “Realisation of Asia-Africa Partnership for Progress and Prosperity” the 1-day business summit discussed areas in maritime, agriculture, infrastructure, trade and investments.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo delivered a brief opening speech along with a keynote speech made by South African Vice President Cyril Ramaphosa. To conclude KADIN announced that an Asia-African Business Council will be initiated as a monitoring body to support the declaration made during the business summit. Their aim will be to minimise trade barriers, help create a more open and fair trading system and woo investors by making it easier to get business licences and protecting investments.

FACTBOX: Asian-African Business Council - Council to be set up soon - To step up links between regions - Share know-how & boost

investments - Secretariat based in Indonesia - Co-secretariat in South Africa - To meet at least once a year - First meeting to be held in

Indonesia in the next 6-months - Egypt has offered to host the

2nd meeting in 2016

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PAN AFRICA

TRADE

Silk Road Economic Belt / Nigeria Rail ProjectsAAS 2015 also focused on how China and Japan are to extend their influence particularly concerning the “One Belt One Road” initiative to bolster links between China and nations stretching from Asia to Africa, and the recently established Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. China’s “One Road, One Belt” strategy includes plans to build roads, railways, ports, natural gas pipelines and other infrastructure stretching into south and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and through central Asia to Europe to create demand for China’s industrial exports in the face of overcapacity at home.

As part of that strategy African units of China Railway Construction Corp announced that it will build a US$3.5 billion intercity rail line in Nigeria. The latest deal follows a US$12 billion contract that CRCC reportedly signed for a separate rail line in Nigeria last November. CRCC said financing for its rail project had not been finalised but last week state media reported that China’s central bank would use the country’s foreign exchange reserves to inject $62bn in fresh capital into the country’s non-commercial “policy banks”, which are expected to play a key role in supporting the New Silk Road initiative.

New Asian-African Strategic Partnership [NAASP]Another aim of AAS 2015 was to strengthen the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership [NAASP] as a platform to promote inter-regional dialogue and practical cooperation between Asian and African countries. NAASP is based on 3-pillars: political solidarity, economic cooperation, and socio-cultural relations through training and workshops.

FACTBOX: One Belt, One Road - At the end of March, China’s National Development and Reform Commission released a blueprint for the Silk Road

Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road: “One Belt, One Road.” - The plan calls for increased diplomatic coordination, standardised and linked trade facilities, free trade zones and

other trade facilitation policies, financial integration promoting the Renminbi, and people-to-people cultural programs throughout nations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

- Countries along the Belt will enhance customs cooperation such as information exchange, recognition of regulations and law enforcement; improve cooperation in inspection and quarantine, certification and accreditation, standard measurement, and statistical information; and work to ensure that the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement is implemented.

- Full details on the Silk Road can be found at http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2015-03/28/c_134105858.htm

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GeneralUSA Advisory Council Wants US-Africa Infrastructure Center

U.S. President Barack Obama’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa met for the first time in Washington, D.C. 8th April.

High-level U.S. government officials attended the session, along with the council’s 15 private sector members, who represent some of the largest U.S. companies currently doing business in Africa.

The council’s meeting marked the fulfilment of a key commitment from last year’s U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit, where Obama instructed the establishment of a private sector-led working group with the goal of developing a comprehensive set of recommendations to enhance U.S.-African trade and investment.

The Recommendations Report included several innovative proposals including the establishment of a “forward-deployed” U.S.-Africa Infrastructure Center that would ensure early American involvement in “target markets” through advocacy, information sharing, and participation in feasibility studies.

The report also highlights the development of African capital markets to attract increased investment, and recommends that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission provide technical assistance on “market development, surveillance, and enforcement issues” in the region.

Council members also committed to independent efforts to support American commerce in the region, including the announcement by Bloomberg LP, that it would host a business and economic summit in Africa in early 2016.

[AFK 11/04/15]

The report is available to view at http://www.trade.gov/pac-dbia/

USA-AFRICA TRADE FACTS - African growth 4.7% p.a. with 28 of top 30 African economies recorded positive growth. - Top 10 African economies account for 80% of economic growth. - USA-Africa trade grown 7% p.a. [last 10 yrs] - U.S. merchandise trade with Africa: US$86 billion. U.S. imports from Africa [US$51 billion] outweighing U.S. exports to

Africa [US$35 billion]. [2013] - U.S. companies invested US$10 billion into African countries [last 10 yrs] - U.S.-Africa Business Forum 2014 led to > US$33 billion in commitments: US$7 billion financing to promote U.S.

exports and investment / US$12 billion for Power Africa / US$14 billion in commitments from American corporations. - Over 400 companies generate >US$1 billion in revenue in Africa - many are American eg IBM, Hewlett-Packard,

General Electric, General Motors, Proctor & Gamble and Ford.

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PAN AFRICA

TRADE

World Bank: Africa’s 2015 Growth Impacted By Oil, Commodity Prices FallA new World Bank report forecasts that sub-Saharan Africa’s growth will slow to 4% in 2015 from 4.5% in 2014, due to weak commodity prices and the sharp fall in oil prices. Excluding South Africa, whose economic performance is described as “subpar”, the average growth for the rest of the region is forecast at 4.7%. South Africa is expected to grow by around 2.1% in 2015 having expanded by 1.5% last year, the slowest rate of growth since the country’s 2009 recession.

The 2015 forecast, published in the biannual Africa’s Pulse publication, is also below the region’s 4.4% average annual growth rate of the past 2-decades, and well off the peak growth rates of 6.4% recorded between 2002 and 2008. The bank says the slower expansion is reflective of sub-Saharan Africa’s vulnerability to falling commodity prices, which is resulting in terms-of-trade shocks for most commodity-linked African countries. A report summary highlights:

- 36 of 48 countries will experience a deterioration in their terms of trade

- Accounting for 80% of population / 70% economic activity - Initial terms-of-trade shock effect reflects a loss in the price of

exports relative to imports of 18.3% for the region. - Decline in terms of trade is about 40% for oil-exporting countries,

with oil remaining the most important commodity traded in the region - Oil is a top 5-export item in 18 countries and a top 5-import item for

15 countries, including South Africa. - Gains associated with lower fuel prices for net importers [Botswana,

South Africa and Zambia] are also being partially offset by losses associated with declining international prices of nickel, iron-ore and copper.

- 14 countries are highly vulnerable to the fall in commodity prices, as measured by a terms-of-trade deterioration greater than 10%.

- Despite a marginal terms-of-trade improvement in South Africa, the beneficial effects of low oil prices on consumer purchasing power are being offset by higher fuel levies, a weaker rand, policy uncertainty and electricity shortages, which continue to hamper economic activity and export growth

Starting in 2016, however, growth should gradually pick up in the region as commodity prices partially recover and/or economies diversify, strengthening to 4.5% in 2016 and 4.7% in 2017. Growth will be underpinned by infrastructure investment and private consumption buoyed by low oil prices.

[Engineering News 13/04/15]

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AfTra / CBI Join Forces In Spreading Market Information For African Exporters On 25 EU SectorsThe Africa Trade Fund [AfTra] is to support the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries [CBI], in providing and disseminating European market information to African exporters. The information, which is produced and periodically updated by CBI makes it easier for African exporters and Business Support Organizations to identify business opportunities. Europe offers many opportunities for SMEs from Africa.

On its website, CBI offers market information that helps companies seize these opportunities. The market information covers over 25 sectors, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, coffee, oilseeds, apparel, tourism, home textiles and automotive parts and components.

CBI publishes over 250 market studies annually. The studies highlight which European markets offer most opportunities for exports of specific products. CBI also publishes studies about dealing with buyer requirements and European legislation, about the best channels to get products on the European market and about important trends. Elements such as trade direction, market demand and supply, competition, consumption trends [current and projected], requirements on labelling, packaging and certifications are included on the platform.

For direct access to databases and market studies market please view www.africatradefund.org under the Knowledge & Resources section or through the CBI website www.cbi.eu

[AfDB 14/04/15]

ABOUT

AfTra is a trade-related technical assistance fund with the specific objective of improving the trade performance of African countries. Its primary focus is on modernizing Africa’s custom systems, developing products and markets and strengthening the capacities of trade support institutions.

CBI stimulates sustainable economic development in developing countries through the expansion of exports from these countries. The organization offers coaching programmes for exporters, works on improving the export enabling environment, activates importers and informs and influences policy-makers. CBI is part of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

13

PAN AFRICA

TRADE

AfDB: US$40 Million Trade Deal With Spanish BankTo support issuing banks in Africa in expanding their trade finance operations, the African Development Bank [AfDB] has entered into a US$40-million risk participation agreement [RPA] with Spanish banking group Banco Santander. The facility would tackle market demand for trade finance in Africa by providing support for trade including agriculture and manufacturing sectors. Santander would share the risk by matching AfDB’s undertaking in every transaction - creating a trade finance portfolio of at least US$80m. The facility is expected to support trade in Africa worth more than US$480m over a 3-year period.

[All Africa 23/04/15]

AfDB Hopes To Work With AIIBThe head of the African Development Bank [AfDB] welcomed the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank [AIIB] hoping that the institutions could work together to plug the funding gap for infrastructure in African countries. More than 50 countries, including Britain, France and Germany, have this year rushed to join China’s initiative, a US$50 billion multilateral infrastructure bank that plans to start providing project loans to countries across Asia from the end of this year. The AfDB hopes the AIIB will expand its mandate to Africa and help with the continent’s estimated US$50 billion annual infrastructure funding gap.

[South China Morning Post 15/04/15]

AfDB Launching The Continental Business Network [CBN]The African Development Bank [AfDB] and the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa [ICA] participated in the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa [PIDA] Acceleration Strategy Action Plan [PAS] and meetings for the launch of the Continental Business Network [CBN].

The PAS aims to fast-track priority PIDA projects, specifically, 16 projects agreed at the Dakar Financing Summit [DFS]. These include the Dar-es-Salaam Port expansion project in East Africa; Sambangalou hydro-power project in West Africa; the Batoka Gorge hydro-power project in Zimbabwe and the Serenje-Nakonde road in Zambia, which is part of the North-South Corridor among others.

The meeting discussed the proposed Action Plan for implementing the PAS - to move these projects forward to preparation and financing stage. The CBN is intended to be a high-level advocacy and investment platform for increased private sector participation in PIDA financing, investment and implementation, and as a forum for addressing challenges and opportunities relating to the development of Africa’s infrastructure.

The meeting discussed the rationale and possible set up and operational modalities for the CBN which is set to be launched on June 1, 2015 at the World Economic Forum Africa Summit in Cape Town, South Africa.

[AfDB 16/04/15]

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AngolaAngola Business WeekThe first edition of a 3-day international networking fair was held in Luanda this month involving businessmen from Portugal, Brazil, PALOP [Portuguese-speaking African countries] and countries that trade with Angola. Promoted by the ‘Welcome To Angola’ agency, the event themed “Diversification of the Economy,” aimed to establish business partnerships and trade promotion.

[Macauhub/AO 21/04/15]

Portugal Opens Credit Line To Support Portuguese Companies The government of Portugal has opened a €500 million credit line to help national companies operating in Angola. This credit line can only be used by companies that can prove they are experiencing payment difficulties in Angola and will operate differently from traditional lines of credit to small and medium enterprises.

Economic and trade relations already benefit from 3-Portuguese credit lines. The first credit line was for €100 million, the second, guaranteed by insurance company Companhia de Seguro de Créditos [Cosec] for €500 million and the third is commercial, from Portuguese state bank Caixa Geral de Depósitos [CGD] for €500 million.

[Macauhub/AO/PT 13/04/15]

Equatorial GuineaChina Signs A US$2 Billion Infrastructure AgreementThe government of Equatorial Guinea has entered an agreement with China which will see the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) provide US$2bn for infrastructure in the country. The signing followed a 5-day state visit paid by President Teodor Obiang Nguema to Beijing.

[CR 30/04/15]

15

WESTERN AFRICA

ECOWAS & TRADE

Liberia/GuineaLiberia And Guinea Reopen Border To Facilitate TradeThe Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN) has disclosed that the Government of Guinea has re-opened its border with Liberia along the Ganta corridor to facilitate trade and other cross-border activities between the 2-nations. Although the Liberian side of the Ganta-Guinea border was reopened since February this year, the Guinean Government had kept its borders with Liberia closed.

[Liberia News Agency 21/04/15]

SenegalEmerging Senegal Plan - Wooing US Investors To Boost InfrastructureA blueprint to increase international investment in Senegal and in support of government plans to overhaul industrial and civil sectors has been presented to policymakers in the US. The ‘Emerging Senegal Plan’ aims to establish modern infrastructure to support production, improvements in the investment climate and financing amongst others.

The government, which presented the plan in Washington DC to private equity funds, financial institutions, international agencies and US firms, said its President, Macky Sall, wanted to accelerate the country’s progress towards emerging-market status.

Senegal’s finance and economy minister Amadou Ba and the minister responsible for promoting the government’s plan, Abdul Aziz Tall, noted Senegal aimed to transform its economy by developing new sectors to create wealth and jobs with a strong capacity to export and attract investment. Senegal’s ‘shopping list’ of projects for which international participation is sought covers infrastructure, mining, agriculture, tourism, education and health.

According to the plan Senegal’s government will launch key reforms by 2016 to substantially improve the business environment. Reforms will focus in particular on the computerisation of administrative procedures, establishment of a fiscal and legal framework which is simple and motivating, improvement in the competitiveness of factors of production, and the promotion of high-impact investment.

International Monetary Fund’s Christine Lagarde has described the plan as an ambitious yet feasible path towards emerging economy status. In a report published last year by PwC, Senegal’s capital Dakar was named as one of the upcoming 10 cities in sub-Saharan Africa that are expected to see faster economic growth than any other region by 2040.

[Out Law 06/05/15]

16

AngolaPuma Energy Opens One of World’s Largest Offshore Fuelling FacilitiesPuma Energy, the globally integrated midstream and downstream energy company, opened one of the world’s largest Conventional Buoy Mooring [CBM] systems in Luanda Bay, Angola on 21 April.

The fuel loading buoy anchored offshore serves as a strategic mooring point for Africa and it will allow a wide range of carriers to berth while loading or offloading oil product. The new CBM is located next to Puma Energy’s Fishing Port Terminal in Luanda Bay, which is currently being extended and will have a total storage capacity of 276,000m3.

[PR Newswire 21/04/15]

CameroonKribi Port Project Shortlist The government commission, charged with recommending a container terminal manager for Kribi port, has shortlisted Philippines-based ICTSI and port operator APM Terminals, a unit of shipping and oil conglomerate A.P. Moller-Maersk.

A consortium led by France’s Bollore failed to make the final list to manage the new container terminal. Cameroon’s government is likely to base its final decision on the commission’s recommendation but it remains unclear when the decision will be made.

Bollore, through its logistics subsidiary Bollore Africa Logistics, manages Cameroon’s main container terminal in Douala.

[Reuters 27//04/15]

Container Auction At Douala PortThere is no space for further containers to be parked in the Douala International Terminal [DIT] at Douala port. Over 3,000 containers have occupied the park for over 90 days causing huge congestion. As per article 273 of the Customs Code, containers that have spent 90 days and above will be auctioned and money deposited in the public treasury. Thus 50 containers will be auctioned twice a week by the Customs Department on Mondays and Wednesdays.

[Tribune 23/04/15]

DRCDredging Of The Congo RiverLa Congolaise des Voies Maritimes [CVM] has announced that dredging will take place along the maritime reach of the Congo River. The dredger ‘ORWELL’ is due to arrive at the beginning of May 2015 to carry out the works under a Public Private Partnership [PPP] agreement signed between CVM and Dredging International [DI]. The official draft of 24’ will be restored within 2-weeks of commencement. The goal is to achieve a draft of 26’.

[La Congolaise des Voies Maritimes 21/04/15]

17

WESTERN AFRICA

PORTS

GhanaGPHA Introduces Online Vessel Booking SystemThe Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority [GPHA] will by July 2015 introduce an online vessel booking and vessel allocation system at all ports to improve efficiency known as Terminal Operating System [TOS]. The move, in line with automation plans, would see ports move away from the 3-weekly berthing meetings with shipping agents and stevedoring companies. A data processing centre for the purpose, which would also serve as a one stop shop for invoicing and the payment of revenue, is under construction. It is expected to be operational in Q3 2015 and will make it possible for agents to file for berthing requirements online.

[Ghanaian Times 14/04/15]

GPHA Improves Security & CommunicationsPort surveillance and security has been heightened to include electronic gates and identity cards. The latter has been allocated to all service providers. Furthermore the GPHA is now working on biometric identification systems to track people and reduce the incidence of pilfering and stowaways among others. Optical character recognition cameras have been installed, and boom barriers are being updated at gates to help identify drivers, trucks and their documentations all in a bid to better secure cargo.

The GPHA has set up a 30 minute communication channel ‘Eye on Port’ on Metro TV [Sundays 5:30pm] and on Ghana Television [Mondays 6:30pm] to discuss all relevant issues engaging the attention of the port community to strengthen engagement with stakeholders and the public. GPHA has also reactivated the Port Advisory Committee for regulation, security and standardisation agencies as well as private and public sector organisations operating in the port to review and improve their operations. A Port Community Association has also been formed to help with policy formulation to ensure policies are well co-ordinated.

[Ghanaian Times 14/04/15]

Tema Harbour To Receive Power BargesPpreparatory works ongoing at the Tema harbour toward receiving two power barges being imported from Turkey to supplant power production in Ghana. The country is currently shedding between 400-700 MW of power depending on supply and demand.

[Starr 07/04/15]

GuineaBoke Port DevelopmentChina’s Yantai Port Group, together with 3-other firms in China, Singapore, and Guinea, have invested an undisclosed amount in Boke port, on the Rio Nunez in the Katougouma region to further develop Guinea’s bauxite trade. The 3-companies are Shandong Weiqiao Pioneering Group, Singapore’s Winning International Group, and Guinea’s Boke Mining Company.

The project aims to build 2-bauxite berths, one heavy cargo berth, as well as loading belts. The port’s first berth is scheduled to open on 20 July. The port’s current annual capacity is designed to handle 10 million tonnes which is expected to rise to 30 million tonnes per year by 2017.

[IHS Maritime 360 15/04/15]

18

SenegalDakar Records 7% Increase In Freight ActivityThe volume of goods exported through Senegal’s Autonomous Port of Dakar [PAD] increased in the first 2-months of 2015 compared to the same period last year. The total gross weight of goods handled was 715,900 tons against 665,200 tons in 2014 up 7.6%. These shipments include various merchandise [608,800 tons], phosphates [82,400 tons] and seafood [24,700 tons].

[APA 21/04/15]

19

WESTERN AFRICA

PORTS

20

EACOverlapping Trade Blocs Trigger Illegal TradeAfrica has a number of trade blocs offering members different benefits through various agreements. These are meant to streamline and assist intra-African and regional trade, a necessity considering cross-border trade on the continent is but a fraction of what it is in other regions.

Africa’s “spaghetti bowl” of cross-over membership between trade blocs can – and is – causing problems with illegal trade, according to Edward George, Ecobank’s head of research. Some African countries form part of multiple trade blocs. For example, Uganda and Kenya are both members of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the East African Community (EAC). Tanzania is not a member of COMESA, but is of both the EAC and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). And this is where things can get tricky. One prominent example is Kenya’s sugar sector which suffers under high production costs that make it difficult to compete with imports from neighbours. The country has imposed a quota on how much sugar can be imported duty-free from other EAC and COMESA countries, the idea being to limit the volumes of cheaper imports and enable the reform its own sugar industry. Similarly minerals are being smuggled across borders and smelted elsewhere.

There is a need for a formal process of tracking the origin of materials, and checking the certificates of country origin for authenticity. At present informal trade makes up around 43% of the continent’s GDP and imposes numerous challenges to the viability and sustainability of genuine corporations. Issues regarding transfer pricing, under-declaration of quantities, under-invoicing, and non-payments of output VAT by informal traders remain a concern for both the authorities and legitimate companies. Countries first implement the correct policy framework and second ensure strict adherence to those policies by the individual authorities.

[Howwemadeitin Africa 30/04/15]

KenyaClearing Agents Want One Regional Customs SystemClearing agents in Kenya want a single customs system for the East African Community [EAC] to facilitate faster clearance of cargo. The agents want the EAC to agree on one system out of the four that are currently being used.

Through the Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association [KIFWA], the agents say they have to log into the different systems which runs against the East Africa integration framework.

According to KIFWA agents have to log into customs systems of the member state where cargo is destined, hindering smooth clearance of cargo. Though clearing agents have passwords for the different systems, they still face challenges in accessing some countries’ customs systems.

As the region embraces the Single Customs Territory and the Kenya National Electronic Single Window System, a common customs system will be vital to facilitate trade.

[Star 17/04/15]

We need to settle for one system which will make it easy for agents to transact. We want to move to an integrated system if regional integration is to make sense.

Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association [KIFWA]

“”

Tanzania TANCIS - TANzania Customs Integrated System

Kenya SIMBA

South Sudan SIMBA

Uganda ASYCUDA - Automated SYstem for CUstoms DAta

Rwanda ASYCUDA +[plus] - Automated SYstem for CUstoms Data +

21

EASTERN AFRICA

EAC, COMESA & TRADE

Mauritius/MadagascarMauritius And Madagascar Trade CooperationSeveral bilateral-related issues and the possibility of exploring new avenues of cooperation between Mauritius and Madagascar, particularly the creation of special economic zones in Madagascar with Mauritius’ support, were discussed during the Malagasy Prime Minister, Jean Ravelonarivo’s official visit to Mauritius.

[Mauritius Government 04/05/15]

MozambiqueExports Fall 5% In 2014

Exports fell by 5% in 2014 to US$3.916 billion whilst imports fell 6.2%, the Bank of Mozambique (BM) noted in its “Economic Situation and Inflation Prospects” report. The value of imports stood at US$7.951 billion, against US$8.479 billion in 2013. However, excluding large projects, the fall in exports was 22.8% (US$1.486 billion), while for imports the drop was just 1.2% (US$6.549 billion).

Tobacco was the largest export product amongst traditional products, with over US$200 million, ahead of wood, sugar and cotton, each with a value exceeding US$100 million. Amongst major projects aluminium was the product with the highest export value, although it fell from US$1.0632 billion in 2013 to US$1.0523 billion in 2014. Coal exports fell by US$12.2 million to US$490.7 million. Exports of electricity performed well, increasing by US$85.2 million to US$355.3 million, as did gas, with an increase of US$110.3 million (US$339.9 million) and heavy minerals, an increase of US$56.5 million (US$191.3 million).

Amongst imports fuel accounted for the largest portion of Mozambique’s import bill - US$1.2 billion. Lower international commodity prices had a positive impact on Mozambique in terms of fuel imports, but a negative impact in terms of exports of products such as coal, tobacco and cotton. Gross Domestic Product [GDP] growth stood at 7.4% in 2014 but the devaluation of the metical caused a drop of reserves during Q1 2015. Despite the impact of floods in the first 2-months of the year and the devaluation of the metical, inflation has remained stable and in line with the government’s forecast of 5.1%.

[Macauhub 30/04/15]

SomaliaSomalia Maritime Administration - Guidelines Being DrawnA 3-day Stakeholders Forum was held 27-29 April in Mombasa, Kenya to review draft guidelines for the establishment of a Somalia Maritime Administration. The event was coordinated and funded by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and hosted by the Kenya Maritime Authority. The aim is to develop a framework for establishing a Somalia Maritime Administration to provide governance and oversight for development of a sustainable Somali maritime sector. This will allow Somalia to demonstrate its commitments and obligations under international law, and to ensure the country is in compliance with international laws and regulations. The meeting was attended by ministers and senior officials from Somalia, the Puntland administration and Galmudug as well as observers from the Food and Agriculture Organization, the European regional capacity building mission EU-CAP NESTOR and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia.

[Ethiopia Government 28/04/15]

22

KenyaMombasa Cargo Volumes Up 11.5% Total cargo handled at the port of Mombasa increased by 11.5% from 22.3 million tonnes in 2013 to 24.9 million tonnes in 2014. According to the Economic Survey 2015, there was a significant increase in container traffic handled at the Port of Mombasa, where the facility registered a total of 1.01 million TEU in 2014, compared to 894,000 TEU handled in 2013. The survey attributed the rise in TEUs to improvement of the port facilities, which led to the 13.2% increase which marked KPA’s record 1-million TEU’s, the highest number of containers to ever be handled at the port in a year. The implementation of the Single Window System platform also played a role. The system facilitates online transactions for international trade and has led to the maximising of port efficiency.

[Star 04/05/15]

FIGURES - Vessels: Up 3.6% from 1,768 in 2013 to 1,832 in 2014 - Total imports: Up 8.3% at 20.8 million T in 2014 from 19.2 million T 2013 - Bulk liquids imports: Up 10.8% to 7.2 million T compared to 6.5 million T in 2013 - Dry general/dry bulk imports: Up 654,000 and 318,000 T respectively in 2014, to record a total 8.4 million T and 5.2

million T up from 7.7 million T and 4.9 million T the previous year. - Total exports: Up 12.8% to record 3.4 million T from 2.9 million T in 2013. - Dry bulk exports: Up from 65,000 tonnes recorded in 2013 to 422,000 T in 2014 - on account of exports of titanium at

363,000 tonnes - Bulk liquids exports: Less than half that handled in 2013 - 45,000 T down from 100,000 T. - Vehicles: Up 15.3% from 136,915 units to 157, 856 units in 2014. - Total transit cargo: Up 6.9 million T in 2013 to 7.2 million T in 2014 - 4.4% growth.

23

EASTERN AFRICA

PORTS

TanzaniaNew Tanga Port To Boost EconomyVIP Engineering and Marketing Limited and Mwambani Port and Railway Corridor [MWAPORC] are jointly developing the implementation of the Mwambani Economic Corridor Project in Tanga region, north coast of Tanzania.

The project, estimated to cost Tshs 53 trillion, is on course and all necessary documents have been secured to start the project. The project is seeking to develop a hub port and free port coupled with a heavy haul railway linking Tanzania to the markets of East and Central Africa [in the Great Lakes] which will result in social-economic prosperity for Tanzania. The deep-sea port will be designed to make Tanzania a direct hub port, enabling direct shipping from international ports and thus significantly reducing the cost of logistics to exporters and importers. In addition, the Free Port at Tanga, to be constructed adjacent the new Deep Sea Port, would host manufacturing, logistics and other service industries while key anchor activities will include an integrated iron and steel manufacturing cluster.

Key to the project is the construction of a deep sea and free port at Mwambani near Tanga city and a new heavy haul standard gauge railway to link the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean from Tanzania, through Uganda and DRC. The railway will be operated by MWAPORC. Already the government of Burundi has signed a Comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding with MWAPORC authorising the corridor through Burundi, while the DRC government has expressed firm written support and Uganda has confirmed its support. Other areas earmarked to be developed in the project include the Tanga airport; the laying of water, gas and oil pipelines along the railway line and construction of new railway towns.

EAC Transport, Communications and Meteorology Council of Ministers has recognized the project as a private sector-led Economic Corridor within EAC. The EAC Secretariat in endorsement has appointed Dr. Enos Bukuku, Deputy Secretary General-Planning and Infrastructure, to coordinate development of the project within the EAC framework. The Tanzanian government has authorized the development of the project and a Comprehensive Project Agreement is ready for review. In the future the project will be open for trading shares.

[EA Business Week 13/04/15]

24

25

EASTERN AFRICA

PORTS

Dar Es Salaam Maritime Gateway Project - US$600 Million FaceliftDevelopment partners have launched a US$596 million project aimed at improving operational efficiency of Dar es Salaam port. The World Bank which has approved a US$400 million loan will partner with the UK’s Department for International Development [DFID] providing a grant of US$136 million and TradeMark East Africa [TMEA], an organization funded by a range of development agencies in East Africa, that has made a commitment of US$60 million. The 3-partners noted the project will involve the demolition of sheds 2 and 3 at Dar es Salaam port as part of the Dar es Salaam Maritime Gateway Project to improve the physical capacity of infrastructure and operational efficiency at the port.

The project is a Tanzania Ports Authority plan which was a response to the east African nation’s Big Results Now [BRN] initiative aimed at generating capacity to cater for the impending traffic growth at the port. TMEA’s support under phase 1 of the project focused on enhancing the port’s efficiency through demolition and relocation of sheds 2 and 7 and also involved the upgrading of roads and gates to introduce a single way traffic flow system at the port. Phase 2 funded by the World Bank and DFID is aimed at the dredging and modernization of berths to allow the handling of bigger vessels to improve the port’s competitiveness Phase 1 was expected to increase the port’s throughput to 18 million tons by 2016/2017 from 12.1 million tons in 2012/2013. Phase 2 will increase throughput capacity to 28 million tons.

[Xinhua 14/04/15]

Stakeholders Want One Stop Centre At Dar PortTanzania Ports Authority [TPA] stakeholders want Dar es Salaam port to operate as a one stop centre and operate banks 24/7. The move would boost efficiency, clear backlogs and reduce red tape as it strives to become the major entry hub for the East and central African region.

Institutions whose offices are preferred to be at the close proximity or right at the port include Tanzania Bureau of Standards [TBS], Tanzania Foods and Drugs Authority [TFDA], Government Chemist, Atomic Agency and Weight and Measure Agency. All are directly involved in inspecting incoming cargo through our port. By putting all under one umbrella, it will reduce time currently used in inspection processes and increase efficiency. TPA is constructing a building of which such institutions can request for a space to enable majority of services be under a one stop centre. TPA management and port’s stakeholders also agreed to meet every month to discuss and chart the way forward.

[Daily News 14/04/15]

TPA Boosting ICT EfficiencyPlacing investment in Information and Communication Technology [ICT] to national sea and lake ports to improve efficiency is crucial to increase economic growth. Recently, the Tanzania Ports Authority [TPA] executed a major ICT project connecting the headquarters office with its 13 branches in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Kigoma, Mtwara, Tanga, Mafia, Lindi, Kilwa, Pemba, Bukoba, Nansio and Musoma. Through Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited [TTCL] Fibre Optic Cable, TPA’s voice, data and internet services are set to facilitate the improvement in port services. New ICT technology should speed up customs processes in the cargo clearance.

[Daily News 14/04/15]

26

SADCLeaders Approve 50-Year Industrialization StrategyAfrican leaders who met in Zimbabwean capital Harare for an extraordinary summit of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) approved the bloc’s industrialization strategy and roadmap. The strategy and the roadmap were recommended in August 2014 during a SADC summit in Victoria Falls. Then a panel of foreign and trade ministers of member states was formed with the aim of formulating the strategy for the entire region within 7-months.

The strategy will seek to utilize the diverse resources of the region to bring about sustainable economic and social development. It plan will be based on 3-pillars, namely industrialization, competitiveness and regional integration and will span 2015 to 2063. Zimbabwean President Mugabe, the current chairman of the summit, noted each SADC member state would be tasked with a trade area to develop.

[Southern Times 30/04/15]

NamibiaWalvis Bay Showcased As Alternative Corridor for Brazil

The Walvis Bay Corridor Group [WBCG - www.wbcg.com.na], together with Namport, attended the 21st Intermodal South America, the 2nd biggest logistics Expo in the world.

With a Gross Domestic Product [GDP] of over US$2.2 trillion in 2013, Brazil is the world’s 7th wealthiest economy and the largest in area and population in Latin America with close to 200 million people. Government-sponsored initiatives have increased investment in infrastructure and tax incentives faster a more robust economic growth. International companies have targeted several segments of the economy, particularly oil and gas, biotechnology, electronics, textiles, food and chemistry. Brazil is the world’s biggest producer of sugar cane and coffee, and also an exporter of soya beans, cocoa and orange juice.

The Intermodal South America expo provided a very important platform for the corridor to create awareness to over 48,000 visitors and 600 exhibitors from 50 countries looking for new logistics solutions between South America and southern Africa. Walvis Bay provides the shortest link to connect that economy to the southern African market.

Some products currently moving on this trade route via Walvis Bay to regional markets include meat, furniture, consumables and construction materials. The WBCG group even set up a branch office in Sao Paulo in 2012 and since then has developed the trade route as an alternative for imports and exports between the regions.

[Namibian 14/04/15]

27

SOUTHERN AFRICA

SADC, TRADE & TRANSPORT

South Africa/USASouth Africa And USA To Build Trade TiesSouth Africa and the United States have agreed to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations following the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement [Tifa] Council meeting in Washington DC. The gathering was co-chaired by South African Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies and the United States Trade Representative, Michael Froman. The Tifa, signed in 2012, is a key platform to address bilateral concerns and boost bilateral trade and investment relations. Constructive discussions were held on the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act [AGOA], outstanding market access issues and the investment climate, as well as on issues on the multilateral trade agenda.

[SA Department of Trade and Industry 21/04/15]

ZimbabweSino-Zim Trade Volumes Top US$1.2 BillionZimbabwe and China’s bilateral trade volumes in the last 5-years has reached US$1.24 billion, double the figure that was recorded in 2010. Tobacco and cotton accounted for 70% of exports to China. New opportunities are emerging in economic and trade co-operation, industrial transfer, exchange of governance experience, co-operation and co-ordinations in international affairs and various people-to-people exchanges. Both countries are working together to implement the outcomes of President Mugabe’s State visit to China in August last year and benefiting from the National Development and Reform Commission of China visit to Zimbabwe in January. Agreements, including the concessionary loan to NetOne, food aid, construction of a new Parliament Building, and a digitalisation project. Zimbabwe has benefited immensely from the implementation of the Kariba South Hydro Power Expansion project, Victoria Falls Airport Development Project, the supply of medical equipment, the development and rehabilitation of municipal supply and sewage treatment system in the City of Harare. In recent years, China has provided US$1.5 billion of preferential loans in support of Zimbabwe’s efforts of national construction.

[All Africa 07/05/15]

TRADE FIGURES - 2-way trade up: R56.7-billion in 2001 / R141-

billion in 2014 - US is South Africa’s 3rd largest trading partner - South Africa’s exports to US up from R30-billion

in 2001 to R69.8-billion in 2014 - US exports to South Africa grew from R26.6-

billion to R71-billion - South Africa top exports: vehicles & associated

transport equipment [27%], precious metals [23%], base metals [11%], mineral products [9%] & chemical or allied industries [16%]

- US top exports: machinery & mechanical appliances; vehicles, vessels and aircrafts; chemical products; plastics and optical and medical equipment

- Sub-Saharan Africa AGOA exports increased from US$12.4-billion in 2000 to a peak of US$79.7-billion in 2008. However, in 2012, exports declined to US$43-billion and again to US$34-billion in 2013, largely as a result of a decline in oil exports

- AGOA provides duty-free market access to the US for qualifying Sub-Saharan African countries by extending preferences on more than 4,600 products.

28

South AfricaTNPA’s Tugboat Project On TimeTransnet National Port’s Authority’s [TNPA] R1.4bn contract to produce 9-tugboats is progressing on time and within budget at the Southern African Shipyards premises in Durban with 11% of the fabrication and construction on the project completed .The project kicked off in August 2014. The vessels [42m long / 15m wide /bollard pull of 100T] will replace ageing tugboats at the Ports of Durban, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay and Saldanha. TNPA has 29 tugs presently in service nationally, but the requirement for bigger, strong tugboat fleets has increased in line with bigger commercial vessels calling at South African ports more frequently. The first tug is expected to be handed over in January 2016 to the Port of Port Elizabeth, followed by handovers every 3-months until the last one is launched in early 2018. Two tugs will be allocated each to Durban, Richards Bay and Port Elizabeth, while Saldanha, which handles the largest carriers will receive 3-tugs.

[Cape Business News 03/05/15]

Ngqura Port Takes Delivery Of Automated Mooring UnitsThe last of the 26 mooring units comprising the Port of Ngqura’s automated mooring system [AMS] have arrived at the port procured from global engineering group Cavotec. The units are expected to improve port efficiency reducing docking and undocking times from between 10-40 minutes to less than 10-seconds. The AMS technology used remote-controlled vacuum pads recessed in, or mounted on the quayside, to moor and release vessels in seconds, increasing productivity. The move will further drive the Transnet National Ports Authority’s [TNPA’s] objective of establishing the port as a leading transhipment hub for the sub-Saharan Africa region.

Ngqura experiences significant long wave effects and strong winds, particularly in the winter months, which frequently cause berthed vessels to move excessively, impacting on cargo operations, safety and the port’s efficiency. The units are the first in the South African port system. Technicians from Cavotec had been on site since November, assembling and testing units at Berth D100 – one of 4-berths at the Ngqura container terminal that would be equipped with the technology. The system will be rolled out to 3-additional berths at the container terminal.

[Engineering News 24/04/15]

Transnet Appoints Gama Acting CEOState-owned Transnet has appointed Siyabonga Gama as acting CEO, effective immediately. This follows Brian Molefe’s secondment as acting CEO of power utility Eskom. Gama joined Transnet in 1994 and has served in various capacities within the company. Gama said Transnet’s current reliance on a few commodities, such as coal and iron-ore, had increased the urgency to implement the group’s road-to-rail strategy in non-commodity sectors.

[Business Report 21/04/15]

29

SOUTHERN AFRICA

PORTS

30