East Africa to See Potential Chinese Pharma Investment

 A delegation of 10 Chinese companies has visited Ethiopia to determine feasibility of investment   A delegation of 10 major Chinese pharmaceutical and medical supplies companies visited Ethiopia from October 20 to 21 as part of a UN facilitated initiative which may see them partnering with local companies to manufacture drugs, including those for the treatment of cancer. The initiative is also intended to transfer knowledge and technology.   Through an arrangement.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 31st October 2015

Serenus Biotherapeutics Opens East African Regional Office in Nairobi, Kenya

Serenus Biotherapeutics, which is bridging the divide between the world’s leading healthcare markets and the growing demand for access to innovative drugs and devices in the emerging nations of Africa, has announced the opening of an East African regional office in Nairobi, Kenya. A Kenyan base of operations reflects the importance of this region which represents the largest and most advanced economy in East and Central Africa. It is home to the largest market, a rapidly.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 31st October 2015

Merck and UNESCO to collaborate on building research capacity in Africa

Merck has launched a partnership with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), resulting in the first edition of the UNESCO-Merck Africa Research Summit, to be held in Geneva, Switzerland. The summit aims to address the vital role of scientific research in the improvement and sustainable development of the African population health, with specific emphasis on how to translate knowledge into action. The summit will be conducted on a yearly basis.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 31st October 2015

AfDB gives Zambia US$30mn to support cassava producers

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a loan of US$30mn to the government of Zambia for the Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Project The project is designed to promote job creation, gender equality and poverty reduction amongst young cassava producers in the country. To be implemented in seven provinces, the project will develop 10 industrial clusters, five of which will be urban and the other five rural. “The project is expected to stimulate a 25 per cent.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 31st October 2015

US$12mn grant for maize production in sub-Saharan Africa

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has received a US$12mn grant to boost maize production in Nigeria, Ethiopia and Tanzania in the next four years IITA has received the money in collaboration with the Taking Maize Agronomy to Scale in Africa (TAMASA) project, and the grant has been given by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. TAMASA was launched in May this year, and is expected to reach more than 600,000 households in the target countries. It hopes to.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 31st October 2015

IOC-Delonex Win Oil Block in Mozambique

State-owned Indian Oil Corp Ltd (IOC) has partner Delonex Energy, a new Africa-focused oil and gas explorer led by former Cairn India chief Rahul Dhir, to win its maiden oil block in Mozambique. IOC and Delonex were awarded onshore Block P5-A in southern Mozambique, a company executive said. The combine was declared winner alongside the consortium of Russia’s Rosneft and ExxonMobil that won rights for three offshore blocks. It was awarded three contract areas: A5-B in the.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 31st October 2015

ABCEC receives huge budgetary allocation in construction sector

 Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors (ABCEC) has expressed optimism that the construction industry in Zambia is poised for expansion following the allocation US$1.4m towards infrastructure development in the 2016 budget.   ABCEC president Michael Nyirenda said the proposed US$1.4m allocation towards infrastructure will boost infrastructure development and enhance economic growth.   The ABCEC president said the money will also help sustain jobs.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 31st October 2015

Kenya Power Net Profit Rises to Sh7.4 Billion

Kenya Power has posted a 6 per cent increment in net profit to Sh7.43 billion for the year ended June 30.   Net earnings for the previous year stood at Sh6.99 billion.   The utility's jump in profits was supported by increased electricity sales and a review of the electricity tariff that became effective at the start of December 2013.   "Electricity sales grew by 5 per cent from 6,790 million units the previous year to 7,130 million units in the period under.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 30th October 2015

Zimbabwe: Tobacco Exports Hit U.S $500 Million Mark

The country has so far exported 97,3 million kilogrammes of tobacco this year, up from 88,7 million kg over the same period last year, earning $500 million, statistics from the industry regulator show.   In its latest bulletin, Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) said Zimbabwe had exported 97,3 million kg of tobacco at an average price of $5,13 per kg compared to 88,7 million kg worth $471 million at $5,31 per kg last year.   China imported 27,8 million kg of.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 30th October 2015

Kenya: Tullow, Africa Oil to Establish Pokot and Turkana Conservancies

Tullow Oil and Africa Oil on Wednesday signed a five-year grant agreement with Turkana and Pokot communities that will establish six community-run conservancies.   Tullow Kenya Country Manager Martin Mbogo said the agreement is part of Tullow's commitment to ensure host communities enjoy long-lasting benefits from the oil and gas investment, while ensuring the investment is well secured.   The pact will see Lokichar, Lochakula, Katilu and Kainuk community conservancies.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 30th October 2015

Construction of the Kenya-Ethiopia converter substation to commence

Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) has announced that the construction of US$ 230m high voltage direct current Kenya-Ethiopia converter substation is now set to begin. A US$ 230m contract between KETRACO and a consortium of Siemens AG and Isolux Inginieria for the construction of the sub-station has already been signed. The project which will be constructed in Suswa is intended to create power lines that will link Kenya to Ethiopia. It is being funded by the World.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 30th October 2015

Kenya: NCA Sets Up Eleven Offices in Counties

The National Construction Authority has established 11 satellite offices countrywide to effectively deliver services.   NCA executive director Daniel Manduku said the regional offices will ease pressure in the Nairobi office.   The new offices are in Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, Eldoret, Kitui, Nyeri, Isiolo, Garissa, Kakamega and Kisii counties will serve the areas around them.   Speaking during a stakeholders meeting at the NCA office in Nairobi on Saturday, Manduku.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 30th October 2015