Uganda: Real estate market showing signs of recovery

 Uganda’s property market has continued to show signs of recovery in the retail and office sectors, amid concerns over high interest rates and volatility of the shilling.   Retail performance, according to crane management services, remained vibrant during the first half of the year, with most shopping places registering more than 90% occupancy.   “Food, fashion and entertainment have been the biggest tools in driving demand for the shopping malls around.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 7th September 2015

REC and O Capital to drive solar energy projects in Africa

 Egyptian solar energy solutions provider REC and Orascom Telecom Media and Technology Holding subsidiary O Capital have announced a new venture to provide turnkey solar solutions in Egypt, Middle East and Africa solarpanel MinkS pixabayThe MENA region offers great potential in solar energy development, which REC and O Capital are keen to tap into The agreement entails REC providing its engineering services in solar solutions, while O Capital will manage tender processes for.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 7th September 2015

Toyota Tsusho sponsored construction of fertilizer plant in Kenya to start

 A US$ 1.2bn fertilizer plant in Kenya is set to be constructed in a move that will see the cost of the farm input reduce significantly.   The fertilizer plant in Kenya which received funding from the Kenyan Government and Toyota Tsusho East Africa through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is expected to ease the manufacturing, distribution and supply of fertilizer.   “We expect the cost of production of fertilizer to reduce significantly upon completion of.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 7th September 2015

The East Africa Community, The World Bank and Partners Discuss Integrated Solutions to the Development of Key Trading Corridors

 The East African Community (EAC) and the World Bank today hosted a convention to assess the challenges and opportunities in improving connectivity along key trading corridors to facilitate regional integration in East Africa. The Integrated Corridor Development convention, held at the UNESCO headquarters, brought together representatives from major bilateral and multi-lateral donor organizations, to discuss solutions to facilitate the funding of corridor development in.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 7th September 2015

SA'S 'Big Five': Bold Priorities for Inclusive Growth

Focusing on South Africa's 'Big Five' growth opportunities could deliver significant GDP growth, create jobs and confound a rising sense of pessimism about the nation's future prospects. A new report released today by the McKinsey Global Institute and the global management consultancy's Johannesburg office, sets out a series of tangible measures - deliverable in the short to medium term - which could provide the means to reignite South Africa's growth, adding over one trillion rand.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 7th September 2015

ArcelorMittal to discuss closure of melt shop in Vereeniging

ArcelorMittal SA said on Monday it had "no option but to commence consultations" with stakeholders regarding the closure of its melt shop and forge at its Vereeniging specialised steel works. It also said it would review its unprofitable main Vanderbijlpark works and associated group corporate services, with a view to optimising structures and costs. This would be concluded by the end of October after consultations with all employees and unions, to assess alternatives to.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 7th September 2015

SAVA survey focused on phasing out of heavy metals

The Product Stewardship Programme (PSP) survey, conducted by the Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA), focused on the levels of compliance of member companies with regards to the phasing out of heavy metals during the production process, as well as the recycling of PVC products. "One of the major objectives the local PVC industry had to meet this past year was the phasing out of potentially dangerous or hazardous heavy metals from the PVC production process, including.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 7th September 2015

Davies imposes steel tariffs with conditions

Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies has come to the rescue of the beleaguered steel industry, approving a 10% ad valorem duty on certain imported steel products, which currently enter the country free of duty.   Stringent conditions:   His approval, however, is subject to certain stringent conditions - including that steel producers refrain from increasing prices for the products subject to the duty and that they honour their commitments to reduce prices on some.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 7th September 2015

African firms invest in new tech to intensify global competition

THE rapid growth of the mining industry, especially in Central Africa, is being mirrored in the market for mining explosives and chemicals across Sub-Saharan Africa. Almost 65 percent of major and minor mining firms in the region indicated that they would increase expenditure on explosives and chemicals in 2015, thereby stimulating a tepid market environment.   The mining industry has been propelled by relative political stability in previously volatile regions, such as the.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 7th September 2015

Steel coatings firm appoints sales agent in Europe, Middle East & Africa

Tesla NanoCoatings and Norwegian Drilling Group have launched a new class of corrosion protection coatings targeting the oil and shipping industries. Corrosion in these industries is a major maintenance issue that can severely hamper operations. Tesla NanoCoatings' products utilize carbon nanotechnology to prevent corrosion and extend the life of oil platforms and equipment as well as ships.   "We are very excited to partner with Norwegian Drilling Group to change the.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 7th September 2015

Uganda to restrict multinationals use of expats in oil sector

 Dozith Abeinomugisha, assistant commissioner in the petroleum directorate at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, told the newspaper that, basically, international oil companies (IOCs) would be banned from bringing expatriates into the country to occupy positions that qualified Ugandans can do.   "We have coordinated with the Ministry of Internal Affairs to ensure that no expatriate will get a work permit unless he or she has a recommendation from the.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 5th September 2015

Kibo says Tanzania power project will be competitive

 Dual-listed Kibo Mining expects its Mbeya coal-to-power (MCPP) project, in Tanzania, to produce electricity at “well below” national electricity tariffs. “Tanzania has varied electricity tariffs; it can be anything form $0.18/kWh to $0.35/kWh, but our project will come in well below the existing going rate,” CEO Louis Coetzee told Mining Weekly Online. He pointed out that Kibo was in negotiations with power utility Tanzania Electric Supply Company, as.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 5th September 2015