Tanzania

Banking in Tanzania: New measures to promote credit to the private sector

The Bank of Tanzania has recently issued a public notice on the policy measures to promote credit to the private sector and lower interest rates, as part of its drive to spur economic recovery and stability in Tanzania. This article summarises the measures outlined in the Notice and what they mean for financial institutions in Tanzania. 

Mauritius

Mauritius: New tax treaty with Lesotho

The double taxation agreement (DTA) that was signed by Mauritius and Lesotho on 2 March 2021 entered into force on 7 June 2021. The new DTA replaces the DTA entered into between the two countries in 1997. 

Zimbabwe

“No jab, no job” – Can an employer force employees to get vaccinated?

The government of Zimbabwe has undertaken to have every eligible Zimbabwean vaccinated by end of August 2021. However, the government has acknowledged one major resistance, it cannot force everyone to be vaccinated hence it has revised its stance to urging everyone to be vaccinated. To date there is no law that mandates everyone to be vaccinated. The same issue has become topical in the employment sector, companies are making arrangements with health care providers for the vaccination of their employees. The same resistance is being faced. Employers are now keen to know the consequences of such resistance. 

Ghana.

A Digitized Ghana – New Technologies and Innovation

The past year has been one of exciting initiatives for Ghana’s digital infrastructure. The Government has adopted digitization as a key policy objective and has recently introduced a number of programs designed to develop a more digitally accessible public sector and encourage transparency and efficiency, in order to drive growth in all aspects of the country’s economy. The private sector is also playing its part. In his recent mid-year fiscal policy review of the 2021 budget statement and economic policy, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, observed that the use of mobile money, door to door delivery via courier services and internet usage for business operations has increased significantly with about 77 percent of businesses increasing the use of the internet in marketing, compared to 19 percent during the lockdown period.