Africa: Calls for Industrialisation

 "History is built around achievement and creation; and nothing was created in the West Indies" - VS Naipaul.   The Trinidad-born Nobel Prize-winning British writer VS Naipaul's observation should serve as a reminder to many African societies who should know by now that history is usually hinged on creation.   Why then has industrialisation which should normally be the buzzword for Africa considering that the continent is rich in minerals, oil and other.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 9th October 2015

East Africa: Get 38 tonnes of seeds distributed in semi-arid regions

 The county government has started distributing over 38 tonnes of maize, millet, sorghum and cowpeas to farmers in Mbeere North and Mbeere South. Governor Martin Wambora said the exercise will enable more farmers to access the input thus help to improve agricultural production in the county. He said they are providing residents with subsidized fertilizers and certified seeds so as to boost crop production in the region and move away from giving its residents relief food..... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 9th October 2015

Africa now begins to attract health and wellness professionals

 Viva Gym, a low-cost fitness franchise, will open its fourth club this October at The Zone in South Africa .This further expands the popular Centre’s offering to customers in the heart of Johannesburg’s most cosmopolitan commercial and residential suburb.   “Like Sandton, we’re increasingly positioning ourselves as a one-stop eat, sleep and work destination,” says Anton Bieber, Old Mutual Properties portfolio manager for the Rosebank Node..... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 9th October 2015

Tender for 3 MW in-pipe hydropower scheme in South Africa to be issued

Tender for the 3 MW in-pipe hydropower scheme in South Africa is set to be issued by Johannesburg city, Johannesburg Executive mayor Parks Tau who first mooted the scheme has announced. Its cost competitiveness is likely to challenge Eskom’s Megaflex tariff. Mr Tau announced the progress during the Association of Municipal Electricity Utilities conference assuring attendants  the city’s intention of harnessing energy from its water network through the.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 9th October 2015

Africa banking on nuclear power

It’s no secret that Africa’s economic development has been stifled by the shortage of electricity across the continent. The Africa Progress Report 2015 puts theannual electricity-related economic loss at 2 percent to 4 percent of GDP. In Ghana and Tanzania, electricity shortages are costing businesses 15 percent of sales. Over 600 million people are getting restless waiting for power. South Africa alone accounts for 50 percent of sub-Saharan Africa’s current.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 9th October 2015

Tanzania: Mahindra to Open Tractor Factory in Zanzibar

 Mahindra company from India is planning to open a tractor assembling plant here, Zanzibar President, Dr Ali Mohamed Shein, revealed here yesterday. Dr Shein said negotiations with the Indian company were currently going on. He also disclosed that his government would also purchase 100 tractors from the company to improve agriculture in the Isles.   "Mahindra is one of the biggest companies globally and its expected branch in Zanzibar would supply tractors in the east.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 8th October 2015

Tanzania to Get Fish Processing Factory

The Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Presidential running mate, Ms. Samia Suluhu Hassan has pledged fish processing factory for Mwibara residents, should the party be voted in office during this year's general election.   Addressing a rally at Mnadani grounds here yesterday, Samia said CCM will also use all necessary means to end robbery incidents on Lake Victoria, where residents conduct fishing activities. "The end of such theft has come to an end.   We need a strong.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 8th October 2015

East Africa: Fortified Foods Manufacturer, Govt Sign Joint Venture Deal

 About 9,000 farmers stand to benefit from a new joint venture deal signed between the Government of Rwanda and Africa Improved Foods (AIF) on Tuesday to produce fortified foods in the country.   Africa Improved Foods is a consortium created by Royal DSM (the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences Company), the Dutch Development Bank, the DFID, the UK government's Development Finance Institution under the Impact Acceleration Facility (managed by CDC Group Plc), and.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 8th October 2015

A new airport in Africa set to be constructed

 The  construction of a multi-million dollar new Airport in Nigeria is set to kick off at Ekiti State after a spate of delay. The airport project will be executed on 4000 hectares of land.   The construction project was initially approved in 2009 during the administration of the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, since then the project has experience neglect due to lack of political will for its implementation by the previous State’s.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 8th October 2015

Sudan, Saudi Arabia Discuss Minerals Exploration in the Red Sea

Sudan and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday have discussed exploration of mineral resources in the common area between the two countries in the Red Sea. In February 2012 the two nations launched the Atlantis II joint venture to exploit gold, silver, copper and other minerals from the bottom of the Red Sea. The joint sea region of Atlantis II has about 97 million tons of various raw metals, including a ton of zinc, 500,000 tons of copper, 4000 tons of silver, 80,000 tons of gold and.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 8th October 2015

JRA adopts Web-based system to improve infrastructure maintenance

A recently introduced Smart City solution has enabled the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to develop a complete view of the city’s roads inventory, with over 1.6-million images and 700 000 locations of JRA assets being captured onto the system for tracking, monitoring and management. City of Johannesburg MMC for Transport Christine Walters noted that the new innovation would result in improved service delivery to the public and better management and planning capabilities for.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 8th October 2015

KKR to invest $100 million in Africa within a year, make Nigeria regional base

 U.S. private equity firm KKR & Co LP is considering investing around $100 million in Africa within a year, a senior executive said on Tuesday. KKR is looking at the agriculture and food business, the energy industry and infrastructure projects, Dominique Lafont, a senior advisor at KKR, told Reuters during a visit with a French business delegation to Nigeria. "We want to use Nigeria as regional base and springboard for West Africa," he said. "We are not.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 8th October 2015