World Bank, Sierra Leone Sign US$40 Million Agreement for Project Linking Farmers to Agribusiness

Freetown — The Government of Sierra Leone and the World Bank today signed a US$40 million credit agreement to support smallholder commercialization and agribusiness development in Sierra Leone.   The project is co-financed by the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) with an additional US$15 million making the total project funding of US$55 million. The project was approved by the World Bank Board of Executive Directors on February 18, 2016 and will run.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 18th March 2016

Kenya: Investment Co. Plans Construction of 9,500-acre City in Kilifi County

NSE-listed investment company Centum has started preparations for the construction of an exclusive 9,500-acre city in Kilifi County, extending its entry into high-end real estate development.   Centum, which is also behind the Two Rivers Mall, tipped to be Kenya's biggest on completion, is building the city on land it bought last year from Rea Vipingo Holdings, a plantation firm that sold part of its land as it de-listed from the Nairobi Securities Exchange.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 18th March 2016

Additional 160GW to be Added to Continent's Power Grids with AfDB's New Deal

President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, says the new deal articulated by the bank on energy for Africa in 2015 will add 160 gigawatts, GW, of new electricity generation capacity to Africa's power grids by 2025.   In September 2015, the Bank articulated a New Deal on Energy for Africa and launched a Transformative Partnership on Energy for Africa to light up and power the continent by 2025.   Adesina, who said a lot more needed to be done given.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 18th March 2016

Nigeria Targets Solid Minerals to Account for 10 Percent GDP

The Federal Government says its target is for the solid minerals sector to account for 10 per cent of the gross domestic product, GDP, in the nearest future.   The minister of Solid Minerals Development, Kayode Fayemi, said this aspiration informed the present administration's efforts to reposition the solid minerals sector to diversify the country's economy and create jobs through the sector.   The minister, who said that a lot of innovations were being put in place to.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 18th March 2016

Zimbabwe to Amend Colonia Era Mining Law in Order to Attract New Investors

THE government said Monday that amending the country's mining law has become urgent to bring new changes that will go a long way in addressing the shortcomings of the outdated legislation.   Mines minister Walter Chidhakwa told legislators that the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill of 2015 was now in place and due to be tabled in parliament for debate.   "The Amendment of the Mines and Minerals Act is now a necessity rather than a choice since it addresses the.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 18th March 2016

IMX Advances Tanzania Graphite Spin-Out, Listing Planned For May

ASX-listed IMX Resources on Wednesday unveiled plans to spin out its Chilalo graphite project, in Tanzania, through a transaction with its subsidiary Graphex Mining.   IMX told shareholders that the company had entered a sale and purchase agreement with Graphex Mining for all of its graphite assets, including the Chilalo project.   Under the terms of the sales agreement, IMX would receive a cash payment of A$1-million and a further 16.45-million shares in.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 17th March 2016

U.S.$2.5 Million Renewable Energy Project Launched by Icipe in Kenya

Nairobi — The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), has embarked on a project to create a sustainable energy supply which will lead to a reduction in the diesel fuel it uses.   Funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), to the tune of US$ 2.5 million (Sh254M), the scheme is part of the Greening of icipe Initiative.   In addition to renewable energy, the initiative includes energy saving and water conservation.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 16th March 2016

R5 Billion Solar Plant Opens in South Africa

Pretoria — The R5 billion Bokpoort concentrated solar plant (CSP) has officially been launched in Groblershoop, Northern Cape.   Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies welcomed the major investment by ACWA Power, a Saudi Arabian company.   "[The] project instils confidence in government's long term infrastructure roll out, providing energy access, contributing to economic, community and sustainable development," he said at the launch of the plant on.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 16th March 2016

Kenya: Design for New Mombasa Bridge Construction Begins

Nairobi — The government through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has kicked off the design for the construction of the Mombasa Gate Bridge.   The Ministry says the Survey team arrived on Monday to start their work, of which the first phase will be conducted until July this year while the second phase will go up to February 2017.   "The design study commences on 14th March, 2016 and the final report and designs will be ready by end of March.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 16th March 2016

Zimbabwe to Focus on Solar Energy As Drought Hits Hydropower

Mutare, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe is pushing forward with plans to build four new solar power plants, amid a drought that has battered its ability to generate hydroelectricity.   Severe dry conditions - linked to the El Niño weather phenomenon bringing extreme weather around the world - are affecting big and small producers of hydropower alike.   Phillip Muwungani of Chipendeke village, 70 km southeast of Mutare city, said his community's vision of producing its.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 15th March 2016

Kinshasa: Congo Shelves New Mining Tax Law

AFRICA's largest copper producer, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reportedly suspended consideration for a new mining tax law until the prices of the metal improve.   According to international media, the DRC government says it suspended the consideration of the mining code awaiting recovery of the prices on the international market.   "We have said that reform is suspended and we are going to continue when the context allows it," Mines minister.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 15th March 2016

Switzerland, Italy and Denmark to Assist Malawi On Energy and Food Security

Lilongwe — New Switzerland Ambassador to Malawi, Ruth Huber Thursday said her focus to the country will be to assist the nation to have improved energy sector and be food secured.   After presenting letters of credence to President Prof. Peter Mutharika, Huber said Switzerland and Malawi have had a mutual bilateral relationship for about 15 years now.   She said as one way of strengthening the friendship, she will also join hands with the Malawi government in.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 15th March 2016