ctbl-watch - issue 32 - august 2016 - issu… · ctbl-watch issue 32 | august 2016. come visit us...

CMA CGM OPENS ACCESS TO THE TOGOLESE HINTERLAND TARGETS ONWARD TRADE CORRIDORS TO

NIGER, BURKINA FASO AND MALI

Full Story On Page 5

AFRICACTBL-WATCH

ISSUE 32 | AUGUST 2016

Come Visit Us At The International Fair of Maputo (FACIM)From August 29th to September 4th 2016, CMA CGM Group will be present during the 52nd edition of the International Fair of Maputo. This major event will gather the industrial, economic and agricultural stakeholders in Mozambique with almost 4,000 exhibitors and 95,000 visitors expected. Why not come and see us at the CMA CGM Booth: #332 – France Pavilion.

http://www.facim.org.mz/1

AFRICACTBL-WATCH

ISSUE 32 | AUGUST 2016

Contents

03 | Corridor Review

05 | African Group News

25 | Western Africa

07 | Eastern & Southern Africa

CMA CGM Opens Access To The Togolese Hinterland, Targets Onward Trade Corridors To Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali

Central Corridor: Regional Traders Continue To Face Hurdles / Transport Costs To Drop On Central CorridorNorthern Logistics Corridor: CFM Ports & Railways Sells Part Of Stake In CorridorBurundi: Burundi Bans Exports To RwandaEthiopia: Integrated Transport Program PHASE I - Jima-Chida & Sodo-Sawla Road / Authority To Undertake 23,136 KM Road Projects / Gore-Teppi Road Project Gets US$127 Million Korea Loan / BADEA Sign Loan Agreement For Road UpgradesKenya: Police Roadblocks, Weighbridges Slow Down Cargo Movement / Nairobi Southern Bypass Construction Nears Completion / Chinese Firm Wu Yi To Carry Out Major Road ExpansionKenya/South Africa: Mulls How to Bridge Trade GapMozambique: Road Concession Tender Launched / Japan Finances Bridge ConstructionRwanda: 19th Rwanda International Trade Fair [RITF] / US$93 Million AfDB Financing Agreement For Road Project / Mugina-Mabanda-Nyanza Lake & Rubavu-Gisiza Road Projects / Construction Of Musanze Road Nearing Completion South Africa: Sanral To Start Construction On Eastern Cape Bridges In 2017 / Transnet Expansion Boosts Coal Line Capacity Fivefold / Government Moves To Plug Revenue Leaks At Beitbridge Border PostSouth Africa/Zimbabwe: Cross-Border Train Service On The CardsTanzania: TAZARA Orders Independent Study On Dar Port Competitiveness / Tazara Flyover Construction Starts October / Tanzania Appoints New Road Fund Manager / China Exim Bank To Lend US$7.6 Billion For Railway / World Bank Disburses Sh100 Million For Dodoma Dry PortUganda: Free Zones Authority, UNBS To Promote Export Standards / URA Will Not Reduce Taxes On Imported Used Vehicle / UNRA Cracks Down on Heavy Trucks / Uganda Gives Serbia €14.7 Million Rehabilitation ContractTanzania/Zambia: TAZARA Reaps US$13 Million Profit / Railway Authority Lands New ContractUganda/Rwanda: Busega - Mpigi Road ProjectZambia: Zambia May Retaliate Against Zimbabwe Import Ban / Government Signs Deal For US$180 Million Road Project / Government To Sign Mpongwe-Machiya Road ContractZimbabwe: Imports Down 13% / Government Issues 6,000 Import Licences / US$2.7 Billion Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu Highway Project / Zinara Disburses US$22 Million For Road Works / AfDB Avails Funds For Gwanda-Beitbridge Road Rehabilitation / NRZ Slashes Salaries 50%

Northern Corridor: AfDB Secures Funding For Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking SystemAngola: Angola Spends US$1 Billion On Road Repairs / Cross-Border Platform To Link To DR Congo And ZambiaCameroon: Grand Zambi-Kribi RoadGabon: Rail Network To Get €52.5 Million From IFCGhana: President Cuts Sod For Bolgatanga-Pulmako Road Project / Exim Bank Boosts Construction Of Tema-Akosombo Railway LineNigeria: Africa’s First China-Assisted Gauge Railway Opens To Traffic / Nigeria Railway Corporation ActSenegal: Dakar Passenger ‘Train Express Régional’ Contracts

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Website: www.cma-cgm.comEmail: [email protected]: @CMA_CGM_Group

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

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

www.cma-cgm.com

Disclaimer of LiabilityThe CMA CGM Group 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 the CMA CGM Group 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 African Inland Freight ReportBrought to you by CMA CGM Africa Marketing

Rachel Bennett Dominic Rawle

August 201625-31 Feira Internacional de Maputo (FACIM) 2016 (Luanda, Angola) http://www.facim.org.mz/

September 201612-16 Electra Mining 2016 (Johannesburg, South Africa) http://www.electramining.co.za/EN/Content/Pages/Home

14-18 Africa Aerospace and Defence 2016 (Tshwane, South Africa) http://www.aadexpo.co.za/

27-29 5th Upstream & Downstream Oil and Gas Exhibition & Conference (Abuja, Nigeria) http://oilandgasexpos.com/

29-30 Southern Africa Coal (Johannesburg, South Africa) http://www.informa-resources.com

ANGOLA - Formalised by parliamentary resolution its accession

to the International Convention on Simplification and Harmonisation of Customs Procedures of the International Customs Organisation, which aims to facilitate world trade.

GHANA - Ghana said it will not to go ahead with a $500m

Eurobond issue.

GUINEA - Rio Tinto’s CEO said there was no progress on finding

infrastructure financing for the US$20bn Simandou iron-ore project even after more than 200 meetings with possible backers.

NIGERIA - Zolt Energy Limited to build a 40 MW Embedded

Power Generating Plant in Ogbaru, Anambra State over 18-months.

SAO TOME & PRINCIPE - Former prime minister Evaristo Carvalho of the ruling ADI

party has been elected President. Incumbent Manuel Pinto da Costa dropped out of the race citing voting irregularities in the first round.

Western AfricaBOTSWANA - Peregrine Diamonds has completed core drilling on three

kimberlite and two exploration targets at its 100%-owned Sikwane project in Kgatleng’s district.

DJIBOUTI - Djibouti’s National Assembly has announced a revamp

of its mining code, with a focus on attracting upstream investment.

KENYA - Industrial & Commercial Bank of China and Standard

Bank of South Africa have concluded a deal to finance a US$2b 1000MW Amu coal-fired power plant.

SOUTH AFRICA - A new chrome recovery plant has been commissioned at

Anglo American Platinum’s Amandelbult mine in Limpopo province. The R400-million chrome plant should generate additional free cash flow between R350-400-million a year.

ZIMBABWE - Zimbabwe and China have signed an agreement

worth $46m as part of the first tranche of funds for the construction of the new Parliament Building in Mt Hampden.

Eastern & Southern Africa

Events Diary

News Briefs

Eastern & Southern Africa

Corridor Current Situation

1 ● Kenya [Mombasa] -Great Lakes / Uganda / Rwanda / South Sudan

Kenya: We offer competitive rates on heavy 20ft container rates Gross Weight [GW] up to 32T and 40ft containers with GW below 22T for rail to ICD Embakasi, Nairobi. All import cargo to Kenya [local] must have a Certificate of Conformity [COC]. Without a COC we will not be able to clear the cargo out of port. Failure to which Kenya Bureau of Statistics will impose heavy penalties on consignee’s account.South Sudan: TBL service to South Sudan has been temporarily stopped due to current political instability. The Nimule-Juba route is no longer safe for our vendors to call.Rwanda: Subject to premium tariff we now authorise shipper to book at 30T incl TARE for final destination Rwanda.

2 ● Tanzania [Dar Es salaam] - Great Lakes

DRC: Roads from Dar Es Salaam to DRC [Goma / Bukavu] are in good condition and services are running well via Rwanda. Uvira via Burundi available but subject to a pre confirmation with our Dar es Salaam office due to possible insecurity in Burundi.Rwanda: Service is running very well. It is operated under SCT with efficient transit time and rates.Burundi: We have re-opened our service connecting Tanzania to Burundi. The Dar-es-Salaam to Bujumbura road corridor offers a transit of 13-days. Regional: Please be advised due to Customs complication, no part load shipment is allowed in TBL for our corridors via Dar Es Salaam.

3 ● Tanzania [Dar Es salaam] - Copper Belt

Regional: The corridor from Dar Es Salaam to Lusaka, Copper belt & Lubumbashi is safe. Our rates have recently been improved and we offer competitive transit times. Our local agent is working with local hauliers to further improve this. Zambia: Roads through Mbeya offer an alternative to the train to Ndola. With an improved ASEA TANZANIA service we offer direct weekly service from Asia to Dar Es Salaam enhancing inland solutions to Malawi and Zambia.DRC: We are the only line to have an owned office in Lubumbashi which closely monitors the local situation.

4 ● Mozambique Nacala Corridor New competitive rail rates for Nacala corridor to Malawi final destination.

5 ● Mozambique Beira Corridor Competitive rates for 20’ Beira-Harare [Zimbabwe] by road and by rail. CMA CGM will indemnify clients from further liability should any port storage incur on the units to be railed. We also have new competitive rates on the Beira–Malawi corridor.

6 ● Mozambique Maputo Corridor Competitive solutions remain available to Zimbabwe by rail from Maputo-Hwange even during current political tensions. There is no port storage invoiced if shortage of wagons in Maputo.

7 ● S. Africa Durban NEW: We can now offer an export solution by rail from Botswana (Gaborone & Francistown) to Durban with competitive rates.Inland reefer ‘overborder’ solution is available via Durban to inland countries: Zimbabwe, DRC, Zambia, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland.

8 ● Namibia Walvis Bay We can offer a routing solution for export CTBL cargo from Zambia to Namibia. The route along the Trans-Caprivi Corridor links Zambia with the Port of Walvis Bay via the Katima Mulilo bridge border crossing. Export solutions are available from DRC and Zambia to Walvis Bay for dry and reefer equipment. The corridor to Lusaka, Kitwe, Ndola & Lubumbashi in south DRC are running well. We also offer domestic routes to Windhoek and Otjiwarongo, Otjikoto, Oshakati, Ondangwa and Oshikango by road and rail.

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CORRIDOR REVIEW CTBL AFRICA

Western Africa

Corridor Current Situation

1 ● Mauritania-Mali New!! A new intermodal offer from the port of Nouakchott now targets 15 Mauritanian landlocked cities by road. We also offer a connection from Nouakchott into neighbouring Mali with a road link to Bamako.

2 ● Senegal-Mali The Dakar-Bamako corridor is only available by road. Both our rail and rail-road corridor options for Dakar-Bamako have been closed due to a change in the governance of the railway that has affected services. Meanwhile we are only able to accept cargo for Southern Mali destinations. For safety reasons traffic to Northern Mali [Kignan, Ségou, Mopti, Sevaré, Gao, Kidal, Menaka, Ansongou, Tessalit, and Timbuktu] via Dakar are temporarily suspended.

3 ● Senegal-Guinea Bissau The corridor is open and running smoothly.

4 ● Cote d’Ivoire-Burkina/Mali Our service to Burkina is running well by both rail and road to all destinations. The rail service from Abidjan is running well offering excellent transit times and no congestion. We also recommend the road option.From 15th March a Terminal Handling Charge [THC] is applicable in Abidjan Port. We have also launched a new reefer service from Abidjan.

5 ● Ghana-Burkina The Tema-Ouagadougou corridor running well. We offer competitive rates with excellent transit time from Asia using our AFEX service and from Europe on our EURAF 2 service.

6 ● Togo-Burkina/Niger We offer a reliable service to Burkina following recent attacks. Generally the service is running well. Thanks to good volumes and on-going negotiations with suppliers we have decreased our Ouagadougou rates from Lome. We can also offer excellent solutions from Asia on our AFEX service. Please note that Lome port is strict on enforcing weight regulations for trucks.

7 ● Benin-Niger Service is operating very well by road to Niamey.Our Cotonou agency has signed a new contract with BENIRAIL [Bénin-Niger Rail]. The move opens up a new rail option for transit cargo from Cotonou port to Parakou.

8 ● Nigeria Corridor NEW! From Lagos [Tin Can & Apapa] we offer inland solutions along the A2 corridor: Abuja, Kaduna, Kano and the northern city of Katsina on the A9 near the Niger border. We also provide alternative direct rail services from Lagos to Kano. And links to the coastal oil-refining city of Port Harcourt by road. All running well.

9 ● Cameroon-Chad We offer both road and rail services to Chad which are running well. The train operator, CAMRAIL, offers a good service.

10 ● Cameroon-CAR The Douala-Bangui corridor is running well and open on a case by case basis with agreement from our local Douala Agency. Please note all TBL to Bangui will be subject to Consignee signing LOI locally.

11 ● Gabon Corridor From Libreville, we serve domestic destinations by road to Franceville, Lambarene, Mouila, Bitam, Moanda, Mitzicnd Makokou.

12 ● Congo Corridor Pointe Noire-Brazzaville corridor is REOPENED. We offer an inland service from Pointe Noire to Dolisie, Brazzaville, Oyo and Ouesso.

13 ● DRC Corridor Matadi-Kinshasa service is running smoothly. New competitive rates are available.

14 ● Angola Corridor We serve the interior via the 4-main national ports of Luanda, Lobito, Cabinda and Namibe. We offer transit to Malange, Bela Vista, Catumbela, Benguela, Bahia Farta, Huambo, Lubango, Malongo, Malembo, Yema, Subantando, Buco Zau, Belize, Necuto and Lubango. All destinations are served by road on a 1-2 day transit time.

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CMA CGM Opens Access To The Togolese HinterlandTargets Onward Trade Corridors To Niger, Burkina Faso and MaliWe are pleased to offer very competitive rates on our Lome corridor within Togo and onwards across all corridors towards Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali. We offer routes along the main north-south highway National Road RN1 calling at Atakpame in the Plateaux Region, Sokodé in the Tchaoudjo and Centrale Region and Kara in the Kara Region.

The RN1 links Lomé Port in Togo to the hinterland through the Lomé-Ouagadougou and Lomé-Niamey corridors. The RN1 lies on a regionally recognised multinational corridor of the West African Economic and Monetary Union [WAEMU/ECOWAS] network. In 2012 the 253km long Atakpamé-Kara section of road was broadened, rehabilitated and reinforced under an African Development Bank [AfDB] funded project to boost competiveness and promote external trade. The US$45 million project was originally initiated in 2007 by the Government with the support of WAEM. The regenerated Atakpamé-Kara road offers all-season supply of goods to traders and cuts across 3-regions, 6-prefectures and 90 localities or about 43% of the country’s total population.

Onward connections are also available to cities in Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali. These corridors mainly focus on the movement of food and cash crop such as cotton and textiles.

CMA CGM has 3-dedicated services calling at Lomé port on a weekly basis: EURAF 4, New Africa Express and MIDAS. Each service offers direct global connections as well as hub calls at Tangiers, Port Kelang, Tanjung Pelepas, Mundra, Nava Sheva and Jebel Ali allowing onwards connection with CMA CGM Global Line Service Network. Meanwhile Lomé port offers 115,000m2 of warehouse storage within the port, 100,000 m2 in adjacent areas outside the port. Whilst the Terminal De Sahel offers a 40,000m2 parking area in Northern suburb of Lomé for vehicles and trucks bound for landlocked countries.

Lome

Atakpame

Sokode

Kara

Road to Burkina Faso & Mali Road to Niger

CONTACTSFor further information please contact your usual CMA CGM agent or direct to [email protected]

Service Strengths - Door to Door service with flexibility on paying party (FlexCost) - No Demurrage and Detention up to final place of delivery - Reefer accepted to Ouagadougou and Niger - No container deposit at destination - Dedicated professionals locally for operation follow-up and sales - Strength of CMA CGM network in Africa - Priority «Hot Box» status for all transhipments

Transit Times to/from Lomé

Atakpame Togo 7 days

Sokodé Togo 8 days

Kara Togo 8 days

Ouagadougou Burkina Faso 11 days

Bobo Dioulasso Burkina Faso 13 days

Bamako Mali 16 days

Niamey Niger 13 days

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AFRICAN GROUP NEWSCMA CGM

TOGO REGULATORY ADVICE

Weight RegulationsPlease note that the port of Lomé does enforce strict weight regulations for all trucks.

Cargo Tracking NoteA Bordereau de Suivi Cargaison/Cargo Tracking Note [BSC/CTN] is required for all exports to Togo under ministerial decree no: 2001-066 09/03/01 & 007/MTRH/2000 05/09/00 since 02/02/01. A BSC/CTN is available from the Togo Shippers Council/Conseil National de Chargeurs Togolais [CNCT]. The BSC/CTN number must be mentioned per Bill of Lading [B/L] and per vehicle unit and indicated on the shipping manifest. The BSC/CTN is also applicable for transit cargo to hinterland destinations.

CNCT ContactBP 2991 Lomé, Togo / Tel: (228) 223.71.00 / Fax: (228) 227 - 08-37 / E-mail: [email protected] / Website: www.cnct.tg 6

Central CorridorRegional Traders Continue To Face Hurdles Delays in clearing goods, corruption and theft at the Port of Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania, and high fees charged by some regulatory agencies continue to hurt trade along the Central Corridor, officials have said. Members of the East African Business Council [EABC] voiced issues during a Public-Private Dialogue [PPD] in Dar-es-Salaam last month. Traders also complained about value added tax [VAT] charged on auxiliary services levied on goods on transit.

For example clearing of goods in Tanzania takes 10 days on average, while in Rwanda the same task takes a maximum of 3-days. Long clearing time in Tanzania is attributed to complicated documentation and compliance activities as businesspersons require 10 documents to import or export to Tanzania. Various documents attract different costs estimated to be double the average costs incurred in other sub-Saharan countries.

The 2016 World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business ranked Tanzania on trading across borders at number 180, out of 189 economies. Tanzania is worst performer in EAC on trading across borders; due to lengthy time and cost associated with the logistical process of exporting and importing goods.

The Tanzania Ports Authority [TPA] have vowed to tackle bureaucracy, corruption, delays and theft. IT professionals specialising in ports operations are to deploy a surveillance and monitoring system as part of solution for the identified challenges at the port.

[New Times 27/07/16]

Transport Costs To Drop On Central CorridorTransport costs along the Central Corridor are set to go down after the number of stops of transit trucks was reduced from 8 to 3. According to an analysis by the Central Corridor Transit Transportation Facilitation Agency [TTFA], transit trucks now stop at 3-weighbridges only, saving up to 78% of weighbridge stoppage time after the government directive to stop at Vigwaza in Coast Region, Njuki in Singida and Nyakahura in Shinyanga.

The analysis from data collected by TTFA’s flagship project, Central Corridor Transport Observatory [CCTO], shows that from June 2015 to April 2016, hauliers used to spend 222.4 minutes [3.42 hours] on weighbridges on average between Dar es Salaam Port and the entry border points to Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC].

But, since President John Magufuli directed in April that transit trucks and buses to weigh at the three weighbridges only, transporters now spend only 48 minutes, which is 22 per cent of time they used before. The successes stem from the region’s efforts to remove barriers to trade that contributed to increase transport costs.

[Daily News 09/08/16]

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EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICACORRIDOR & TRADE NEWS

Northern Logistics CorridorCFM Ports & Railways Sells Part Of Stake In CorridorThe state-held Portos e Caminhos-de-Ferro de Moçambique [CFM] has received US$106 million for the sale of shares it held in Corredor Logístico Integrado de Nacala [CLN]. However CFM maintains a smaller stake in CLN’s share capital. Proceeds from the sale will allow it to improve its cash holdings and make feasible a number of planned projects.

The shareholder restructuring of the Northern Logistics Corridor is meant to improve logistics for Moatize coal in various transport chain segments, especially the coal and general cargo terminals in Nacala-a-Velha, as well as rail passenger transport services. Lower raw materials prices have significantly changed the results of various financial models that were studied at a time when coal was priced from US$140-150/T.

[Macauhub/BR/MZ 02/08/16]8

BurundiBurundi Bans Exports To RwandaBurundi has announced that it is to ban exports destined to Rwanda. The move breaches the EAC free trade regime. Rwanda and Burundi are both part of the free trade area. Rwandans were mainly importing fruits such as mangoes and oranges, dried silver fish [Indagara], and palm oil. Its main exports to Burundi were mainly manufactured products, unprocessed maize flour, wheat flour, cassava flour, potatoes and milk.

[New Times 03/08/16]

KenyaPolice Roadblocks, Weighbridges Slow Down Cargo MovementThe Kenya National Highway Authority [KeNha] are to evaluate weighbridges and scale down the number of police roadblocks along the northern corridor in a bid to improve efficiency of cargo movement. The move follows an annual review of the Mombasa Port Community Charter. The Charter is a binding pact signed in June 2014 by 25 key agencies that operate the northern corridor, aimed at enhancing efficiency of the Port of Mombasa by the end of 2016.

Being strategically located as the main gateway to international trade in East Africa, Mombasa holds the potential of contributing up to 10% of Gross Domestic Product [GDP] if bottlenecks hindering its efficiency are removed. Weighbridges are increasingly a major blockade to transport efficiency one prime example if the Mariakani to Mlolongo road where long queues of trucks wait to be weighed.

[Mediamax 15/07/16]

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Kenya/South AfricaMulls How to Bridge Trade Gap Kenya is seeking to offset a trade imbalance with South Africa by focusing on services where it has a comparative advantage. Industrialisation secretary Adan Mohamed met South Africa’s minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies to discuss a framework for engagement before the end of the year. Parties agreed to hold match making meetings between business delegations from Kenya and South Africa during a state visit later in the year.

According to the Export Promotion Council, Kenya’s imports from South Africa have increased from US$287.7 million in 2003 to US$477.4 million in 2007, a rise of about 66% while exports have been decreasing from US$51 million in 2004. This means that the share of Kenya’s total exports in the South Africa’s global imports has remained below 1%.

[Daily Nation 21/07/16]

Rwanda19th Rwanda International Trade Fair [RITF]The 19th Rwanda International Trade Fair [RITF] took place in Kigali, jointly organised by the Private Sector Federation [PSF] and the Ministry of Trade and Industry [Minicom], from 27th July to 10th August. The week-long exhibition attracted over 300,000 visitors. The RITF was an opportunity for Rwandan businesses to showcase and sell their products and link up with their international counterparts. It also served as an occasion to exploit new business prospects.

[Government 29/07/16]

TanzaniaTAZARA Orders Independent Study On Dar Port CompetitivenessThe Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority’s [TAZARA] Board of Directors has ordered an independent study on the competitiveness of Dar es Salaam port following the disputed Value Added Tax [VAT] on transit goods. The board has directed the Dar es Salaam Corridor Committee to swiftly undertake the study and advice accordingly. It issued the directive at its 108th meeting in Lusaka.

Since the VAT on transit goods became effective last month, stakeholders using the port have been complaining about additional cost at the port, with others saying that the move was scaring away importers. But, Tanzania Revenue Authority [TRA] has delinked the dwindling cargo at the port with the newly introduced tax.


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UgandaFree Zones Authority, UNBS To Promote Export StandardsThe Uganda Free Zones Authority [UFZA] and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards have signed an agreement to ensure Ugandan exports meet international standards. Once the free zone areas are operational, there will be better communication between entities and a drive of manufactured products geared towards export.

UFZA was formed and mandated to help foreign and local investors to set up industries and enterprises in the special economic zones where the goods produced will be specifically for export. Since it was established, UFZA, as yet has not licenced any company into the free zones, but evaluations are ongoing.

[Observer 27/07/16]

URA Will Not Reduce Taxes On Imported Used VehicleUganda Revenue Authority [URA] will not reduce taxes levied on imported used vehicles. Importers through the Uganda Manufactures Association [UMA] had asked the authority to reduce taxes, claiming they are high and failing their businesses. It is estimated that 28,000 vehicles come into the country daily. Such legislation is set by government. However an environmental levy is imposed. While vehicles coming into the country below 5-years don’t attract a levy, those older than 5 attract a 35% of the cost of insurance and freight of that particular vehicle. If it is 10 years and above, the levy will be 50%. Meanwhile the URA is undertaking a study to introduce a ban on a certain ages of a vehicle.

[New Vision 15/07/16]

ZambiaZambia May Retaliate Against Zimbabwe Import BanThe Zambian government is being urged by businesses to consider retaliatory measures against Zimbabwe, such as increasing import taxes on goods from the country to create a level playing field for trade. This was after Zimbabwe recently moved to “restrict trade” as part of strategies to support the development of local industries and relieve pressure brought on by economic sanctions. However measures which include import bans, surcharges, increases in duties, the requirement for import permits and other forms of restrictions have had negative implications for intra-regional trade.

[Nehanda 21/07/16]

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ZimbabweImports Down 13%During H1 2016 total imports to Zimbabwe amounted to US$2.5 billion down 13% from US$3 billion in H1 2015. The fall is largely contributed to various import control measures implemented by the government. Only last month, the government introduced import controls through Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016. The SI removed various goods from the general import licence and coupled with other measures on raw materials and the weak South African Rand, weighed down overall imports for the period. However according to the latest data released by ZimStat, imports for the month of June however increased by 5.43% to US$430.6 million compared to US$408.4 million in May, largely driven by maize imports.

Imports from South Africa, the country’s largest trading partner reached US$967.7 million in the 6-months, but month on month, there was a 4.23% decline to US$169.6 million compared to US$177.1 million in May. Analysts expect a further decline as SI 64 comes into full operation. Apart from South Africa, bulk imports were also from China at US$190.5 million followed by Zambia at US$96.1 million. Exports totalled US$1.1 billion an increase from US$984 million in May. Meanwhile, the trade deficit narrowed to US$1.4 billion as total imports amounted to US$2.5 billion against exports of US$1.1 billion.

[Zimbabwe Daily 27/07/16]

Government Issues 6,000 Import LicencesThe Zimbabwe Government has issued over 6,000 import certificates, with 75% of those for South African products, 5-months after it tightened the flow of imports to curb dumping of substandard products onto the local market. Zimbabwe enforced a Consignment-Based Conformity Assessment [CBCA] programme in March this year under Statutory Instrument 132 of 2015 to ensure that the goods imported into Zimbabwe comply with accepted quality.

French company Bureau Veritas was contracted to enforce the import standards. South Africa is Zimbabwe’s largest trading partner, accounting for about 70% of imported goods in the southern African country and over 60% of its total trade, followed by China, and the rest of the world. A total of 6,004 CBCA certificates have been issued so far. The import policing programme has seen a general improvement in quality and the number of consignments failing to meet standards has fallen to 44% from 67% since March when it started. About 58% of the accepted imports are for chemical, machinery and food products as well as electrical equipment. The majority of failures are mostly electrical equipment and machinery, plastics and chemical products.

Zimbabwe has been battling a tide of cheap and predominantly substandard products from China and neighbouring countries, which has pushed its own manufacturing industry on the brink and widened its trade deficit. In 2015, it registered a trade deficit of US$3.3 billion, about a fifth of its GDP, after exports for the full year to December amounted to US$2.7 billion against imports of US$6 billion.

[Financial Gazette 25/07/16]

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EthiopiaIntegrated Transport Program PHASE I - Jima-Chida & Sodo-Sawla RoadThe 220km Jima-Chida & Sodo-Sawla road project will provide all-weather climate-resilient road transport infrastructure to the rich agricultural areas of southern Ethiopia and connect Sawla in the hinterland to Jima and Addis Ababa. The outcomes include improved road connectivity, improved access to farm inputs and markets for farmers, reduced travel times and costs. It comprises of 2-roads sections:

- Jima-Chida [80km]: Located partly in Oromiya Region and partly in the Southern Nations and Nationalities People Regional State [SNNPRS] in the Southwest. It traverses Seka Chekorsa and Dedo Woredas of the Jima Zone of the Oromiya NRS, and Konta Special Woreda. It starts at the junction connecting the Jima-Chida and the Jima-Mizan Roads at the outskirt of Jima town and terminates in Chida. It connects Jima, Sheki and Chida.

- Sodo-Sawla [136km]: Lies entirely in SNNPRS starting at Sodo, passes through Sodo, Gasuba, Selam Ber, Dinke, Morka, Zagi-awando to end at Sawla. It connects Welayta and Gamugofa Zones, and traverses Sodo Zuria and Sodo town in Welayta Zone and Offa, Kucha, Demba Gofa and Sawla town in Gamugofa Zone.

[AfDB 27/07/16]

Authority To Undertake 23,136 KM Road ProjectsThe Ethiopian Roads Authority plans to construct over 1,846-kms and repair 21,290-kms this fiscal year across the country and has been allocated 46.1 billion Birr. The Authority also plans to construct bridges, offer capacity building training and conduct feasibility and design works.

[Ethiopian Herald 30/0716]

Gore-Teppi Road Project Gets US$127 Million Korea LoanParliament has approved a US$127-million loan agreement with the Korea EXIM bank for the Gore-Teppi road connectivity improvement project. The poor condition non-paved road is planned to be upgraded to an asphalt concrete road. Preparation, including route selection, design and environmental impact assessment, was finalised a year ago.

[Addis Fortune 02/08/16]

BADEA Sign Loan Agreement For Road UpgradesThe Ethiopian government has signed a US$15 million loan agreement with the Arab Bank for African Economic Development [BADEA] for the financing of Hamusit–Estie road upgrading project. The loan is to be repaid in 30 years at an annual interest rate of 1%. The project aims to contribute to the facilitation of movement of goods and agricultural products within the project area and the highway network that leads to the capital, Addis Ababa.

[African Review 15/07/16]

13

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICAROAD

KenyaNairobi Southern Bypass Construction Nears CompletionThe Nairobi southern bypass in Kenya that has been under construction for a year is nearing completion with the road accessible from the junction of Mombasa road interchange at Ole Sereni all the way to Kabete-Limuru road at Kikuyu town.

According to Kenya National Highways Authority [KeNHA] the contractor is finalizing the project with the erection of all the wall barriers along the bypass adjacent to Kibera area. The superhighway has 3-main interchanges at Mombasa, Lang’ata and Ngong Roads to ensure smooth and safe passage of traffic with fly-overs [partial interchanges] at Dagoretti and Thogoto roads being included. The bypass was designed to ease congestion on adjacent roads such as Lang’ata road and Ngong.

[CR 03/08/16]

Chinese Firm Wu Yi To Carry Out Major Road ExpansionChina Wu Yi won the U$158 million project to expand the a 25km stretch of Waiyaki Way starting from James Gichuru Road junction to Mai Mahiu turnoff on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway. The project which is expected to reduce the frequent traffic jams experienced in Kenya’s capital Nairobi is part of the World Bank-funded mega roads expansion project. The expansion will see 6-lanes compared to the existing 2-lanes and construction of 44km service roads.

Another World Bank project is the development of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport [JKIA]-Rironi road [45.2 km] into a superhighway.

[Construction Review 14/07/16]

14

MozambiqueRoad Concession Tender LaunchedThe Mozambican government has put out public tenders for the concession to private entities for several national roads. The first phase of the project involves the Matola/Boane, Marracuene/Lindela, Nampula/Nacala, Vanduzi/Changara and Monapo/Mozambique Island roads and the introduction of tolls.

[Macauhub/MZ 04/08/16]

Japan Finances Bridge Construction Japan has donated an additional US$12 million to Mozambique to accelerate the construction of 13 bridges on the Ile to Cuamba road, connecting the provinces of Zambezia and Niassa. Construction of the bridges began in 2014 but floods hit Zambezia province in January 2015 meant additional work was needed. The cost of the project has increased to US$50 million and completion of the work, originally scheduled for August, was postponed until the end of 2017.

[Macauhub/MZ 21/07/16]

15


RwandaUS$93 Million AfDB Financing Agreement For Road ProjectThe African Development Bank [AfDB] and the Government of Rwanda signed a new African Development Fund loan financing agreement and an European Union [EU]-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund grant agreement for US$93.1 million and US$22.4 million respectively to finance the rehabilitation and widening of the Kagitumba-Kayonza-Rusumo road [208 km]. The road is an important link to both the northern corridor port of Mombasa and central corridor port of Dar Es Salaam.

In parallel, the Government of Rwanda also signed with the Japan International Cooperation Agency [JICA] – that is also co-financing the project totalling US$56.3 million. The Rwanda Transport Development Agency [RTDA] will implement the project.

[AfDB 18/07/16]

Mugina-Mabanda-Nyanza Lake & Rubavu-Gisiza Road ProjectsThe Rwanda Transport Development Agency [RTDA] has received financing from the African Development Bank [AfDB] toward the cost of the project to develop roads [Mugina-Mabanda-Nyanza Lake and Rubavu-Gisiza] and to facilitate transport on the North-South Corridor Phase III. It intends to apply part of the loan to payments under contract for Transport and Trade Facilitation on North-South Corridor on Gisiza-Rubavu Road Project. The services included under this project are the identification of physical and non-tariff barriers along the road corridor covering Rwanda and the border crossings. As well as the proposal of measures to reduce or eliminate of physical and non-tariff barriers along the road corridor. The project will run over 6-months.

[AfDB 27/07/16]

Construction Of Musanze Road Nearing CompletionThe construction of major roads in Musanze are nearing completion. Divided in phases, Phase-1 included the construction of 15 km road from Musanze town to the Rwanda Defence Force Command at Nyakinama. Phase-2 will include the construction of 10km will now begin. The works are part of a wider project by the Rwanda Transport and Development Agency [RTDA] to construct more urban roads in secondary cities and in some districts. The government has received over US$100 million from World Bank to facilitate infrastructure development such as roads, water and electricity.


16

South AfricaSanral To Start Construction On Eastern Cape Bridges In 2017The South African National Roads Agency Limited [Sanral] noted construction will start on the Msikaba and Mtentu river bridges, on the N2 Wild Coast Toll road, early next year. The agency has concluded a 2-day briefing session with prequalified bidders and site visit for the Msikaba and Mtentu bridges in the Eastern Cape and will announce the successful incumbents towards the end of the year.

The Msikaba river bridge will comprise a cable-stayed 580-m-long structure spanning a deep gorge, while the Mtentu river bridge, also on the N2 Wild Coast Toll road and around 12 km to the north of Msikaba River, is expected to be a 1 130-m-long concrete structure. It will comprise a 260 m main span built as a balanced cantilever with main piers about 160 m high, plus approach viaducts built using incremental launching methods. 6-prequalified bidders will now be required to prepare their tender proposal documents. Owing to the size and complexity of the two bridges, the prequalified bidders have been given an extension for their proposals.

[Engineering News 22/07/16]17


TanzaniaTazara Flyover Construction Starts OctoberConstruction of the 4-lane TAZARA flyover at the junction of Nelson Mandela Expressway and Nyerere Road in Dar es Salaam will begin in October. Oriental Consultants Global is the contractor and Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Company Limited the project co-ordinator. TAZARA is fully funded by Japanese government through Japan International Cooperation Agency [JICA] at a cost of US$45 million. The flyover will reduce by 80% the time taken to travel from the airport to the city centre. The construction of the flyover is expected to take 35 months and will include the construction of a 425m bridge.


Tanzania Appoints New Road Fund ManagerPresident Magufuli has appointed Joseph Odo Haule as the new Road Fund Board chairman effective 28th July. He said that other board members will continue to serve in their positions.


UgandaUNRA Cracks Down on Heavy TrucksThe Executive Director of the Uganda National Roads Authority [UNRA], Allen Kagina, has dispatched law enforcement officers to Karamoja sub-region and Mbale District to arrest those found driving overloaded trucks. UNRA note that trucks often exceed the acceptable axle load due to overloading [particularly when transporting marble stones] which are damaging regional roads. A weigh bridge may be installed.

[Monitor 08/08/16]

Uganda Gives Serbia €14.7 Million Rehabilitation Contract Serbian civil engineering group Energoprojekt Holding has signed a €14.7 million [US$16.2 million] contract with the municipal government of Uganda’s capital Kampala, for the reconstruction of 10 urban roads. Under the deal, the company’s subsidiary Energoprojekt Niskogradnja will rehabilitate 15.5 km. The deadline for project delivery is 20 months.

[Seenews 21/07/16]

18

Uganda/RwandaBusega - Mpigi Road ProjectThe Government of Uganda has received a loan, from the African Development Bank [ADB] and the African Development Fund [ADF] to finance the construction of Busega-Mpigi road to improve road transportation and trade facilitation along the Northern and Central Corridors. The move will also improve transport services in eastern Rwanda [Kagitumba-Kayonza-Rusumo area], and in Central Uganda [Kampala, Wakiso and Mpigi Districts] and decrease traffic congestion on the heavily travelled Kampala [Busega] - Mpigi road section. Works comprises of construction of a new 4-lane express highway from Busega-Mpigi [23.7 km]. Bidding documents are expected to be available in October 2016.

[AfDB 25/07/16]

ZambiaGovernment Signs Deal For US$180 Million Road ProjectGovernment has signed a 25-year Concession Agreement with the Groupe European De Development [GED] Projects Africa Zambia Limited, for the construction of the 85km Kaluba/Mwenda road in Luapula Province at a cost of US$180 million. The road will cut across into the Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC] and join the 95km Kasomeno/Kaluba road as part of the 180 km road stretch to be constructed by GED at an estimated cost US$180 million. The road will provide a shorter and more efficient route for traffic between Lubumbashi in DRC and Dar-es-Salaam, in Tanzania through Nakonde in Zambia.

The construction of the Kashiba/Mwenda road is the first road project to be implemented under the Public Private Partnership [PPP] platform. The project will advance bilateral and intra-SADC trade between Zambia and DRC and help open up markets for Zambia’s commodities.

[Lusaka Times 05/08/16]

Government To Sign Mpongwe-Machiya Road ContractThe government is to sign a contract to tar 128km of the Mpongwe-Machiya road under Phase-1 of the Zambia 8000 road project. A further 4,100-km of roads will be constructed under Phase-2. The link Zambia 8000 road project runs until 2021.

[ZNBC 14/07/16]

19


ZimbabweUS$2.7 Billion Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu Highway Project Construction work on the busiest road in southern Africa is set to commence, with Zimbabwe’s President Mugabe expected to commission the project. The dualisation of an 897-km stretch of the Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu highway will be undertaken by a combination of Austrian company Geiger International and Chinese firm China Harbour Engineering Company. At an estimated cost of US$2.7 billion, the project is expected to be completed in 3-years. The rehabilitation and dualisation of the highway has been cited as one of the major projects under Government’s Zim-Asset economic turnaround blueprint.

The project will be split into 5-segments between Beitbridge and Harare and 3-between Harare and Chirundu. A ring road will also surround Harare. Furthermore the Beitbridge-Victoria Falls and Harare-Nyamapanda roads will also be dualised with works expected to be completed in 3-years.

[Herald 26/07/16]

Zinara Disburses US$22 Million For Road WorksThe Zimbabwe National Roads Administration [ZINARA] disbursed US$22 million in H2 2016 or 46% of its targeted US$48 million disbursement for road works this year. There are 4-types of disbursements under ZINARA - these are routine maintenance, periodic maintenance, emergency and special project fund. Last year, ZINARA increased allocation of money to local authorities by 312% to facilitate improved maintenance and rehabilitation of roads. The roads administration authority is a statutory body empowered to collect road fees through toll fees, fuel levy, vehicle licences, and transit, abnormal and overload fees.

[Zimbabwe Daily 20/07/16]

AfDB Avails Funds For Gwanda-Beitbridge Road Rehabilitation The African Development Bank [AfDB] has provided funding for the rehabilitation of the 200km Gwanda-Beitbridge road under the North-South Corridor [NSC] regional initiative. NSC is targeting 5-roads in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Botswana, with the Zimbabwe rehabilitation being focused on 2-parts of the Beitbridge-Bulawayo road [Bulawayo to Gwanda stretch and Gwanda to Beitbridge] that will be undertaken concurrently.

Three regional blocs - the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa [COMESA], the East African Community [EAC] and Southern African Development Community [SADC] - are working on the NSC to unlock the economic potential of landlocked countries in Southern and Eastern Africa.

The grant will cover preparation of feasibility studies, detailed engineering designs and tender documents for the rehabilitation of a 200km Gwanda-Beitbridge road part of the North South Corridor-National Road No. A6 in Zimbabwe. The contract was awarded to ICT Private Limited and Yooshin Engineering Corporation in association with Cascade [Zimbabwe] and ASCO [Zambia].

[27/07/16]

20

South AfricaTransnet Expansion Boosts Coal Line Capacity FivefoldThe completion of the first-phase expansion of the coal line between Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal has resulted in a fivefold increase in coal capacity. Transnet noted the expanded line would boost capacity from 400,000 T of coal to 2-million T/p.a. The project is part of Transnet’s plans to spend R21.8 billion over the next 7-years to increase the capacity on the export coal line to 81-million T.

The project involved the construction of a 1.8 km-long “passing loop” at Matlabas near Lephalale in Limpopo, which allows 100-wagon trains to pass without disrupting other trains. Previously, only 50-wagon trains could be operated. The construction of the loop forms part of a 5-phase plan to increase capacity on the coal line. Phase-2 is expected to increase coal transported from Lephalale to Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal from 2-million tonnes to 6-million tonnes a year.

Transnet is in the middle of rolling out its market demand strategy - a R340bn-R380 billion recapitalisation programme to expand and modernise rail and port infrastructure over 10 years. It is acquiring more than 1,000 new locomotives for the rail network, with more than 100 heavy-haul locomotives being made for the coal line.

[BD Live 15/07/16]21

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICARAIL

South Africa/ZimbabweCross-Border Train Service On The CardsThe National Railways of Zimbabwe [NRZ] and South African rail transport company, Transnet Freight Rail [TFR] are set to launch cross-border super quick goods train services from Durban [South Africa] to Harare [Zimbabwe] 3-times a week, as part of efforts to turn around the fortunes of the 2-parastatals. South Africa is currently Zimbabwe’s largest trading partner in the region and beyond.

Trains are scheduled to run from Durban to Harare on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Trains will consist of 25 wagons of a payload of about 25T per container. In the reverse direction, trains also depart from Harare to Durban on days that will be determined by traffic volumes. Tariffs are being discussed with individual shipping lines. Any rates discussions are guided by volumes on offer. Besides the super quick trains designed for containerised goods, TFR and NRZ will run other freight trains conveying commodities such as grain [maize and wheat] and minerals [nickel and granite].

There continues to be steady flow of containers from Durban to Harare. A total of 17,780 tonnes [779 TEUs] have been moved in the last 6-months. It is projected that volumes will increase by 10% once the project is implemented. The rail infrastructure is currently operating at 35% way below its capacity. NRZ currently operates intercity passenger and freight trains between Bulawayo and Harare and other major towns, including branch line stations.

[Southern Times 22/07/16]

TanzaniaChina Exim Bank To Lend US$7.6 Billion For RailwayThe Export Import Bank China [EXIM] will lend Tanzania US$7.6 billion for a Standard Gauge Railway [SGR] that will help the East African nation’s landlocked neighbours including Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda transport goods to its port on the Indian Ocean. Tanzania and Exim Bank China will finalize technical issues on the contract and sign the financing deal for the 2,200-km project soon. The line will run from Dar es Salaam port to Rwanda’s capital, Kigali. Two other lines will branch off to Musongati in Burundi and to Mwanza port on the shores of Lake Victoria to service Ugandan shippers. The line to Kigali will ultimately connect to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC].

[Bloomberg 20/07/16]

22

Tanzania/ZambiaTAZARA Reaps US$13 Million ProfitThe Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority [TAZARA] announced it has made a profit of US$13.50 million for the just ended financial year of 2015 to 2016. And has projected to generate about US$44.10 million in the 2016/2017 financial year due to a turnaround in business and cost-effective operations. TAZARA attributed the profit to improved business resulting from increased haulage from 87,000 MT of freight in the 2014/2015 financial year to 130,000 MT in the 2015/2016 financial year.

Meanwhile the TAZARA Act of 1995 is under review in the 2-countries in order to make the Authority more business-oriented through decentralisation as well as recapitalisation of the firm. The Board also noted the concerns expressed by customers of TAZARA and other stakeholders in the transport sector in Zambia and Tanzania, on the impact of the introduction of Value-Added Tax on services for goods transiting through the Port of Dar es Salaam. The TAZARA Board resolved to request the Dar es Salaam Corridor Committee to quickly undertake an independent study and advise on the competitiveness of the Dar es Salaam Port in light of the fiscal policy to other regional ports and the potential impact on TAZARA.

[Lusaka Times 30/07/16]

Railway Authority Lands New ContractThe Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority [TAZARA] has landed a new contract with African Fossils Limited of Tanzania to transport 18 million litres of petroleum products to DR Congo. Malawi’s government has ordered TAZARA to move 48 million litres of petroleum products in the next 12 months, starting this month. The first million litres [1,000 MT] has already departed Dar es Salaam Port.

The target for the 2016/2017 financial year was to transport 381,000 MT, a three-fold improvement from 130,000 MT that were hauled in the 2015/2016 financial year. The authority will mark its 40th anniversary on 28 July.

[African Review 18/07/16]

ZimbabweNRZ Slashes Salaries 50%The National Railways of Zimbabwe [NRZ] has slashed worker’s salaries by 40-50%, citing a tough operating environment, a development that will see some employees taking home less than US$90/month. This comes months after NRZ workers downed tools protesting the non-payment of their salaries for over a year. The NRZ is saddled with a US$144 million debt, with workers owed more than US$68 million.

[News Day 16/07/16]

23

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICARAIL

South AfricaGovernment Moves To Plug Revenue Leaks At Beitbridge Border PostGovernment has secured US$600,000 to curb leakages at Beitbridge Border Post and ensure maximum revenue collection. CCTV cameras have already been installed at Beitbridge and vehicles have been purchased for patrols along the boundary line. The facility is also setting up a new border perimeter fence to replace the one which was vandalised. Mobile and luggage scanners are now in use.

[Bulawayo 20/0/716]

TanzaniaWorld Bank Disburses Sh100 Million For Dodoma Dry PortThe World Bank [WB] through the Local Investment Climate [LIC] has disbursed Sh100 million for the construction of a dry port at Dodoma. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa directed the Capital Development Authority [CDA] and the office of the regional commissioner to set aside land for the construction of the port.

[Citizen 21/07/16]

24

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICAOSBP, SEZ & ICD TERMINALS

Northern CorridorAfDB Secures Funding For Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System

The African Development Bank [AfDB] has secured funding from the Africa Trade Fund [ATF] for a study on the implementation of a Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System and its use for Corridor Performance Monitoring on the Northern Corridor. The Bank now invites suitably qualified consultancy firms to express their interests. The duration of the assignment is estimated at 4-months to start September 2016.

The Northern Corridor consists of 6-countries; Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Uganda. The corridor also services Northern region of Tanzania and Southern region of Ethiopia.

The Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority [NCTTCA] was established with a primary objective of facilitating trade and transport in the region. One of the key objectives of the revised Northern Corridor Agreement, the NCTTA-2007 is to transform the Northern Corridor into a Development Corridor. This transformation is highly dependent on an efficient trade and transport system, which includes the regulatory agencies adopting measures for improved controls while at the same time facilitating trade and contributing to the reduction of the cost of doing business along the Northern Corridor.

The East African Customs Management Act [EAC-CMA 2005] established a Customs Union for the East African Community Partner States, part of which [Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda] are signatory to the NCTTA. In line with the Customs Union Protocol, the Northern Corridor Member States started a roll out of the Single Customs Territory [SCT] where payment of taxes for goods entering the Territory is done at the first port of entry into the Territory. The SCT is currently being rolled out along the Northern Corridor and use of the ECTS has been chosen as one of the primary controls for goods cleared under the SCT regime.

However the standalone ECTS adopted by the Member States are proving costly to the transporters and traders alike since they are confined within the borders of each country of transit. In trying to find more efficient and effective ways of fighting pilferage and diversion of goods in transit, the Customs authorities and other public and private sector stakeholders have recommended the use of a Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System.

The aim objective of the study is to assist the Northern Corridor Member Countries to determine the technicalities to establish and operationalize a regional ECTS.

[AfDB 25/07/16]

For more information view http://www.ttcanc.org/

25

WESTERN AFRICACORRIDOR & TRADE NEWS

Angola Angola Spends US$1 Billion On Road RepairsThe government is to spend a US$5 billion credit line on 155 public works projects, including road repairs over a distance of over 2,200 km. Funda have been made available from the China Development Bank to repair 17 national, secondary and tertiary roads. The projects will be awarded to Chinese companies included in the 2016 Public Investment Programme [PIP]. One area of focus is the repair of National Highway 321, a route exiting Luanda into the country’s interior in the section between Maria Teresa and Dondo.

[Macauhub/AO/CN 13/07/16]

CameroonGrand Zambi-Kribi RoadThe Cameroon Government has requested funding from the African Development Fund [ADF] to support Phase 2 of its Transport Sector Project which includes construction of the Grand Zambi-Kribi road [53 km]. A tender has been issued for Consultants experienced in control and monitoring of the work.

GhanaPresident Cuts Sod For Bolgatanga-Pulmako Road ProjectPresident Mahama has cut the sod for the commencement of work on the 110 km-road from Bolgatanga-Pulmako in the Upper East Region. The road, which is scheduled to be completed in 2.5 years, would cover the Red and the White Volta with 176 culverts, 3-bridges and by-passes along the Zebilla-Bawku area. The road will link to the eastern corridor where it will connect Bolgatanga and Pulmako and Nankpanduri in the Northern Region and also link the Upper East Region through Garu-Tempane and Kulugungu to neighbouring Burkina Faso.

[GNA 17/07/16]

26

WESTERN AFRICAROAD

GabonRail Network To Get €52.5 Million From IFCThe World Bank Group’s International Finance Corp [IFC] has agreed to provide railway concessionaire Société d’Exploitation du Transgabonais [SETRAG] with €52·5 million of debt financing to boost the capacity, efficiency and reliability of the rail network, while the Proparco private sector financing arm of the French Development Agency is to provide a parallel €32·5 million loan. This will support infrastructure rehabilitation including the replacement of wood sleepers with concrete to increase speeds and double the capacity of the line to 16 trains/day, as well as the acquisition of new rolling stock.

The move supports efficient transport solutions by private sector operators for mining companies and general freight shippers, thus facilitating industrial investment and economic growth in Gabon’, said Vera Songwe, IFC’s Regional Director for West & Central Africa. SETRAG has been the concessionaire of the 650km Transgabonais rail line between Franceville and Libreville since 2005. The line serves the main central corridor, connecting landlocked iron ore and manganese mines to international markets.

[Railway Gazette 20/07/16]

GhanaExim Bank Boosts Construction Of Tema-Akosombo Railway LineThe constriction of Ghana’s Tema-Akosombo railway line is now set to kick off after the country secured a financial support from the Indian Exim Bank. The line is expected to link northern parts of Ghana through the Volta Lake transport service and will also connect landlocked West African countries surrounded by land such as Burkina Faso and Mali to the Tema port.

The construction of the Tema-Akosombo railway line is key milestone to our development agenda in the transport sector which for years have been lagging behind. With better infrastructure we will ensure that trade is enhanced.

Fifi Kwetey, Minister of Transport

Meanwhile the Sekondi-Takoradi rail-line is almost complete. The project seeks to improve commuter services between the twin cities and reduce congestion on the road. It will also provide a link from the Takoradi port to a container depot at Sekondi.

Furthermore the ministry is looking for other sources of capital to rebuild the rest of the Western Rail Line. The ministry has requests the collaboration of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority with GRDA to implement the project. The projects are all interlocked to free Ghana’s ports from congestion while increasing revenue mobilization.

[CR 08/08/16]

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27

WESTERN AFRICARAIL

NigeriaAfrica’s First China-Assisted Gauge Railway Opens To TrafficAfrica’s first completed Standard Gauge Railway [SGR] built in collaboration with by China, opened to traffic on 26th July. Nigerian President Buhari inaugurated the US$876 million commercial operation built by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation. A Chinese loan covered US$500 million of the cost, with the Federal Government funding the remainder. Construction began in 2009 and was planned for completion in 2014, but was delayed by issues with the government’s share of the funding. Tracklaying got underway in July 2013. Chinese suppliers have delivered coaches, wagons and diesel locomotives for the project.

The 186.5 km line which offers 9-stops will facilitate the economic development of Nigeria and serve as an example for other railways being built in Africa. With a designated speed of 150 km/hr, the railway links Abuja and the north-western state of Kaduna, reducing travel time to 1-hour. The next 2-projects between China and Nigeria will be the Lagos-Ibadan and Lagos-Kano railways.

[CRI 27/07/16]

Nigeria Railway Corporation ActOn 21st July the Senate passed the Nigeria Railway Corporation Act, 1955 Repeal & Re-enactment Bill, which is intended to provide a legislative framework to facilitate the involvement of the private sector in the rail industry. It now needs to pass the House of Representatives before being signed by the President.

[Railway Gazette 27/07/16]

28

SenegalDakar Passenger ‘Train Express Régional’ ContractsState investment and public works agency APIX has selected preferred bidders for the construction of the Train Express Régional, a planned 1,435 mm gauge double-track line to be built in 2-phases to link Dakar with Diamniadio [36 km] and Blaise Diagne International Airport [a further 19 km].

A consortium of France’s Eiffage, local company CSE and Yap Merkezi of Turkey has been selected for the CFAFr330bn civil works contract. Energy services company ENGIE and subcontractor Thales supported by CSE have been selected as preferred bidders for a €225m design and build contract covering the power supplies, 25 kV electrification, signalling, train control and telecoms. Construction is scheduled to begin Q3 2016 and take 26 months, for completion in late 2018. Alstom had previously been selected as preferred bidder to supply 15 four-car trains, which will be from the Coradia family and similar to units ordered for France and Algeria.

The TER project is being developed under the Emerging Sénégal social and economic development plan which was launched by the government in 2014. The line would have 14 stations and be designed for a maximum speed of 160 km/h, giving an end-to-end journey time of around 45 min. Ridership is estimated at 115,000 passengers/day.

In May a funding package for the project was agreed by the government [CFAFr100bn], African Development Bank [CFAFr100bn], Islamic Development Bank [CFAFr181bn] and French development agency AFD [CFAFr70bn].

[Railway Gazette 27/07/16]29

WESTERN AFRICARAIL

AngolaCross-Border Platform To Link To DR Congo And ZambiaA cross-border logistics platform will be built in Luau municipality, Moxico province, to link Angola to the Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC] and Zambia via the Benguela railway. The Luau cross-border logistics platform will help attract international trade, both imports and exports. Furthermore Transport Minister Augusto da Silva Tomás called for the creation of 44 logistics platforms, from first to third level, for urban, regional, port and cross-border typologies as well as for air cargo centres at the country’s major airports.

[Macauhub/AO 02/08/16]30

WESTERN AFRICAOSBP, SEZ & ICD TERMINALS

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