Equity Group And DEG Launch German Desk To Support Africa-German Business Links And Boost East African Trade
Equity Group Holdings Plc and DEG – Deutsche Investitions– und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, the German Development Finance Institution (DEG), announced the launch of the German Desk for the East African market. The German Desk is part of Equity Group’s efforts to reach out to a broader range of European SMEs and entities. It will provide comprehensive relationship management and financial services to European SMEs, and their local partners in the region.
The German Desk will offer a wide range of services, including account opening, trade facilitation and finance, transaction banking, credit lines, introductions, and investment through financing. These services are designed to ease and empower business linkages and support trade engagement, partnerships, and enable local companies to acquire German equipment and technology platforms. By leveraging the combined expertise of DEG, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), and Equity Bank, the German Desk aims to streamline business processes and accelerate growth for our clients.
“Supporting German Businesses in Africa is a long-term strategic focus for DEG. Therefore, we are delighted to have won Equity Bank Kenya as a partner for the German Desk Kenya. This is a significant step forward in strengthening economic ties between Germany and East Africa,” said Ms. Petra Kotte, Senior Director of Infrastructure, Energy, and German Business at DEG. “By providing tailored financial solutions and fostering cross-border partnerships, we are empowering businesses to seize opportunities in this dynamic market.”
Equity Group Holdings has positioned the German Desk as a key component of its broader strategy to foster connections and partnerships with European markets, particularly Germany, under its Global Partners Program. By offering tailored financial solutions and facilitating business linkages, the Group aims to support German and European companies in their expansion into East Africa.
“This partnership with DEG marks a significant milestone for Equity Group Holdings as we continue to strengthen our international footprint and facilitate cross-border trade,” said Dr. James Mwangi, Equity Group Managing Director, and CEO. “The German Desk will provide a platform for German and the broader European private sector to access the vibrant East African market, while also supporting local businesses in their growth and development, in line with the Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan.”
“For the last 77 years, Africa has not benefitted from the world economic order that has served the interests of others. To place Africa in its rightful place, the continent needs to look for partners that can really support it to be on the table. The best we can do to achieve that is to use the private sector to build people-to-people and business to business level relationships. We believe that Europe, through Germany will be a good partner for Africa’s transformation,” Dr. Mwangi added.
German-Kenyan trade relations have been steadily growing over the years. Germany is one of Kenya’s major trading partners in Europe, with significant trade volumes in various sectors, including automotive, machinery, and chemicals. The German Desk aims to further strengthen these ties by providing enhanced financial services and facilitating business connections. The German Desk Program is part of the Africa Business Network (“Wirtschaftsnetzwerk Afrika”) and supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).
“The launch of the German Desk is a testament to the growing economic partnership between Germany and Kenya,” said Sebastian Groth, the German Ambassador to Kenya. “This initiative will not only benefit German businesses but also contribute to the socio-economic development of Kenya and the wider East African region.”
Commenting on the launch of the partnership, EU Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, said: “SMEs are the lifeblood of Europe’s economic success. This partnership between Equity and DEG, amplified by the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement, demonstrates the immense potential of Kenyan and East African SMEs to drive prosperity.”
The German Desk in Nairobi will support clients and partners in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, , and Ethiopia. The desk will be staffed by bilingual professionals who possess a deep understanding of both German and East African cultures. This cultural sensitivity will enable the team to effectively address the unique needs of German firms and their local partners. The launch event, hosted at the German Ambassador’s residence in Nairobi, was attended by key stakeholders from the business, diplomatic, and development communities.
https://theinsider.ug/index.php/2024/11/14/equity-group-and-deg-launch-german-desk-to-support-africa-german-business-links-and-boost-east-african-trade/
Luis Diaz was fouled in Liverpool clash. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Liverpool were 1-0 winners over Girona in the Champions League on Tuesday night and former Reds star Steve McManaman feels his old club got a little lucky. The Merseyside club arrived into the clash in Spain having won all five of their Champions League matches and Arne Slot’s men kept up their 100 per cent record with the victory.Girona caused Liverpool a lot of problems in the first half and the Reds boss can thank his goalkeeper Alisson Becker for keeping the home side out. The Merseyside outfit were much better in the second 45 minutes and it was during this half that the biggest talking point of the game emerged.Donny van de Beek would commit a clumsy challenge on Luis Diaz – who has recently been linked with a move away from Anfield – in the Girona box when the Dutch midfielder barely stepped on the winger’s heel.The referee viewed the coming together as a foul after being sent to the VAR monitor, resulting in Mohamed Salah converting the spot-kick.The incident sparked a lot of debate on social media and former Liverpool star Steve McManaman felt his old club were lucky to get the decision.
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Steve McManaman on the Liverpool penalty incident
Liverpool star Luis Diaz earned Liverpool a penalty. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)Speaking after the match, McManaman stated that he thought the penalty was harsh and compared it to the unpunished fouls that often happen during corners and free-kicks.“You expect the midfielders to go to close down and if you stand on an inch of his heel, it is very unfortunate,” the pundit said on TNT Sports. “With all respect, it is a contact game. We see a lot more contact at corners and free-kicks that go unmentioned so I don’t think it was a penalty regardless of the result.”
“He’s given the referee an opportunity to make a decision or VAR to get involved” ?@rioferdy5 and Steve McManaman give their verdict on Liverpool’s penalty ?
? @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/wwH4emYXiI
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 10, 2024Liverpool will feel fortunate that they were awarded the penalty but Van de Beek gave the referee a decision to make after making the clumsy foul in their own box.Slot’s men were not at their best in Spain but as seen several times this season, the Reds found a way to come away from the match with all three points. https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/12/10/liverpool-champions-league-tnt/
When it comes to home theater sound, one of the best brands to go with is Samsung. Over the last several years, Samsung surround sound systems and soundbars have done a phenomenal job at enhancing movie nights, which is why we’re always on the lookout for Samsung soundbar deals. As luck would have it, we came across a great one earlier today:
Right now, when you purchase the Samsung 3.1ch HW-Q6CC Soundbar, you’ll only pay $200. At full price, this model sells for $380.
Why you should buy the Samsung 3.1ch HW-Q6CC Soundbar
The HW-Q6CC is a Dolby Atmos soundbar, which means it can virtualize a full Atmos speaker configuration. Expect immersive audio, regardless of where you choose to sit or stand, plus a nice balance of highs, mids, and lows. And if you ever decide to relocate the soundbar to another room, Samsung’s Adaptive Sound Lite tech will automatically recalibrate the HW-Q6CC to the new space you place it in. Connectivity couldn’t be more effortless either: Thanks to HDMI eARC, you only have to worry about one wire going to your TV.
Far more than a home theater system, you’ll also be able to use the HW-Q6CC to stream music from a phone or tablet using Bluetooth. Pair two devices simultaneously and enjoy fast playback with Samsung’s Tap Sound feature, which lets you start playing a song from your phone through the Samsung soundbar just by tapping one device to the other.
While it’s hard to say how long this markdown is going to last, Samsung deals like this one have gone pretty quickly in the past. That being said, today might be the best day to save. Take $180 off the Samsung 3.1ch HW-Q6CC Soundbar when you purchase at Walmart, and be sure to check out our list of the best Walmart deals for even more holiday discounts!
https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/samsung-hw-q6cc-soundbar-deal-walmart-december-2024/
The case in which two city lawyers are accused of forgery has taken a new twist after a prominent law firm has been implicated for alleged convenience in misleading court.
In the letter dated December 3, 2024 to the Inspector of Courts, pastor Daniel Walugembe has accused the lawyers, Robert Ssenfuka and Umar Nyanzi of SK and Partners Advocates of colluding with their colleagues at H&G Advocates to commit the alleged crimes.
Through his lawyers, Walugembe states that there is coordinated convenience between H&G Advocates and SK and Partners Advocates whose sole intention is to mislead and bias court against him which is very unfortunate and regrettable.
“Your worship, it is evident that in the letter written by H&G Advocates dated 23rd December 2021, requested for certified copies of proceedings, plaint, affidavit of service, and written statement of defense, consent judgment and decree in Civil Suit No. 699of 2017. Indeed in the letter dated 9th December 2022,” reads the petition adding that Natukunda Jeneva the Deputy Registrar certified the same documents.
According to the petition seeking for the intervention of the judiciary authorities into the matter, Walugembe insists that nowhere the registrar “gave any agreement to H&G advocates which they purportedly passed on to SK and Partners who are their conduits.”
Petition indicates that H&G Advocates is the law firm that represents Makerere University in the case litigated with Walugembe before the Land Division of the High Court; “But at no single point has H&G ever brought this purported sale agreement to disapprove or show inconsistent in his claim.”
The petition copied to the Chief Justice and other lawyers, the lawyers; Ssenfuka and Nyanzi are accused of concocting information and documents with a view of misleading court.
Through his lawyers of Alma Associated Advocates, Walugembe accused the lawyers of misleading court in the sworn statements to the principal judge that their client, Dr Ntwatwa Lule has never been party to earlier cases before the High Court.
“On that basis alone, it is our considered view that a person who can advise his client to lie on oath cannot be trusted at all. To demonstrate to you the perpetual lies of the accused persons in the affidavit they drafted for their client, drawn by SK and Partners Advocates, they advised their client to lie that he has never been party to application number 434 of 2019,” reads the complaint.
The petition copied to the chief justice, judicial authorities and lawyers was in response to complaints challenging the private prosecution of the lawyers Ssenfuka and Nyanzi.
Ssenfuka and Nyanzi both attached to SK & Partners Advocates are accused of fraud in regard to alleged forgery of agreements for Kibanja in Katanga near Wandegeya.
Last week, the Magistrates Court at Buganda Road, Jalia Basajjabalaba issued criminal summons against Ssenfuka and Nyanzi to answer accusations of forgery and uttering false
The duo is expected to appear in court on December 17, 2024 for plea taking and also for hearing formal application in which they are challenging the legality of the charges.
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It is alleged that the lawyers Ssenfuka and Nyanzi attached to SK & Partners Advocates while acting for and on behalf of their client, Dr Ntwatwa Lule committed criminal acts.
Court documents indicate that the accused lawyers are alleged to have committed forgery, uttering false documents and conspired to commit a felony when knowingly and unlawfully altered sales agreements dated February 9, 1996 and August 13, 1996 respectively.
H&G Advocates Accused of Forgery as Court Documents in Walugembe Case Face Scrutiny
