New Provisions Anticipated to Enhance Access to Notarial Services under Notaries Public Act, 2023

A Notary Public in Nigeria is authorised to carry out certain official acts including attesting to or certifying the authenticity of a deed or other legal documents such as birth certificates, school certificates, biodata pages of international passports, marriage certificates, etc. He also carries out the functions of administering oaths and witnessing the execution of local and international agreements. As these acts are undertaken in official capacity, they are recognised internationally as a means of deterring fraud.

NCC Releases Conditions for Offering Closed User Group Services

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has released a new set of conditions for telecom operators offering Closed User Group (CUG Services in the country. CUG services are a type of telecom service that allow mobile subscribers to send text messages or make and receive calls from any member associated within the group or other subscribers outside the CUG at a subsidised, discounted or fixed fee. The CUG configuration provides certain benefits and limits access to these services to the defined set of group members.

Carbon Markets Series | The Climate Change (Amendment) Act, 2023

On 1 September 2023, the Climate Change (Amendment) Act, 2023 (the Amendment Act) was signed into law by the President of Kenya. In the following week, Kenya hosted the Inaugural Africa Climate Summit 2023, underscoring the country’s steadfast commitment to combat climate change.

Towards a Vibrant Mining Sector in Uganda: Review of the Mining and Minerals Act 2022

Uganda is a mineral rich country with vast deposits of gold, uranium, limestone, marble, graphite, iron, copper, and cobalt, among others. Whereas its mining sector once accounted for 30% of the country’s export earnings in the 1950’s and 1960’s, today the sector’s contribution is about 0.8%. This decline has been attributed to a weak legislative framework to award, protect and enforce mineral rights; a significant informal mining sector; a paucity of foreign investors; environmental degradation; and human rights abuses.

Kenya Removes 30% Local Shareholding Requirement in ICT Sector

The Kenyan Government has recently done away with the local shareholding requirement in the ICT sector that has been in place for over ten years. It is expected that this move will encourage the ease of doing business in the ICT sector and attract more foreign investment into the sector.

Highlights of the Evidence (Amendment) Act 2023

On 12 June 2023, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria signed the Evidence (Amendment) Act 2023 (the Act/Amendment) into law. It is important to note that the Amendment does not repeal the Evidence Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and is intended to reflect technological advancements in evidence-taking, particularly in court proceedings.

Kenya Establishes e-Mobility Taskforce Led by ALN Kenya Managing Partner Daniel Ngumy

The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Roads and Transport has established a taskforce on the Development of National Electric Mobility Policy, Strategy, Legislations and Regulations (the e-Mobility Taskforce) and appointed Daniel Ngumy, Managing Partner and Head of Tax at ALN Kenya, as Chairperson of the Taskforce.

At a glance

In fulfilling its core mandate, the Taskforce will be required to

  • review the existing policies, legal, institutional and operational environment around e-Mobility in the country;
  • identify and recommend legal, policy, institutional frameworks necessary to support implementation and growth of e-Mobility;
  • undertake assessment and recommendation on the impact of adopting the e-Mobility policy on green energy exploitation;
  • review the impact of adopting e-Mobility on sustainability of the Road Maintenance Fuel Levy Fund;
  • review the existing fiscal policy and make recommendations that support growth and development of e-Mobility in Kenya;
  • review the human capital management and develop policies required to support the development, growth and implementation of the e-Mobility; and
  • any other assignment incidental to the achievement of the task.