France boosts energy efficiency in East Africa

The French Development Agency (AFD) under the SUNREF programme has pledged to help in boosting energy efficiency in Uganda, the country’s Commissioner for Energy James Banabe has said. AFD which seeks to finance green projects, has earmarked $13 million to fund companies looking to implement energy efficiency in Uganda by financing  equipment and measures. He said that approximately 64% of the electricity generated in Uganda is majorly used by industries out of which.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 21st November 2015

Scatec Solar set to construct $600m solar projects in Africa

Leading global solar firm Scatec is now planning to invest over $600m for the construction of solar projects in Egypt over two years. The firm’s senior Vice President Terje Osmundsen said they are looking forward to building more solar projects in Egypt aimed at addressing the country’s power shortage. He added that as the sun is very stable from morning to evening, plenty of solar power can be generated in Egypt. These investments will create employment and.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 21st November 2015

Govt to ease issuance of construction permits in Kenya

A special committee involving construction regulators has been formed to help look into challenges surrounding issuance of construction permits in Kenya that have been dragging the country down in global business competitiveness. The committee will look into the nature of construction permits Kenya  and related challenges. The team will then advise on whether the permits should be simplified or eliminated going forward, depending on their relevance. Acting Lands, Housing.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 21st November 2015

TTCL embarks on major network transformation

TANZANIA TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LIMITED (TTCL) HAS EMBARKED ON A MAJOR NETWORK TRANSFORMATION THAT WILL ALLOW CONVERGENCE OF MOBILE AND FIXED ACCESS OPERATIONS. The transformation, also geared to meet growing demand for bandwidth with high-quality and affordable services under the deal inked between TTCL and Alcatel-Lucent. According to TTCL, the three years frame agreement penciled in South Africa, will see Alcatel-Lucent’s IP and optical technologies used to transform.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 20th November 2015

Tanzania: Solo Oil and Aminex reach Agreement to Farm out Ruvuma Petroleum Sharing Agreement to Bowleven

Solo Oil is pleased to announce that it has reached agreement with Aminex plc to farmout a 12.5% net working interest in the Ruvuma Petroleum Sharing Agreement in Tanzania to Aminex in a back-to back agreement which will see Bowleven plc, an AIM listed oil and gas company, join the Ruvuma PSA joint venture with a 50% net working interest. Solo will receive from Aminex a total consideration, in the form of a carried work program contribution and production bonus payments, of.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 20th November 2015

Four industrial parks in East Africa to be contracted

 Four industrial parks in Ethiopia will be constructed in the next two years that will cost US$ 2bn, a senior government official has confirmed.   Trade and industry State Minister Tadesse Haile confirmed that the concerned people have finalized on the inspection of four more parks in the eastern town of Dire Dawa, Kombolcha and Mekelle in the country’s North, and Adama in the capital’s south waiting for the launch that will take place soon.   “The.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 20th November 2015

Ugandan firm Pearl to construct dairy factory in Kenya

 Ugandan firm Pearl Dairy Farms has announced plans to construct a dairy factory in Kenya that will be tasked with production and repackaging of milk products. The factory to be constructed in the capital Nairobi is aimed at growing Pearl’s market share in the region.   Atul Chaturvedi, the CEO of Pearl confirmed the reports and said that the initial estimate of the investment in the planned factory stands at about US$ 1m.   “We have for a long time been.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 20th November 2015

McKinsey urges construction industry in Africa to strengthen

 Construction industry in South Africa should strengthen and emerge as a major player in Sub-Saharan Africa, an expert from research firm McKinsey Global Institute has said.   Christine Wu a partner in McKinsey’s Johannesburg office observes that construction industry in South Africa only accounts for 7% of market share in Sub Saharan Africa.   Speaking to the media in South Africa, Wu said that  unless South Africa boosts its construction industry, stiff.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 20th November 2015

South Africa: U.S. Solar Firm Launches Wares for Local Market

Cape Town — World Panel, the United States solar energy firm, has announced a partnership with Vodacom as a key retail partner to sell some of the former's products in South Africa.   The partnership has been signed in Cape Town at the ongoing AfricaCom.   World Panel Chief Executive Officer, John Anderson, said the deal followed "his first visit to Africa with a solar prototype for household purposes when he was consistently asked by residents whether it.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 19th November 2015

Kenya: Cheap Renewable Energy Will Drive Kenya's Economy

The Kenya International Investment Conference is set to take place in Nairobi on November 23-25, showcasing investment opportunities.   The country is already attracting a multitude of global investors and over the past 12 months, we have seen a rise in interest in the agribusiness, ICT, apparel and textiles, leather, renewable energy, property, tourism and logistics sectors.   To further build on this interest, KIICO 2015 will highlight these key growth areas as well as.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 19th November 2015

Zambia: K200 Million for Renewable Energy

Swedish Ambassador to Zambia Henrik Cederin has revealed that his country will invest up to K200 million towards implementation of renewable energy in Zambia.   Mr Cederin said Sweden would invest in renewable sources of energy in a bid to mitigate the ongoing energy crisis not only in Zambia but the COMESA region as a whole.   He was speaking in Lusaka yesterday when he presented his credentials to COMESA secretary general Sindiso Ngwenya.   He noted that climate.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 19th November 2015

Deepak Khilnani Announces Sub-Saharan Africa's Largest Gas Engine Power Project

London — Cummins Cogeneration Limited (CCL), headed up by Deepak Khilnani, and WUTA Energy are set to commence the development of a 140MW gas-fired power plant. Based in Beyin, the plant is the first phase of a 300MW Power Purchase Agreement to supply energy to the Ghanaian Grid, and once complete, it will be the largest gas engine power project in sub-Saharan Africa.   After successfully operating 100MW of gas-based power projects in Nigeria, the clean energy group is.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 19th November 2015