growing Archives - Page 5 of 5 - AfricaBusiness.com

17Jul

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African News

Mobile Retail Commerce Rises While Social Shopping Drops in Second Quarter, Reports IBM

ARMONK, N.Y., July 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobile shopping rose while social media sales fell, providing an indication of where US retailers may invest in order to capture the attention and loyalty of the digital consumer, according to a new report from IBM (NYSE: IBM). The IBM Retail Online Index, a cloud-based analysis of the online retail sector reported that retailers experienced 15 percent growth in sales from mobile devices but saw a 20 percent decline in sales traced to social media based on a much smaller base over this three-month period. This report follows today's news from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Census Bureau which announced its estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales. According to the findings, retail sales fell 0.5 percent in June from May, the third ...

16Jul

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World Bank Approves New Power Transmission Line between Ethiopia and Kenya to Boost Electricity and Economic Growth in East Africa

Washington, July 12, 2012 – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the Eastern Electricity Highway Project, which will connect Ethiopia’s electrical grid with Kenya’s, create power- sharing between the two countries, reduce energy costs, promote sustainable and renewable power generation, better protect the region’s environment, and pave the way for more dynamic regional cooperation between the countries of East Africa. The new project marks the first phase of a regional East Africa power integration program which is likely to cost US$1.3 billion at completion, eventually benefiting 212 million people living in five countries with a combined GDP of US$107 billion. Together with the Governments of Ethiopia and Kenya, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and ...

12Jul

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African News, South Africa News

Insurance product aims to support students

By Thandisizwe Mgudlwa A new iniative aimed at supporting South Africa's vulnerable students has been widely welcomed. The new insurance product launched to SA's 800,000 registered students aims to specifically tackle the everyday vulnerabilities that can halt a learner's studies in their tracks. Given the typical risks and exposure to crime that is associated with life on campus and within shared student accomodation, the affordable cover (unmatched at R99 per month) seeks to fill a gap left by other insurers in covering critical items such as cell phones, laptops, and assisting with covering student fees lost that cannot be covered in the event of death of a sponsor, bursar or parent. Currently a great number of students are on the government financial aid scheme, the...

12Jul

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African News, Ghana News

Hon. Yaw Effah-Baafi to address Palm Oil Africa in September on Investment Opportunities in Palm Oil & Rubber Plantations in Ghana

With the changes in the global palm oil industry and growing demand, it is becoming increasingly necessary to look beyond the output from Asia. Palm Oil Africa organized by CMT will open on 05-06 September in Accra to explore and discuss palm oil plantation and investment opportunities in Africa. Accra, Africa (PRWEB) July 10, 2012 Palm Oil Africa on 05-06 September in Accra will see key ministry officials speaking on the investment opportunities in palm oil plantations in Africa. Hon. Yaw Effah-Baafi, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Food & Agriculture, Ghana, will grace the event with a keynote address on Investment Opportunities in Palm Oil & Rubber Plantations in Ghana. This is followed by another ministerial speech from Hon. Dr. Florence Chenoweth, Minister, Ministry of Agricultur...

10Jul

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African News

Africa – Mobile Voice Market and Major Network Operators

Market penetration to reach 60% among Africa's one billion people in 2012 Mobile phones represent more than 90% of all telephone lines in Africa. Market penetration passed the 50% mark in 2010 and is expected to reach 60% in 2012. Subscriber growth across the continent has slowed to around 17% p.a, but several individual markets are still growing at 50% p.a. or more and others stand at only single-digit penetration rates. The continent's most advanced markets have passed the 100% penetration mark. Although the greatest demand is in the major cities, cellular solutions are also being employed to increase accessibility in rural and other disadvantaged areas. In addition to mobile networks, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) systems have been introduced in a large number of countries for the provision...

9Jul

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Energy, Green Energy

SunEdison Closes 98 MW of Solar Projects in Europe

SunEdison demonstrates its ability to deploy high value solar assets in Europe and to structure complex transactions attracting world class financing partners BELMONT, Calif., July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- SunEdison, a leading worldwide solar energy services provider and a subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials (NYSE: WFR), today provided additional details on the solar project closings announced last week. The company closed three transactions involving approximately 98 megawatts (MWp) of photovoltaic (PV) power plants in Europe during the second quarter. The transactions include the sale of a 60MWp power plant in Bulgaria to a consortium of investors consisting of an affiliate of First Reserve Energy Infrastructure Fund, Crescent Capital and ACWA Power; a 13 MWp portfolio of projects in...

9Jul

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African News

Growing MENA-MED Oil and Gas Market Attracts Investors

GENEVA, July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- 9th MidEast-North Africa Mediterranean Upstream Conference - focuses on new opportunities With huge gas finds in the Mediterranean, new gas-LNG ventures afoot, accelerating acreage leasing and major capital investment projects across the region, the Middle East and North African oil and gas market remains one of the biggest and most dynamic energy markets in the world. Therefore, the regional exploration, oil/gas-LNG and energy game attracts a growing number of companies and investors who find new business opportunities. The conference in Geneva focuses on the exploration and development ventures of national oil companies, governments and companies in this vast and complex region. New opportunities have attracted greater commitments from super-majors, a...

7Jul

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African News

“The Electric Power Infrastructure Security Market Will Reach $3.7bn in 2012” Says Visiongain Report

Visiongain’s analysis indicates that the electric power infrastructure security market to be worth $3.7bn in 2012, as companies and organisations across a number of sectors seek to secure their systems, networks, information and data against the dangers of cyberspace. London, United Kingdom, July 07, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The electric power infrastructure security market is therefore forecast by Visiongain to record strong and continuous growth over the next decade, as the security of electric power infrastructure gains in importance against a backdrop of increasing physical and cyber threats and attacks. The lead analyst of the Electric Power Infrastructure Security report commented that "Electric power infrastructure security is a growth market for both governments and the pr...

7Jul

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African News, Science, South Africa News

The forgotten mobile device!

While companies everywhere grapple with the seemingly impossible task of securing their growing herds of smartphones and tablets, many are forgetting the stalwart of day-to-day productivity: the laptop. Often assumed not to be a data security risk, a lost or stolen laptop often offers its new owner unprecedented access to confidential company files, databases - and critical customer data. Nclose directors Stephen Osler and Martin Potgieter are increasingly concerned by the general levels of misinformation that exist about laptop security in the corporate environment. They say that despite myriad other security measures that are active on company networks, managers often let themselves down by ignoring staff members' mobile computers. “Simply setting a password to limit access t...

7Jul

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Science, South Africa News

Relief for Back Pain Sufferers in Cape Town

Pretoria, South Africa, July 07, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Chronic back pain sufferers in the Cape Town area will at last find relief at the practice of Dr Lienka Botha and Partners. Millennium Business Park, Century City is the location of the new centre that offers a proven, exercise-based approach to treat this debilitating condition. The centre is conveniently and centrally located, offering ease of access from all surrounding areas. The practice of Dr Lienka Botha and Partners forms part of a network of medical centres that applies the Documentation Based Care (DBC) Active Treatment System. The DBC Active Treatment System originates from Finland and has been researched and developed over the past twenty years. Dr Lienka Botha and Partners is the first practice in the Western Cape tha...