Africa
Japan and Austria support NDCs of African countries
The governments of Japan and Austria have approved a USD1-million fund to strengthen the participation of the private sector in combating climate change. The funding will be channelled to the Africa Private Sector Assistance (FAPA) grant, which aims to expand the role of the private sector in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of African countries. FAPA is a multi-donor thematic trust that provides grant funding for technical assistance, as part of the African Development Bank’s Private Sector Development Strategy. NDCs are national efforts to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions and form part of the Paris Agreement on climate change. The project will be implemented by the Climate Change and Green Growth Department of the African Development Bank.
Source: ESI Africa
Africa
New Task Force to accelerate the African wind market
The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) has set up a new Task Force to speed up and facilitate the development of wind energy in Africa. The Task Force brings together leading developers, manufacturers and associations that are active in the African market, including Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, Vestas, the South Africa Wind Energy Association, Africa Europe Energy Partnership, RES4Africa, Mainstream Renewable Power, Acciona Energia, GE Renewable Energy, NRG Systems, DNV-GL, Nordex, Goldwind, Aurora Wind Power. The Task Force intends to, amongst others, advise governments on regulatory frameworks and auction systems; develop and grandfather holistic approach initiatives for accelerating private investment in the wind power sector in Africa, and foster regional power pool dialogues to maximise the development of wind power potential.
Source: ESI Africa
Africa
A Pan-African free trade deal just came into force
While US-China trade tensions continue to escalate, Africa is quietly putting together a free trade agreement that spans the continent. The Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) came into force after clearing a key procedural hurdle and being ratified by the parliaments of 24 countries. The commissioner of Trade and Industry for the African Union, Albert Muchanga, confirmed in a tweet that the agreement is now in force and that a unified market would be launched July 7. So far, 52 countries have signed the agreement. Nigeria, Africa's largest economy, has so far refused saying it needs to consult with domestic economic stakeholders before making a decision.
Source: CNN
Ethiopia
Renewable energy programme targets to install 1,000MW
The World Bank’s board of executive directors have approved USD200-million Renewable Energy Guarantees Programme (REGREP) to mobilise International Development Association (IDA) guarantees under a Multi-Phased Programmatic Approach (MPA). The programme will support the government of Ethiopia’s ongoing power sector reforms and leverage private sector financing for renewable energy generation. REGREP will support the development of over 1,000MW of greenfield solar and wind energy Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects in Ethiopia, including the World Bank Group Scaling Solar initiative. The REGREP marks the first IDA guarantees under deployment in Ethiopia.
Source: ESI Africa
Ethiopia
Reykjavik Geothermal to begin exploration drilling in Ethiopia
Reykjavik Geothermal, a power developer backed by hedge fund billionaire Paul Tudor Jones II, is about to kick off a USD4.4-billion project in September to bring volcanic energy to Ethiopia. Tapping long-built Icelandic expertise in channelling volcanic power, the developer is preparing to start exploration drilling in September for two 500-megawatt plants in Corbetti and Tulu Moye, south of the capital Addis Ababa. At full-scale, each project would become the largest independent power producer in Africa, according to RG. The Reykjavik-based company’s exploration teams have picked spots to drill where they can see steam rising from the ground, according to Bloomberg.
Source: New Business Ethiopia
Guinea
IFC and MIGA invest USD460-million in Guinea’s bauxite, rail and port projects
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and MIGA, members of the World Bank Group, have announced a USD460-million debt and guarantee package to support the sustainable development of the Guinea Alumina Corporation bauxite project and associated rail and port infrastructure in Guinea. The approximately USD1.4-billion project, which is being developed by GAC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Emirates Global Aluminium. The project is one of the largest foreign investments in Guinea. It involves the development of a 12-million-tonne-per-annum bauxite mine, the expansion of multi-user rail infrastructure along the Sangarédi-Kamsar transport corridor, and the construction of a new export port terminal at Kamsar.
Source: Africa Business Communities
Ivory Coast
Société Ivoirienne de Télédiffusion partners with SES for major digital switch
Ivory Coast’s public broadcasting company, the Société Ivoirienne de Télédiffusion (SIDT) has selected SES as its digital partner in a major move to meet the country’s 2020 deadline for switching over from analogue to digital broadcasting. Under this multi-year agreement, 60 analogue turned digital channels will be broadcast with a brighter, sharper picture and better sound, via the SES-4 satellite at 22 degrees West. SES will be using the comprehensive coverage of SES-4 to ensure high service availability of bandwidth and to broadcast all channels via the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) infrastructure across Ivory Coast.
Source: Africa Business Communities
Kenya
KCB shareholders approve NBK buyout
KCB Group Loading shareholders approved the acquisition of National Bank of Kenya Limited (NBK) through a share swap. In the deal, KCB will acquire 100% of the issued ordinary shares of NBK. The approval came after KCB Group made an offer to NBK on April 18, for the acquisition of 100% of the shares of NBK through a share swap of 10 ordinary shares of NBK for every one ordinary share of KCB. The transaction is subject to regulatory and NBK shareholders’ approvals. The acquisition is part of KCB’s ongoing strategy to explore opportunities for new growth while investing in and maximising returns from existing businesses.
Source: Business Daily
Kenya
Voltalia secures 55MW solar plant construction job in Kenya
French renewable power producer Voltalia SA has won a contract to build a 55-MW solar park in Kenya for independent power producer Alten Energias Renovables. Under the deal, awarded through a competitive selection, Voltalia will install the photovoltaic (PV) plant in the municipality of Eldoret, Uasin Gishu state. Additionally, it will deliver operation and maintenance (O&M) services for the plant for 10 years, it announced. The construction phase of the project has already commenced and the commissioning of the plant is scheduled for end-2020. According to the statement, the photovoltaic (PV) project is the second largest of its kind in Central and Eastern Africa and will support Kenya in achieving its goal of providing universal electricity access in the country by 2020.
Source: Energy Mix Report
Kenya
World Bank approves USD750-million to support Kenya’s housing, agriculture and fiscal management
The World Bank Board of Directors has approved a USD750-million International Development Association (IDA) credit to support the Government of Kenya’s reforms to enhance inclusive growth, accelerate poverty reduction and achieve its Vision 2030 objective of becoming a middle-income industrialised country. The operation lends support to the government’s “Big Four” agenda which prioritises agriculture, affordable housing, universal health coverage, and manufacturing. In agriculture, the Kenya Inclusive Growth and Fiscal Management Development Policy Financing facility will support critical reforms that will enhance competition and market transparency, reduce corruption opportunities, and help Kenyan farmers to achieve higher productivity and to increase their incomes.
Source: Africa Business Communities
Kenya
CMA grants Nairobi Securities Exchange approval to launch Derivatives Exchange Market
The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has granted approval to Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) to launch and operate the Derivatives Exchange Market pursuant to the Capital Markets Act and the Capital Markets (Derivatives Markets) Regulations, 2015. ‘The approval granted to the NSE to operationalise a Derivatives Market marks the achievement of a flagship project under the Economic Pillar of Kenya’s Vision 2030. The Derivatives Market will facilitate deeper and more liquid capital markets and position Kenya closer to becoming the Heart of Capital Markets Investment in Africa, as envisioned in the Capital Markets Master Plan’, noted CMA Chief Executive, Mr. Paul Muthaura, MBS.
Source: Africa Business Communities
Mali
Second bedrock discovery confirmed at gold mine in Mali
ASX-listed Oklo Resources has announced further encouraging assay results from its Kouroufing project, located 20 km southeast of its flagship Dandoko Project in West Mali. “The new AC results from Kome have confirmed another bedrock gold discovery within our Kouroufing Project during the 2019 field season. With several other auger anomalies pending deeper drill testing, our confidence in the Project hosting multiple, high-grade gold trends is growing by the day," says Okla MD, Simon Taylor. "Meanwhile, the current drilling program at Dandoko along the 12 km-long gold corridor is testing between Seko 2 and 3 as well as along the full length of the corridor and is continuing to provide the opportunity to further enhance the company’s already fertile exploration pipeline.”
Source: Mining Review Africa
Mozambique
Eni acquires rights in 3 new exploration licences in Mozambique
Eni, through its subsidiary Eni Mozambico, has acquired rights to explore and develop offshore Blocks A5-B, Z5-C and Z5-D, located in the deep waters of the Angoche and Zambezi Basins. Through a farm-in agreement, signed with ExxonMobil and authorised by Mozambican institutions, Eni acquires a 10% stake in the three blocks. Block A5-B is located about 1,300 kms northeast of the capital Maputo, in a completely unexplored area of the city of Angoche. It has an area of 6,080 sq kms at a water depth of between 1,800 and 2,500 meters. Blocks Z5-C and Z5-D cover a total area of 10,205 sq kms, at a water depth between 500 and 2,100 meters, in a scarcely explored area facing the delta of the Zambezi River, about 800 kms to the north-east of the capital Maputo.
Source: Energy Mix Report
Nigeria
FG engages investors for development of 2,110MW hydropower projects
The Federal Government (FG) has commenced talks with investors for the development of three hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 2,110 megawatts. It was gathered that the projects include the 360MW Gurara II Hydropower Plant, 750MW Lokoja Hydropower Plant and 1,000MW Makurdi Hydropower Plant. The Minister of Water Resources, Sulieman Adamu, who disclosed this at his valedictory press conference in Abuja, also revealed that the process for concession of the 40MW Kashimbilla Hydropower Plant, recently completed, had also commenced. He said The National Water Resources Masterplan has identified that Nigeria has a hydropower potential of 12,220MW.
Source: Energy Mix Report
Nigeria
Korean energy firm looks to partner Kogi Govt on solar plant
Korean Energy company, FINEECO has met with the Kogi State Government with a bid to establishing a solar power plant as the nation moves towards renewable energy. The company said the strategic location of the state and its economy were key factors that convinced it to set up the plant, with the hopes of reaching other parts of the country with its product. Speaking for the Korean businessmen after a closed-door meeting with some officials of the Kogi government in Abuja, Martin Ezemma, said that it was about time that the nation takes advantage of the abundance of Sunlight in the generation of power to meet the nation’s needs.
Source: Energy Mix Report
Nigeria
GTBank, DBN invest USD70-million to boost Nigeria SMEs
In line with its long-term commitment to growing small and medium enterprises, African Financial Institution, Guaranty Trust Bank plc, is partnering with the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) to disburse approximately USD70-million, funding to entrepreneurs in Nigeria’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector. The funding is the single largest disbursement by the DBN to any financial Institution in Nigeria since it commenced operations. The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) was set up by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) as a wholesale development finance institution (DFI) to address the major financing challenges facing Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.
Source: Africa Business Communities
Republic of Congo
Russia and Congo sign agreement over the peaceful use of atomic energy
Russia and Congo have signed the intergovernmental agreement of the cooperation in the peaceful uses of atomic energy. It was signed during an official visit of President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso to Moscow. The signing of the Agreement greenlights the start of an active nuclear dialogue between Moscow and Brazzaville. It will allow implementing specific cooperation projects over a wide range of directions, including creation and improvement of nuclear infrastructure; production of radioisotopes to be used in industry, nuclear medicine and agriculture; education, training and retraining of specialists for the nuclear industry.
Source: Energy Mix Report
Senegal
Senegal takes delivery of wind turbines for its first large-scale wind farm
Vestas wind turbines and components arrived at Port Autonome de Dakar for West Africa's first large-scale wind farm. The wind turbines will be transported by road for delivery of generation equipment for Senegal's Parc Eolien Taiba N’Diaye (PETN) wind farm project. Privately-owned UK renewable power company Lekela expects the wind farm, located in Taiba Ndiaye, about 100km from Senegal’s capital Dakar, to reach 158.7MW by 2020. Once constructed, the wind farm will consist of 46 Vestas wind turbines that can produce 3.45MW each. They will utilise a 117 metre tubular steel tower and have blade length of 61.7 metre, giving a large swept area of 12,469m2. The USD342-million farm will be roughly half financed by Lekela, and the other half split between US-based Overseas Private Investment Corporation and Danish export credit company EKF.
Source: ESI Africa
South Sudan
South Sudan launches international gateway to boost telecom sector
South Sudan has launched its maiden International Gateway which will ease call rates and boost internet services offered by its two leading telecom companies. Michael Makuei Lueth, minister of information and broadcasting, said the country will benefit from quality international communication for voice and data besides improving on the hitherto slow internet connectivity within the east African nation. "The new (international) gateway we are launching is a public-private partnership with international partners experienced in telecommunication that includes shared revenue agreement with the government and also promotion of low cost and quality voices and data traffic to the world," said Lueth in Juba.
Source: Africa Business Communities
Tanzania
Tanzania plans to build a new pipeline with Zambia for refined petroleum
In a bid to ease the transportation of refined petroleum products between both countries, Tanzania has disclosed plans to build another pipeline linking it with Zambia. Constructing the new pipeline will cost USD1.5-billion and the project will be co-executed by both countries. The pipeline would run from the commercial capital Dar es Salaam to Zambia’s mining city of Ndola, Tanzania’s Energy minister, Medard Kalemani revealed in a presentation of his ministry’s 2019/20 budget in Dar’s administrative capital Dodoma. “The project will reduce challenges in transporting petroleum products in the countries that use our ports to import fuel and open up business opportunities. The project will be implemented jointly by Zambia and Tanzania,” Kalemani said.
Source: Ventures Africa
Zambia
France’s leading wind and solar energy company to install 10 more mini-grids in Zambia
France’s leading wind and solar energy company ENGIE, has pledged to install ten (10) more mini-grids (PowerCorner) in Zambia. The company inaugurated its first PowerCorner in Zambian’s Chitandika Village in Eastern Province an event witnessed by ENGIE’s top management and the Energy Minister, Hon. Mr. Mathew Nkhuwa. ENGIE is a French Multinational utility company which operates in the fields of electricity generation and distribution, natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy and a leading wind and solar energy company in France. And Zambia’s Ambassador to France Dr. Christine Kaseba-Sata expressed gratitude and called for more French investment in the energy sector and off-grid solutions.
Source: Lusaka Times
