Japan to Lend Uganda Shs559 Billion for Flyovers

Kampala — Uganda and Japan have concluded a loan agreement for financing the construction of flyovers in Kampala.   Japan will lend Uganda ¥19.989 million (about Sh559b) for the proposed flyovers at Kitgum House intersection on Jinja Road, and at Queen's Way on Entebbe Road.   The loan, which was signed recently, will come with a 0.01 per cent interest rate per annumm and is to be repaid in 40 years. It is hoped the flyovers will ease the flow of traffic to and.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 24th December 2015

Kenafric's Sh1bn Soda Plant Stirs Beverage Market

Sweets maker Kenafric Industries is set to diversify into the production of soda in a move that will intensify competition in the industry that is currently dominated by Coca-Cola and PepsiCo.   Kenafric plans to set up a Sh1 billion factory to manufacture sodas and ready-to-drink juices at its headquarters in Ruaraka, Nairobi, during the second half of next year.   About 30 per cent of the total cost of the investment will be debt while the balance is a mix of the.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 24th December 2015

SA Exports First Air Shipment of Litchis to U.S

Pretoria — The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has announced that South Africa has earlier this month exported its first air shipment of litchis to the United States.   "The department views this achievement as one of the major contributions on the country's initiative of expanding export markets, positioning South Africa as one of the significant exporters in the world.   "This achievement will enhance socio-economic growth as.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 24th December 2015

Climate Smart Coffee and Banana Set to Boost East African Farmers' Income

Kampala — Ugandan farmers are increasingly inter-planting coffee, the country's primary export, and banana, a staple food, as a way of coping with the effects of climate change.   In densely populated Elgon and Rwenzori Mountains, the two crops have been planted together on smallholder farms despite recommendations under the colonial agricultural extension system to separate these in Central and Western Uganda where land was believed to be plentiful.   With growing.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 24th December 2015

Machakos Banks On Green Grams and Fruits to Industrialise in Kenya

 After buying tractors to bring more land under cultivation and distributing seeds and fertiliser to poor families, Machakos County has now turned to green grams. Governor Alfred Mutua spoke to JULIUS SIGEI.   In our last interview two years ago, you told us that only about 20 per cent of the arable land in Machakos was under agriculture and that you planned to increase this to 70 per cent. What is the situation now?   We have been able to plough extensively. We are.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 24th December 2015

Canada Aids Kenya with Sh2bn for Training SMEs

 Kenya is set to receive about Sh2 billion ($19.5) from the Canadian government aimed at providing training for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country.   The announcement was made during the World Trade Organisation's 10th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi by Chrystia Freeland, Minister for International Trade in Canada.   The contribution is aimed at assisting small business entrepreneurs to set up producer associations to market and sell their products.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 24th December 2015

Australia's Intrepid Mines Invests U.S.$40 Million in Africa's Kitumba Project

 Intrepid Mines, an Australian company, has spent more than US$40 million on drilling and exploration works on the Kitumba Mine project located in Mumbwa District.   Intrepid Board representative and non-executive director, Richard Baumfield said the Australian Stock Exchange-listed firm underwent restructuring and had since merged with Blackthorn Resources to acquire a 100 per cent stake in the Kitumba Mine which potentially contains copper deposits.   Mr Baumfield.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 24th December 2015

Botswana: Another Hospital for Tutume

Tutume — A 70-bed hospital will be built in Tutume to relieve the current primary hospital.   Addressing a kgotla meeting at Magapatona in Tutume recently, Nkange MP, Mr Edwin Batshu said Tutume was one of the areas that would receive infrastructure development during the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) roll-out.   He said, among projects to be under-taken through ESP, was construction of the hospital, internal roads and land servicing for 1 400 plots at.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 23rd December 2015

Ethiopia: NBE Lauds Afreximbank Support to Ethiopia's Development

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) said that the existing partnership with African Export - Import Bank (Afreximbank) has proven to be a success in supporting projects in Ethiopia in excess of 100 million USD in facilities covering transactions in infrastructure and financial services sectors.   Speaking at Afreximbank Seminar held at Sheraton Addis yesterday, Bank Vice Governor Getahun Nana said: "Trade remains critical for the country's economic success particularly.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 23rd December 2015

Gaidam Confident On Trans-Saharan Road Project

Damaturu — Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State has expressed optimism that the 300- kilometre-long 'Trans-Saharan' road project started by his administration in the northern part of the state will be completed before his tenure ends in 2019 even amidst stiff fiscal challenges.   The governor spoke yesterday at Yusufari town during an inspection tour of the project. The 'Trans-Saharan' road project, so called because of the extremely sandy terrain in northern Yobe,.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 23rd December 2015

Rwanda: 2,550km of Feeder Roads to Be Constructed Across the Country

 A total of 2,550 kilometre feeder road network is set to be constructed in 2017 under the framework of feeder roads project across the country.   The roads will be constructed under the Second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS 2), according to Octave Semwaga, the Director General of Planning at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources.   The Euro 40 million project is sponsored by the European Union (EU), the World Bank and the.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 23rd December 2015

Tanzania: Purchase Board to Build Sh25 Billion Office

Arusha — The Procurement and Supplies Professionals and Technicians Board (PSPTB) will put up a Sh24.5-billion complex in Dar es Salaam, it was announced here recently.   The board has acquired a plot at Luguruni outside the city for the purpose, said the chairperson of the Board, Dr Hellen Bandiho, during the organisation's annual conference held at the Arusha International Conference Centre.   "We expect to build PSPTB Complex for office accommodation and.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 23rd December 2015