development Archives - Page 2 of 11

17Nov

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Affordable housing rental market looks increasingly attractive

The South African residential market offers an attractive opportunity in the affordable housing rental segment largely driven by low and middle income earners who do not qualify for bonds and increased demand for housing located closer to areas of economic opportunity. Gerhard Zeelie, Head Real Estate Finance (Residential) at Standard Bank South Africa, says: "Investors who select good locations, efficiently manage their assets and look after their tenants can reap good returns from affordable housing rentals. Rentals in the affordable housing rental market can typically offer returns of between 8.5% and 9% after tax, assuming conservative gearing and taking moderate capital ...

16Nov

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

African News, Senegal News

Africare to outline essential role of civil society, small-scale farming and best practices at this year’s AgriBusiness Forum

Agri2012 - AfriCare (Microsoft Word) Leading American NGO spotlights small-scale farming for a result-driven future for Africa’s Agri-Food sector. “Across Africa it is the small entrepreneurs and businesses that drive community livelihoods and national economic development. Yet without adequate financing or access to buyers, producers associations are not able to sell their products to increase their incomes and bolster their livelihoods. Furthermore without knowledge of the markets, they are unable to secure the inputs and technology needed to increase production,” explains Gwen Young Senegal Country Director for Africare who will be presenting Africare’s vision at this year’s AgriBusiness Forum taking place in Dakar, Senegal from 25-28 November 2012. Focused on establishing s...

14Nov

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

African News

The 10th Forex Conference & Expo Kicks off this Thursday 15 November in Dubai

The show will open its doors in Dubai at 10:00 am on Thursday and will cover online trading currencies, commodities, gold, oil, stocks and derivatives, at Jumeirah Beach Hotel Dubai, and will continue until Friday November 16, 7:00 pm. '' Forex for this year 2012 will witness the participation of Swiss banks specialized in Forex trading along with many trading companies that come for the first time in Dubai. Speaking at the Conference; 15 notable lecturers and speakers from the leading experts and global economic analysts, said Katia Tayar, President of Arabcom Group ; the Organizer of the Event. The Conference provides the perfect opportunity to highlight the trends of the current global capital markets and market expectations in 2013, and it reviews a range of issues of commo...

13Nov

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

South Africa News

Telecoms journal highlights challenges in the sector

By Thandisizwe Mgudlwa Johan van Huyssteen, PwC Communications Leader for Southern Africa reports that with billions of dollars of international investment flowing in and subscriber numbers rising across the continent, Africa’s communications market is at the inflection point where high potential starts to turn into high growth. And more reports showing that strong growth in the telecommunications sector is being driven by increasing investment, rapid progress in technological and communications services and some deregulation across the African continent. But for many reasons these achievements to date are only just the beginning as Africa’s future potential dwarfs the growth seen so far. These are some of the highlights from PwC’s publication: Communications Revie...

13Nov

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

African News, South Africa News

Petrochemical giant innovates the ‘Shell Alexia S4’

By Thandisizwe Mgudlwa It has be called a Shell's Special Marine Oil. The announcement that the global group of energy and petrochemicals companies Shell, has launched the Shell Alexia S4, an innovative marine engine oil, has been welcomed by experts as an important step in the development of the industry. And unlike conventional cylinder oils, it can be used across a wide range of vessel and engine types, fuel specifications, loads and climates - from the Antarctic to the Amazon to the Suez Canal, the company claims. The organisation states: "This means vessels no longer need to carry multiple oils. Shell Alexia S4 also works effectively at any vessel speed, including slow and ultra slow - especially important to modern ships that have to vary speeds to reduce fuel consumption and mee...

13Nov

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

African News

AUC and CTA sign MoU to strengthen agricultural policies in Africa

by Wallace Mawire The African Union Commission (AUC) and the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen agricultural policies in Africa, according to a spokesperson. The MoU was signed by the AUC’s Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA) Commissioner, Mrs. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, on behalf of the AUC and Dr. Michael Hailu, CTA Director. The partnership with CTA was welcomed as a timely move; as global attention was now focused on Africa’s resolve to shoulder its responsibilities of eradicating hunger and poverty. CTA’s role involves championing the causes of agricultural development, food and nutrition security and environmental sustainability in Africa. DREA and CTA h...

13Nov

By Chancy NamadzundaNo Comments

African News, Malawi News

Lilongwe district council successful in LDF projects-NGO

By Chancy Namadzunda The Lilongwe District council has been successful in the construction of 30 Local Development Fund (LDF) funded teachers houses this year, according to Malawi Human Rights Youth Network (MHRYN). MHRYN Acting National Coordinator Weston Happy Msowoya said so far, about 95 percent of the completed work has been successful in all the six Traditional Authorities (TAS). “In our overall assessment, the project went well in almost all areas with the majority of houses completed with solar system and already occupied by the teachers. The completion period was on target as many finished between 90 to 100 days with no reports of corruption, so far, I can say Lilongwe is a model for other districts,” said Msowoya. He sai...

12Nov

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

African News

Former President of the African Development Bank Babacar Ndiaye to lead Investment Day at this year’s AgriBusiness Forum.

African expert calls on everyone involved in agriculture to step up to the fore for the sake of the entire continent’s development and in the fight against poverty. 12th November 2012, Brussels, Belgium With the AgriBusiness Forum 2012 just around the corner, Babacar Ndiaye, former President of the African Development Bank and founder of the African Business Roundtable (ABR), outlines his demands towards the African and international community to act and establish basic and fundamental financial policies to create real change, after years of debates and establishing potential visions and objectives. “Africa’s agricultural potential cannot induce people into a self-righteous optimism, but should instead incite a responsible and pro-active approach from the sector’s various players because ...

12Nov

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Science

Chicago-Based Nonprofit Tackles Scientific Literacy Both in the US and in Africa

ISTG, a Chicago-based non-profit [501(c)(3)] organization committed to the promotion of scientific educational development in urban communities within the US and in Africa through international science and technology middle and high school projects. Chicago, IL, November 12, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Chicago-based Nonprofit Tackles Scientific Literacy Both at Home and Abroad Who?: The Innovative Science and Technology Group (ISTG) What?: Founded in 2006, ISTG is a Chicago-based non-profit [501(c)(3)] organization committed to the promotion of scientific educational development in urban communities within the US and in Africa. ISTG has a number of programs aimed at helping it achieve its goals including Project AFARA, Project UJAMAA, and Project Africa Tomorrow. Proj...

12Nov

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

African News, Nigeria News, South Africa News

Standard Bank Group leads US$550m Shoreline Natural Resources facility

Standard Bank Group, as mandated lead arranger and bookrunner, has closed a US$550,000,000 syndicated bank guarantee and bridge facilities for Shoreline Natural Resources. This is one of the largest finance deals completed in Nigeria so far in 2012. Shoreline has used the facility to acquire 45% in OML 30, an oilfield in the Niger Delta of Nigeria, from 1 November 2012. China Development Bank joined Standard Bank Group as mandated lead arranger. They were joined by lead arrangers Ecobank Nigeria and First City Monument Bank. The facility was fully underwritten by Standard Bank Group. It was signed with Shoreline on 29 June 2012, has a 12+6 month tenor and is structured as a bank ...