SEFA to Supercharge Electricity Generation in Tanzania

To support the development of rural solar-hybrid mini-grids in Tanzania. The USD 420,000 fund has been approved by the sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), and is being provided to Jumeme-Rural Power Supply Ltd (JRPS).

JRPS, the local joint venture has of three partners, INSENSUS Gmbh, Terra Projects and St. Augustine University of Tanzania in Mwanza. The fund will help in technical studies, lender’s support, legal and financial advisory services. Tanzania’s national grid covers only a very small region of the country. The government aims at covering 30% of the region by 2015. "The success of Jumeme will have a strong demonstration effect for future mini-grids systems developers and operators, and pave the way for stronger AfDB engagement in this segment", said Joao Duarte Cunha, SEFA Coordinator.

The project will enable expansion of rural electrification and easy access to energy services, using mainly solar energy. Some 16 villages, housing 82,000 people have been targeted. 500 new businesses will be formed after the implementation of the project.

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Uganda Investing in Infrastructure Projects

The Ugandan government plans to invest in major infrastructure projects. The plan is to invest $1.7 billion in Karuma hydropower plant, $556 million in Isimba hydropower dam and $8.5 billion in gauge railway project.

The projects are being overlooked by the Bank of Uganda (BOU), which has kept away from intervening in foreign exchange market by selling dollars. In fact BOU is buying dollars to facilitate the projects.

The bank is seen selling and buying dollars at a fast rate, thus showing that it is desperate to build reserves. By the end of 2013, BOU reserves were estimated at $3 billion (Sh8.5 trillion)

The shilling is said to have depreciated by 9% against the US dollar, which could depreciate further by poor harvest thus meaning a loss to farmers.

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AfDB to support Medium and Small Enterprises in Seychelles

The African development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Seychelles have entered into an agreement which will finance the Seychelles MSME Development Project. A fund of US $1 million will be provided by the AfDB under the African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA) grant.

The project will help in the development of Seychelles MSMEs. The MSMEs in Seychelles face the problem of access to finance and entrepreneurial skills which will be dealt with under the development project.

The project will work in consonance with Seychelles Inclusive Private Sector Development and Competitiveness Programme (IPSDCP).

The agreement was signed by Pierre Laporte, Minister of Finance, Trade and Investment on behalf of the Government of Seychelles and Gabriel negate, Regional Director for East Africa, on behalf of AfDB.

Negate said, "Promoting the creation and growth of domestic MSMEs is key to economic competitiveness and diversification in Seychelles. This project will support the Seychellois Government in their efforts to promote entrepreneurship and the role of small businesses in the development of the country."

FAPA support provided to Seychelles will be strengthening two main government agencies, the Small Business Finance Agency (SBFA) and the Small Enterprise Promotion Agency (SEnPA).

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Kenyan President launches AfDBfinanced Nairobi Outer Ring Road Improvement Project

Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya, accompanied by members of his Cabinet, officially launched the commencement of the construction of the Nairobi Outer Ring Road Improvement Project, jointly financed by the African Development Bank and the Government of Kenya.

The total cost of the rehabilitation of the Outer Ring Road is estimated at UA 86.4 million (approximately USD 125.18 million), of which the African Development Fund (ADF) is financing UA 77.6 million (equivalent to USD 112.43 million), while the Kenya Government will contribute UA 8.8 million (or USD 12.75 million).

The project involves the construction of a 13-kilometrelong dual highway to traverse the northern and eastern districts of Nairobi city. It also entails the construction of missing links covering about 16 km. Once completed, the entire project will drastically decongest the environs of the two districts, including arterial roads connecting Nairobi- Thika Highway, Eastern Bypass, Northern Bypass, Mombasa Road, and the Jomo-Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

Speaking at the ceremony, attended by a broad spectrum of stakeholders including Members of Parliament and Nairobi County Government Officials as well as thousands of residents of the Eastland suburb of Nairobi, the Director for the African Development Bank’s East Africa Regional Resource Centre (EARC), Gabriel Negatu, said that, after the Nairobi-Thika Highway financed by the AfDB, the Nairobi Outer Ring Road Improvement Project adds to the suite of bold initiatives guaranteed to contribute to the modernization of the city of Nairobi. Upon completion, the project will result in the transformation of the outer ring into a four-lane highway, with interchanges and overpasses and construction of link roads. Besides, the project will be fitted with foot paths, cycle lanes as well as incorporate a nine-metre Bus Rapid corridor to be constructed at a later stage.

The Regional Director reiterated that the project will transform livelihoods through the creation of sustainable opportunities in terms of jobs and businesses. He also underscored the fact that the project is designed to respond to Kenya’s shortage of relevant skills in artisans and technicians mainly due to a mismatch in training and the labour market needs.

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VRA Ready to Use Gas in March

The Volta River Authority (VRA) says it cannot fully utilize the 120 million standard cubic feet gas produced by the Ghana National Gas Company because some of its plants have shut down for maintenance. According to the company, the said plants would be ready by March, this year. Samuel Fletcher, Head of Corporate Communications of VRA, in a statement, said the first TICO Unit has recently been returned to service.

'We expect the process of conversion to gas to be completed within the next two weeks to increase gas consumption to about 80 million standard cubic feet.' He said the second TICO Unit has been taken out of service for scheduled maintenance and would be available in March, saying 'accordingly, the full 120 million standard cubic feet can be used from March 2015. Mr Fletcher said the units at VRA's T1 and T3 plants have been running on gas supply from Ghana Gas Company since November 2014.

'TICO is therefore unable to immediately start operating on gas as the units require some work before the fuel switch, he said. Mr Fletcher said TICO Units have run solely on crude oil since completion in 2000 and therefore need some to run successfully on gas. Ghana Gas has announced that it is waiting for the Volta River Authority (VRA) to complete requisite works at its Aboadze Thermal Plant Complex to enable it increase the available generating capacity. Dr. Kwesi Botchwey, Board Chairman of Ghana Gas, who made this known in a statement released recently, said once the VRA completes expansion works at its Aboadze Thermal Plant Complex 'it will be possible for us to increase our off-take of raw gas from the Jubilee Field's FPSO Kwame Nkrumah to supply VRA lean gas at the optimal 120 million standard cubic feet per day (120MMSCFD).'

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30 'Outstanding' entrepreneurs to be honored in April

Thirty most outstanding entrepreneurs in Ghana will be outdoored and inducted into the Ghana Entrepreneur Awards Hall of Fame in April 2015.

This novelty will unveil thirty of Ghana's topmost entrepreneurs who will be drawn from over one hundred and twenty entrepreneurs and honored at the annual Ghana Entrepreneurs Awards.

Chief Executive Officer of the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana Sam Ato Gaisie said the Hall of Fame concept exclusively celebrates the stories of Ghana's most successful entrepreneurs.

“This concept specifically recognizes innovative Ghanaian entrepreneurs whose contributions to the development of Ghana has spanned several years; the recipients of these awards are then inducted into the Ghana Entrepreneur Hall of Fame,” Mr. Gaisie told Citi FM.

The awards scheme, according to Mr. Ato Gaisie, has been redesigned this year to coincide with the Foundation's 5th anniversary celebrations.

He further revealed the inductees will constitute a think tank that will in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industry focus on promoting the interest of the private sector and entrepreneurs in Ghana.

The Foundation is on the advisory board of Mr. Sam Ato Gaisie, Founder & President of the Foundation, Nana Osei Bonsu, CEO of Private Enterprises Foundation, Dr Toni Aubynn, CEO of the Minerals Commission of Ghana, Mr. Joe Tackie, CEO of Private Sector Development and representatives from the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

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President Jonathan ramps up new power grid for Borno

Alhaji Mohammed Wakil, the Minister of State for Power said that the presidency had directed the ministry to open two additional sources of power transmission from the National Grid to Borno, following continuous power disconnections by suspected insurgents.

Wakil made the disclosure at a meeting with youth and women groups in Maiduguri.

“I want to inform our people that President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the opening of two other new sources of power supply to Borno. “We have complied with the directive and in due course, the state will have three sources of power supply”, he said.

Wakil quoted Jonathan as directing the speeding up of ongoing federal power projects in the state to expand supply to the state to reduce incidences of vandalisation to the barest minimum.

The minister said in line with presidential directive, Transmission Company of Nigeria had been directed to hasten the pace of work on the 330/132/33 kv sub station in Damaturu, which he said was adequate to supply both Yobe and Borno states.

“Borno will then get three sources of power namely the 132 kv Gombe -Biu – Damboa – Maiduguri line, the 330 kv new sub station on Damboa road in Maiduguri and the Damaturu 330/132/33kv which should be completed as quickly as possible.

“The era of only one line connecting the state to national grid is over. We must ensure at least three lines of connection to prevent future sabotage and vandalisation,” he said.

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