France has joined the list of countries courting Kenya for a multi-billion-dollar deal to build East Africa's first nuclear power plant.   French Economy and Finance minister Michel Sapin said the nuclear-rich European country was looking to offer Kenya technical, engineering and financial support to develop reactors.   Kenya plans to start building its first nuclear plant from 2022 in a five-year period at a cost of about $5.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 8th February 2017

Robots, the programmable machines that can be dispatched to perform certain duties are currently being manufactured in Arusha on trial basis by students who work under supervision by technological experts from Korea.   A total of 30 students from Suye and Moshono secondary schools in Arusha City have already started the 'Robot Making' programme, in which each institution has fielded 15 students for the technology demanding.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 7th February 2017

  On the evening of Friday 27th January 2017, members of the business community in Tanzania gathered at the Hyatt Regency Hotel to celebrate the most accomplished businesses of 2016. The event was the Tanzania Leadership Awards (TLA), which honors successful businesses that range from conglomerates with more than 500 employees, to small start-ups with a staff count of 2 to 4 employees.   Expogroup, a pioneer in the trade show.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 3rd February 2017

LEGISLATORS in the Lower House, on Tuesday, passed a series of Bills that will see Rwanda Natural Resources Authority (RNRA) dissolved and replaced by three independent and specialised bodies focused on oil, gas, and minerals as well as land, water, and forestry.   The basis of the draft laws was unanimously approved by the House, last week, when tabled by the Minister for Natural Resources, Dr Vincent Biruta, who also sought and.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 3rd February 2017

Dodoma — The service line charged by the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) for power connection is too high and needs to be revised, a Member Parliament declared here yesterday.   Daniel Mtuka, the Manyoni East legislator (CCM), said in the cost imposed by the company was unbearable for Tanzanians in rural and urban areas compared to the cost charged by the Rural Energy Agency (REA) for the same service.   "Most.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 2nd February 2017

The Government has welcomed the new ranking of the global Corruption Perception Index with officials promising to score higher next time.   The Corruption Perception Index, released yesterday in Kigali, placed Rwanda alongside Mauritius as third least corrupt country in sub-Saharan Africa.   The annual report, produced by Transparency International, ranked Rwanda 50th least corrupt country globally, retaining the same 54 per cent.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 1st February 2017

Affordable energy supply and reliable infrastructure are the main pillars in building up the country's economy.   As the Fifth Phase Government gears on building an industrial driven-economy, there is need for improving infrastructure to enable business activities to take place in ideal environments.   Among important areas that boost country's economy include active and fully operational ports, reliable roads, railways and many.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 1st February 2017

More and more financial institutions are increasingly turning to information and communication technologies (ICTs) to facilitate their operations as well as deliver new products to customers.   The trend is also aimed at increasing access to services and further deepening financial inclusion, according to sector analysts. On this front, Rwandans could soon be able to apply and receive startup capital and other types of soft loans on their.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 31st January 2017

Mombasa Cement is set to build a 36 megawatt (MW) wind farm in Kilifi for its own use and sale to Kenya Power.   The project, which consists of 12 turbines of 3MW each, will cost an estimated Sh260 million, according to regulatory filings submitted by the cement manufacturer.   The wind park will be build on a section of the 1,200 acres of land Mombasa Cement owns in Vipingo, on which it already operates a clinker factory that.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 30th January 2017

 The maiden visit of Rwanda President Paul Kagame to India has opened up a new avenue for Indian businesses and exporters. Speaking at the 8th Vibrant Gujarat Summit, a global business forum in India, President Kagame urged increased private sector investments from India, highlighting Rwanda as a competitive and conducive environment to do business with a favourable climate for investments. The summit witnessed the signing of a number of.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 24th January 2017

Arusha — An ambitious project to connect the North and the South points of Africa with a single power line through the Cairo-to- Cape Town grid is in the pipeline and may be functional within three years from now.   The Minister for Energy and Minerals Professor Sospeter Muhongo, revealed the proposed power project during the ongoing 24th Eastern Africa Power Pool Steering Committee Meeting taking place here, saying the special.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 24th January 2017

Kenya is injecting thermal electricity into the national grid to compensate for hydro generation -- which has affected by low water levels due to poor rainfall last year.   The government has ruled out loadshedding, but the use of electricity generated from plants that use expensive diesel and fuel oil sets the stage for higher bills.   In the late 1990s, Kenya started diversifying power sources to reduce dependence on.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 21st January 2017