80MW Power Station to Light Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania

 Two Chinese firms and an Austrian engineering company are expected one week from now to sign a contract with Rusumo Power Company paving way for construction of the $340 million power generation facility starting early 2017.   The three firms have been selected to build the 80MW Rusumo hydro-power station that is being jointly developed by Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi where each of the three countries will receive 26.6MW of power.   Meanwhile, Rwanda Energy Group.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 18th July 2017

Solar Energy Is Lighting Up Women’s Businesses in Africa

 Elizabeth Julius worked sunrise to sunset to make ends meet as a seamstress. Supporting her husband and two kids in a village in Tanzania, Julius was forced to put down her needle and thread each day once darkness fell.   That all changed three years ago when she was introduced to Energy 4 Impact, a London-based organization that works in Africa to ensure energy access and foster entrepreneurship for impoverished women.   With guidance from Energy 4 Impact, Julius.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 18th July 2017

Tanzania: Special Report - Teak Tree Farming Lucrative, but One Should Be Patient

 In this interview The Citizen Correspondent Patrick Kisembo speaks with one of the investors, Hans Lemm, the general manager of Kilombero Valley Teak Company, or KVTC in short,on challenges and opportunities of tree farming. Thousands of farmers in Kilombero, Ulanga and Malinyi districts in Morogoro Region earn their living growing trees, the business that has also attracted foreign investors who work close with farmers in fulfilling the demands of the timber industry. In this.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 18th July 2017

Dome-shaped tents in Tanzania keep visitors warm at 10,000 feet above sea level

 This low-impact camp in Tanzania is made up of eight domes that offer stunning views of Serengeti National Park. Asilia, an eco-tourism company offering exclusive, carbon-neutral camps and lodges across Africa, commissioned Caline Williams Wynn of design studio Artichoke to style the interiors of these geodesic igloos filled with furniture and objects inspired by vernacular design.   The Highlands camp is located on the edge of the mountain forest around the Olmoti.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 18th July 2017

Tanzania to improve working conditions for small-scale miners

  Tanzanian authorities, through a 3.7-million-U.S.-dollar loan from the World Bank, have embarked on a program to improve working conditions for small-scale miners, a senior official said Thursday.   Alex Rutagwelela, acting director of exploration and drilling with State Mining Corporation (STAMICO), said the program will address challenges facing small-scale miners, including poor mining methods.   "The government decided to carry out this program after it.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 18th July 2017

Kibo unaffected by Tanzania mining legislation changes

 JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Tanzania-focused mineral exploration and development company Kibo Mining’s Mbeya coal-to-power-project (MCPP) will not experience any adverse developmental impacts owing to recent changes in Tanzania’s legislative mining environment.   Reuters reported that Tanzania’s Parliament had passed two laws allowing government to force mining and energy companies to renegotiate their contracts. A third bill was also.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 18th July 2017

Acacia accepts 50% lift in royalty as Tanzania turns the screw

 ACACIA Mining will comply with part of newly enacted legislation in Tanzania which increases revenue-based royalties to 6% from the previous levy of 4%.   The UK-listed gold producer said in an announcement today that the decision to pay the higher royalty, which is applicable on gold, copper and silver exports, was to “minimise further disruptions to our operations”.   “Acacia notes the publication of Tanzania’s official Government Gazette.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 18th July 2017

Tanzania: Magufuli's Mining Reforms Are a Masterclass in Political Manoeuvring

 Whether his moves in the mining sector work or not, President Magufuli knows what he is doing.   Ever since his election in 2015, Tanzania's President John Magufuli has been a subject of public fascination. At first, his war on graft promised to cleanse the state of corruption, while his patriotic thrift inspired the hashtag #WhatWouldMagufuliDo?   But as this campaign of tumbua majipu ("lance the boils") was becoming old news, Magufuli became associated.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 18th July 2017

Tanzania: Sh16bn Given for Building 3 Plants

 Dar es Salaam. LAPF Pensions Fund in the 2017/18 financial year has set aside Sh16 billion for the construction of three factories in Musoma, Kilimanjaro and Morogoro regions.   According to LAPF, its board of trustees has already approved the budget. In addition to that over 30,000 people will get direct or indirect employment opportunities.   Speaking at the 41st Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) at LAPF Pensions Fund pavilion yesterday, LAPF Pensions.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 18th July 2017

Tanzania: How Tanzania Will Benefit From Sh926bn Port Project

 The Dar es Salaam Maritime Gateway Project (DSMGP) launched by President John Magufuli yesterday is expected to boost the economy by significantly increasing Dar es Salaam Port's capacity.   The project is expected to enhance trade, both locally and within the East African Community (EAC) and South African Development Community (SADC) regions.   The $421 million (Sh926.2 billion) project will entail, among other activities, the widening and deepening of berths.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 18th July 2017

Tanzania receives $51m for Tabora road construction

 Tanzania has received $51m (over 110bn/-) financial boost from Kuwait for construction of the 85-kilometre Chaya-Nyahua road in Tabora region.   President John Magufuli met the ambassador of Kuwait in Dar es Salaam, Jasem Ibrahim Al Najem, and through him thanked the Kuwait government for the support, saying the new road will connect communication infrastructure between Singida and Tabora regions.   The envoy further handed over to Magufuli two garbage collecting.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 18th July 2017

East Africa: Tanzania Starts Construction of Railway Line Link to Uganda

 Tanzania has started building the 300km Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from the Indian Ocean port of Dar es Salaam to Morogoro, which line is expected to be extended to Port Mwanza on Lake Victoria to link Uganda.   This development will put the spotlight on plans which should have seen Uganda either renovating the run-down Port Bell in Luzira or starting work on the proposed Greenfield Bukasa Port in Kirinya, Wakiso District.   The Bukasa option has been estimated.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 18th July 2017