AFDB boosts electricity access in rural East Africa

 The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has boosted electricity access in rural Uganda following the approval of  US$ 121m loan to finance the project.   According to AfDB, the funds are expected to help in the improvement of livelihoods, growth of the economy and allow access to social services in rural areas as public institutions get connected to the national grid.   AfDB allocated US$ 100m and mobilized US$ 21m grant from Sustainable Energy for All.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 28th October 2015

Despite Threats, Africa is Looking to Nuclear With Russia and Chinas Help

Many African countries are in the grip of a nuclear fad. They believe nuclear energy will bring with it an international currency of prestige. Countries with nuclear energy programs are seen as rich and technologically advanced and as a result possess advanced status compared to other developing countries. Nuclear is not new to Africa. It has been active since the 1950s when the Democratic Republic of Congo built Africa’s first nuclear reactor. But now, more African countries.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 27th October 2015

Tanzania: Black Rock Mining to Finalise Funding for Graphite Exploration

Black Rock Mining (ASX:BKT) has been granted a trading halt this morning, with its shares placed in pre-open. The company requested the halt pending the finalisation of funding for its exploration program, and to strengthen its balance sheet. Earlier in the month Black Rock hit its highest graphite grades yet at its Mahenge graphite project in Tanzania. The halt will remain in place until the opening of trade on Wednesday 28th October 2015, or earlier if an announcement is.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 27th October 2015

New system benefiting women rice parboilers in Africa

An improved rice parboiling system is improving productivity and profitability for women rice parboilers in central Benin The system, called GEM, was set up as a part of an African Development Bank (AfDB) project, Support to Agricultural Research for Development of Strategic Crops in Africa. Combined with targeted training, it was rolled out two months ago among more than 450 women rice parboilers in the Glazoué rice hub in central Benin. In the short time it has been around,.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 27th October 2015

DNV GL mapping wind energy potential in Africa

 DNV GL has created prelimary wind atlases for Zambia, Tanzania and Maldives as part of a World Bank-funded energy management programme to encourage wind energy generation  windenergy blickpixel pixabayThrough maps, DNV GL can provide investors with verifiable and tangible information on wind energy potential in the three African nations.  The Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP) aims to reveal the extent of wind energy production potential in the.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 27th October 2015

The Dar Misr housing construction project in Africa on good track

The Dar Misr housing construction project in Egypt is on the right track and that 31% of the first phase has been completed, project supervisor Mohamed Nabih has confirmed. The first phase has a total of 13,269 units in New Cairo and 5,712 units in New Damietta According to the project supervisor Nabih in a report handed over to Egypt’s Minister of Housing Mostafa Madbouly by mid of October 2015 the project was 31% complete and they expect it to end on time. The report.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 27th October 2015

Tender winner for the construction of major highways in Zimbabwe to be announced

The tender winner of US $2 billion construction project of major highways in Zimbabwe will be known soon. Three finalists for the dualisation of Beitbridge-Harare and Harare-Chirundu highways have been submitted to the Vice President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa for consideration before the final winner is chosen. The three were selected out of the final 12 and the VP will have to deal with it as he was responsible for the for the infrastructure development cluster under the.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 27th October 2015

Plans to boost Transport infrastructure in Africa in top gear

 Plans for the construction of infrastructure in Egypt is in top gear after the Transport Minister Saad el Gioushi and head of the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) Abdel Aziz Seif met with the president over the weekend to discuss the same.   According to the Presidential spokesman Alaa Youssef the minister for transport during the meeting reviewed various challenges facing the sector and called for urgent plan to develop the transportation system in.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 27th October 2015

Newly constructed Dangote Petrochemicals refinery in Africa to start operation

 The Dangote Petrochemicals refinery in Nigeria will commence its operations by 2018 a senior manager has announced.   Speaking at a press briefing during his tour at the plant site at Lekki Free Trade, Kelkar said that the construction work on the project is expected to be completed by 2017 adding that live streaming will kick off by 2018.   The 650,000 barrels per day capacity Dangote petrochemicals refinery in Nigeria is aimed at boosting the nation’s.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 27th October 2015

Construction a new wax plant in Africa begins

Construction work on the second phase of a new wax plant in South Africa has began. The wax plant is at Sasolburg, Mpumalanga. The construction of the plant marks the beginning of the second phase the first one having constructed early this year. According to the President and CEO of Sasol Group, David Constable, commissioning of this second phase of the new wax plant in South Africa is expected to take place on the first half of 2017. This would be a great milestone for the.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 26th October 2015

Invest Energy Resources in Development Capacity

President Yoweri Museveni has said that as the petroleum, gas and oil resources are finite and not renewable, the money that accrues from that energy sources should not be squandered but rather be invested in durable areas to build the country’s infrastructure needs and further develop capacity of the country. Speaking at the ceremony of the inauguration of the Board of Directors of the new National Petroleum Authority and the National Oil Authority at State House, Entebbe.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 26th October 2015

Industry Trend Analysis - East Africa's Automotive Investment

 Having unveiled its newly developed hybrid electric sedan, the Kiira EV SMACK, Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) is currently seeking to raise USD350mn worth of investment to establish a new vehicle assembly plant in Jinja Industrial and Business Park in Uganda. If the necessary investment funds can be secured, the automaker has stated that production will begin in mid-2018 with a planned capacity at the plant of 300 units per month (3,600 units per year), later rising to 830 units.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 26th October 2015