Telkom Kenya awards passive network management contract

Struggling Kenyan telecoms operator Telkom Kenya has contracted UK-based Pan-African firm Eaton Towers to manage its passive network infrastructure in an effort to cut costs. The operator, which is... 

Kenya dusts off plan for new Mombasa–Malaba rail link

Kenya has revived proposals to build a modern railway line after initial plans three years ago were shelved owing to financial constraints and procurement controversies. Complaints from the... 

Africa’s aviation ambitions being constrained by poor safety record

Hopes for significant growth of Africa’s aviation industry could be dashed by the poor safety records of most of the continent’s airlines. 

Case made for closure of inefficient Kenya oil refinery

East Africa’s sole oil refinery, owned and operated by Kenya Petroleum Refinery Limited (KPRL), in which government is a joint shareholder, could be poised for closure after the Kenya government... 

Groups warn that Kenya–Ethiopia power line could hurt wildlife tourism

The construction of a high-voltage power transmission line connecting Ethiopia and Kenya has run into problems, with a group of conservationists and environmentalists opposing its implementation on... 

Withdrawal of court challenge paves the way for Kenya coal project

A controversy-ridden coal mining project in Kenya may finally kick off after a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that had filed a court application seeking to stop the project withdrew it. 

Tanesco to be unbundled in bid to bolster efficiency, spur investment

After months of false starts, one of Africa’s most inefficient power utilities is finally about to start restructuring.  

Ethiopia outlines vision for accelerating ICT investments

Ethiopia says it is intent on accelerating investments in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector.  

Contract awarded for Kenyan multipurpose oil pipeline

China's Sheng Li Engineering & Construction Company (SLECC) has been awarded the contract to oversee the construction of a new multipurpose oil pipeline in Kenya. 

Transmission deal opens way for Ethiopian power exports

Ethiopia’s quest to become a regional net exporter of electricity has received a major boost following the signing of a financing and construction agreement for a high-voltage transmission line to... 

Kenya, Tanzania vie for logistics-hub leadership

The battle for the status of East Africa’s logistics hub between Kenya and neighbouring Tanzania is set to intensify after the latter unveiled plans to construct the region’s biggest port. 

TanzaniteOne cedes 50% stake to State as new law takes effect

Foreign companies operating in Tanzania’s mining sector have started to feel the impact of a new controversial law that forces them to cede 50% of equity to the State. Aim-Listed TanzaniteOne has... 

Kenya invests in temporary airport terminal as larger project hits snags

Failure to secure funding for a mega terminal project in Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airpoirt (JKIA) has forced the country to invest in a temporary terminal to cater for a growing number... 

Rwanda set to embark on geothermal exploration campaign after delays

After a two-year delay, Rwanda is set to embark on the drilling of geothermal exploration wells as it seeks to diversify electricity generation in a bid to tackle perennial shortages.  

Uganda moves to end standoff with oil and gas companies

A protracted standoff between the authorities in Uganda and oil companies over the extraction of crude could soon be over, as it has emerged that a deal is in the pipeline. 

Tanzania to invest $350m in rail upgrading and modernisation

Tanzania has unveiled plans to invest $350-million in a project to upgrade and modernise it railway network in an effort to become the preferred connection hub in East and Central Africa. 

Russian group planning to start uranium mining in Tanzania after granting of licence

Russian company ARMZ Uranium Holding has announced plans to start uranium mining in Tanzania after being granted a licence for its Mkuju River mining project in the south of the country.  

Shortage of engineers threatens Kenya’s development trajectory

The development agenda of Kenya risks being derailed due to overreliance on foreign expertise in huge infrastructure projects. Although the East Africa nation has prioritised massive investments in... 

Tender for key Kenya–Ethiopia transmission line finally released

Kenya and Ethiopia are finally set to embark on the construction of a high-voltage transmission line that will facilitate power trade between the two neighbours. 

Uganda contracts with US firm to advise on oil refinery plan

The Ugandan government has demonstrated its resolve to invest in an oil refinery by contracting an American firm to advise on the implementation of the project. 

Restructuring of Ethiopian power utility moving ahead

Plans to restructure the overstretched and inefficient Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) have been set in motion after Ethiopian authorities contracted Indian company Power Grid... 

Strong competition for Kenya-Uganda oil pipeline

Fourteen companies are jostling for the contract for an oil pipeline connecting East African neighbours Kenya and Uganda. Capital Star Steel, a consortium of South Africa’s Capital Africa Steel and... 

South Sudan seeks investors for hydropower plants

Cash-strapped South Sudan is banking on international companies investing in several hydropower plants to plans to build in an effort to tackle the country's severe energy deficit. 

New Mombasa fuel storage facility takes receipt of first product

Efforts to streamline petroleum products storage and transportation in Kenya have received a significant boost following the commissioning of a bulk storage facility in the coastal town of Mombasa.... 

Ethiopia resorts to unorthodox funding plan for Grand Renaissance scheme

Fears that construction of a mega hydroelectric plant in Ethiopia could stall owing to financial constraints has forced the authorities to turn to desperate measures to raise funds. To ensure... 

Uganda reiterates urgency of $1.3bn hydropower plan

Uganda has accused foreign companies of sabotaging the planned Karuma hydropower project, which will be critical in solving the perennial power problems in the East African country. 

Deal signed for 50 MW Addis waste-to-energy plant

The State-owned Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) has signed a $120-million contract with UK-based company Cambridge Industries for the construction of a 50 MW waste-to-energy power... 

Rwanda to expedite enactment of new minerals law

Rwanda has announced it will expedite the enactment of a new mining law aimed at making the sector a major contributor to economic development. Currently, the Rwandan economy depends heavily on... 

Chinese firm seeks to block Port of Dar es Salaam contract award

The planned expansion of Tanzania's Port of Dar es Salaam has been thrown into jeopardy by a Chinese company that is seeking to block the Tanzania Port Authority (TPA) from awarding the contract... 

Kenya poised to move ahead with $400m pipeline project

Kenya is set to finally start construction of a petroleum pipeline from the coastal city of Mombasa to the Nairobi, the capital city. 

Big Grand Millennium turbines contract awarded

French engineering company Alstom has secured a $325-million contract to supply turbines and generators to the controversial Grand Millennium dam project, in Ethiopia. Alstom renewable-power... 

Investments begin to flow into cement-short Ugandan market

Perennial cement shortages in Uganda, which have pushed prices to astronomical highs, could be a thing of the past with the planned entry of two new manufacturers. Kuwait-based company DAO Group... 

Licences cancelled in latest snag to hit Kenya titanium industry

The jinxed titanium mining project in Kenya has hit a new snag following the cancellation of some of the licences held by Australian company Base Resources. Environment and Mineral Resources... 

Study pegs cost of East African railway project at $5.2bn

A major railway line that is intended to boost the economies of landlocked Rwanda and Burundi will cost $5.2-billion, a feasibility study on the project has established. 

Rwanda teams up with neighbours on hydropower prospects

Rwanda has announced plans to partner with its neighbours in an effort to accelerate the construction of hydropower plants as part of a $6-billion energy expansion programme. The East African... 

Kenya, Uganda move to revive oil pipeline plan following setback

The governments of Kenya and Uganda have embarked on a fresh process to construct an oil pipeline connecting the two neighbours after terminating a contract awarded to Libyan company Tamoil in 2006.