African Web platform aims to close funding gap for energy projects

 A new online platform is being launched in a bid to link developers of small-scale African energy projects directly with investors and technical advisers with the aim of accelerating the deployment of such projectsacross the continent.   Known as GENHUB-Africa, the initiative has received the backing of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) Planning and Coordinating Agency and is due to be formally launched by the end of August.   The objective of.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 21st August 2014

Angola s 1300km, Chinese-built railway is finished

  One of China’s biggest construction firms finished building a 1,344km railway in Angola, Africa this week, and plans to put it into operation this year.   The $1.83bn project, carried out by China Railway Construction, rehabilitated sections of the old Portuguese-built Benguela railway linking Angola’s Atlantic port of Lobito to the eastern border town of Luau.   The new railway is the second-longest railroad built by the Chinese overseas, state news.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 21st August 2014

Tanzania: Aga Khan Development Network to Invest U.S. $1 Billion (Sh1.6 Trillion)in Expansion Plans for Tanzania

THE recent visit by His Highness the Aga Khan has opened up Tanzania to greater investments in the economic and social development of the country.     The current Aga Khan, who has been a friend of Tanzania since before independence is a keen follower and partner in the socio-economic development of mostly underdeveloped or developing nations, especially in Africa and Asia. Shah Karim's love for Tanzania has amply been proved by his frequent visits to the country having.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 20th August 2014

Tanzania: Cotton Farmers Receive Training On Use of Pesticides

THE Cotton and Textile Development Programme (CTDP) is promoting 20 high-performing farmers to become village-based agro dealers in-charge of quality inputs.     The dealers, according to CTDP Input Market Manager Ms Lillian Magak, have been trained by experts from the Arusha-based Tropical Pesticides Research Institute (TPRI) to ensure that they buy seeds on time, and from reliable sources.     "TPRI taught village-based experts on how to identify.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 20th August 2014

Kenya: Mombasa Sets Aside Sh165 Million for Roads

THE Mombasa government has set aside Sh165 million to improve transport and infrastructure in Mombasa town. Eight projects have started. Governor Hassan Joho said the projects include reconstruction of existing roads, creating new ones and improving the city's drainage system.     Bridges, street lights and car parks will also be constructed. Joho said they will soon commission 15km of upgraded bitumen standard roads to spur economic growth and promote easier.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 20th August 2014

Tanzania: Natural Gas Comes Ashore

Natural gas discovered off the coast of Tanzania is now reaching the consumer as the first homes in Dar es Salaam are connected up. The hope is that energy will now become cheaper. Tanzania's Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) has begun implementing an ambitious gas project. The aim is to supply hundreds of residents in the commercial capital of Dar es Salaam with natural gas to their homes for domestic use. The pilot project, which was launched July this year, is already.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 20th August 2014

Tanzania: Green Rock Energy Advances Graphite Due Diligence

 GREEN Rock Energy's first phase of on-site exploration due diligence at Mahenge North Graphite Project in Tanzania is due to be finalised this week.     A total of 570 metres of trenching was completed, consisting of 400 metres of new trenches across Epanko North lodes and 170 metres of cleaning and reviewing historic trenches on these lodes.     Mapping and trenching indicates that graphite mineralisation within the tenement extends at least 3.5.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 20th August 2014

TN Harlequin Luxaire (Lifestyle Holdings Limited) to explore East Africa through The Big3 Africa 2015.

TN Harlequin Luxaire (Lifestyle Holdings Limited) to explore East Africa through The Big3 Africa 2015.   The Big 3 Africa is the ultimate exhibition which will house the three most exciting sectors in the east African region namely Building Hardware, Material, Bathroom & Kitchen from 7th to 9th May 2015 at KICC, Nairobi – Kenya. TN Harlequin Luxaire is the largest household furniture manufacturer and retailer in Zimbabwe. The company has been in the furniture.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 8th October 2014

Investors have growing role in developing East Africa's Energy Infrastructure

 Development finance institutions (DFIs) remain the big beasts in developing infrastructure and other major projects in much of Africa. The ‘blending’ of public and private finance has become a preoccupation for traditional donors looking to leverage their grants and loans to produce bigger funding flows to kick-start the continent’s infrastructure revolution, to catch up with sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)’s macroeconomic growth. More diversified forms of.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 20th August 2014

Syngenta establishes Africa s first seed care facility

 South Africa has become home to Africa’s first Seed Care Institute as agribusiness Syngenta on Tuesday opened its eleventh research and development (R&D) facility  The Africa Middle East (AME) Seed Care Institute, established at the company’s formulation, fill and packing plant, in the North West, aimed to stimulate the developing and testing of seed treatment and protection technologies to address the challenges of developing the continent’s complex.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 20th August 2014

Kenya: New Innovation of Milling Maize With the Cobs

 The culture of threshing maize grains and throwing away the cob might soon come to an end following an innovation to process edible flour from maize cobs. Many communities either throw away the cob or use it as animal feeds or fuel but this could change if this innovation is embraced.   Simon Mwaura, a biochemist and Hyaquip Kenya chief executive officer, has come up with a new way of milling the maize together with the cob to produce whole meal flour through organic.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 20th August 2014

Investments in fledgling seed companies could drive East African food output

 Locally-owned African seed companies participating in a programme to offer high-yield crop varieties to smallholder farmers across the continent have collectively become the largest seed producers in South & East Africa.    “The rapid growth of local seed companies over a very short time period is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit percolating in communities across Africa and to the pent-up demand among Africa’s smallholder farmers for.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 20th August 2014