Africa primed for solar PV boom

 The cost of solar PV projects in Africa has plummeted by over 60 per cent in the last four years, paving the way for a 'boom' in solar deployment over the coming decade.   That is the conclusion of a major new study from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), entitled Solar PV in Africa: Costs and Markets, which argues installed costs for total installed costs for new African solar PV projects now average $1.30 per watt, compared to a global average of $1.80.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 29th September 2016

Tanzania: Q400 Manufacturer Upbeat On Its Planes Versatility

 The Q400 planes manufacturer, Bombardier Inc, has commented that Tanzania is set to boost air travel after purchasing the "extremely efficient and cost effective planes" also preferred by developed countries.   The national carrier, Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), in recent times, remained a mere spectator as both gigantic and medium-sized airlines battled for the country's skies. The government had signed a firm purchase agreement for two Q400 turboprop.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 29th September 2016

Tanzania: Insurance Scheme to Cover Heart Disease, Maternal Health

 Dar es Salaam — People with heart complications and expectant mothers have reason to smile after the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) introduced an insurance package to cover them.   This was said yesterday by NHIF acting assistant director general Bernard Konga during a press conference.   NHIF will also cover cardiac surgeries at all levels, caesarean sections as well as surgery for appendix which had been excluded from the funding scheme.   He.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 29th September 2016

Montreux Natural Resources Fund’s Tanzania mines set to produce first gold

 In September 2015, The Montreux Natural Resources Fund, formerly The Montreux Commodity Trading Fund Cayman, expanded its focus in the gold-mining sector by acquiring a 50 per cent stake in the Tanzanian mining investment company GRB Mining Ltd, based in Dar Es Salaam.   GRB Mining, which has developed a niche high value-low Capex-low Opex mining model, focuses on the production of gold from small-scale high grade mines in Morogoro, Tanzania.   Since September last.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 29th September 2016

Tanzania: Statoil Farms in to New Tanzania Gas Licence

 Norwegian energy producer, Statoil, has acquired 12 percent working interest in Block 6 licence offshore Tanzania from operator Petrobras Tanzania Ltd.   According to the information published in the Norway Post over the weekend, the company has acquired block 6, which covers 5,549 square kilometers in the Mafia basin offshore. It was established that the transaction is subject to the approval by the government of Tanzania.   However, when reached for comment on.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 29th September 2016

AfDB seeks investors for Tanzania’s railway line

 Nairobi - The African Development Bank will hold an investors’ roadshow to attract as much as $7.6 billion in financing for a railway line linking Tanzania’s port in Dar es Salaam with neighbouring landlocked countries.   The Abidjan, Ivory Coast-based lender is teaming up with the World Economic Forum to help attract investors to bankroll the 2 200km line, according to Gabriel Negatu, AfDB’s regional director for East Africa.   “We are.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 29th September 2016

Commodity exchanges bring new hope to Africa’s farmers

 At the recent African Green Revolution Forum in Nairobi, one of the outstanding take-outs was that Africa may need $400 billion (Sh40 trillion) in investment in food production over the next decade to meet its needs.   But while finance is the problem, it is not the solution if we do not reorient its deployment. Many African countries and donor programmes have invested billions of dollars in the development of agriculture, focusing on increasing production and improving.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 29th September 2016

Underwriting Africa’s future through Agriculture

 It is now widely recognized by experts and policy makers that agriculture will underwrite Africa’s promising growth prospects; that the dream of Africa rising can actually fly on the wings of the sector’s vast untapped potential across the continent.   With 60 per cent of the world’s uncultivated arable land and low crop yields, the prediction that Africa is ripe for a green revolution is no longer a far-fetched ambition.   But a litany of.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 29th September 2016

Kenya Power to put up sh300m to boost power supply in Wundanyi

 Kenya Power is putting up a sh300 million substation at Wundanyi in a bid to reduce frequent power outages and improve quality delivery of services to its customers.    KPLC Regional Manager Coast Hezikiah Mwalwala disclosed on Tuesday they had been allocated land by the Taita-Taveta County Government to put up the high powered voltage project in the area. "We have been allocated half-acre plot by the county administration in Wundanyi town to construct the.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 29th September 2016

Kenya to pick contractor for minerals survey by Dec

 Kenya will appoint a company by December to conduct a year-long airborne survey to map its mineral deposits to attract mining explorers to the nascent sector, Mining Cabinet Secretary Dan Kazungu said on Wednesday.   Kazungu said the ministry has initial funding of Sh3 billion from the Treasury in the 2016/17 (July-June) fiscal year to start the survey. Kenya has proven deposits of titanium, gold and coal and is also understood to hold significant deposits of copper,.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 29th September 2016

Dubai investors to visit Nairobi to exploit trade opportunities

 The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry plans to conduct a two-day trade mission in Nairobi next month to exploit opportunities offered by the city as a regional trade hub.   The mission, supported by the Kenyan National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will include 20 Dubai businessmen who will explore new opportunities with their local counterparts.   “Nairobi is a key regional hub in the sub-Saharan region and provides a strategic position and gateway.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 29th September 2016

Renewvia Undertaking Feasibility Study for Kenyan Solar

 Renewvia Energy is undertaking a feasibility study for the development of solar micro-grids in key geographies in Kenya. The feasibility study is being funded by a grant from the USTDA as part of US President Barak Obama’s Power Africa initiative.   On September 21 Trey Jarrard, CEO of Renewvia, signed the cost share agreement during theUS-Africa Business Forumheld in New York City. The following day the company participated as a panelist for "Climate Week.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 26th September 2016