Latest African business news, economy, corporate, markets updates

Kenafric's Sh1bn Soda Plant Stirs Beverage Market

Sweets maker Kenafric Industries is set to diversify into the production of soda in a move that will intensify competition in the industry that is currently dominated by Coca-Cola and PepsiCo.

Kenafric plans to set up a Sh1 billion factory to manufacture sodas and ready-to-drink juices at its headquarters in Ruaraka, Nairobi, during the second half of next year.

About 30 per cent of the total cost of the investment will be .... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 24th December 2015

SA Exports First Air Shipment of Litchis to U.S

Pretoria — The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has announced that South Africa has earlier this month exported its first air shipment of litchis to the United States.

"The department views this achievement as one of the major contributions on the country's initiative of expanding export markets, positioning South Africa as one of the significant exporters in the world.

"This achievement wil.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 24th December 2015

Climate Smart Coffee and Banana Set to Boost East African Farmers' Income

Kampala — Ugandan farmers are increasingly inter-planting coffee, the country's primary export, and banana, a staple food, as a way of coping with the effects of climate change.

In densely populated Elgon and Rwenzori Mountains, the two crops have been planted together on smallholder farms despite recommendations under the colonial agricultural extension system to separate these in Central and Western Uganda where land was believed to be plentiful..... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 24th December 2015

Machakos Banks On Green Grams and Fruits to Industrialise in Kenya

After buying tractors to bring more land under cultivation and distributing seeds and fertiliser to poor families, Machakos County has now turned to green grams. Governor Alfred Mutua spoke to JULIUS SIGEI.

In our last interview two years ago, you told us that only about 20 per cent of the arable land in Machakos was under agriculture and that you planned to increase this to 70 per cent. What is the situation now?

We .... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 24th December 2015

Canada Aids Kenya with Sh2bn for Training SMEs

Kenya is set to receive about Sh2 billion ($19.5) from the Canadian government aimed at providing training for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

The announcement was made during the World Trade Organisation's 10th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi by Chrystia Freeland, Minister for International Trade in Canada.

The contribution is aimed at assisting small business entrepreneurs to set up producer as.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 24th December 2015

Australia's Intrepid Mines Invests U.S.$40 Million in Africa's Kitumba Project

Intrepid Mines, an Australian company, has spent more than US$40 million on drilling and exploration works on the Kitumba Mine project located in Mumbwa District.

Intrepid Board representative and non-executive director, Richard Baumfield said the Australian Stock Exchange-listed firm underwent restructuring and had since merged with Blackthorn Resources to acquire a 100 per cent stake in the Kitumba Mine which potentially contains copper deposits..... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 24th December 2015

Botswana: Another Hospital for Tutume

Tutume — A 70-bed hospital will be built in Tutume to relieve the current primary hospital.

Addressing a kgotla meeting at Magapatona in Tutume recently, Nkange MP, Mr Edwin Batshu said Tutume was one of the areas that would receive infrastructure development during the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) roll-out.

He said, among projects to be under-taken through ESP, was construction of the hospital, internal roads an.... Read more »