Plarning ahead: ‘Plastic yarn’ project to provide sleeping mats to Kenyan villages

 Got a little time on your hands and want to do some good?   Join Kenya Relief and some local church members in crafting some much-needed necessities — items that will find their way to the impoverished Third World — out of plarn.   What is plarn?   Short for “plastic yarn,” plarn is made from pretty common, throwaway stuff: grocery bags. Snip off the handles, cut the bags into strips, and you’ve got a surprisingly versatile,.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 1st September 2016

Designing breakout points in workplaces

 Cleverly decorated interiors and well-designed furniture in offices are increasingly becoming important to employees.   The furniture and accessories in an office send a powerful message about the image of the company. Attractive workspaces and lounge areas signal that a firm invests in its workers.   The traditional dull spaces painted in dark hues are being turned into livelier walls with bursts of colour. So is the furniture. New colourful office furniture and.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 1st September 2016

Preparation for geothermal drilling campaign under way in Ethiopia

 Reported from Addis Ababa today, the Geological Survey of Ethiopia has announced that preparations are underway to begin drilling of 12 geothermal wells at Airobera, Alelobeda and Dubti areas in Afar Regional State.  Tamiru Mersha, Communication Director at GSE, said drilling of the 325MW wells will begin this Ethiopian budget year.   According to him, six wells will be drilled at Airobera and Alelobeda with the financial and technical assistance of Geothermal Risk.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 1st September 2016

Renault to increase exports from India, eyes African market

French auto major Renault is looking to enhance exports from India to neighbouring countries and Africa as it seeks to make the country a manufacturing hub.    "Last month we started exporting Duster and Kwid to Sri Lanka. This month we will be entering Nepal while we also prepare to enter Bhutan," Sumit Sawhney, country CEO and managing director, Renault India Operations, told PTI.    Not only the neighbouring countries, Renault will be looking to.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 1st September 2016

SA-made drone set to disrupt power sector

 A power line inspection drone designed by local robotics engineers could be the answer to Eskom’s power cut woes, and has already piqued the interest of overseas governments.   Durban engineers Trevor Lorimer and Timothy Rowell built the first prototype as part of a master’s degree project to develop the power line robot, which is almost ready to be produced for industrial use.   The duo worked with Eskom and the Technology Innovation Agency, which has.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 1st September 2016

A new chapter – Toyota’s drive for Africa expansion

 Car manufacturer Toyota is well known, but Toyota Tsusho less so. We spoke to the trading subsidiary to find out more about its African operations.   Can you explain what the Toyota Tsusho division is, how it originated and its objectives?   Toyota Tsusho, established in 1948, is the sole general trading company within the Toyota Group. It has some 53,000 employees and its global network encompasses Japan, approximately 90 other countries and over 950 consolidated.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 1st September 2016

Solar-Powered Oxygen Saves Lives in Africa

 If you’ve ever stayed in a hospital, you might remember the oxygen delivery system mounted on the wall behind your bed or at your bedside. Many of us take these for granted, but in developing countries such as Uganda they are not easily available—and even when present, they are unreliable because power cuts are rife. Now, scientists have devised an innovative solution for delivering oxygen to children with severe pneumonia: harnessing solar energy to power oxygen.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 1st September 2016

Kenya: Ghana and Kenya to Promote Intra-Trade, Says Leaders

 Nairobi — President Uhuru Kenyatta Monday held talks with Ghanaian leader John Dramani Mahama which centred on cooperation in energy, oil, telecommunications and aviation.   At their State House Nairobi meeting, they discussed ways of enriching the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries to improve on the ease of doing business so as to increase overall intra-African trade.   President Mahama was among Heads of State and Government.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 1st September 2016

Africa: Lessons From Kenya About What's Holding Back Solar Technology in Africa

 The spread of solar and other modern energy technologies in African countries is considerably low. Despite the global viability and growth in the solar energy market, African countries continue to lag behind. They represent less than 1% of the market demand for solar energy.   The region accounts for only 9% of the global installed capacity of photo-voltaics (PV) which convert light into electricity using semi-conducting materials. The solar PV technology power generation.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 1st September 2016

East Africa: New Railway Line Plan Sketched

 The government has outlined a three-year timeline for the construction of a 7.6 billion US dollar (15 trillion/-) railway line - a major trade artery between Tanzania and its landlocked neighbours of Burundi, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).   The Standard Gauge project, which is supported by China's Exim Bank, is scheduled to start anytime from now, the Minister for Works, Transport and Communications, Professor Makame Mbarawa, has.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 1st September 2016

Ethiopia: Canadian Investors Keen to Engage in Energy, Mining Sectors

 Ethiopia and Canada discussed to further strengthen their bilateral relations in the areas of trade, investment, peace and security.   Foreign Minister Dr. Tedros Adhanom held talks with Office of the Ministry of International Development Parlimentary Secretary Karina Gould here yesterday.   The Secretary told journalists following the talks that Canadian business communities are interested to invest in energy, mining, aerospace, engineering and infrastructural.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 1st September 2016

Africa: The Future Will Be Built in Africa - Mark Zuckerberg

 Facebook founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has said the "future of the world" will be built on the African continent.   Zuckerberg made the statement during his first Sub-Saharan visit to Africa in Lagos, Nigeria on Tuesday.   A small group of media were invited to a live-stream of the Nigerian event in Johannesburg on Wednesday.   "The thing that is striking [about Nigeria] is the entrepreneurial energy. I think when you're trying to build.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 1st September 2016