China boosts Rwanda agriculture

Over the years, the Chinese government has supported a number of sectors in the Rwandan economy notably the agricultural sector which employs an estimated 90 per cent of the Rwandan population.    East African Business Week  talked to the Minister of State in Charge of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Tony Nsanganira, on how through the training of farmers and mechanisation of the sector, the Chinese have enabled Rwandan farmers to significantly increase their.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 24th August 2015

Ugandan farmers advised on seeds

KAMPALA, Uganda - Scientist’s at the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) have suggested small scale farmers form cooperatives.    “When small holder farmers form cooperatives, NARO can support them with technical skills to enable them establish community seed banks. When this is done we shall solve the problem of counterfeit seeds  on the market and poor market distribution. Farmers have been alleging that they are being supplied with fake.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 24th August 2015

Singapore firm to market Rwanda honey

KIGALI, Rwanda - Rwanda’s target of boosting exports by 28% every year by 2018 were underpinned by The Apairy Limited, a Singaporean company.   They have presented to Rwandan beekeepers a proposal of partnership last week which once concluded will allow the investor to work directly with honey producers.   Esther Su from The Apiary Ltd expressed the interests on August 17, 2015 while meeting with representatives of 20 honey producing cooperatives from across the.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 24th August 2015

Sugar will test EAC Common Market bid

Ever since Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta promised his Ugandan counterpart, President Yoweri Museveni that restrictions on Ugandan sugar imports into Kenya would be eased, a sense of misplaced calamity has befallen the Kenya sugar belt region.   A leading opposition leader said he was not against Ugandan sugar being imported to Kenya, but the Kenya sugar industry must be protected.     Although understandable, this type of thinking does not bode well for the East.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 24th August 2015

Tanzania: Agricultural Exports Rise Significantly

FOREIGN exchange earnings from agribusiness have registered substantial growth, thanks to the increase of export price and value of some agriculture products.   The increased flow of export earnings from agriculture is good news to the stability of the shilling that in recent months experienced sharp fall against the US dollars. Despite the growing demand for the US dollars from the importer demand, local currency has of late continued to strengthen due to agricultural inflows..... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 24th August 2015

Nigeria: Mahindra Expands Operations to Nigeria

Mahindra Two Wheelers Limited, a member of the Mahindra Group has expanded its business operation to Nigeria with the launched of its two wheeler range in the country. Mahindra Group is a $16.9 billion automotive global business.   The firm has also appointed M/s VIP Merchandise Enterprise Limited as its distributor for Mahindra two wheelers which includes the Mahindra Arro and the Centuro.   Speaking at the launch, Head Exports, Mahindra Two Wheelers Ltd Sandeep Singh.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 24th August 2015

Erin Energy Enters Next Phase Of Exploration In Kenya’s Block L1b And L16

 The Kenyan Government has granted Erin Energy approval to enter the First Additional Exploration Period (FAEP) on its onshore blocks, L1B and L16.   This follows Erin Energy completion of the required work program for the Initial Exploration Period of the blocks earlier this year where it announced it had exercised its right, in accordance with the provisions of the Production Sharing Contracts, to apply for the FAEP and move to the next phase of.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 24th August 2015

Govt now owns 100 % shares in General Tyre.

 The government has acquired 100 per cent stake in the defunct General Tyre East Africa (GTEA) in an effort to revamp the once model tyre manufacturing plant in East and Central Africa.   However, despite the previous arrangement that gave it the majority shareholder of 74 per cent with the German firm Continental Arktiengesellschaft (Continental AG) holding a 26 per cent stake, the firm  failed to take off, igniting widespread anguish especially to the community in.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 22nd August 2015

Caterpillar’s new improved series launched for the Arican market

 Caterpillar has introduced the new F2-series range of machines – 422F2, 428F2, 432F2, 434F2 and 444F2 for the Middle East and Africa markets Depending on the model, engine-power choices include 56.5 kW (76.8 hp), 68.5 kW (93hp), 70 kW (95 hp), or 74.5 kW (101 hp) configurations. There’s a marked improvement in hydraulic oil flow – 422F2 from 125 litres per minute to 132 l/min, 428F2 and 434F2 from 125 l/min to 160 l/min and the 432F2 and 444F2 from 158 l/min.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 22nd August 2015

Dangote Cement : Yet another cement plant expansion in Africa

 Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote has announced plans to expand his company’s 1.5mn metric tonnes per annum (mmtpa) cement operations in Cameroon   In a meeting with Cameroon’s Prime Minister Philemon Yang, Dangote revealed that Dangote Cement is commissioning another cement production line in Yaounde, which will increase the company’s total cement output to more than three mmtpa. Dangote Group will invest about US$150mn to build the new cement factory.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 22nd August 2015

Portuguese firm Cimpor to expand presence in Africa

 Cimentos de Moçambique, a subsidiary of Portuguese cement producer Cimpor, has announced plans to invest US$250mn in a new integrated cement plant in Nacala, Mozambique The new facility is expected to start functioning from 2018. A statement issued by the company said, “The new capacity to be installed increases the efficiency of the response to local demand for cement, while Cimentos de Moçambique recognises its role in driving the sustainable economic.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 22nd August 2015

Oil Exploration; Major firms ignore Uganda, rush for Mozambican oil fields

 Mozambique announced closure of the Fifth Licensing round of 15 blocks with hydrocarbon potential in the offshore areas of Rovuma, Zambezi and Angoche, and the onshore areas of Pande-Temane and Palmeira on July 30, 2015. Following a call for applicants that commenced in October 2014, the nation emerged from the Request for application  process with seven successful applicants, from which, ‘Majors; Shell, ENI, TOTAL, Russian giant Gazprom and the world’s largest.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 22nd August 2015