Africa news in brief
Nene says was fired for blocking Russian deal
South Africa’s finance minister Nhlanhla Nene told a judicial corruption inquiry on Wednesday that he was fired by former president Jacob Zuma for refusing to approve a US$100 billion nuclear power deal with Russia in 2015.
Nene is the highest profile figure to give evidence at a probe into alleged influence-peddling by the Gupta family, friends of Zuma, who are accused of using their relationship with the former leader to unduly win state contracts.
Zuma has repeatedly denied accusations by his opponents that he pushed for a deal with President Vladimir Putin at a BRICS summit for Russia to build a fleet of nuclear power stations.
-Nampa/Reuters
Mining firms say Zambia's tax hike plan would ruin economy
Zambia’s proposed mining tax increases would hobble Africa’s second biggest copper industry, companies said on Thursday, a further warning to investors already concerned about the country’s mounting debt.
Several mines would become unprofitable if the tax plans were implemented with overall copper production likely to fall, Zambia Chamber of Mines President Nathan Chishimba said.
“More tax regime instability, massive increases, and novel taxes not seen anywhere else in the world, will hurt the mining industry and all those who rely on its success,” Chishimba said in a statement.
“As industry production shrinks through the impact, there will be less jobs, less taxes and as a result there will be less in the government’s bank account for many years to come.”
-Nampa/Reuters
Kenya's earnings from tourism to climb - minister
Kenya’s tourism minister forecast that the country is likely to earn 15% more this year from its tourism sector as visitor numbers jump 17 to 18%.
The East African nation, which relies on tourism as a key source of hard currency and jobs, had 1.47 million tourists last year and earned 120 billion shillings (US$1.19 billion) from the sector.
-Nampa/Reuters
South Africa’s finance minister Nhlanhla Nene told a judicial corruption inquiry on Wednesday that he was fired by former president Jacob Zuma for refusing to approve a US$100 billion nuclear power deal with Russia in 2015.
Nene is the highest profile figure to give evidence at a probe into alleged influence-peddling by the Gupta family, friends of Zuma, who are accused of using their relationship with the former leader to unduly win state contracts.
Zuma has repeatedly denied accusations by his opponents that he pushed for a deal with President Vladimir Putin at a BRICS summit for Russia to build a fleet of nuclear power stations.
-Nampa/Reuters
Mining firms say Zambia's tax hike plan would ruin economy
Zambia’s proposed mining tax increases would hobble Africa’s second biggest copper industry, companies said on Thursday, a further warning to investors already concerned about the country’s mounting debt.
Several mines would become unprofitable if the tax plans were implemented with overall copper production likely to fall, Zambia Chamber of Mines President Nathan Chishimba said.
“More tax regime instability, massive increases, and novel taxes not seen anywhere else in the world, will hurt the mining industry and all those who rely on its success,” Chishimba said in a statement.
“As industry production shrinks through the impact, there will be less jobs, less taxes and as a result there will be less in the government’s bank account for many years to come.”
-Nampa/Reuters
Kenya's earnings from tourism to climb - minister
Kenya’s tourism minister forecast that the country is likely to earn 15% more this year from its tourism sector as visitor numbers jump 17 to 18%.
The East African nation, which relies on tourism as a key source of hard currency and jobs, had 1.47 million tourists last year and earned 120 billion shillings (US$1.19 billion) from the sector.
-Nampa/Reuters
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