Latest news with #EastAfrica
Associated Press
10 hours ago
- Associated Press
Tapestry of Africa Introduces Unforgettable African Safari Adventures
07/14/2025, Nairobi, Kenya // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // Tapestry of Africa is excited to introduce its newly improved safari tours, designed to create memorable experiences for travelers seeking to explore the beauty and diversity of Africa. As a leading tour operator, Tapestry of Africa makes planning and enjoying a safari effortless. The company offers personalized itineraries that fit the goals of each traveler. With its improved safari tours, Tapestry of Africa guests can enjoy itineraries tailored to their preferences, budget, and desired level of adventure. Whether they are dreaming of a luxury lodge experience in Kenya, a thrilling wildlife safari in Tanzania, or a serene escape into the Maasai Mara, it helps them design their ideal trip from start to finish. What truly sets Tapestry of Africa apart is its ability to turn complex travel logistics into a seamless experience. From airport transfers and accommodations to park permits and game drives, every detail of the safari tours is carefully arranged so travelers can focus on the excitement of their journey. The company's knowledgeable consultants simplify the booking process, removing the stress of trip planning. Tapestry of Africa offers an extensive range of guided safari tours across East Africa's premier wildlife destinations. Its portfolio includes unforgettable adventures through Kenya's Maasai Mara, Amboseli, and Samburu reserves, as well as Tanzania's Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Travelers can also add a relaxing beach escape on Zanzibar's pristine shores. Whether traveling solo, as a couple, with family, or in a small group, every guest can enjoy the magic of Africa's landscapes and wildlife. Tapestry of Africa is driven by a deep passion for Africa's wildlife and cultures. Its guides and staff bring invaluable local knowledge and enthusiasm, ensuring every tour feels authentic and enriching. The company also prioritizes responsible tourism, supporting conservation efforts and local communities through each tour it operates. Guests traveling with Tapestry of Africa not only create lifelong memories but also contribute to preserving its natural heritage for generations to come. Travelers can explore more about Tapestry of Africa's unique approach by visiting its social media channels, which feature inspiring trip ideas, stunning wildlife photos, and traveler stories. You can follow its Facebook page, YouTube channel, Instagram, and TikTok. For those ready to plan their adventure, its website offers a comprehensive overview of destinations, packages, and booking options for unforgettable safari tours. Travelers can also request a personalized safari quote directly online. To learn more about Tapestry of Africa and its hassle-free safari tours, visit About Tapestry of Africa Tapestry of Africa is a premier safari and tour operator offering personalized and hassle-free experiences across East Africa. With expert guidance, custom itineraries, and a deep respect for Africa's natural and cultural treasures, it creates unforgettable adventures for travelers from around the world. ### Media Contact Tapestry of Africa Mkoma Road South B South Gate Centre, Nairobi, Kenya (623) 606-2217 newsroom: Source published by Submit Press Release >> Tapestry of Africa Introduces Unforgettable African Safari Adventures
Zawya
10 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
African airlines taxed out of reach for travellers
Carriers in East Africa have sounded the alarm over high taxes imposed by governments on goods and services in aviation, saying the levies are inflating ticket costs and stifling growth in an industry facing numerous challenges. The African Airlines Association (Afraa) says many countries in Africa have raised taxes on aviation in an effort to boost revenues and meet fiscal targets, but at the expense of air travel and the viability of carriers. In a report published last week, the lobby says a passenger departing from an African country pays an average of 3.5 taxes, charges and fees on international departures – about $68 – up from $66 in 2022. Anyone departing from Europe and the Middle East pays an average of 2.53 and 2.69 taxes respectively, valued about $30 and $34.'Aviation in Africa faces huge challenges related to taxes and charges, which affect airlines, passengers and economic growth,' Afraa said in the report.'High taxes, inconsistent policies and reliance on revenues can stifle the development of a competitive and sustainable aviation industry.'The report says many African governments are ignoring the International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) policies on taxation, imposing exorbitant charges on the sector. In addition to international departure taxes, more African countries have introduced transfer and arrival taxes, further inflating the cost of flying to and through the continent. Regional departuresAs of 2024, some 42 African countries applied transfer taxes, up from 35 in 2022, increasing ticket prices by an average of $34.40. Arrival taxes rose from an average of $14 in 2021 to $34.10 last year. Flights within the continent are not exempt. Since 2022, fees, charges and taxes on regional departures have risen by about $2 to $59.05, up from $57.40. While average taxes in Africa are already above international norms, some countries charge close to $300 in taxes and fees on global and regional departures. Gabon is the most expensive country to fly from, charging $297.70 for international flights and $260 for regional departures. Sierra Leone follows closely, levying $294 for the categories. In East Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo is the costliest, charging $109.90 for regional and international departures – the ninth most expensive on the continent. On average, East African countries charge $63.32 in taxes on international departures and $52.82 on regional departures, ranking third after West Africa ($109.49 and $96.98) and Central Africa ($106.62 and $85.84). Four countries in the region charge $50 to $100, one charges between $100 and $150, two fall between $30 and $50, and two charge less than $30. Afraa does not specify charges by country except for the 10 most and least expensive. An analysis by the East African Business Council in 2023 also established that countries in the region have hefty taxes on international and regional travel, with some airports being among the most expensive on the continent to depart from. Juba Airport in South Sudan was the most expensive, with taxes amounting to 17 percent of ticket prices for air travel within the East African Community (EAC) and 11 percent within the rest of Africa. Uganda's Entebbe Airport and Burundi's Bujumbura Airport came second with taxes eating up 15 percent of ticket prices, followed by Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta Airport and Julius Nyerere Airport in Dar es Salaam, at 11 percent, with Kigali Airport in Rwanda being the cheapest at eight percent. Aviation trafficAfraa says the continued rise in these taxes will suppress local demand for air travel and weaken tourism in Africa, which relies on aviation to transport about 56 percent of visitors.'Taxes and fees generally represent more than 55 percent of airlines' most affordable base fares, and over 35 percent of the total ticket price,' the report states.'Given the low purchasing power in Africa, it is urgent to assess the issue of high taxes to stimulate demand and make air transport affordable.'Indeed, air travel seems to be less developed and has less traffic in regions that have more taxes than in those with lower taxation on the industry, evident from the Afraa analysis. Of the 10 countries with the lowest aviation taxes for international and regional departures, four – Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Libya – are from northern Africa. All but one country from this region charge less than $50 in such taxes, according to the report. In contrast, only three countries from West and Central Africa have taxes of less than $50, while the majority charge more than $100 in international and regional departure taxes, not to mention arrival and transfer taxes on airline tickets. As most African countries grapple with debt sustainability and scramble for revenue, Afraa says indiscriminate taxation risks strangling industries critical for growth.'To foster greater air connectivity, economic growth and regional integration, it is important for African governments to consider harmonising tax structures, reducing excessive charges and pursuing alternative funding methods for aviation infrastructure,' the report concludes. © Copyright 2022 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Russia Today
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Al-Shabaab captures town in African state
Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab terrorists have captured the town of Tardo in Somalia's central Hiiran region and are pushing forward with a longstanding offensive that has displaced thousands across the East African nation, Reuters reported, citing a Somali military official. The fragile central government in Mogadishu has struggled to fight off Al-Shabaab despite foreign military support. An African Union peacekeeping force drove the militant group out of the capital in 2011, but it still controls large swaths of land in Somalia's southern and central regions, carrying out sporadic bombings and gun attacks on civilians and military infrastructure. Major Mohamed Abdullahi told the outlet that Tardo, a strategic town which connects larger urban centers, fell on Sunday after fighters from the terrorist group drove out government-allied clan forces. 'The group is advancing to other areas after the fall of Tardo,' Abdullahi said, adding that Somali forces and local clan fighters known as Macwiisleey are preparing a counteroffensive. On Monday, the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency said it conducted joint operations in Hiiran with international partners, killing at least 15 insurgents, with five others severely wounded. Al-Shabaab has waged an insurgency in Somalia since 2007, seeking to overthrow the fragile federal government and establish its own rule based on a hardline interpretation of Sharia law. In February, US President Donald Trump announced he had ordered precision airstrikes in Somalia targeting an unnamed senior Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) attack planner and other militants. As of May, US Africa Command estimates that American forces have carried out 25 airstrikes against IS and Al-Shabaab in the Horn of Africa nation since Trump took office in January. The Pentagon claimed the strikes destroyed terrorist hideouts in Somalia's northeastern Bari region and killed multiple militants. Despite the operations, terrorists targeted the convoy of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in a bomb attack while he was traveling through Mogadishu in March. At least ten people were killed in May when a suicide bomber detonated explosives outside a military base in the capital. A day earlier, senior army commander Colonel Abdirahmaan Hujaale was assassinated in the Hiiran region.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New study examines value chain of used clothing and circularity impact
The study titled, 'From Collection of Used Clothes in Sweden to Reuse in Kenya: A Case Study of Humana Lt's Value Chain for SecondHand Clothes', was commissioned by Humana Lithuania. The report's objective is to conduct a case study that details and examines the value chain of second-hand clothes collected in Sweden, destined for the Kenyan second-hand clothing market. It aims to outline the 'markets' dynamics' and assess the potential economic activities, job creation, and socio-economic effects stemming from this trade. The focus is on the 'post-consumer textiles'. The document outlines the various stages of the value chain, including sorting processes in Lithuania and Oman, leading up to the importation and resale within Kenya's second-hand clothing market. According to the report, the common critique that equates the export of second-hand clothes to Kenya with dumping is 'not supported by evidence'. Kenya imposes substantial import duties on mitumba, a term used in East Africa for second-hand clothes, making it financially impractical to import textiles only to dispose of them in landfills, the study said. The report highlights challenges faced by textile collectors due to new EU waste regulations under the Waste Framework Directive. The mandatory separation of textiles from household waste in Sweden, which started in January 2025, has already begun to increase volumes while simultaneously decreasing the proportion of textiles suitable for reuse. According to findings, this change is exerting financial and operational pressures on collectors who already operate on narrow margins. Cristofer Ståhlgren from Human Bridge, a Swedish used textiles collector, said: "As textile collectors, we support better textile waste management, but the new rules are placing logistical and financial strain on our operations. Collectors are being overburdened without adequate support, while systems enabling effective reuse are being disrupted. If we're serious about circularity, we must protect and strengthen the existing reuse infrastructure.' The IVL report stresses the importance of having separate collection systems for reuse and recycling in order to maintain quality streams for reuse. Sweden's experience serves as an example of how EU directives can have unintended negative consequences if not carefully planned. Key insights from the report: - Differentiated collection systems are necessary for reuse and recycling: Sweden's mandatory textile collection has led to more collected textiles but also a greater number of items unsuitable for reuse. - Significance of sorting and quality control: In 2024, Humana Lithuania sorted approximately 38,000 tonnes (t) of used textiles, with 76% earmarked for reuse and 16% for recycling. - Creation of economic and social value: The second-hand clothing trade fosters employment opportunities from European collection points to Kenyan retail outlets. - Unprofitability of dumping: With Kenya's high import taxes on mitumba, discarding imported textiles would not be economically viable. - Support for humanitarian efforts: The sorting and resale of second-hand clothing in the Global North often support charitable work and social causes in the Global South. Humana Lithuania CEO Orjan Osterdal said: 'As EU countries introduce new collection and Extended Producer Responsibility requirements under the Waste Framework Directive, it's crucial to recognise that global clothing reuse, built on quality exports, is a key part of the solution to a circular textile economy.' This report comes after Mitumba Consortium Association of Kenya (MCAK) called on global stakeholders promote evidence-based research and policymaking in January this year to tackle misinformation about the second-hand clothing industry. A report by Consulting For Africa (CFA) and Abalon Capital Limitada, in March this year revealed that second-hand clothing (SHC) sector emerged as a significant economic driver in Mozambique, sustaining over 200,000 jobs in both formal and informal sectors. "New study examines value chain of used clothing and circularity impact " was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Bloomberg
17 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Kenya Touts Its Economic Climate to Double Foreign Investment
The Kenyan Investment Authority plans a conference in 2026 to highlight the East African nation's favorable macroeconomic climate and help boost foreign direct investment. 'We believe next year we can double our annual FDI numbers, going by the current run-rate,' Chief Executive Officer John Mwendwa said in an interview last week, pointing to agriculture, manufacturing and business processes outsourcing as sectors it would prioritize.
