Kenya Government seeks funding for $150 mln project to expand power grid

 Kenya has announced a second $150 million project to expand its electricity grid to connect another 1.5 million people, with the head of its sole power distributor saying the country was in talks with the African Development Bank to help finance it. The project represents the second phase of a plan to add a total of 3 million people to the grid of the country, where around half of the 40 million population are not connected and many still use kerosene-powered lamps for lighting,.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 21st September 2015

KNBS notes rising demand of cement in Kenya as construction industry booms

 Manufacturers of cement in Kenya are racing to meet high demand of cement  in the wake of many infrastructure construction projects and booming real estate industry in the country, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) has observed.   According to statistics from the (KNBS), the production of cement in Kenya last year was 5.88m tones which is a 16 per cent increase compared to the previous year.   KNBS also said that between the period of January and.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 21st September 2015

Africa’s largest solar carport in Kenya to be opened at newly constructed Garden City mall

 Africa’s largest solar carport in Kenya constructed by Solarcentury is set to be opened at the newly constructed Garden City mall. The move is set to cut carbon emissions by around 745 tonnes annually.   Solarcentury said that the constructed solar carport in Kenya will use the dual-mode technology which is a highly innovative energy solution that provides solar energy during the day implying that less is used from the grid; and when the grid is down, the system.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 21st September 2015

Meta Beer Invests 90 Million Br for Sourcing Malt Barley

Meta Abo Brewery S.C. invested 90 million Br in three years for sourcing beer malt barley. Of this sum, 12m Br was dedicated to providing pre-financing to all of its smallholder farmers, and purchasing 8,000 tons of local barley from both commercial and smallholder farm sources.   Meta partnered directly with 6,113 smallholder farmers in Arsi, West Arsi and South West Shewa Zones, providing training, interest free pre-financing, quality seeds and fertiliser, along with a number.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 21st September 2015

Kenya: Usiu Gest Sh33 Million Agri-Business Kitty

The USIU-Africa Global Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship Center has received a Sh33.9 million grant from Cultivate Africa's Future, a joint programme of the International   Development Research Center of Canada and the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research.   The 18-month funding programme will support expansion of business opportunities for youth in the fish and poultry sectors in Kenya to help them engage in in profitable.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 21st September 2015

Kenya: Country to Focus On China to Accelerate Agricultural Transformation

Nairobi — Kenya will strengthen agricultural cooperation with China in order to transform the sector through technology adoption, value addition and irrigation, a government official said on Wednesday.   Sicily Kariuki, the Principal Secretary in the State Department of Agriculture, said Kenya will strengthen agricultural cooperation with Beijing in strategic areas like research, investments in irrigation alongside post harvest storage infrastructure.   "The.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 21st September 2015

Namibia: Fisheries to Rethink Freshwater Aquaculture

According to the Ministry of Fisheries, legislation and regulations changes are needed to ensure parity with other food production sectors in advancing the promoting of pro-poor uptake of freshwater aquaculture.   Current freshwater fish production is low with estimates of only 50-100 tonnes per year even with the establishment of a series of Inland Aquaculture Centres and farms in Omusati, Oshana, Kavango, Otjozondjupa and Zambezi Regions and a fish feed plan with an annual.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 21st September 2015

Kenya: Embassy to Set Up Centre for Potato Information

THE NETHERLANDS EMBASSY in Nairobi will next week launch the Potato Value Chain Afrika Portal in a bid to support farmers in the country.   The portal will be launched at the Eldoret University Agricultural Fair, which is set for September 24-26 in Eldoret.   Agriculture Counsellor Bert Rikken said the crop would boost food security following the numerous challenges facing maize sector. With over 300 registered varieties, Netherlands is the world's top seed potato.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 21st September 2015

Farmers’ lobby sets out to boost East African Community agro yields

 Lack of improved seeds, use of obsolete technology, lack of access to credit, effects of climate change and cartel-like behaviour are some of the factors that have been blamed for the East African Community’s (EAC) low production of potatoes. Last week during the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme’s (CAADP) regional Africa forum in Rwanda, which focused on the potato value chain in EAC, sector players called for collaboration with a view to.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 19th September 2015

East Africa launches plan to Foster Pharmaceutical Industry

 Pharmaceutical excipients are no longer inert materials but are effective and able to improve the characteristics of the products' quality, stability, functionality, safety, solubility and acceptance of patients. It can interact with the active ingredients and alter the medicament characteristics. The globalization of medicines' supply enhances the importance of globalized good manufacturing practice (GMP) requirements for pharmaceutical excipients.   Understanding the.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 19th September 2015

Construction of Rusumo Falls Hydropower Project along Rwanda-Tanzania border to begin

 Construction works of the 80MW  Rusumo Falls hydropower project which is funded by the World Bank and the African Development Bank is set to begin next year. The construction project will be located at Rusumo Falls along Rwanda-Tanzania border . The announcement comes after the families who were living in the area were relocated.   “Holding other factors constant, the civil works should start in the first quarter of 2016,” said William Katete, the.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 19th September 2015

South Africa: Exploring Sources of Energy for SA

Pretoria — Energy experts on Friday exchanged views on how South Africa can explore various avenues of generating energy to supply its citizens with sufficient and affordable power.   At the 20th National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) Annual Summit held in Pretoria, on Friday, the experts attempted to come up with possible solutions to the electricity challenges facing the country, which do not only affect business and the country's economy, but people.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 19th September 2015