China-built power plant transforms Botswana into electricity exporter

By Xinhua Botswana has been a net importer of electricity over the years. However, the coal-fired power station Morupule B — built by the China National Electric Engineering Corporation (CNEEC) — is slowly but surely changing Botswana’s status quo, Professor Edward Dintwe, dean of the faculty of Engineering and Technology at the University of Botswana…

UN to help Africa develop capital markets to spur economic development

By XINHUA The United Nations said Tuesday that it will help African countries to develop their capital markets to accelerate economic development. Sonia Essobmadje, chief of the Innovative Finance and Capital Markets Section with the Private Sector Development and Finance Division at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), told Xinhua in Nairobi, the…

Measles outbreak in Zimbabwe kills 157 unvaccinated children

At least 157 children have died in a new measles outbreak in Zimbabwe. The outbreak was first reported in the eastern Manicaland province in early April and has since spread to all parts of the country. At least 2,056 cases have been reported and virtually all of the deaths have been children who were not…

Tanzania records 62.7 percent increase in tourists in seven months

The number of foreign tourists that visited Tanzania from January to July this year rose by 62.7 percent year on year, the east African nation’s statistics watchdog said on Wednesday. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) director for economic statistics, Daniel Masolwa, said 742,133 foreign tourists visited Tanzania during the period under review compared to…

Security, trade high on the agenda as SADC leaders meet in Kinshasa

Leaders of Southern African nations are meeting in Kinshasa for their 42nd summit. The leaders are expected to review the progress made towards achieving closer integration and deepening regional trade. The summit will be held under the theme “Promoting Industrialization through Agro-Industry, Mineral Resource Enrichment and Regional Value Chains for Inclusive and Resilient Economic Growth. …

Mali’s prime minister, Choguel Maïga, ‘ordered to rest’ by doctor

Politician’s office says move comes after ‘intense exertion’, while adviser denies reports of a stroke The prime minister of Mali, Choguel Maïga, has been ordered by his doctor to rest after months of intense exertion, his office said on Saturday, while an adviser denied media reports that he had been hospitalised after having a stroke….

William Ruto edges ahead in Kenya’s presidential race

Partial official results show the deputy president slightly ahead in the vote for Kenya’s presidency. Deputy President William Ruto edged ahead of his main rival Raila Odinga in Kenya’s presidential election as the country remained on tenterhooks for the final election outcome. Ruto scored 51.25 percent of the vote on Sunday, reversing earlier gains for Odinga, who…