Latest African business news, economy, corporate, markets updates

Africa’s largest solar carport in Kenya to be opened at newly constructed Garden City mall

Africa’s largest solar carport in Kenya constructed by Solarcentury is set to be opened at the newly constructed Garden City mall. The move is set to cut carbon emissions by around 745 tonnes annually.

Solarcentury said that the constructed solar carport in Kenya will use the dual-mode technology which is a highly innovative energy solution that provides solar energy during the day implying that less is used from the grid; and when the grid i.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 21st September 2015

Meta Beer Invests 90 Million Br for Sourcing Malt Barley

Meta Abo Brewery S.C. invested 90 million Br in three years for sourcing beer malt barley. Of this sum, 12m Br was dedicated to providing pre-financing to all of its smallholder farmers, and purchasing 8,000 tons of local barley from both commercial and smallholder farm sources.

Meta partnered directly with 6,113 smallholder farmers in Arsi, West Arsi and South West Shewa Zones, providing training, interest free pre-financing, quality seeds and fertilise.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 21st September 2015

Kenya: Usiu Gest Sh33 Million Agri-Business Kitty

The USIU-Africa Global Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship Center has received a Sh33.9 million grant from Cultivate Africa's Future, a joint programme of the International

Development Research Center of Canada and the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research.

The 18-month funding programme will support expansion of business opportunities for youth in the fish and poultry sectors in Kenya to help t.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 21st September 2015

Kenya: Country to Focus On China to Accelerate Agricultural Transformation

Nairobi — Kenya will strengthen agricultural cooperation with China in order to transform the sector through technology adoption, value addition and irrigation, a government official said on Wednesday.

Sicily Kariuki, the Principal Secretary in the State Department of Agriculture, said Kenya will strengthen agricultural cooperation with Beijing in strategic areas like research, investments in irrigation alongside post harvest storage infrastructure.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 21st September 2015

Namibia: Fisheries to Rethink Freshwater Aquaculture

According to the Ministry of Fisheries, legislation and regulations changes are needed to ensure parity with other food production sectors in advancing the promoting of pro-poor uptake of freshwater aquaculture.

Current freshwater fish production is low with estimates of only 50-100 tonnes per year even with the establishment of a series of Inland Aquaculture Centres and farms in Omusati, Oshana, Kavango, Otjozondjupa and Zambezi Regions and a fish feed .... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 21st September 2015

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, Nethe.... 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 seal.... Read more »