Thursday, March 30

Manufacturing

Africa has been hailed as the next frontier in the provision of global oil and natural gas resources, especially now in the wake of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

This crisis has not only altered the global energy landscape, but also instigated an inflation in gas prices, given the former’s position in the hierarchy of major global producers. As sanctions continue to soar, Europe has embarked on a quest to find contingency energy supplies, as it seeks to minimize its dependency on Russia; which has already cut off gas supplies to countries like Finland, Poland and Bulgaria, over energy payment disputes.

Consequently, Africa’s gas resources have gained a newly found prominence, pertinently by the European Union (EU); owing to the continent’s rich endowment of oil and deep gas reserves. The mounting global demand for gas, has been pushing international energy companies to reconsider African projects. The numerous ongoing and upcoming oil …

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However, all efforts have been directed in that sector to try and make it greener and cleaner. Among consumers, a major shift is now being witnessed with most of the industries investing in clean energy sources that are both affordable and sustainable.

Such initiatives have made Kenya be rated among the top countries that are implementing their nationally determined contributions that seek to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the country by 32 per cent by 2030.

The latest industry to have made noted efforts to transit to clean Energy is Bamburi Cement Factory situated in Bamburi Mombasa.…

 

 

  • Varun Beverages has become one of the country’s biggest beverage firms in Zimbabwe
  • Delta has had a firm grip on the Zimbabwean drinks market and is home to international brands of soft drinks and beers
  • Varun is on an aggressive urban assault to capture more market share and challenge the drinks giant.

 

Varun Beverages has become one of the country’s bigger soft drinks firms in Zimbabwe within a relatively short period.

Bottlers of Pepsi, 7up and Mirinda brands, Varun has established itself as one of the soft drinks companies to reckon with in the soft drinks market.

This is an impressive achievement given it is going toe-to-toe with long-established Delta, Zimbabwe’s most prominent beverage firm with big brands such as Coca-Cola, Fanta and Sprite.

Since the colonial era, Delta has had a firm grip on the Zimbabwean drinks market and is home to international brands of soft …

Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has signed a partnership deal with Ajua with an aim to drive the uptake of Kenyan made goods and unlock markets for local manufacturers.

Through Ajua, Africa’s first Integrated Customer Experience Company, the platform looks to drive feedback through the entire value chain from consumer to manufacturers.

Some of the biggest challenges holding back manufacturers in today’s market include reduced demand for their goods. This has forced up to 42% of manufacturers to cut production to less than half their capacity according to a report by KAM and KPMG. Manufacturers are also struggling to find the necessary tools to understand value chain connections and operate their businesses competitively. As the economy reopens, manufacturers need to quickly identify their key vulnerabilities and establish strong frameworks around their supply chains as they plan for their recovery post-COVID.

Also Read: Kenya’s manufacturing sector gears up for the reopening

KAM Chair Mr Sachen Gudka speaks during the High Level Manufacturing Economic Forum

Local manufacturers have demonstrated their capacity to continue with production amidst the COVID-19 pandemic as the country gears up for the phased reopening of the economy.

According to the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development Cabinet Secretary, Ms Betty Maina local manufacturers have invested in innovations that have enabled them to continue with operations during the current crisis.

“The investments put in by Kenyan manufacturers is impressive. They have adhered to the set-out standards and regulations, which have enabled business continuity. This has enabled them to stand by the country as we face the crisis together. I urge Business Membership Organizations to establish workplace committees to ensure their members continue to comply with COVID-19 Business Protocols and Guidelines,” noted CS Betty.

The Cabinet secretary also added that all Manufacturing Sectors have played their part in cushioning the country from the impact of COVID-19 by providing support in their specific …

Twiga Cement

Twiga Cement (TPCC on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange) on Friday, May 22, 2020, released its Annual Report and audited accounts for the year ended 2019. Revenues grew 6% and net profits rose 5% in 2019 from the year earlier. Dividends were steady at TZS 290 per share for the third year running.  

Twiga is the dominant cement company in Tanzania. It is the 19th-biggest company overall in East Africa by market value and the fifth-biggest in Tanzania, according to the latest African Business rankings. 

The company is a subsidiary of German multinational Heidelberg Cement, which owns 69.3%. The other 30.7% trades on the DSE and is owned by thousands of small shareholders and investment funds.  

Twiga has a huge competitive advantage over the other cement industry players in Tanzania, because its production facilities are on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam. Cement is heavy and expensive

An exhibitor (L) explains a point to (2nd Left- Right) KAM Chair Sachen Gudka, Environment CAS Mohamed Elmi, NEMA Ag. DG Mamo b Mamo, and KAM Vice Chair Mucai Kunyiha

Kenyan Manufacturers have launched a plan to sustainably manage plastic waste in the country.

The plan, dubbed Kenya Plastic Action Plan, is a private sector-led Policy and Action Plan that seeks to enable a circular economy for the environmentally sustainable use and recycling of plastics in Kenya.

According to a statement from the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) the plan identifies specific actions that the public and private sector should undertake to achieve a circular economy. This includes waste management at the county level, formation and regulation of Extended Producer Responsibility schemes and establishment of recycling value chains and standards.

Speaking during the launch, Environment Chief Administrative Secretary, Mr Mohamed Elmi noted that the government is keen on driving Kenya into a zero-waste management policy.

Kenya has a growing human population and an increase in urbanization. The urban centers have attracted a large population of informal settlements dwellers and the …

Rwanda and Uganda lead East Africa in switch to electric cars

Rwanda and Uganda are quite ahead of their East African neighbours in the global switch to electric cars, even as infrastructure shortcomings limit investments in the emerging sector.

In the past two months, Kampala and Kigali have unveiled electric vehicle assembly plants, with Kenya and Tanzania only making baby steps toward embracing the new technology.

Uganda’s state-owned Kiira Motors Corporation has so far built two battery-powered cars and a solar electric bus showing its ambition in the region.

The electric bus is called the Kayoola Electric Vehicle Series (EVS) and has been built using Kiira Motors home-grown green mobility technologies while partnering with Motor Co. Ltd, a Chinese Equipment Manufacturer.

The electric buses have a capacity of 90 passengers (49 sitting and 41 standing), compared to the diesel engine vehicles which have a capacity of 65 passengers. They can cover a distance of 300km under a single charge.

Last year …