Kenya: Forget greenhouses, Agronet technology is the in-thing

 You have heard of cases where mosquito nets have been used for other purposes, such as fishing or protecting vegetable gardens. Well, the idea around agronets is not too far from what farmers and fishermen do with mosquito nets, only these nets are made specifically for farmers. Agronet technology involves the use of agricultural synthetic nets that have been tested and can be used in managing key pests in horticultural crops. Pests account for up to 30 per cent of.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 22nd August 2014

Tanzanian vegetable growers use netting technology to control pests

 Northern Tanzania’s vegetable growers have started embracing AgroNet technology, which encourages the use of netting in horticulture to control crop pests. Florence Nkini is one of small-scale vegetable growers on the slopes of the Africa’s highest peak Mount Kilimanjaro, who have started benefiting from the new technology. Like other farmers in Koboko village of Siha district, Kilimanjaro region, Florence grows different types of vegetables such as tomatoes,.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 22nd August 2014

Tanzania: Sh56 Billion Bridge, Power Project Launched in Morogoro

  PRESIDENT Jakaya Kikwete kicked off his seven-day official tour of Morogoro Region on Wednesday by laying the foundation stone for the construction of the much-hyped 56bn/- Kilombero Bridge project as well as launching a mega rural electric power distribution project.   The bridge will help connect and ease transportation networks between Ulanga and Kilombero districts in the region. The project, which is being implemented by a Chinese firm, China Railway 15, will.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 22nd August 2014

Rwanda: Govt Moves to Woo Energy and Infrastructure Investors

Rwanda is seeking to use the forthcoming iPAD Rwanda Power and Infrastructure Investment Forum to woo investors for its energy and infrastructure sectors.   Amb. James Kimonyo, the Director for Cabinet in the Office of the Prime Minister, said the summit will provide an investment platform for Africa's next 'best' business opportunity that Rwanda should utilise fully.   "The meeting will provide market entry for international investors, as well as technology and.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 22nd August 2014

East Africa is to increase food export to Russia

 African suppliers are ready to export up to 100 000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables per week, previously delivered into Russia via EU. African producers intend to increase the direct export to Russia, bypass the European countries, - announced Elena Nagornaya, the President of the Trade Alliance of African countries in Russia. According to the results of 2014, East African countries have the opportunity to increase export of fresh products to Russia by 3-4 times. They are ready.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 22nd August 2014

Construction boom brightens future for East Africa

 It is a ‘boom’ as many people are describing the growth of East Africa Construction industry. Many investors have taken the advantage of the boom by shaking off their pockets to invest in skyscrapers, shopping malls, roads, schools, hospitals etc.   Both private and public sectors are in a hurry trying to satisfy the rising middle class and regional integration, and the E.A. governments still have the high stake in the sector. According to Frost & Sullivan.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 22nd August 2014

East Africa: EA Business Council Roots for Renewable Energy Devt

 The business community in the region has thrown its weight behind efforts aimed at promoting and developing the renewable energy sub-sector.   Fiona Uwera, the East African Business Council (EABC) technical liaison officer for Rwanda, said it is essential for the region to invest in renewable energy resources to reduce deficit.   "The potential of biofuels in the region is huge... However, this and other renewable energy resources have not yet been fully.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 21st August 2014

Nigeria: OSOPADEC Constructs N300 Million Pedestrian Bridge in Riverine Area

 Akure — Concerned by the difficulties being encountered by the residents of the riverine communities in accessing their homes, the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) has launched the construction of innovational footbridges worth N300 million in its mandate areas.   The bridges, which would be constructed in the OSOPADEC mandate areas of Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas, would cover a distance of over 10 kilometres in 157.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 21st August 2014

Ghana: Weston Oil and Gas Fund Launched

The Weston Oil and Gas Fund (WOGFund) has been launched to assist companies and other agencies involved in the oil and gas business. WOGFund is the first mutual fund of Weston Capital, a limited liability company incorporated in Ghana. Speaking at the launch in Accra, today, the CEO of Weston Capital, Mr Rex Kontor, said WOGFund was a publicly-incorporated Ghanaian company that would invest primarily in a diversified portfolio of debt instruments and equities of companies.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 21st August 2014

Nigeria: UNDP to Spend N21 Million On Energy Projects in Nasarawa

The Global Environment Facility - United Nations Development Programme (GEF-UNDP) said it would spend N21 million on the provision of sustainable energy-related projects in selected communities in Nasarawa State.   The National Coordinator of GEF-UNDP, Mr Etiosa Uyigue, said this at Karu, Nasarawa State in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).   Uyigue told NAN that the project would be executed in collaboration with the Energy Commission of Nigeria and.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 21st August 2014

World Bank to Invest in Energy Projects in 6 African countries

 The World Bank Group has committed 5 billion dollars in new technical and financial support for energy projects in six African countries; Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Tanzania.  Some of these have vast amounts of untapped geothermal resources that could greatly benefit from this funds. World Bank Group President, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, said the new financial commitment was urgently needed to generate more electricity for the people of Africa. The World Bank.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 21st August 2014

Tanzania: New Geothermal Firm Established

 BLESSED with the potential to generate over 4,000 megawatts of electricity from geothermal sources, the government has formed a company to steer the country into effectively and beneficially tapping it.   Operating as a subsidiary of Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco), the Tanzania Geothermal Development Company started operations in July this year, according to the Energy and Minerals Minister, Professor Sospeter Muhongo.   "We have huge potential in.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 21st August 2014