Mariental to Get 35MW Solar Power Station

THE Ministry of Mines and Energy has awarded a tender to construct a 35MW solar photovoltaic power station near Mariental to Alten Renewable Hardap, minister Obeth Kandjoze said this week.   Last year, the ministry issued a tender for the construction, operation and owning of solar PV power plants in the country.   "Following a competitive bidding process, an independent power producer consortium, Alten Renewable Hardap (comprising Alten Renewable Energy BV and.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 17th December 2015

Kenya: Embu Signs Sh3.8 Billion Road Project Contract

The Embu government has signed a Sh3.8 billion contract with a Malaysian company to tarmack county roads.   Governor Martin Wambora yesterday said this is in line with a court ruling last Friday that county governments should manage their roads.   The Council of Governors sued the national government, demanding full control of county roads.   "Owing to the favourable ruling, I will not let the national government tender for construction of rural roads in my.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 17th December 2015

Toshiba signs first MoU with TGDC for geothermal power generation

 Japanese multinational Toshiba Corporation has concluded an MoU with the Tanzania Geothermal Development Company Limited (TGDC) to develop geothermal power in the East African nation geothermal simon pixabayTanzania has vast reserves of untapped geothermal energy, which Toshiba hopes to capitalise on.  TDGC is the only organisation in Tanzania with geothermal exploitation rights, said Toshiba in a statement. The company’s business ranges from geothermal resource.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 17th December 2015

Uganda: Oil Companies Seek Local Content Fund

Ugandan companies within the oil and gas sector want government to set up a special local content fund to finance their growth in order to be at the forefront of winning some of the lucrative tenders the industry offers. The Uganda Association of Oil and Gas Service Providers argues that local companies require a lot of money to fully participate in the capital-intensive oil sector. Emmanuel Mugarura, the association’s head of secretariat, said such a fund would help local.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 17th December 2015

Tullow Finds Oil in Etom-2 Well in Northern Kenya

Tullow Oil PLC said an exploratory well drilled in the South Lokichar basin in northern Kenya encountered 102 m of net oil pay in two columns. The Etom-2 well, on Block 13T, was drilled to 1,655 m by the PR Marriott Rig-46 (OGJ Online, Nov. 17, 2015). Drilling followed evaluation of 3D seismic that was shot after the Etom-1 well (OGJ Online, Sept. 3, 2014). Tullow said oil samples, sidewall cores, and wireline logging all indicate the presence of high API oil in the best quality.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 17th December 2015

Textile Sector - a Centerpiece for East Africa's Industrial Development

 Since 1950s, the prevalence of the global textile industry, in response to global economic movement, had shifted from Japan, to Korea, Taiwan and other Asian countries. But the trend shifted to China and India since the 1990s. As per the World Bank Group Trade and Competitiveness (WBG), textile and apparel companies continue to look for business opportunities under the constant cost pressures.   Recently, East Africa has been getting more attention from the textile and.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 17th December 2015

Construction of top notch expressway in East Africa launched

 Ethiopian Roads Authority has begun the construction of what it says will be a major expressway which, upon completion in five years, will help ease traffic that has been forecast for the next 21 years.   The country says in 21 years time the population would have increased significantly and that there was need to boost roads in urban areas. The construction of expressway in Ethiopia has been in the pipeline for years.   The Modjo-Hawassa Expressway in Ethiopia.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 17th December 2015

Kenya Power to Spend Sh6b on Expansion of Electricity Distribution Network

Kenya Power and Lighting Company has secured a Sh6 billion loan from the French Agency for Development (AFD) to finance expansion of the electricity distribution network.   The expansion, which will take place in Mombasa, Kisumu and Nairobi, is expected to boost KPLC's reliability and translate into reduced power outages.   "The financing, the first of its kind, is a clear indication that Kenya Power has come of age to directly access financial resources to invest.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 16th December 2015

Chicol Estates Trying Out Thermal Power

CHICOL Estates, an integrated poultry farm in Lusaka's Twin Palm area, has embarked on a thermal power plant feasibility study which will result in electricity generation from chicken droppings.   Estate director Aaron Chungu said there are plans to set up a thermal power plant using chicken droppings at the farm.   "We have plans to set up a thermal power plant at the farm to start producing electricity in view of the serious power cuts the country and the region.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 16th December 2015

Alliance to Increase Rwanda Internet Uptake

Kigali — MTN Rwanda has launched a sponsored data service in partnership with mobile solutions provider, U2opia Mobile, in an effort to increase internet uptake in the country.   Powered by Fonepass, U2opia Mobile's sponsored data platform is meant for subscribers with limited or no access to the internet, enabling them to explore the world of data and unlock its value at no cost for them.   An open marketing platform, Fonepass will allow customers to access their.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 16th December 2015

Ericsson to Collaborate With MNOs to Drive VoD Market in Kenya

Ericsson is working closely with mobile operators in Kenya to begin the roll out of NuVu an end to end subscription Video on Demand content service.   Kenya will be the second country Ericsson looks into launching NuVu after Nigeria where plans are underway to have the product launched in Q1 of 2016 in partnership with Airtel Nigeria to Airtel's over 30 million subscribers. Ericsson, however, did not disclose when they will launch the product into the Kenyan.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 16th December 2015

Gov't Determined to Make East Africa a Manufacturing Hub

 NQI outstanding performers received certificates   Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen said that the emphasis on GTP II is on quality, productivity and competitiveness of micro and small enterprises. The National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) institutions will play a critical role with the support of the Ministry of Science and Technology taking on an increasingly leading role as the main actor and champion of quality infrastructure.   Speaking at NQI Programme.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 16th December 2015