Rwanda: Experts Say to Focus on Off-Grid Power Funding to Boost Access

Off-grid power access, including of solar home systems and mini-grids, plays a key role in Rwanda's ambitious target to extend power to 70 per cent of the population in the medium-term, Morris Kayitare, the director of primary and social energy development at Rwanda Energy Group (REG), has said.   Kayitare added that renewable energy sources are instrumental in meeting the country's energy needs and, therefore, should not be overlooked.   "Off-grid power is now part.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 22nd November 2016

Black Rock Mining Ltd delivers ultra-pure graphite product

 Black Rock Mining Ltd (ASX:BKT) has achieved 99.99994% purity using a simple thermal purification process on flake graphite concentrate from the Mahenge graphite project in Tanzania.   A unique feature of Mahenge allowed a high purity concentrate to be produced, which then allowed the high purity sample to be delivered.   Battery cell testing is underway with preliminary results expected in early 2017.   Steven Tambanis, managing director,.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 22nd November 2016

Pioneer Foods enters East African cereal market

 JSE listed Pioneer Foods is acquiring a 49.8% interest in UK food processing company Weetabix’s East Africa distributing company.   The Kenya-based company has been in operation for over 40 years and has about 13 brands in its portfolio. Last year, the business invested £1.6-million in a capacity upgrade programme at its facilities, giving it 60% more capacity.   Weetabix East Africa produces about 12 t of cereal, or 670 000 cereal biscuits, a.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 22nd November 2016

World Bank to fund Mombasa’s Sh2b water project

 Dry water taps are expected to start running again following the roll-out of an ambitious project to improve water infrastructure. The Sh2 billion project funded by the World Bank is being implemented in phases beginning with sealing of water leakages in Nyali and Kisauni. Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company loses 50 per cent of its water through leakages and illegal connections. Since June 15, this year, the project has seen more than 700 leakages sealed. The water.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 22nd November 2016

Kenya pegs faster Vision 2030 gains on oil and gas finds

 NAIROBI: Kenya is betting on the recent oil discoveries to achieve its vision of becoming a middle-income economy ahead of the 2030 deadline. The Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat expects the nascent industry to reach major milestones a few years after commercial production starts in 2020. Oil and gas were recently included in the list of key sectors that are expected to play a critical role in driving the economy to achieve the Vision 2030 goals. Vision 2030 Delivery.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 22nd November 2016

Africa looks to solar for communities off the grid

 Above the sacks of seeds and coal, three kerosene lamps gather dust in the tiny shed that Kenyan chicken farmer Bernard calls home.   He prefers to use solar energy to light up his evenings, listen to the radio or watch television, after abandoning a diesel generator he said was expensive to maintain and burned fuel too quickly. "Solar panels are a good, cheap solution," he told AFP.   Across the continent, consumers are opting for their own off-grid.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 22nd November 2016

Kenya to construct $164m leather park

 Kenya has rolled out plans to build a $164 million leather industry park to transform the underdeveloped industry into a key economic contributor.   The EastAfrican has established that the government has spent about $5.7 million in preliminary works including feasibility studies, development of a master plan and conducting a strategic environmental impact assessment for the proposed park.   Last week, the government embarked on phase two of the project after.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 22nd November 2016

Belgium puts Sh2.4 billion into Last Mile County Connectivity Project

 The Belgium Government will fund the last mile County Connectivity Project to the tune of over Sh2.4 billion.   The project involves connecting County governments to National Government Ministries through the National Fiber Optic Infrastructure (NOFBI).   The financial contract for the project was signed this evening at State House, Nairobi by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance Henry Rotich and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belgium.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 22nd November 2016

AfDB approves US $10-million equity investment in TIDE Africa Fund

 The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a US $10-million equity investment in the Technology and Innovation in Developing Economies (TIDE) Fund I to boost production and growth in Africa.   TIDE Africa Fund I, a venture with a target size of US $100 million incorporated in Mauritius, has 10-year target life within a 5-year investment period. The fund will invest in companies that leverage on new technology to dramatically lower the cost.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 21st November 2016

East Africa: Oil & Gas Industry Has Huge Potential, Well Placed to Help - UK Govt

“Over 50 years of experience in North Sea oil and gas has given the UK a global competence in all aspects of exploration and production. The oil and gas industry supports over 375,000 jobs in the UK. The top two UK firms listed by market capitalization are in the extractives industry … and there is a wealth of UK companies leading the way in designing, financing and implementing oil and gas construction projects across the world,” Hailey.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 18th November 2016

Rwanda: Police School Turns to Clean Energy to Save Environment

Rwanda National Police could be an active partner and enforcer of effects to protect the environment, but when the institution continued to use wood fuel, it was as well adding to environmental and other health woes.   But now Police Training School (PTS) Gishari in Rwamagana District has turned to using clean energy as part of RNP's environmental protection policy in conformity with the national environmental protection programme.   According to PTS commandant Joseph.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 15th November 2016

Ethiopia Exploring Renewable Energy Resources for Viable Development

If we look over the experience of developed countries, the development of their energy sources played indispensable role for achieving economic advancement. The industrial revolution which took place in 1850 in Great Britain and other European countries was aggressively entertained by the exploitation of non-renewable energy sources.   From that time on-wards, the human way of life was rapidly changed and the socioeconomic progress was also advanced. Though such unprecedented.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 14th November 2016