Agripreneurs Take the Spotlight

 On Friday 2nd December 2016, close to 25 young African agricultural entrepreneurs from various countries in the continent were welcomed at the AfDB's headquarters in Abidjan as part of a seminar and series of experience-sharing workshops. The event was organized by the Bank's Agriculture and Agro-Industries Department (OSAN), which is led by Chiji Ojukwu and supported by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, as well as the Ministry for the Promotion of Youth,.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 6th December 2016

Motorcycle service in Kenya

 Online taxi hailing app Mondo Ride has launched a service that allows its customers to request for motorcycles, seeking to cash in on their growing popularity due to their ability to manoeuvre through traffic. The Dubai-based Romania-founded company, which launched in Kenya in January, rolled out the boda boda service recently charging customers Sh25 per kilometre in addition to a base fare of Sh50. The minimum charge for the service will be Sh100. "We are onboarding.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 6th December 2016

Organic Methods for grain storage

 Coverage — Sorghum is the third most important cereal crop grown in Uganda after maize and finger millet. It is widely grown in the north and east. It particularly does well in drought-prone Karamoja, where it occupies more than 80 per cent of the total crop hectarage. Sorghum is also grown in areas such as the Kigezi region, and on small scale in other parts. Yields. Yields of up to 800 kilogrammes per hectare can be obtained from well-managed local varieties as.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 5th December 2016

Automobiles going green and conversing

 In 2013 we trundled along to Hillfox in Johannesburg to attend the opening of a new Kia dealership. Hardly big news you might think, but while car makers were already scrambling around coming up with green technology ideas for their cars, some manufacturers were giving thought to greening their dealerships. Kia's Hillfox facility was the first for the Korean brand in SA to be powered by solar energy. It recycled its water and collected rain water, ensuring that it had.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 5th December 2016

Tata SA goes Flash(y)

 Cape Town - Tata South Africa has introduced an additional, limited-edition variant of its Indica hatchback. The new model, called the Flash, is based on the Indica LGi model, with several distinguishing features and significant additions to its list of equipment, says Tata. The automaker says the Flash is now specified well above the standard specification of its main competitors in the market. At R124 995, it's only R6000 more than the standard Indica.  Power,.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 3rd December 2016

Ending hunger and enabling food security in Africa

 Researchers, policy-makers and development partners converge in Abuja, Nigeria, for the 11 African Economic Conference (AEC) from December 5-7, 2016, to share ideas on topical African development issues including how to end hunger and ensure food security in Africa. About 300 participants are expected to attend the annual event co-organised by the African Development Bank (AfDB), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Economic Commission for Africa.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 3rd December 2016

East Africa: Tanzania-Uganda Pipeline Work Starts

Dar es Salaam — The work towards the construction of a crude oil pipeline between Uganda and Tanzania is officially on, with project the developers inviting reputable contractors to undertake a social and resettlement plan.   To be known as East African Crude Oil Pipeline, the project - which will transport Ugandan crude to Tanga Port in Tanzania - will be built jointly by a French oil giant Total SA, the UK-based Tullow Oil and and Chinese state-owned oil company Cnooc.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 2nd December 2016

Rwanda: $13 Million Solar Powered Irrigation Scheme To Benefit Farmers

Rwanda's efforts to promote climate resilient agriculture and sustainable production in drought prone parts of the country have been boosted by the launch of a new solar-powered irrigation scheme in Ngoma District, Eastern Province.   The $13 million (about Rwf10.8 billion) irrigation scheme was built through Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) under a partnership deal between the Government of Rwanda and Japan.   The irrigation scheme will benefit over 980.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 2nd December 2016

Kenya: Kengen to Invest in Renewable Energy Projects Worth Sh800 Billion

Nairobi — The Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) plans to add 721Megawatts (MW) of electricity from geothermal and wind sources to the national grid in the next five years at a cost of Sh800 billion.   KenGen MD and CEO Albert Mugo, said the additional capacity was in line with the government's efforts to make power accessible and affordable.   He said the company has already secured some funding from development partners and internal resources while.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 2nd December 2016

Rwanda: Private Players Key to Rural Energy Access - Experts

Community engagement and the private sector participation will go a long way in accelerating energy access to rural areas where people are not connected to the national grid, experts have said.   They were speaking on Tuesday at the launch of findings from the feasibility study conducted by Energy Private Developers (EPD), an association of private energy providers, on how community participation can boost rollout of energy in rural areas.   During the Energy Business.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 2nd December 2016

Tanzania: Demand for Charcoal To Double By 2030

Dar es Salaam — Charcoal demand in Tanzania is likely to increase from 2.4 million to over 5 million tonnes annually by 2030 unless an affordable alternative cooking energy is found, experts have said.   To minimise environmental impacts of high demand they say the government must formalise charcoal business and put appropriate and workable policies for its sustainable use. Currently, charcoal production is undertaken illegally. On Tuesday, the government urged Tanzanians.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 2nd December 2016

KENYA PLANS COTTON REVIVAL AS OPPORTUNITY FOR TEXTILE IMPORTS ARISES

Kenya plans to revive its cotton industry, a major foreign-exchange earner until the 1980s, amid strong demand for lint from domestic mills and the potential to supply manufacturers exporting clothing and textiles to the U.S. under a preferential trade deal.   The government is planning training and credit facilities for farmers as part of a bid to restore production that peaked at 38,000 metric tons of seed cotton in 1984-85. Kenya currently produces 15,700 tons of seed.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 1st December 2016