NEW INITIATIVE ON DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION WITH AFRICA (DTA) ANNOUNCED AT U.S.-AFRICA BUSINESS FORUM

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Nov/Dec 2022

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REGIONAL ASSESSMENT EXERCISE INFORMS THE COMESA RETAIL PAYMENTS PLATFORM’S OVERALL INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGN AND MARKET ACQUISITION ROADMAP

CBC has been carrying out ongoing field missions with the objective of assessing the status of the regional, and national payment infrastructure in the eight pilot countries (Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Egypt, Ethiopia and Mauritius) of the Digital Financial Inclusion (DFI) for MSMEs Program; this exercise will inform the COMESA Retail Payments Platform’s overall infrastructure design; technical, functional, legal and regulatory requirements; estimated cost of equipment; and implementation mechanism.

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CBC DIGITAL FINANCIAL INCLUSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

We're pleased to welcome GSMA, represented by Ms. Mary Gichuki; EthSwitch S.C., represented by Mr. Yilebes Addis; and FDH Financial Holdings Ltd, represented by Mr. William Mpinganjira, to our Digital Financial Inclusion Advisory Committee.

The Advisory Committee's purpose is to strengthen inter-participatory approach on the activities and outputs of the Digital Financial Inclusion Program. It comprises high-level stakeholders from the public and private sectors, who provide guidance on key aspects of the Program, now in the vital phase - implementation and operation of the Regional Digital Retail Payments Scheme.

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CBC PARTICIPATES IN 5TH EAST AFRICAN BANKING & MICROFINANCE FORUM

The Forum organized by the Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB Group) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) had the participation of over 500 industry professionals from leading African and international banks, financial institutions and banking associations.

Organized under the theme “Financing for Sustainable Development: a Response to the Challenges of Climate Change,” CBC had the honour of participating in a panel discussion on the macroeconomic and financial challenges in uncertain times.

There was consensus that the region’s prosperity would require high-quality policies that would not only build resilience, but also create an enabling environment for the reduction of countries' vulnerabilities to future shocks.

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CENTRAL BANK OF EGYPT HOSTS 26TH MEETING OF COMESA CENTRAL BANK GOVERNORS COMMITTEE

The meeting was attended by a number of governors and representatives of the central banks of the COMESA countries, including Egypt, Djibouti, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, and Eswatini, and witnessed the adoption of a number of reports by COMESA institutions.

It followed a series of preliminary meetings that lasted for five days, starting with the technical committees meeting of experts, and the meetings at the level of the Governors Committee office.

Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe was announced as chairperson of the Office of the COMESA Committee of Central Bank Governors for 2023.

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About COMESA Business Council:
CBC is a business member organization bringing together a diverse group of businesses and associations in the region from 34 sectors in 21 countries of COMESA. CBC is the recognized regional apex body of the private sector in the region. CBC as the key advocacy driver for business, provides a link between the private sector and organs of the Common market. We seek to improve the competitiveness and deepen the participation of the private sector in regional and global trade, through advocacy, business facilitation and enterprise development. This includes prioritizing and taking specific advocacy strategies to address key business impediments and measures that affect our industries and have a direct bearing on the participation of our businesses in trading in the COMESA region.

CONTACT US:

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COMESA Business Council, COMESA Center
Ben Bella Road, P.O. Box 30051, Lusaka, Zambia

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Tel: +260 211 229725/32, Ext: 7542 +260 761 228 754

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www.comesabusinesscouncil.org

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