Africa: Private Donors Double Investments to the Global Fund

 Montreal — The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria announced today that pledges from private donors and innovative financing initiatives reached US$250 million for the coming three years, more than twice as much as in the previous period.   The announcement was made at the launch of the Global Fund's Fifth Replenishment, hosted by the government of Canada, where leaders from all over the world gathered to show global commitment toward ending the.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 17th September 2016

Ethiopia: Ministry to Finalize Construction of 11 New Universities

 The new 11 universities, whose construction was launched in five states in the past, will be finalized at the end of this Ethiopian budget year, said the Ministry of Education (MoE).   Project Office Head at the Ministry, Samuel Kifle, said efforts will be made to complete the construction of all universities until June. The universities will begin enroling students in 2010 E.C.   Works were underway to furnish the universities with the necessary laboratory, dining.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 17th September 2016

AAD 2016: Denel develops 'Africa Truck'

 Denel Vehicle Systems has developed a 6x6 truck based on its RG31 series of mine-resistant ambushed protected (MRAP) vehicles.   The 'Africa Truck', which has a gross vehicle weight of 28 tonnes and an empty weight of 12 tonnes, has been designed to be as modular as possible and can accommodate a range of superstructures or a hook lift system. It is also designed to be as simple as possible with a focus on maintenance in the field far from even forward workshops, although.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 17th September 2016

Kenya: Satellite Images to Increase Crop Yields for Smallholder Farmers

 The Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) and FarmDrive have partnered to explore the use of satellite-based imagery to help predict and solve the financial needs of smallholder farmers.   The partnership will see FarmDrive through CGAP's financial contribution, collaborate with The Impact Lab and Planet to use satellite images to better understand planting cycles, crop yields, and trends in production to help forecast future revenues, timing of income and.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 17th September 2016

Tanzania: BoT State of the Economy Report Viewed Favourably

 The state of the economy presented by Central Bank Governor, Professor Benno Ndulu, in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday has met with positive reaction from the public with analysts projecting a bright future for the country.   "The economic indicators are true and there is a bright future of the country's economy," a senior lecturer from the University of Dar es Salaam, Professor Humphrey Moshi, said in the city yesterday.   He, however, touted more investment.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 17th September 2016

East Africa: Davis & Shirtliff Partners With German Solar Manufacturer SMA to Supply Energy Solutions in East Africa

 Davis & Shirtliff, East Africa's leading supplier of water and energy products has announced an exclusive distribution partnership with German global solar market leader, SMA Solar Technology AG.   SMA is a manufacturer and supplier of solar inverters for photovoltaic systems with electricity grid connection, off-grid power supply and backup operations. Together with Davis & Shirtliff, the partnership will offer innovative key technologies for future power supply.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 17th September 2016

Kenya: Frankfurt Firm Gives Small Loans Locally

 A Frankfurt Stock Exchange-listed company, MyBucks, has started advancing loans to informal sector workers in Kenya through mobile phones.   GetBucks Kenya is advancing loans of between Sh455 (€4) and Sh4,556 (€40) at a 12.67 per cent interest rate with re-payment period of six days.   Borrowers are required to have an M-Pesa account and an active Facebook account which MyBucks will use to evaluate credit risk and assess fraud.   MyBucks entered.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 17th September 2016

Kibo Mining adds General Electric to roster at Mbeya

 Kibo Mining PLC (LON:KIBO) has pulled in one of the biggest names in world engineering to help construct the thermal power plant at its Mbeya project in Tanzania.   US giant General Electric has signed a memorandum of understanding to supply equipment, technology and its help to bring the project to a financial close.   Talks are now underway to make the MOU into a binding agreement.   Louis Coetzee, CEO of Kibo Mining, said: "We are extremely pleased.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 17th September 2016

Africa: Shell Readies to Drill Off Tanzania in Q4

 Dar es Salaam — Oil major Shell is planning to start exploration drilling offshore Tanzania later this year, according to partner Ophir Energy.   The US$20 million drilling program, due to start in Q4, will comprise two wells on Blocks 1 and 4 and target >1 Tcf of gas, says Ophir. Shell became operator on the blocks after taking over BG Group earlier this year. The well on Block 1 will target Kitatange, with an estimated mean recoverable volume of 1.1.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 17th September 2016

Mondi reports solid H1 earnings, despite difficult trading environment

 International packaging and paper group Mondi's underlying earnings a share improved to 75c apiece for the six months ended June 30, up from 67.8c in the six months to June 2015.   Its profit after tax increased from €313-million in the six months to June 2015, to €390-million in the period under review.   "We saw strong contributions from consumer packaging, uncoated fine paper and the South Africa division, driven by volume growth, pricing benefits.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 17th September 2016

Mondi reports solid H1 earnings, despite difficult trading environment

 International packaging and paper group Mondi's underlying earnings a share improved to 75c apiece for the six months ended June 30, up from 67.8c in the six months to June 2015.   Its profit after tax increased from €313-million in the six months to June 2015, to €390-million in the period under review.   "We saw strong contributions from consumer packaging, uncoated fine paper and the South Africa division, driven by volume growth, pricing benefits.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 17th September 2016

France, South Africa to foster pulp, paper industry relationships

 With South Africa and France being "well recognised" as key players in the international paper industry, it is essential to engage in "fruitful exchanges", including knowledge sharing and stakeholder solutions for the industry.   This is according to ambassador of France Elisabeth Barbier, who spoke at the French-South African Technical Symposium on Innovation and New Technologies in the Pulp and Paper Industry, held in Johannesburg last month. She.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 16th September 2016