African countries agree to curb illegal timber trade in the Congo Basin

A breakthrough for sustainable and legal development of the wood industry. Governments from Africa's main timber producing  countries, together with timber industry representatives and civil society organizations agreed to jointly combat illegal timber trade in the Congo Basin, FAO said today following an international wood industry meeting in Brazzaville. Covering an area of 300 million hectares, the Congo Basin harbours the world's second largest tropical forest.  It.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 16th September 2014

Solar Industry in Africa: Moving Consumers Up The Energy Ladder

 After successfully catalyzing the market for clean, affordable solar lighting products in the unelectrified, largely rural areas of Africa, the Lighting Africa program is moving up the energy ladder to support products that provide a wider range of energy services, beyond lighting and cellphone charging. This expansion into larger systems is prompted by consumer and industry demands, as well as rapid development of new technology, and the emergence of new business models which.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 16th September 2014

Solar power taking center stage in the midst of SA energy crisis

 With corporate and industrial energy management on the rise in South Africa, PV is set to play a huge part in the movement towards energy efficiency. Trina Solar Limited, a global leader in photovoltaic modules, solutions, and services, has entered the South African market at an opportune time, with the sun-drenched country in the midst of an ongoing energy crisis. With unreliable energy supplies costing the economy billions, inconveniencing businesses and consumers alike, the.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 16th September 2014

Egypt to tender five US$ 2.8 b new technology parks project

 The government of Egypt has unveiled plans to tender five projects to construct modern technology parks across the country at an estimated US$ 2.8 b to boost its revenues. This follows planned issuance of a unified landline and mobile telecoms licenses. Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Mr. Atef Helmy, confirmed the planed issuance of the bids for the five projects. Mr Helmy also said that the technology parks projects will be offered.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 16th September 2014

Chinese firms to construct the new US$ 700m Gebba River Dam, Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Government has awarded a contract for the construction of a new Gebba River Dam. The cost of the contract is US$700m. It will be built along Gebba River, near the border of Jimma and Illubabur zones of the Oromia Regional State. The contract for the new Gebba River Dam was awarded through the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo), which is mandated to producing, transmitting, distributing and selling electrical energy in accordance with economic and social.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 16th September 2014

Tanzania: As Dar Port Gets Sh800 Billion for Expansion

 A MEMORANDUM of Understanding (MoU) between Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), Ministry of Transport and World Bank, UK's Department for International Development (DFID) with Trade Mark East Africa has been signed for a 500 million US dollars (over 800bn/-) financing for Dar es Salaam port expansion and modernisation. The MoU signing ceremony was witnessed by Transport Minister, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe and visiting World Bank Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, Sri.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 16th September 2014

Algeria postpones oil and gas bids to accommodate foreign companies

 The government of Algeria has confirmed postponement of the oil and gas bids for its plants till end of September this year.   This comes after the government submitted to the request by international energy companies to delay the process further, to allow some foreign more time to assess the potential of all the fields.   ALNAFT, an energy agency that is handling bids said earlier this year June that the delay would be effected until September 4.   The.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 15th September 2014

Nigeria: China Indicates More Interest in Nigeria's Oil, Gas

 MR Liu Kan, the Consul-General of the Consulate General of People's Republic of China in Lagos, on Thursday expressed his country's growing interest in Nigeria's oil and gas industry.   Liu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that China would also depend on Nigeria to satisfy the demand of her increasing population for crude oil and gas.   "China is the most populous nation in the world and her demand for oil and gas is increasing by the.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 15th September 2014

Ethiopia: New UK Company Acquires Oil Exploration Blocks in Ogaden

 A new UK-based company, Delonex Energy Limited, two weeks ago acquired oil exploration blocks in the Ogaden basin, in eastern Ethiopia.   Delonex Energy is an oil and gas exploration company focused on sub-Saharan Africa. In a statement issued on August 25, Delenox Energy said that the Ethiopian Ministry of Mines had awarded it an exploration license in the Ogaden basin.   The license area covers blocks 18, 19, and 21, located in the Abred-Ferfer area, with a total.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 15th September 2014

Nigeria: Access Expansion Drive - FG Leverages On Draft National Policy On Renewable Energy

 The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo has disclosed that the proposed National Policy on Renewable Energy and energy efficiency has been conceived by Government to drive its quest for electricity expansion nation-wide.   The Minister, who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant, Prof, Chidi Onyia, averred that the proposed policy framework that will drive renewable energy issues is a product that would be well accepted internally and externally. He thus urged.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 15th September 2014

Ethiopia: Geothermal Plant to Be Operational in April - Ministry

 Ethiopia is striving for the operation of the Aluto-Langano geothermal power plant with installed capacity of 70mw power in this fiscal year, the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy said.   Energy Study and Development Follow-up Director, Gosaye Mengistie said over 78 percent of construction of the geothermal plant has so far been finalized.   It is expected that the plant will commence operation in April.   Launched in 2013, the expansion of the.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 15th September 2014

Saudi Arabi agrees to supply Zambia with petroleum

 Zambia and Saudi Arabia have agreed terms on a possible government-to-government deal that will enable the oil-rich Middle East country to supply the mineral-rich State with petroleum in bulk on a long-term basis. Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Christopher Yaluma said in an interview that Saudi Arabia had agreed to supply Zambia with significant quantities of petroleum on a government-to-government contract to be signed soon. Mr Yaluma disclosed that a delegation.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 15th September 2014