For 60 Years, the Eastern Africa Association (EAA) (www.EasternAfricaAssociation.org) has been at the forefront of promoting trade and investment between the UK and East Africa through networking events, information sharing, and direct support for members when they face challenges.

The EAA is marking its 60th anniversary this year – operating throughout a period covering most of the extraordinarily dynamic post-independence history of the region. It has had an enduring positive influence on the economic development of East Africa, encouraging international investment during periods of significant economic growth, as well as more troubled periods of political upheaval and sometimes conflict.

EAA Chairman Lord Valentine Cecil said: “We are very proud of what we have done to promote long term trade and investment in the countries of East Africa, which offer great opportunities across multiple sectors, thereby supporting sustainable development in the region,” noting that the 500 or so companies that form the EAA network employ an estimated 10,000 people in the region.

Established in Kenya and the UK in 1964, the EAA has grown into a pivotal business information service, benefiting a diverse array of regional and foreign investor corporations. It remains centered on enhancing economic ties, understanding political landscapes, and supporting members in navigating the vibrant East African markets. It maintains excellent diplomatic and Government ties, and brings together industry leaders, corporates, academic and public sector parties to support its mission aims.

The EAA will hold its 60th anniversary gala event on 29th May, starting with a Market Close Ceremony in its honor at the London Stock Exchange, followed by a VIP Reception and Gala Dinner, connecting key industry leaders with a shared interest in the East and Horn of Africa.

Mr. Abi Ajayi, Head of Africa and Middle East Primary Markets at the London Stock Exchange (LSEG) confirmed the market close ceremony in honor of the East Africa Association’s (EAA) diamond jubilee. In his announcement, Mr. Ajayi highlighted the work of the LSEG’s Africa Focus Group, which aims to strengthen the connection between the London Stock Exchange and Africa’s capital markets. This effort supports the increase of global investment into Africa and the development of effective financial market infrastructures. “We therefore congratulate the association on this milestone and look forward to hosting the EAA’s Market Close ceremony. It reflects our commitment to working in partnership to promote trade and investment flows in the Eastern Africa region and beyond,” said Ajayi.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Eastern Africa Association (EAA).

For press inquiries, the Association’s executive directors, Agnes Gitau (UK&EU) and Mr. Nikhil Hira (Eastern Africa region), can be contacted at info@eaa-lon.co.uk.

For further information about the 60th Anniversary Gala event, please contact our team on AlisonKH@eaa-lon.co.uk and info@eaa-lon.co.uk.The attendance for this prestigious event is limited to EAA members and specially invited guests with an interest in East Africa.

www.EasternAfricaAssociation.org

As cholera continues to impact communities in Zambia, UNICEF and WHO are partnering with ECHO to not only respond to the current crisis, but also address the underlying root causes of cholera, especially inadequate access to safe water and sanitation facilities. As part of this intervention, ECHO will contribute USD 1 million to UNICEF and WHO to support the joint efforts towards Zambia’s cholera response. 

While cases of cholera in Lusaka are decreasing, other areas like Copperbelt, are seeing an increase. More support is needed to activate a cross-sectoral approach to eliminate all cases of cholera nationwide. ECHO will be expanding the current cholera response plan shared by WHO, UNICEF and partners, through enhancing Cholera Treatment Centres (CTCs), establishing more Oral Rehydration Points in affected communities, providing WASH and Health supplies, developing additional educational prevention materials and improving community-based volunteer work and the existing referral system. This support will continue until June, providing support to high-burden locations in Lusaka and other locations.

“Zambia is facing a critical need for additional support to respond to the devastating cholera outbreak, and we are honoured to support the important work being led by UNICEF and WHO,” said Michele Angeletti, who helps oversee EU humanitarian programmes in Zambia. “We are also developing sustainable systems and programmes that will aid communities in responding to future emergencies for years to come. Together, we’re confident we can bring an end to the outbreak.”

With this funding from ECHO, UNICEF and WHO will be able to rapidly scale up existing activities based on specific trends and patterns, risks and needs assessments, in hotspots of the evolving outbreak. As of April 3, all ten provinces have reported cases of cholera with seven provinces confirming cholera outbreaks. Cumulative cases stand at 22,800, with 32% of these being children under the age of 16. In addition, 732 deaths have been recorded, with a case fatality ratio of 3.2 per cent, much higher than the acceptable 1 per cent. Lusaka remains the epicentre in terms of cases and deaths. However, cases are increasing in other regions of the country and require heightened surveillance and intervention.  

“The support from ECHO to expand our programmes and scale up current interventions is instrumental to ending the cholera outbreak in Zambia. We will be able to provide crucial support to respond to current cases and assist with creating resilient communities, which will be key as we’re seeing an increase in climate induced emergencies, like drought, which can lead to the spread of water-borne diseases like cholera, water scarcity, and limited access to safe drinking water. We must ensure that children, who are disproportionately affected during emergencies and represent one-third of the cholera cases in Zambia1, will be protected against future cholera outbreaks through prevention measures and increased access to safe water,” said Dr Penelope Campbell, Representative, UNICEF Zambia. 

“Through this generous funding from ECHO, we are confident that we will not only bolster the Government of the Republic of Zambia’s cholera response efforts, but also ensure that we safeguard the health and well-being of many hard-hit communities across Zambia, by putting in place readiness and preventable measures, for emergencies like this one. This collaboration fortifies our shared commitment to serving the people of Zambia, leaving no one behind in this fight against cholera and ensuring a healthier and more resilient Zambia.” stated Dr. Nathan Nsubuga Bakyaita, WHO Representative to Zambia. 

With this support from ECHO, UNICEF and WHO plan to reach two million children and families impacted by the cholera outbreak through health services and WASH programmes. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UNICEF Zambia.

With the joint work of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and the Guinea Peanut Producers Association, a workshop has been established in the town of Keitayah where peanut oil, peanut butter and powder are produced.

Within the project, which will benefit a total of 80 families, machines such as shell cracking machine, oil extraction unit, peanut crushing and grinding units were provided to producers by TİKA.

Expressing his gratitude for the implemented project, the Mayor of Keitayah, Mohamed Bah stated that a crucial deficiency on behalf of producers has been resolved.

The added value of peanuts is expected to increase

The added value of peanuts, sold in raw form in local markets, is anticipated to increase through the production of oil, butter and powder.

Thus, it is aimed to reduce the importation of widely consumed peanut oil, prevent post-harvest losses, enhance product value, create employment opportunities and contribute to empowering women economically.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

In the wake of the internal armed conflict that ravaged the regions of Northern Ethiopia from November 2020 to November 2022, health information infrastructure suffered severe disruptions, hampering the timely reporting of critical health data. Notably, reporting of notifiable diseases plummeted to as low as 15% during the peak of the conflict, while regular monthly reporting for the District Health Information System (DHIS) came to a standstill due to widespread information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure damage.

Recognizing the urgent need to address this setback, the World Health Organization (WHO) in Ethiopia, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and the Tigray Region Health Bureau, embarked on a concerted effort to restore and strengthen health information collation, management, and dissemination. Central to this endeavor was the prioritization of restoring ICT equipment as a critical step towards rebuilding and fortifying the health information system, thereby facilitating regular DHIS reporting and enhancing overall health service delivery.

The primary objective of the intervention was to equip 76 accessible Wereda (districts) health offices and 44 selected health facilities in the region with essential ICT equipment, including desktop computers, universal power storage units, extra-storage hard drives, and internet connectivity services. The overarching aim was to revitalize the health information system and reinstate regular DHIS reporting, thereby facilitating informed decision-making and resource allocation in the healthcare sector. 

“We recognize that the restoration of health information systems is not just about rebuilding infrastructure, but about rebuilding trust, resilience, and hope for the future of healthcare delivery in Northern Ethiopia.” Dr Boniface Isindu, Ambani the Incident Manger for Northern Ethiopia Response said.

Through generous support from donors, including the European Commission Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), WHO spearheaded several interventions to achieve the stated objectives:

Procurement and delivery of 120 desktop computers and accessories to support the Tigray Health Bureau in restoring and strengthening health information systems at selected health facilities and district health offices.
Installation of necessary software and initiation of internet connectivity services to enhance health information collation, storage, and dissemination. Efforts to establish internet connectivity are ongoing, underscoring the commitment to ensuring seamless data exchange and communication.
Last-mile delivery of ICT equipment to beneficiary districts and health facilities, ensuring equitable access and effective utilization of resources across the region.

Through these concerted efforts, WHO, in partnership with key stakeholders, is paving the way for the restoration of health information systems in Northern Ethiopia. By bolstering technical infrastructure and facilitating data-driven decision-making, the initiative is poised to contribute significantly to the overall resilience and development of the region’s healthcare system, ultimately improving health outcomes for communities affected by conflict.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Ethiopia.