Solar can power African homes for $56 per year, says IRENA

 Falling solar costs in Africa can drive solar boom on the continent as prices fall to $1.30 per watt for large-scale PV, and $1.90 per watt for mini-grids, finds new IRENA report.   The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has today published a report outlining how tumbling solar costs are making PV one of the cheapest means for powering many parts of Africa.   The report, titled Solar PV in Africa: Costs and Markets, finds that solar home systems now meet.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 24th September 2016

Ethiopia: Ministry Says Govt Committed to Develop Automotive Industry

 The Ministry of Industry said that though the metal and engineering industry is at infant stage, it is playing crucial role in building the country's economy and advancing the technological capability of the nation.   Speaking at the signing of automotive assembly partnership agreement between the local Belay Ab Motors Plc. and the Korean Car Manufacturing Company KIA Motors Corporation yesterday, State Minister Dr. Alemu Sime said that the government is committed to.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 24th September 2016

Tanzania: Local Contractors to Vie for Standard Gauge Railway Project Tender

 The government is set to advertise a tender for construction of the Standard Gauge Railway earlier in December, this year, the Minister for Works, Transport and Communications, Professor Makame Mbarawa, has said.   Prof Mbarawa made the revelation in Dar es Salaam yesterday while calling on local construction firms to form joint ventures to win the tender, adding that 1 trillion/- have been set aside for the tender.   The railway would link Tanzania and the.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 24th September 2016

Domestic solar start-up d.light raises Sh2.2bn for East Africa expansion

 Home solar solution provider d.light has announced it has secured $22.5 million (Sh2.2bn) in financing to grow its PayGo business and support its mission of providing solar energy solutions for households and small businesses around the world.   The PayGo financing technology will help d.light’s growing list of partners provide modern, clean and reliable energy solutions to people living in off- grid communities who can’t afford the upfront cost of a solar.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 24th September 2016

Fund to back China's E. Africa investment

 The China-Africa Development Fund said on Thursday that it was poised to strengthen its investment efforts in the East Africa Community region with the establishment of its representative office in Nairobi, Kenya.   The office, based in Nairobi, is the fifth in Africa after others in South Africa, Ethiopia, Zambia and Ghana. It is specially designed to cater to the EAC.   The new Kenya office aims to support and guide more Chinese companies and financial.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 24th September 2016

Qatar, South Africa eye stronger ties in food, retail

 Discussions are being held between South Africa and several Qatari organisations in the food and retail industry due to growing demand for South African livestock and other consumer products, ambassador Sa’ad Cachalia has said.  Cachalia noted that demand for South African goods is growing in Qatar. These include biscuits, juices, and meat.   “We’ve been having discussions with Hassad Food and we’re going to see Mawashi (Widam) because.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 23rd September 2016

Govt. establishes clusters to strengthen human resource for health in counties

 The Human Resource for Health Interagency Coordinating Committee (HRH-ICC) has established nine county clusters to address the human capital challenges in the country. More than 12,500 Health workers have been recruited by the county governments 26% of the overall target of 48,000 and 4,048 Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWS) to strengthen the county health services.   According to the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Jackson Kioko most counties have also.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 23rd September 2016

Solar Ship To Cruise African Skies

 Manaf Freighters has announced it will purchase four of Solar Ship’s aircraft for use in cargo delivery and disaster relief in remote areas of East and Central Africa. A solarship is more than just a blimp. It’s a hybrid aircraft that combines aerodynamic lift, aerostatic lift and solar power into a long range and very energy efficient cargo carrier. The manufacturer says the approach provides the lifting capacity of a truck while providing the plucky performance of.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 23rd September 2016

Car & General inks distribution deal with Dutch engine maker

 Auto maker Car & General (C&G) is set enter a joint distributorship venture with Netherlands-based Cummins BV whose diesel engines and generators it has been selling alone in the region for years.   The partnership will consolidate the sales, service and support of Cummins products in East Africa, the Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed firm said in a statement.   The products include diesel engines, turbochargers, alternators and.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 23rd September 2016

Africa�s regulators are smothering its innovators

 The birth of mobile money transfer in Kenya has raised optimism about the potential of the continent to leapfrog in other technologies. However, Africa’s mobile technology is starting to look like an exception despite efforts to create start-ups using emerging technologies and platforms such as drones, 3D printing, robots and machine learning. There are many reasons for the slow pace at which Africa is able to harness the power of emerging technologies and put them to.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 23rd September 2016

Africa�s regulators are smothering its innovators

 The birth of mobile money transfer in Kenya has raised optimism about the potential of the continent to leapfrog in other technologies. However, Africa’s mobile technology is starting to look like an exception despite efforts to create start-ups using emerging technologies and platforms such as drones, 3D printing, robots and machine learning. There are many reasons for the slow pace at which Africa is able to harness the power of emerging technologies and put them to.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 23rd September 2016

Local Content Bill to give Kenyans more oil cash

 Oil and gas companies will now be required to state how local communities will benefit from the proceeds before they are licenced if a proposed bill becomes law.   The bill by Baringo Senator Gideon Moi seeks to ensure the companies do not take off with everything after drilling oil and tapping gas. The Local Content Bill 2016 will also put an end to conflicts that have rocked communities in oil and gas rich areas and these companies by ensuring the millions of poor.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 23rd September 2016