Day: February 20, 2023

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Licensed Crypto-Fiat Infrastructure Provider Encryptus Soft Launches in TechHub Kenya

VILNIUS, LITHUANIA / ACCESSWIRE / February 19, 2023 / Encryptus, a licensed and compliant crypto-fiat trading platform, is thrilled to announce its soft entry into the African Continent, starting with Kenya.

Encryptus will mark their exploratory journey in the upcoming Africa Tech Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. As a trailblazer in the crypto industry, Encryptus is dedicated to providing crypto and non-crypto companies its infrastructures for Crypto < > Fiat; including Compliances, Coin Monitoring, Fiat and Crypto Liquidity via API to enable institutions to plug into their ecosystem. The fiat services would only be available via Bank wires to KYCed users only.

Encryptus is licensed as a VASP (Virtual Assets Service Provider) in Lithuania and Licensed as a “Proprietary Trading in Crypto Commodities” trading desk in Dubai, UAE.

Africa Pushing Through to the Global Scale

Africa has been a rapidly growing market for international companies and is attracting many global corporations to the continent, such as Amazon, Google, and Uber. In the crypto ecosystem, Cardano’s founding partners EMURGO and IOG have built a considerable presence in Africa along with CELO Foundation and LBank Exchange.

With the rise of digital assets and cryptocurrencies, regulations for digital assets are becoming increasingly important in Africa. In recent years, there has been a growing demand for cryptocurrencies and digital assets in Africa, leading to a need for regulations to ensure the security and stability of these investments.

The African startup scene has also seen significant rise, with a record $5.4 billion raised in 2022, according to a report by Briter Bridges. Startups in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt accounted for 75% of all funding in 2022. This highlights the growing potential of the African startup scene and the increasing number of investors who are taking an interest in this market.

Crypto adoption in Africa has also been expanding in recent years. According to Chainalysis, Africa has the fastest-growing crypto market in the world.

Encryptus is well integrated with Industry leaders for self custody, coin monitoring and KYC providers for compliant onboarding. The Institutions can make use to the infrastructure by simply plugging into the Encryptus APIs. Encryptus services are also available on their platform for HNWIs and Institutions who simply want to use their services.

Encryptus will mark their soft launch at one of the largest African Tech event; “Africa Summit in Nairobi”

Encryptus’s Founder & CEO, Shantnoo Saxsena will also be sharing the stage with some industry leaders from Polygon, CELO Foundation and Nestcoin. When asked for comments for why Encryptus chose Africa, Shantnoo replied ” I started my crypto journey with a Kenyan startup in 2016. The Kenyan ecosystem is getting exciting and we have the right infrastructure ranging from Compliance to Fiat and Crypto Liquidity to empower other potential partners to build on top of our ecosystem. Encryptus is in the exploratory stage, but we are committed to bring innovative Crypto < > Fiat on-ramps and off-ramps solutions to the Kenyan ecosystem. The fiat and cryptos must coexist and we will work with the regulators and the banks to build the infrastructure together”

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EncryptusGlobal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encryptus/
Website: https://encryptus.io/

Please free to contact Abhi@encryptus.io for any queries.

SOURCE: Encryptus

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(Horn Perspectives) Eritrea’s Return to IGAD: A Promising Opportunity for Regional Integration

The decision by Eritrea to resume its participation in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) presents a promising opportunity to reinvigorate and reform the Organization and transform it into an effective vehicle for regional integration. That is why the announcement by President Isaias Afwerki during his visit to Nairobi drew plenty of praise across the region.

Eritrea suspended its membership in IGAD in April 2007 after Ethiopia’s invasion of Somalia, which was contrary to the decisions of the intergovernmental organs of the Organizations not to deploy forces from neighboring countries. Until its fall by a popular uprising in 2018, the TPLF used the IGAD to as a tool to diplomatically pressure Eritrea and advance the Western agenda in the region. Although Eritrea formally decided to resume its membership in July 2011, its participation was illegally prevented by the TPLF. The ouster of TPLF from Addis Ababa and the signing of the peace agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia removed the hurdle towards Eritrea’s return to IGAD.

The return of Eritrea to IGAD provides an opportunity for the countries in the region to accelerate collective efforts to tackle the challenges for peace and progress—from conflicts and insecurity to underdevelopment and lack of regional connectivity, these threats have displaced millions of people and hindered efforts to promote sustainable development in the region. The revitalization of IGAD will allow for greater investment in regional integration to harness the region’s vast human, natural, and strategic resources.

The over 230 million people, a large proportion of which are under the age of 30, provided the region with a vast pool of young talent and energy that can be harnessed to drive economic growth in the region. The Horn of Africa is also rich in natural resources such as fertile land, fisheries, oil, gas, and other precious metals, providing a significant source of income and investment. The over 6500-kilometer coastline can be leveraged to turn the region into a powerhouse for the global supply chain.

The wealth and strategic position of the Horn has always drawn the interest of external actors. In recent years the region has become a battleground for geostrategic competition, with various external powers seeking to establish a foothold in the region. The United States, the Gulf states, Russia, Turkey, European countries, and China are increasingly attempting to exert influence and pursue their interests. The revitalization of IGAD could assist the countries in the region in managing external interventions in a manner they do not exacerbate regional tension and conflicts.

Revitalizing IGAD won’t be easy or linear. It will require practical ideas, consistent political will, and careful management of those whose interests will not be served in a peaceful, collaborative neighborhood. The countries in the region must first work towards resolving interstate conflicts and promoting fraternal ties. Bilateral relations between the countries in the Horn of Africa are at their best in decades. Still, disputes between Djibouti and Eritrea, Ethiopia and Sudan, Sudan and South Sudan, and Kenya and Somalia have strained international relations in the region. It is crucial for the countries in the region to find peaceful solutions to their differences as this could reduce tension, and the risk of conflict as well as build trust, which is the most important currency for regional cooperation.

Secondly, the countries in the region must work towards resolving internal security challenges faced by nations such as Sudan, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Somalia. Insecurity in any country has significant implications for everyone in the region and thus requires concerted efforts to address them. The year 2023 should be a starting point to kickstart regional peacemaking efforts, with countries putting in energy and resources to support those facing internal security and political problems.

Thirdly, promoting regional integration will require restructuring the IGAD and reprioritizing its activities. The current structure and activities of IGAD have largely been shaped by donor funding, which has reduced the organization’s autonomy. As the saying goes, “he who pays the piper controls the tune.” When the organization is entirely dependent on external funding, it becomes a tool in the hands of those who wish to control what happens in the region rather than an engine of regional cooperation. There is a need to make the Organization nimble and responsive to the changing needs of the member states. This can only be achieved if the countries in the region are committed to providing the necessary funding for IGAD. At the same time, the IGAD Secretariat should ensure that its activities and institutions are aligned with the ambition and commitment of the countries of the region.

The return of Eritrea to IGAD presents a promising opportunity for regional integration, and it is incumbent upon all to seize this moment to work toward a peaceful and dignified life for the region’s citizens. By doing so, they can rectify the historical injustices of colonialism that tore communities apart and pitted them against each other.

Source: Dehai Eritrea Online

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Workshop to revise National Seed Policy

The Ministry of Agriculture on 16 February organized workshop with a view to revise the existing National Seed Policy.

The objective of the workshop that was organized by Regulatory and Inspection Service Department of the Ministry in cooperation with partners was to ensure applicable and affordable seed.

Indicating that the existing seed policy has been designed in 2002, Mr. Tekleab Misgina, Director General of the Department, said that the aim of the workshop is to synchronize the policy with the existing reality.

The participants of the workshop indicating on the strategic importance of having pronounced seed policy called for regular scrutinize the policy to ensure its practicality.

Pointing out that effective and workable seed policy is the basis for ensuring nutritious food, Mr. Arefaine Berhe, Minister of Agriculture, said that revising the existing seed policy is appropriate.

Indicating that developing seed policy supported by technology and harmonizing it with the objective situation has strategic and safety importance, Minister Arefaine called on concerned institutions and experts to play due part in the effort.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

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Tour Du Rwanda 2023: Classifications 2023 after the stage 2

British Rider, Ethan Vernon, of Team Soudal-QuickStep claimed the second stage of Tour du Rwanda 2023 from City of Kigali to Gisagara district in Southern Province.

Vernon was victorious after 132.9km from Kigali to Gisagara, ensuring that the yellow jersey does not change hands, ahead of the third stage set for tomorrow, from Huye to Musanze district.

Vernon made it two-in-two, after beating his closest contender, Eritrean Mulueberhan Hanok of Green Project-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè, to the finish like after a largely flat and fast race that ender in the Southern Province district bordering Burundi.

Meijers Jeroen of Terengganu Polygon Cycling Team came in third while Raisberg Nadav of Israel – Premier Tech managed to finish fourth in a sprint finish which saw Vernon emerge on top.

Things just turned out as predicted for Vernon, who became the first British cyclist to win a stage in Tour du Rwanda, pointing out that he expected to do well on the second stage considering that it would be relatively flat as the first stage.

Source: Dehai Eritrea Online

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Statement by H.E. Mr. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Eritrea at the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union 19 February 2023 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Excellency, Chair

Your Excellencies,

Let me begin by conveying the greetings and best wishes of President Isaias Afwerki to this august Assembly and thanking the people and government of Ethiopia for their warm hospitality.

Excellencies,

This year, 2023, marks six decades since the exhilarating inception of the OAU, and a decade since the launching of Africa’s agenda 2063. It’s indeed an opportune moment for a thorough assessment of the road we have travelled, for a candid and serious reflection on our inadequate successes and consequential failures.

Today, Africa is formally free from colonial rule, a victory achieved through epic struggles and colossal sacrifices. Moreover, the dream of a united, strong and prosperous Africa has endured, despite daunting internal challenges and relentless external intervention and exploitation. Indeed there’s a growing awareness, confidence, energy and determination among African peoples, most prominently among the youth.

And yet, the reality is that Africa is not where it should be, where its people and youth want it to be. It remains ravaged by conflicts and wars, many of them externally fuelled; and our initial target year to silence the guns, 2020, has come and gone.

The African development scene is no less bleak, despite some positive spots. We are blessed with abundant resources and we still cannot secure our food. There’s little industrialization in our continent. Critical infrastructure is lacking, or nonexistent. Our educational systems have by-and-large failed to produce conscious youth that are attuned to their societies and the needs of their people, and equipped with relevant knowledge and skills. Poverty stalks our people, our children. Too many of them die from easily preventable diseases. Our resources continue to be plundered, our money flows out illicitly.

Clearly, the situation calls for concerted, systematic and radical action. It requires new paths, new policies, and new approaches- in the political, economic, social, cultural, security and foreign relations arenas. The old ways have not worked. We simply cannot continue as in the past, as we know where that has brought us.

A good point of departure is to acknowledge that our current predicament is simply not acceptable, and the need to rectify it urgent and serious. Well-thought, fresh and bold policies and measures are required at the national, regional and continental levels. Our nations need to address challenges and seize opportunities in consonance with their specific situations and the wishes and aspirations of their citizens, and with their full involvement. We need to address the failings and shortcomings of our regional organizations to enable them to effectively contribute to regional economic integration as well as peace and security. At the continental level, our attempts to reform the African Union and transform it into a fully-independent- independent of undue external pressure and influence- streamlined, focused and effective organization have not succeeded. We cannot but rededicate ourselves, and find better ways and means, to achieve this momentous and indispensable objective, which, furthermore, will enable us to better advance our interests in a rapidly changing global environment full of grave risks as well as tremendous opportunities.

I thank you.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea