Indian group follows Kenyan energy withdrawal with telecoms exit

Barely six months after Indian conglomerate Essar announced it was exiting Kenya’s energy sector, the company has decided to pull out of the country’s telecommunications sector as well. The Indian... 

Kenya moves to secure finance for new fuel pipeline

Kenya is hoping to surmount the financing obstacles bedevilling a new pipeline that is vital in facilitating the easy transportation of petroleum products. The new line, which was conceived about... 

Japanese firm awarded Kenya fertiliser plant contract

Japanese conglomerate Toyota Tsusho has been awarded a contract to invest in a fertilizer plant in Kenya. Toyota Tsusho, which shrugged off competition from three other companies, is expected to... 

Regional interconnector back on track after AfDB steps in with $40m

Construction of transmission lines to evacuate power from a regional hydroelectric project in East Africa, which was hanging on the balance following the withdrawal of financing by key partners, is... 

Kenya coal project hoping to start production in 2016

Commercial production of coal in Kenya will start in the next two years. This follows Chinese company Fenxi Mining's announcement that it plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the Mui... 

Base dispatches first consignment from Kenya titanium mine

Kenya has finally joined the league of mineral exporting countries after the first shipment of titanium left the Port of Mombasa – destined for China – earlier this month, following nearly two... 

Construction poised to begin at last on Tanzania’s new airport terminal

The construction of a new mega terminal at Tanzania's Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) in Tanzania is finally set start, after a delay of more than six years. The authorities in the East... 

Egypt to approach UN Security Council as it seeks to block Ethiopia mega dam project

The protracted dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt over the construction of a mega dam on Nile river might be headed to the UN Security Council. After weeks of negotiations to resolve the dispute,... 

Kenya reports strong investor interest in power station projects

The authorities in Kenya are opmistic about adding 5 000 MW of power to the national grind in four years, after a tender for the construction of a coal-powered plant generation significant... 

120 MW Ethiopia wind farm commissioned

Ethiopia has moved a notch higher in its quest to become a regional powerhouse in electricity generation, following the commissioning of the 120 MW Ashegoda wind farm. Commissioned more than a year... 

Ethiopia awards solar projects with combined generation capacity of 300 MW

Ethiopia has awarded a contract for solar energy projects with a combined generation capacity of 300 MW to US company Global Trade & Development Consulting (GTDC) and its partner, Energy Ventures,... 

Plans unveiled for Africa’s largest geothermal power plant

Ethiopia has unveiled plans to construct Africa’s largest geothermal power plant, which will generate 1 000 MW.  

Tanzania’s new gas policy awaits Cabinet approval

Tanzania has moved to streamline operations in the lucrative natural gas sector with the finalisation of a policy whose core objective is to ensure Tanzanians become the prime beneficiaries of the... 

East African countries weighing superhighway investment

Three East African countries are contemplating investing in a superhighway as part of efforts to boost trade and deepen integration. The governments of Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda say they are looking... 

Kenyan miners unhappy about government decision to increase royalties

Investors in Kenya’s mining sector are up in arms over a decision by government to increase royalties in the nascent sector. The investors, under the banner of the Kenya Chamber of Mines (KCM),... 

Key Rusumo Falls transmission lines thrown into doubt as funders withdraw

Construction of a transmission lines to evacuate power from the Rusumo Falls hydroelectric plant, on the Rwanda-Tanzania border, could be thrown into jeopardy after two key financiers pulled out. 

Indian group withdraws from Mombasa refinery on economic concerns

“Another privatisation deal gone soar.” This is how Kwame Owino, CEO of the Institute of Economic Affairs, describes the impending exit of India’s giant Essar Energy from Kenya Petroleum Refinery... 

Kenya turns to coal as cost of geothermal projects proves prohibitive

A lack of funds to implement capital-intensive geothermal projects has forced the authorities in Kenya to shift to coal-powered plants in an effort to achieve a generation target of 5 000 MW by 2017. 

Tension between Egypt, Ethiopia diffused as review gives dam project the thumbs up

A confrontation between Ethiopia and Egypt over Nile river waters has been averted after an expert review of the controversial Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam project showed it would not have any... 

Nairobi traffic-decongestion hopes rest on double-decker road plan

Traffic gridlocks in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, are expected to ease significantly when construction of a planned double-decker road, the city's first, is completed in about three years. Kenya... 

Uganda’s neighbours agree to participate in refinery project

The planned construction of a controversial refinery in Uganda has received crucial boost after neighbouring countries were incorporated into the project. 

Kenya’s Kwale embarks on production this month after two decades of false starts

Mineral sands developer Base Resources is to finally embark on titanium extraction at its Kwale project, in Kenya, following the completion of the operation's processing plant. After close to two... 

Bank approves funding for Rusumo Falls hydroelectric project

The push for regional power sharing in East Africa has received a major boost after the World Bank approved funding for the Rusumo Falls hydroelectric project, on the Rwanda-Tanzania border. 

$1.6bn contract to expand Ethiopian mobile-phone network awarded

Ethiopia has contracted China's Huawei and ZTE to undertake a $1.6-billion expansion and upgrade of State-owned telecoms company Ethio Telecom's mobile-phone network. The project will see the... 

Dangote Cement unveils $400m Kenya investment

Pan-African company Dangote Cement has announced plans for a $400-million, two-million-ton-a-year cement plant in Kenya. The company is part of the Dangote group, owned by Africa's richest man,... 

New $60m berth part of plan to build Mombasa into gateway port

Kenya achieved a significant milestone in efforts to make the Port of Mombasa the gateway for East Africa with the recent commissioning of a new berth constructed at a cost of $60-million. Kenya's... 

Uganda finally embarks on 700 MW Karuma hydropower construction

After years of delays and controversies, Uganda has finally embarked on the construction of the 700 MW Karuma hydropower project. Uganda’s President, Yoweri Museveni, officiated at the... 

Kenya making moves to liberalise electricity distribution

Kenya is set to end the monopoly on power distribution that has been long held by State-owned entity Kenya Power. In a move aimed to encourage competi-tion, improve efficiency and reduce the high... 

Uganda finally embarks on 700 MW Karuma hydropower construction

After years of delays and controversies, Uganda has finally embarked on the construction of the 700 MW Karuma hydropower project. 

Kenya making moves to liberalise electricity distribution

Kenya is set to end the monopoly on power distribution that has been long held by State-owned entity Kenya Power. 

Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda approach China on funding for rail project

In what is bound to tighten China's grip on the region’s major infrastructure projects in East Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda have agreed to approach China to fund and build a $13.4-bllion... 

Ethiopia unveils plans for new hydropower project

Ethiopia has unveiled plans to invest in a new hydropower project in a bid to become an electricility powerhouse in the wider East African region. 

Dutch firm poised to invest in Rwanda solar plant

Efforts by Rwanda to tackle power challenges have received a major boost from Dutch renewable-energy firm GigaWatt Global, which is poised to invest $23-million in a solar power plant.  

Kenya’s geothermal aspirations face big financing hurdle

The quest by Kenya to invest in geothermal power projects to address perennial power challenges now stands on the precipice owing to a financing crunch. East Africa’s biggest economy has identified... 

Tanzania issues tender for fertiliser plant as it seeks to boost farm output

Tanzania seeks investors to set up a fertilizer plant By John Muchira Following the unravelling of plans to establish a common fertiliser manufacturing plant in East Africa, the race is now on as... 

Tanzania in bid to establish strategic petroleum reserve

After more than five years of procrastination, Tanzania is finally set to establish a strategic petroleum reserve to cushion the country from unpredictable international prices and supply... 

Uganda announces $400m plan to modernise Entebbe Airport

Rivalry among East Africa’s major airports is set to intensify after Uganda announced a $400-million project to expand and modernise Entebbe International Airport. The announcement comes at a time... 

Tanzania to be tough on minerals smugglers

Tanzania has declared war on illegal minerals smugglers after it emerged the East African nation is losing more than $15-million a year from the illicit trade. Tanzania Minerals Audit Agency (TMAA)... 

Go-ahead granted for Kenya niobium mining project

Cortec Mining, a subsidiary of Canada's Pacific Wildcat Resources, is poised to embark on niobium mining in Kenya after being granted the final approval by the environment body. 

Uganda announces $400m plan to modernise Entebbe Airport

Rivalry among East Africa’s major airports is set to intensify after Uganda announced a $400-million project to expand and modernise Entebbe International Airport.