Crowdfunding Helping African Entrepreneurs Grow

The banks wouldn't give him a loan, so Cameroonian Georges Badjang approached a crowdfunding platform. Although relatively unknown in Africa, this alternative source of finance is helping his firm grow.   Jacques Georges Badjang was never really interested in emigrating abroad. Even when he was a student, he was determined to show it was possible to create and achieve something in his native Cameroon.   As there were several beekeepers in his neighborhood, he decided.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 21st January 2017

Uganda to Construct SGR Line up to Kenya Border

Uganda has announced plans to start constructing its standard gauge railway (SGR) later this year after it apparently dropped an earlier condition that required Kenya to extend its track to the border first.   The 273-kilometre track linking the capital Kampala to Kenya's border town of Malaba will be built at a cost of $2.3 billion, local media quoting government sources said.   The first phase, which will take 40 months to be implemented by China Harbour Engineering.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 21st January 2017

Tanzania: Construction of New Airport Terminal 65 Per Cent Complete

Construction of Terminal Three at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) has been completed by 65 per cent and the government has promised to use funds from domestic revenue sources to complete construction work of Phase II of the project which will cost about 290bn/-.   Upon completion, the new terminal is meant to meet the future growth on international arrivals by extending capacity to 6 million passengers per annum in a total terminal area of 60,000 square.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 21st January 2017

Kenya: President Bans Maize Export till Drought Ends

President Uhuru Kenyatta has banned exportation of maize until the ravaging drought ends.   The Head of State further ordered the arrest of unscrupulous traders, who were hoarding maize to make "abnormal" profits.   Addressing a rally in Isiolo Town, President Kenyatta, who was flanked by Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario and Governor Godana Doyo said the drought in the country was dire and that his government was doing "everything possible to address.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 21st January 2017

Tanzania: More CNG Stations in Dar to Provide Cleaner, Cheaper Energy

Tanzania plans to construct more compressed natural gas (CNG) stations in Dar es Salaam to provide cheaper, cleaner energy for more of its citizens.   According to the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), the project will be executed in three phases and will involve construction of 15 compressed natural gas stations in the country's commercial capital.   "This project hasn't taken off because of lack of funding. We have divided it into four main zones.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 21st January 2017

Kenya to Export Tea to Iran and Russia as UN Lifts Trade Embargo

The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) has found a new markets for tea in Iran and Russia after the United Nations lifted a 10-year embargo.   According to KTDA national chairman Peter Kanyago, the agency will continue expanding the orthodox tea product in order to dislodge India and Sri Lanka that has dominated the market over the years.   "We have done heavy marketing and penetration to the two market frontiers as we intend to be heavy orthodox tea producers and.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 20th January 2017

Tanzania: Farmers Look to Experts for Guidance As Climate Change Looms

Farmers in the district have appealed to the government for more agricultural extension officers to help turn around the fortunes of an increasing number of locals turning into farming.   Speaking to The Citizen recently, farmers said over the last few planting seasons, they have been missing out on essential guidelines from agricultural experts amid the biting effects of climate change.   "We lack guidance on what types of crops to plant and when due to climatic.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 20th January 2017

Ethiopia: Universities to Become Centers of Excellence with $24 Million World Bank Grant

The World Bank has granted a 24-million USD support for Addis Ababa and Haremaya universities to enable them establish centers of excellence.   Both universities were selected to be East and South African centers of excellence having competed with other African universities.   Hence, Addis Ababa University (AAU) would open three and Haremaya University (HU) one center of excellence.   The World Bank provided six million USD for the establishment of each.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 20th January 2017

Ethiopia: Number of Doctors Growing at a Promising Pace - Health Minister

Health State Minister Dr. Kebede Worku said the number of doctors graduating from various universities is growing at a promising pace.   Speaking at the graduation ceremony of Arsi University School of Health Sciences , Dr. Kebede Saturday said: "12 years ago, there were only three medical schools allover the country, now we have over 28 public and eight private referral and teaching colleges with the capacity to graduate over two thousand doctors a.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 20th January 2017

Ethiopia: Improved Sorghum Varieties a Solution to Persistent Drought

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is considered as one of the potential crop to alleviate the challenges of recurrent drought in Ethiopia.   Since the inception of sorghum research in Ethiopia considerable achievements have been obtained in developing early maturing and/or drought tolerant sorghum varieties and production managements practices nationally and regionally.   Currently, a total of 20 open pollinated varieties and four hybrids have been registered for.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 20th January 2017

Tanzania: Trial Mining Commences at Coal Power Project Site

Trial mining has started at Edenville Energy's 120 MW Rukwa coal-to-power project in Tanzania.   The project hosts 171-million tons of measured and indicated coal, sufficient to support a power station over a 30-year project life. Last year, Edenville received formal interest from several companies for long term coal supply. As a result, trial shipments of run-of-mine (RoM) coal have been transported to customers to determine appropriate logistical, quality and quantity.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 20th January 2017

Kenya: Following Uganda Poultry Import Ban, Price of Eggs Shoot Up

The effects of the ban on importation of chicken and poultry products from Uganda have started being felt in Kenya, with egg prices rising instantly in western region.   The government on Monday banned the importation following an outbreak of bird flu that killed several birds in parts of Uganda, including Entebbe, on Sunday.   Busia chief veterinary officer Juma Ngeiywa on Wednesday directed public health and veterinary officers at Busia and Malaba borders to be on high.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 20th January 2017