Tanzania LNG Plant Production to Last 40+ Years

 After completing the construction of Tanzania’s Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant in Lindi, production is expected to continue for at least 40 years. The announcement was made by Oystein Michelse, Statoil Country Representative, during talks with Tanzania’s President John Magufuli on August 22nd 2016. Michelse noted that the Norwegian Government has committed to implementing the project for the benefit of both sides and urged the Government of Tanzania to continue.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 30th August 2016

Ethiopia: Chinese Company to Commence Luxury Apartments Building

 A Chinese company, Heng Yang Investment, has launched the construction of Hongtu, a 54-storey luxury apartment, in the Lafto District of Addis Abeba. The construction will be undertaken by a Chinese construction firm, Hongtu Real Estate. Covering a total area of 1272sqm, each apartment will be 88 to 173sqm, with a double lift design, 54 parking spaces, one supermarket and other high quality living facilities - gym, sauna and massage rooms.   The water purification system,.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 30th August 2016

Renewable energy project to connect 77,000 rural homes

 Government efforts aimed at increasing supply of clean energy to power its green growth ambitions have gotten a boost, thanks to a new off-grid renewable energy support programme.   Scaling up Off-Grid Energy in Rwanda (SOGER) aims to grow sustainable off-grid renewable energy markets by supporting private sector companies to deliver energy access to 77,000 people in poor rural areas, Herbert Nyaga, the country manager of Energy 4 Impact, a renewable energy firm,.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 30th August 2016

Selling coffee directly to overseas buyers helps farmers get high income

 Cooperatives that paid coffee farmers the highest rates have revealed their secret: selling their produce directly to overseas buyers.   And because of the direct sales, the Meru County Coffee Millers Cooperative Union will pay farmers a billion shillings at the end of this year.   In Nyeri County, Barichu, Gikanda and Othaya coffee societies got the highest rates at Sh85, Sh81 and Sh76 per kilo respectively. Rutuma Coffee society paid the least at.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 30th August 2016

Africa: Scientists Hope New Varieties Can Start Africa Rice Revolution

 The first hybrid rice varieties developed in sub-Saharan Africa are yielding up to four times more than other improved varieties, say scientists, who are using web-based tools to identify the right climate conditions to maximise harvests.   The 15 hybrids, bred in Kenya and Tanzania, are also tolerant to diseases and the high temperatures found in Kenya's western Lake Region and coastal areas.   Local farmers have always depended on imported hybrid rice varieties,.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 30th August 2016

Kenya seeks global trade restrictions on tree used for wood carvings

 Kenya is seeking a global trade restriction on a tree species used for making wood carvings and music instruments, a Kenyan scientist said on Monday.   Kenya will submit a joint proposal to the Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) meeting next month for the regulation of trade in the African blackwood, or Mpango in local vernacular, Beatrice Khayota, principal research scientist at the National Museums of Kenya, told.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 30th August 2016

Northern Kenya set to benefit from a World Bank Funded Social Development Initiative

 Parts of Northern Kenya are set to benefit from a World Bank Funded Social Development initiative that will see the construction of immense infrasrucutre projects as well as installation of various amenieites and utilites. Signed on the sidelines of the just concluded TICAD VI Conference the North Eastern Kenya Development Intiative promises a major improvement in quality of life for people in the region over the next two years..... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 30th August 2016

East Africa: Tanzania to Be EA Oil Power Centre in 10 Years - Muhongo

 Tanzania aims to become the first in oil and natural gas exploitation in East Africa in ten years, Energy and Mineral Minister Prof Sospeter Muhongo has said. Prof Muhongo said the goal would be achieved only through a rise in the number of experts in the field from the level of diploma to PHD.   "Since the sector is new in the country, we intend to have at least 500 trained experts in the area of oil and natural gas in 10 years time.   "The achievement.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 30th August 2016

Ethiopia To Transfer Solar Energy Projects To Private Developers

 ADDIS ABABA, Aug 30 (BERNAMA-NNN-ENA) -- Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) has announced that it would transfer three solar energy generation sites to private developers.   The sites have been identified and evaluation is underway to hand over the projects to private developers who win the tender floated for the purpose.   CEO of Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) Engineer Azeb Asnake told ENA that sites were identified in Metahara, Umera and Mekelle, with each having a.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 30th August 2016

Women in Energy: A passion for building “Brand Africa”

 Currently pursuing a PhD in business administration-strategic management, Phyllis Engefu Ombonyo, director for business development at the National Environment Trust Fund (NETFUND) in Kenya, has put her B.Sc. computer science and engineering and MBAstrategic management to good use in serving the development needs of diverse communities in the African region.   Under her leadership in 20142016, NETFUND conducted an aggressive awareness campaign on energy and water, and.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 29th August 2016

Tanzania: Tech Helps Tanzania to Discover More Gold Reserves

 The use of geographical information system (GIS) technology in gold exploration in Tanzania has led to the discovery of large deposits near the Bulyanhulu goldmine in Kahama.   This was revealed at a recent workshop organised by Kenya-based firm ESRI Eastern Africa, which has a presence in Tanzania, to showcase the latest GIS technology used in prospecting, exploration and extraction.   "Using the technology, we have identified deposits of gold on the eastern.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 29th August 2016

Solar plant contributes to Kenya's energy grid

 In the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa, a children’s village popularly known as SOS children’s home, has a solar energy generating plant that contribues to the country’s national grid. The channeled energy is giving electricity to the local populations during times of power outrages. .... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 29th August 2016