Kenya Power’s guidelines lures global brands

 The pragmatic decision we took in early 2010 to buy 80 per cent of all equipment and materials needed for electricity distribution locally is paying off.   It is good to note that a number of international companies dealing with manufacturing of meters, transformers, steel structures and prefabricated items have expressed interest in setting up local factories. Indeed, one manufacturer of meters has set up a plant. This is a clear indication that our policy of.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 12th October 2016

Brookside, French firm partner in food security project

 About 30,000 farmers in Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties will benefit from a multimillion-shillings agriculture project that seeks to transform the livelihoods of smallholders.   Brookside, the country's largest milk processor, has partnered with French firm, Livelihoods Fund and Vi Agroforestry, to boost food security in the Mt Elgon.   The project, involving 15 cooperatives and 1,200 farmers’ groups, aims to increase crop yields by 30 per.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 12th October 2016

Tanzania: Tanesco Project to Benefit Kenya

 The Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) has signed a US $309.26 million dollars (about 673.62bn/-) contract for implementation of 414 kilometres power interconnection transmission line project to link Tanzania and Kenya.   It will be constructed from Singida via Arusha to Namanga border and Isinya in Kenya, covering 318 kilometres in Tanzania while the remaining 96 kilometres will be built in Kenya. The power line is a joint project between TANESCO and.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 12th October 2016

Twinsaver invests R580 million in equipment

 THE multimillion-Rand investment in production equipment by local tissue manufacturing company, Twinsaver, will boost supplies to the local and export markets as well as maintain the company’s leading position in the sector. The company, which has been operating in South Africa for over 60 years, has announced an investment of R580 million (US$42 million) at its Bellville and Kliprivier operations in the Gauteng and Western Cape provinces respectively.   “The.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 11th October 2016

South Africa's Mondi to buy Russian packaging firm Beepack

 South Africa's Mondi has signed an agreement to acquire Beepack from a private investor for 41 million euros ($46 million) as part of plans to expand its packaging business, the paper group said on Monday.   Mondi, which is also listed in London, expects to complete the transaction in the fourth quarter, with CEO David Hathorn saying that the Russian business will support the development of Mondi's Corrugated Packaging operations in central and eastern.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 11th October 2016

Furniture designer makes impossible dreams come alive in wood

 Painted and gleaming wood surfaces might have been all the rage in the past, but natural wood pieces are slowly taking over. And nowhere does this come to life more than at Rampel Designs furniture production studio.   At the company’s workshops in two adjacent buildings at the back of the vast  JCB Ganatara GoDowns on Baba Dogo Road in Nairobi, one is welcomed by the din of planes, cutters and sanders against wood.   But it is in studio upstairs where.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 11th October 2016

Tender mercies shown by dental team

 It is becoming a habit for Hadleigh Reid to spend his down-time overseas - providing free dental treatment for some of the world's poorest people.   The Whanganui dentist is serving his second tour of duty in Africa with Mercy Ships.   This month-long humanitarian adventure has taken Reid to post-Ebola Benin, where he is treating up to 18 patients living in poverty each day.   On appointment days, the dental team arrives to the on-shore clinic with hundreds.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 11th October 2016

SolarAid debuts 'world's most affordable' solar light

 he fast-expanding off-grid solar technology market has received a dual boost this month, as SolarAid debuted a new low-cost solar lamp and Investec Asset Management announced the acquisition of a "significant" shareholding in solar home system specialist Mobisol.   UK-based SolarAid last week unveiled the new SM100 solar light, which has been developed by Yingli Green Energy Europe and is being hailed as the "world's most affordable quality solar.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 11th October 2016

Tanzania: Magufuli Inaugurates Fruit Processing Plant

 President John Magufuli today inaugurated Bakhresa Food Products Ltd (BFPL) fruits and vegetables processing plant in Mwandege, Mkuranga, Coast Region.   The state-of-the-art plant has the capacity to process 350 tonnes of fruits and vegetables daily. The president inaugurated the mangoes processing division, which is the second phase. The first phase produces soft drinks Azam Cola.   The fruit juices processing plant is the first indigenous aseptic packing.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 11th October 2016

South Africa basks in continent's first solar-powered airport

 At first glance there's nothing out of the ordinary about the regional airport in George, a town of just 150,000 residents on South Africa's south coast.   In fact though, the small site is Africa's first "green" airport to be powered by the sun.   The control tower, escalators, check-in desks, baggage carousels, restaurants and ATMs—every service here depends on a small solar power station, located a few hundred metres away in a field of dandelions.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 11th October 2016

Tata strikes deal with South African car hire company

  Automobile manufacturer Tata has struck a deal with a major South African car hire company to supply Tata Bolt 1.2 Turbo hatchbacks for its national rental fleet.    Tata declined to disclose the exact number of vehicles, except to say that it was "a substantial number."    The Bolt, which was recently introduced in South Africa, will be offered at a competitive hire charge which will be one of the lowest in the country, including 100.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 11th October 2016

Tanzania: Fresh Growth Figures Change Direction of Economic Debate

 Dar es Salaam — Some experts hope that Tanzania will achieve a 7.2 per cent economic growth rate by the end of this year despite the fact that some of the government's decisions may deter the attainment of the goal.   Figures produced by Finance and Planning minister Philip Mpango in June this year showed that last year, the economy grew by seven per cent and that this year, the target is to reach 7.2 per cent.   Some analysts are however pessimistic that if.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 11th October 2016