The Hon. Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa Sentamu, this morning flagged off a delegation of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Permanent Secretary, Bagiire Vincent Waiswa on a 4-day field visit to the Albertine Graben region hosted by the Petroleum Association of Uganda (PAU) and comprising members of the MoFA Senior management, as well as Heads of Mission and technical officials from Uganda Embassies in Dar-Es-Salaam, Paris, Beijing and Abu Dhabi.

In a pre-briefing session held in the Ministry’s Wapakhabulo Auditorium, head of delegation Mr. Bagiire thanked the PAU for hosting the MoFA during the field visit and informed the Hon. Minister that MoFA has set four priority areas of focus for sourcing of investors under Economic and Commercial Diplomacy which include Agro-processing, Tourism, Mineral Development and Science and technology transfer. He shared that the MoFA had been working in close partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development in building the technical capacity of Uganda’s Foreign Service by equipping the Ambassadors and officers with first-hand knowledge about Uganda’s petroleum industry and related mineral development programmes. He stressed the importance, in the face of an onslaught of misinformation and disinformation about Uganda’s mineral sector, for Uganda’s representatives abroad to be able to make quick and effective responses in setting the record straight.

Hon. Nankabirwa appreciated the MoFA for the initiative of making on-spot visits in the various priority areas. She encouraged the delegation to focus on familiarizing themselves with the international issues that surround the petroleum industry, particularly the economic and social issues in the project affected areas, environmental issues as well as study the procedures, standards and legal provisions. She encouraged them to interface with Project Affected Persons and engage them in conversations to learn their experiences. “Hearing from people on the ground will boost your confidence that Uganda has ticked off all the boxes in the quest for clean energy,” she advised the team to pay attention to the operational areas including the East African Oil Pipeline route which encompasses the main camps, pipe yards, livelihood restoration activities and replacement housing. Hon. Sentamu reminded the official of the urgent need to combat the environmental issues caused by careless use of fossil fuels and rampant deforestation which can be curbed through responsible oil and gas exploration. During the visit, the delegation will visit the UPIK, the Centre of Excellence for Oil and Gas Training and the Kingfisher Development project in Kikuube district to view the drilling activities.

The delegation will also visit the Waste Management Facility in Luwero Industries as well as inspect feeder pipeline activities and the Kabalega Industrial Park. Also on the programme, the team will visit the Tilenga Project Industrial area and experience activity at the MSL Agriculture Produce Collection point. “By the end of the field visit, we expect to have a highly empowered critical mass of Foreign Service personnel whose understanding of the Petroleum economy will be apparent, as they go out to seek for investment partners and collaboration opportunities in their areas of accreditation,” said PS Bagiire.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Retail is emerging among the most vibrant sectors of the East African economy. Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, has not only become an important retail market in its own right but a stepping stone into the rest of the country and wider East Africa. Nairobi is a rising regional shopping destination, the headquarters to many regional retail and food and beverage (F&B) businesses, and a launchpad for retail concepts into other East African areas.

It is believed that urbanisation, a growing middle class and the rise of digital connectivity are boosting the retail sector in Nairobi, according to a consensus of thought leaders participating in the 11th annual East Africa Property Investment (EAPI) Summit Retail Forum, which takes place on the second day of the event to be held on 17 and 18 April 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Digitally savvy middle-class Kenyans are demanding local brand experiences that align with what they see regionally, continentally and internationally, and are boosting the retail sector in Nairobi. Rising consumer demand has led to the development of strong local retail brands and the emergence of international brands—all seeking to capitalise on this growing customer base.

As a key sector of the property industry, retail is crucial to the growth of a prosperous and thriving real estate market. For this reason, retail and F&B will take centre stage at the #EAPI2024 Retail Forum, hosted in Partnership with Village Market, Knight Frank and CBRE Excellerate. The unique platform for East Africa’s retail sector to meet and connect with the region’s leading landlords, brokers, financiers, advisory teams and more will play a part in shaping Africa’s most exciting retail market and exploring regional and global trends.

Ryan Pape, Country Manager at CBRE Excellerate Kenya, notes that Nairobi’s infrastructural improvements and private sector investment have opened the playing field to both local and international retailers and F&B chains.

“Nairobi’s infrastructural improvements and private sector investment has opened up the playing field to both local and international retailers and F&B chains. We see increased public and private investment into roads, rail, shopping malls, convenience malls, cold chains and distribution centres, to name just a few areas.”

Hooman Ehsani, Director of New Developments, Greenhills Investment Limited, which built the Village Market Shopping&Recreation Complex in Nairobi and took it through five expansions, including Tribe Hotel, believes that well-positioned brands with the right product mix would do well to open a store in Nairobi.

“The Nairobi F&B scene has become considerably more vibrant and appealing over the last couple of years, with the success of some newer entrants catalysing more creativity and energy, and encouraging more entrepreneurs to venture into the space. Similarly, on the retail side, we’ve seen a significant spike in interest as business owners aim to meet a growing appetite, especially for locally produced fashion, home furnishings and beauty services.”

Ehsani adds, “Nairobi is now achieving a level of comfortable balance between retail space in the right locations and better-quality retailers with the right products for the market. There is renewed confidence within the business community and increased optimism around stability and growth opportunities.”

Wambui Mbarire, CEO at RETRAK Kenya, reports that the biggest recent change in the market is the increased diversity of retail partners to rent the newly developed spaces. “Whereas historically, there were one or two potential tenants with the capacity to rent prime retail real estate, the growth of the sector has seen more options available to landlords.”

Mbarire notes that Nairobi, with its diversity and cosmopolitan nature, is a great place to test and tweak brands for launch into other Kenyan and East African towns and cities. “The urbanisation that we are seeing countrywide is also providing retail property players with additional locations outside of the traditional Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu axis. Good examples of this include Nakuru, Eldoret, Naivasha as well as Kajiado, Kitengela, Kiambu, Limuru, Thika and Ngong.”

Mark Dunford, CEO at Knight Frank Kenya, states, “Nairobi’s retail, food, and beverage sector is experiencing a dynamic growth surge, driven by the strategic expansion of both local and international retailers. This growth is a result of the city’s increasing urbanisation and consumer spending, which have been supported by private equity investments. The burgeoning retail landscape offers lucrative opportunities for both investors and retail brands. As Nairobi’s status continues to grow into a prominent hub, it offers investment prospects for stakeholders in the retail property sector and capital investors. This is largely attributed to a boost in investor confidence, fuelled by government-led infrastructure projects and the growing allure for international retail entities.

In today’s market, establishing a presence in Nairobi is exceptionally attractive for retail brands. The city’s upgraded infrastructure, combined with the robust growth of both local and multinational retailers, cements its position as one of the premier retail markets in Africa.

Murray Anderson-Ogle, GM of Marketing and Commercial at API Events, adds, “Kenya is a key market with many successful local homegrown retail brands, including those operating in the vibrant F&B arena, and it has the clear potential to be an African retail real estate powerhouse.”

All agree that the surging retail market requires a platform to connect with its real estate stakeholders, and the EAPI Retail Forum answers this need. #EAPI2024 Retail Forum is exclusively in-person at Radisson Blu, Upper Hill, Nairobi. 

“The understanding of this market’s changing needs that will be provided at the EAPI Retail Forum is beneficial to landowners, developers, investors, and property professionals alike,” highlights Pape.

“EAPI has been at the leading edge of the conversation around property trends in the region, and investment in retail and F&B operations has become a significant part of the investor interest,” says Ehsani.

Mbarire concludes, “This is the natural progression of the market, and establishing the EAPI Retail Forum now will ensure participation in one of the most vibrant sectors of the East African economy.”

The Retail Forum of the 11th East Africa Property Investment Summitt will take place on 18 April 2024 at Radisson Blu, Upper Hill, Nairobi, Kenya. For more information and to book to attend the EAPI Summit visit https://EAPISummit.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of API Events.

Distributed by API Events:
EAPI Summit enquires:
Murray Anderson-Ogle
Email: Murray@apievents.com
Contact: +27 71 890 77 39
Website: www.APIEvents.com

In the Chamber of Deputies, the parliamentary commission looking at the draft Law to Regulate Use of Social Media and Cyberspace adopted on Tuesday the articles determining computer crimes and some cybercrimes, in addition to the penalties and fines that, in each case, will be imposed by the relevant jurisdictional bodies on those who commit them, during sessions that are being held under the moderation of the President of the institution, Gaudencio Mohaba Messu.

Computer-related crimes include, firstly, those related to the integrity of computer systems, such as unauthorised access to computer systems, programmes or data, the illegal interception of communications and transmissions between information and communication technology systems, the improper tapping of other people’s communications, intentional interference with computer systems, alteration, destruction, duplication or damage and the total or partial disabling of the integrity, availability and confidentiality of computer systems, data or processes, in addition to the possession of equipment, devices, programmes or provision of services aimed at breaching computer security.

Secondly it contains offences related to computer fraud, such as inserting false or fraudulent instructions in these systems to obtain profit, computer espionage to unduly obtain sensitive personal data or confidential public information contained in a system, violation of computer security, which consists of the breach of a restricted or protected computer system without the corresponding authorisation, and theft by computerised means, in order to seize property or assets by taking them away from their owner, holder or possessor, with the aim of obtaining financial gain.

Fraudulent manipulation of data records and smart cards or similar instruments, improperly obtaining or providing goods or services by such means, breach of judicial custody of data and breach of confidentiality of information learned during the course of an investigation, interception or retrieval of data from a computer system or its components are also computer-related offences.

The cybercrime section covers, among other things, offences related to impersonating or taking over the computer identity of another person, unauthorised disclosure of information stored on a computer or technological device, unlawful use of personal data, unauthorised transfer of public information classified as confidential, violating computer systems or data, or endangering the security of the sovereignty of the State.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Equatorial Guinea: Official Web Page of the Government.

On April 2, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Benin Olushegun Adjadi Bakari at the initiative of the Beninese side. The Foreign Minister of Benin conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those killed in the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall. He underscored the solidarity of the Beninese people with the Russian people and expressed confidence that those responsible for this heinous crime will be brought to justice.

The ministers exchanged opinions on certain aspects of Russian-Beninese relations, including the development of political dialogue and the expansion of trade, economic, and cultural ties.

During their discussion of African issues, the ministers focused on the escalating situation in the Sahara-Sahel region, which has been exacerbated by the growing terrorist threat. They emphasised the urgent need for regional countries to unite their efforts in countering jihadist groups.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.