Kenya: Embassy to Set Up Centre for Potato Information

THE NETHERLANDS EMBASSY in Nairobi will next week launch the Potato Value Chain Afrika Portal in a bid to support farmers in the country.   The portal will be launched at the Eldoret University Agricultural Fair, which is set for September 24-26 in Eldoret.   Agriculture Counsellor Bert Rikken said the crop would boost food security following the numerous challenges facing maize sector. With over 300 registered varieties, Netherlands is the world's top seed potato.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 21st September 2015

Farmers’ lobby sets out to boost East African Community agro yields

 Lack of improved seeds, use of obsolete technology, lack of access to credit, effects of climate change and cartel-like behaviour are some of the factors that have been blamed for the East African Community’s (EAC) low production of potatoes. Last week during the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme’s (CAADP) regional Africa forum in Rwanda, which focused on the potato value chain in EAC, sector players called for collaboration with a view to.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 19th September 2015

East Africa launches plan to Foster Pharmaceutical Industry

 Pharmaceutical excipients are no longer inert materials but are effective and able to improve the characteristics of the products' quality, stability, functionality, safety, solubility and acceptance of patients. It can interact with the active ingredients and alter the medicament characteristics. The globalization of medicines' supply enhances the importance of globalized good manufacturing practice (GMP) requirements for pharmaceutical excipients.   Understanding the.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 19th September 2015

Construction of Rusumo Falls Hydropower Project along Rwanda-Tanzania border to begin

 Construction works of the 80MW  Rusumo Falls hydropower project which is funded by the World Bank and the African Development Bank is set to begin next year. The construction project will be located at Rusumo Falls along Rwanda-Tanzania border . The announcement comes after the families who were living in the area were relocated.   “Holding other factors constant, the civil works should start in the first quarter of 2016,” said William Katete, the.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 19th September 2015

South Africa: Exploring Sources of Energy for SA

Pretoria — Energy experts on Friday exchanged views on how South Africa can explore various avenues of generating energy to supply its citizens with sufficient and affordable power.   At the 20th National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) Annual Summit held in Pretoria, on Friday, the experts attempted to come up with possible solutions to the electricity challenges facing the country, which do not only affect business and the country's economy, but people.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 19th September 2015

Nigeria: Commission Inaugurates Enforcement Task Force On Electricity Supply

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, on Friday inaugurated an enforcement task team on electricity supply.   The Chairman of the Commission, Sam Amadi, said the inauguration of the task force on regulatory enforcement became necessary following recent improvement in available electricity to consumers.   Mr. Amadi attributed the improvement in electricity supply in the country in recent times to the efforts of the Commission to enforce industry.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 19th September 2015

Sudan Says 2015 Gold Production Reached 54 Tonnes

Khartoum — The Sudanese Minister of Minerals, Ahmed El Sadeg El Karori, announced yesterday that the country's gold production amounted to 54 tonnes in the past eight months. Against the current market price of US$35,579 per ton, the production value would be close to 1,9 billion dollar.   Sudan is emerging as one of Africa's top gold producers. The Minister said that only 10 tonnes of the production is coming from companies, and the remaining from traditional mining.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 19th September 2015

Southern Africa: Namibia Subsidises Botswana's Diamond Industry

Not too long ago, diamond profits and taxes were seen as the most single biggest source of Namibia's state revenue.   Now, many would tell you that the main source of revenue is actually import duty from the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu), which is only partially right. By 2014 Sacu revenue for Namibia's tax coffers was estimated at 37% of total government income. This is down from the peak of 47% in 2007, but Namibia remains highly dependent on Sacu income.   A.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 19th September 2015

Zambia: Mines Ask for Relief On Investment

THE Zambia Chamber of Mines (ZCM) recommends that deduction of capital allowances for the mining industry should be reverted to 100 per cent on total capital expenditure per annum.   ZCM president Nathan Chishimba said in submissions for the 2016 National budget that most mining expansion projects were long term in nature and that it was important to give relief during that period of investment.   "For example sinking a shaft takes three to four years. It is.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 19th September 2015

Africa: CIO Mining Africa Summit to Bring a New Dawn for the Mining CIO

With technology being dynamic and more and more organisations adopting Cloud and Big Data technologies, it is essential for any organisation that wants to be successful to have a CIO.   This has seen the role of the CIO in any organisation evolve in the recent past not only in the IT industries but across all sectors. More and more organisations see how IT can revolutionize the work environment therefore appreciating the role a CIO plays in the organisation.   It is in.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 19th September 2015

Tunisia: Gafsa - Phosphate Production Has Reached 1.6 Million Tonnes Since Early 2015

Gafsa — Production of the Gafsa Phosphate Company (CPG) has reached 1 million tonnes from the beginning of this year until August, including 707 thousand tonnes in the months of July and August.   Production activities in units under the CPG have resumed in the mining cities after seven months of interruption as a result of protests observed by unemployed people in production sites.   Director of Production Monitoring and Control Hafedh Ben Yahia said phosphate.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 19th September 2015

Sh49.6 billion solar project launched in Kenya to generate clean energy

 This is part of the country's strategy to embrace green energy and avoid over-dependence on sources of power that are harmful to the environment. The Sh49.6 billion project will be spearheaded by the Government through the Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (TARDA) in collaboration with Ultra Clean Energy Solutions (EA) Limited and Hitachi India (PVT) Limited. Speaking during the launch of a four-year strategic plan (2014-2018), TARDA Managing Director Steven Ruimuku.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 18th September 2015