RSS Feed https://constructafrica.com/ en <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Liberia Breaks Ground On 20MW Mt Coffee Solar Farm <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/liberia-breaks-ground-20mw-mt-coffee-solar-farm_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai on 11 October presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the 20MW solar plant at the Mt Coffee hydropower plant site in Harrisburg. The project is said to be the country’s first-ever solar farm and will be built by Lebanon’s International Consolidated Contractors (ICC) under a US$16 million deal. Completion is targeted for August 2025 and commissioning in October that year. The primary objective of the solar facility is to complement the Mt Coffee plant during the dry season, when water levels significantly decrease, leading to a substantial reduction in energy generation. It is being developed through the World Bank-funded Regional Emergency Solar Power Intervention (RESPITE) programme, which also covers renewable energy projects in Chad, Sierra Leone and Togo. The RESPITE programme is also funding an expansion of the 88MW Mt Coffee hydropower plant to 148MW. The facility dates back to the 1960s and the project will see the addition of two new turbines and generator units. The bid documentation is due to be completed this year. On top of this, RESPITE will fund the establishment of an authority responsible for the management of river watersheds in Liberia and the development of a new 150MW solar-hydropower project on the St Paul River in Lower Bong County, known as SP2. In early October, the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) announced that the socio-environmental impact assessment study was underway for the scheme and that US$300 million or 60% of funding had been secured. LEC also revealed that negotiations were ongoing with Norway’s Scatec and the IFC for the delivery of 16.5MW of pre-assembled solar capacity at Scheifflin through an IFC-backed initiative. The Liberian government is also looking to address the critical power supply challenges faced during the dry season by importing 50MW from Ghana. In early October, LEC said regional stakeholders had committed to facilitating the imports by December.&nbsp; Photo: Groundbreaking ceremony (Source: Facebook @ LEC) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 32efba3c-d409-44e1-a7df-7610521d64fb <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Social Housing Schemes Assessed In South Africa’s Western Cape <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/social-housing-schemes-assessed-south-africas-western-cape_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> South Africa’s National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in late September conducted oversight visits to various social housing infrastructure projects across the Western Cape province. The visits were part of the council’s 2024 Provincial Week Programme, an annual initiative undertaken across the country’s provinces to assess incomplete, delayed and abandoned public infrastructure schemes. During their inspections, the NCOP convoy singled out land invasion and natural disasters as key impediments to the timely delivery of infrastructure projects in the Western Cape. They conducted a site visit to Du Noon in Cape Town where five new informal settlements, with a total of 5,237 structures, have been erected on public and private land since 2020. They observed that some of the structures are built along railway lines and wetlands, posing risks of loss of lives and damage to property during rainy seasons and floods. The convoy also visited the Monwabisi Park Extension 1 informal settlement in Cape Town’s &nbsp;Barden Powell area. They learnt over 6,500 structures had been erected on riverbanks and sand dunes, impeding the provision of bulk services. Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers said the impact and cost of land invasions on communities is estimated at Rand 1.3 billion-worth (US$74 million) of housing development sites. Planned and funded projects are negatively affected, impeding service delivery and depriving residents of critical infrastructure upgrades. A total of 1,570 housing opportunities are reportedly affected in Khayelitsha alone, to the value of Rand 77 million. The NCOP commended the efficient implementation of social housing projects by the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure and the Cape Town city government. The delegation said other municipalities could benchmark the City of Cape Town’s delivery model in managing strategic intergovernmental cooperation and private-public partnerships that enable development. However, the council quizzed the city government on perceived stringent and exclusionary letting procedures, and recommended a more inclusionary approach to benefit additional people. The city currently has 410,000 applicants on its waiting list of indigent people needing social housing. The Cape Town authorities reported that 10 affordable social housing projects, totalling 4,849 units, had been completed between 2017 and 2024, and six more land parcels had been awarded as part of the land release programme for affordable mixed social housing, out of which 4,268 housing opportunities were expected to be completed by 2028. The NCOP heard that more land parcels are at the planning and release stage and are expected to provide approximately 20,000 housing opportunities in the future. The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure cautioned that lack of funding, cross-subsidy and political support may hamper the delivery of projects currently at the planning phase and indicated that similar schemes are underway in Oudtshoorn, George, Knysna, Worcester, Stellenbosch and other areas across the province. The City of Cape Town recommended exploring alternative funding mechanisms for affordable housing beyond government subsidies, which may not be sustainable in the future. The authority also suggested devolving the Consolidated Capital Grant funding to municipalities for localised administration. Photo: NCOP site inspection (Source: Facebook @ South African parliament) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 4ed1748c-0978-42c5-bf75-1f129e3b9c71 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Public Projects Inspected In South Africa’s Eastern Cape <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/public-projects-inspected-south-africas-eastern-cape_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> South Africa’s National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in late September completed its 2024 Provincial Week Programme in the Joe Gqabi and Chris Hani districts of the Eastern Cape province. The programme is conducted annually across the country’s provinces to assess problematic public infrastructure schemes and this year's theme was ‘Confronting the challenges facing the timely delivery of viable public infrastructure to communities’. During its site visits, the NCOP learnt the Queenstown Economic Industrial Area project started in February 2022 and was expected to be completed in February 2023. However, due to a court action, the project was delayed for 11 months up until July 2023 and the new completion date was set for 30 September 2024. The project remains far from completion, mainly due to budgetary constraints. Meanwhile, the Louis Rex Primary School in the Enoch Mgijima local municipality, which is at 54% completion, has been delayed mainly due to poor performance by the first contractor. The school's principal informed the NCOP officials that the school is overcrowded and lacks various facilities and personnel. As a result, the school is vulnerable to all forms of crime emerging in the region, including extortion. On the Komani Industrial Park, the NCOP heard the park is faced with problems that include relocation of investors due to issues such as water shortage, insufficient power supply, lack of ICT connectivity, insecurity, and lack of funding for park operations. The facility is situated within the greater Komani urban area and comprises the Queendustria and Ezibeleni industrial areas, and is seen as one of the district's economic hopes. At the end of their oversight visit, the convoy expressed displeasure with the rising number of delayed schemes in the province. The delegation called on the leaders of the district and local municipalities to ensure the projects are resuscitated and accordingly budgeted for so that they can be completed. Meanwhile, Premier Oscar Mabuyane highlighted several positive developments on the province’s provincial and municipal infrastructure projects. These include working with the Department of Water Affairs to revive infrastructure on irrigation schemes and building and upgrading the province’s road infrastructure, such as the new Belstone-Breidbach interchange, the Msikaba Bridge and the Mtentu Bridge. Mabuyane said an interchange is being constructed in Ndabakazi that will change the face of the Mnquma municipality and that eight projects are at the procurement stage in the Chris Hani district municipality, including the R410 road from Queenstown to Lady Frere. He further told the NCOP delegation that the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) will invest Rand 50 billion (US$2.9 billion) in the provincial government’s improvement of the Eastern Cape road network in the next five years. The council heard that the province faces water challenges, especially in the Chris Hani municipality, but that the authorities are in the process of implementing 16 regional bulk infrastructure projects covering all the districts. The delegation was told the province is also investing heavily in education and healthcare infrastructure, such as the refurbishments of various healthcare centres and building of new facilities for the entire province. Photo: NCOP inspction visit (Source: Facebook @ Eastern Cape government) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 6ae96330-b910-4977-8637-fa1f665976a9 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> South African Council Assesses Free State Projects <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/south-african-council-assesses-free-state-projects_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> South Africa’s National Council of Provinces (NCOP) undertook its 2024 Provincial Week Programme in the Free State province in late September in an effort to assess and address challenges on unfinished and abandoned public infrastructure projects. The council visited various schemes in the Matjhabeng, Odendaalsrus, Welkom, Mangaung, Botshabelo and Bloemfontein municipalities. Among the schemes visited were the Leboneng Special School hostel scheme, which has reached 97% completion but was delayed for three years, and the Thandabantu Clinic, which is nearing completion with final touch-ups and utility connections expected to be completed by December. The council was also updated on the Kopano hospital complex scheme, noting that the facility is currently in a state of dilapidation and is being converted into a residential complex. The NCOP also inspected the 40km Excelsior-Tweespruit road scheme in Mangaung, on which construction began in December 2022 under a Rand 269 million (US$15.3 million) contract. The convoy learnt that only 3km of the route was completed before the contractor was terminated in June. A new contractor has been appointed and the Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport is working to recover funds and materials lost in the process. The NCOP and members of the Free State legislature urged the department to ensure accountability and swift progress. The NCOP also reviewed the Botshabelo sewage treatment plant, which is undergoing a major upgrade to double its capacity. However, the scheme has encountered significant delays due to vandalism and cable theft. The delegation urged the Mangaung municipality to take immediate steps to address the mismanagement since the plant is critical for service delivery in the area. The council also inspected the Dark City/Silver City social housing project, on which construction has stalled for seven years due to poor performance of the contractors involved. The NCOP was told the matter remains unresolved. Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae pledged to work closely with the Department of Human Settlements to ensure the scheme is completed on time and that the rightful tenants occupy the units amid concerns of past forced occupations. The delegation also visited the project to overhaul and expand the Park Road Police Station in Willows, which is a national project that has faced delays for seven years due to mismanagement and contract terminations, with damage to infrastructure impacting service delivery. The NCOP raised concerns about the Development Bank of South Africa's (DBSA) role in the scheme and called for urgent action to resolve the issues. Premier Letsoha-Mathae outlined the province’s plans to address infrastructure problems. These include exploring support institutions, the district development model and public-private funding to reduce wastage and delays in schemes. The office of the Auditor-General (AG) informed the NCOP delegates that the Mangaung, Maluti-A-Phofung, Matjhabeng and Metsimaholo local municipalities had not met their targets for infrastructure development, especially in areas such as water, sanitation and electricity. According to the AG’s office, the main reasons for the underperformance were insufficient budgets, misalignment between budget allocation and target achievement, and prioritising operational expenses over capital investments. Additionally, poor project planning, execution and monitoring, as well as ageing and deteriorating infrastructure, were identified as contributing factors. The delegation also learned common issues facing projects include vandalism, illegal utility connections and occupation of buildings or structures, and the delay and abandonment of schemes without penalties to contractors. Photo: NCOP site visit (Source: Facebook @ Free State government) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 9fe907a8-6360-474b-a7d2-0a85711e81b1 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> South African Parliament Concludes Gauteng Project Inspections <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/south-african-parliament-concludes-gauteng-project-inspections_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> South Africa’s parliamentary National Council of Provinces (NCOP) has concluded its 2024 Provincial Week Programme in the northeastern province of Gauteng The programme aims to assess progress on public infrastructure projects, specifically those that are community-based, as well as plans to address the challenges surrounding incomplete schemes. Gauteng’s Premier Panyaza Lesufi told the visiting NCOP delegation that incomplete infrastructure in the province is a pressing issue with social and financial consequences, noting that over 40 projects had stalled close to completion. “In this financial year, we have allocated Rand 12.7 billion [US$723 million] across departments to address infrastructure in its totality,” Lesufi said. “The province faces a Rand 1.1 billion shortfall to fund the identified incomplete infrastructure projects.” The premier said the backlog of delayed or abandoned schemes includes schools, clinics and hospitals, and noted community disruptions, vandalism and procurement inefficiencies as additional problems that caused stoppages on these projects. He said these challenges indicate a need for better project readiness and stricter adherence to delivery timelines. Lesufi also attributed the delays in infrastructure projects to the lack of cooperation between the three spheres of government, competing priorities among them and poor planning. In addition, the NCOP heard that construction mafias disguised as business forums hold Gauteng’s infrastructure projects worth billions of rand hostage. It also heard that collusion and price gouging are among the challenges, and the government has limited influence in setting prices across the construction industry. A turnaround infrastructure programme strategy is now in place for the completion of the projects, with the premier’s office leading the programme. In addition, a dedicated bulk infrastructure unit will be established to drive integration between provincial and local government, migration and centralisation of the Gauteng Infrastructure Financing Agency to the Department of Infrastructure Development as well as the escalation of the challenge posed by the construction mafia to the Gauteng Essential Infrastructure Task Team, led by the South African Police Service. Lesufi assured the NCOP convoy that the province would strive to get the basics right, from planning to maintenance, by ensuring all stages of infrastructure development adhered to core principles aimed at preventing costly delays and overruns. He said that to address these systemic challenges, the province aims to reduce dependency on external contractors, improve the efficiency of internal teams and ensure all infrastructure projects are delivered on time and within budget. As part of their oversight visits, the NCOP members visited the Duzenendlela Special School and expressed dissatisfaction with the conditions at the school and lack of infrastructure suitable for children with special needs. They also visited the Montrose mega city development project in Randfontein, which commenced in 2017 and is expected to yield 13,792 units on completion. The provincial Department of Human Settlements said the scheme had faced various challenges, such as non-performance by the developer, which failed to resume work in January. The developer also did not disclose a liquidation order issued by the court against it in 2023 in favour of the contractors. The delegation was informed that the developer failed to pay the small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) that were appointed as service providers. The abandoned project is now facing a serious problem of vandalism of the units. As part of the interventions, the department reported that it sought a legal opinion on the options available to act against the developer and a notice of termination was issued. The delegation was told that three criminal cases had been opened for the vandalism of the infrastructure, and some of the perpetrators had been brought to justice. The department further reported that, as part of the way forward, it is appointing a security company to protect the remaining infrastructure and will commence negotiations with the land owner on acquiring the land. NCOP officials also visited the Rustervaal Secondary School, which was initiated in 2016 and set for construction in 2018. A contractor was appointed but was terminated in 2020 due to underperformance and pending payments to subcontractors. The delegation was told that a new contractor has been appointed and is expected to conclude the scheme by August 2025. The MEC for Education committed to providing regular feedback to the NCOP on this delayed project and terminating contractor deals where there were unjustifiable delays. The NCOP also conducted an oversight visit to Kopanong Hospital in Vereeniging, work on which started in 2021, with an original completion date of August 2022. The appointed contractor could not finish the project and its deal was terminated. The delegates also visited the R82 Old Johannesburg Road in Walkerville. The initial consultant on the scheme was terminated due to poor performance and a new consulting engineer was appointed on 23 August. In addition, several households have encroached on the site and an intervention is being planned to relocate these residents. The delegation was informed that the project is scheduled to recommence in early October. The NCOP further visited the Bekkersdal Social Integrated Facility, New Simunye High School in Westonaria and the Lethabong housing megaproject in Sebokeng. The delegation applauded the Lethabong scheme, as it was the only site progressing well among all the visited projects. The delegation recommended that criminal cases be opened against developers who cause issues on the projects. Photo: NCOP site visit (Source: Facebook @ Gauteng government) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha afb7b8e8-c9ad-4028-b689-e73b1e7c101e <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Agreement Signed To Build Chongoene Port Terminal In Mozambique <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/agreement-signed-build-chongoene-port-terminal-mozambique_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Mozambique’s Ministry of Transport and Communications and Chongoene Mining Terminal Society in mid-October signed the public deed for the concession contract for the proposed Chongoene Port Terminal in the southern province of Gaza. Chongoene Mining Terminal Society is a joint venture of China’s Desheng Port, which holds an 80% stake, and Mozambique’s rail and port authority CFM, which owns the remaining stake. Under the 15-year concession, the company aims to build, operate and manage the port infrastructure for the storage and handling of heavy sands from the Chibuto heavy sands mine. The Chongoene Port Terminal will be built in phases, with the first phase to enable the handling of 8 million tonnes of material a year through an investment of US$55 million. CFM will manage and operate the terminal. The concession also includes the construction of a 73km railway line connecting the Chibuto mine to the Chokwe station of Mozambique’s Limpopo railway, which connects to the Port of Maputo. In addition, a 7km road will be built connecting National Road 1 (N1) in Chongoene to the port terminal, along with the maintenance of the Chibuto-Chongoene route. Transport minister Mateus Magala said the construction of the Chongoene terminal aims to make several development projects in Gaza viable, with the Chibuto heavy sands project being just an anchor, with the expectation of serving other local initiatives for the growth of this part of the country. Magala also highlighted the social and economic benefits of implementing the project, considering the negative implications of transporting products from the Chibuto mine by road to the Port of Maputo, such as the degradation of roads, pollution and road accidents. The Chongoene terminal concession was approved by the Council of Ministers in late August. Photo: Deed signing ceremony (Source: CFM) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 5b870a4b-3a62-42fb-af89-95e7f4e75b5a <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Public Projects Inspected In South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/public-projects-inspected-south-africas-kwazulu-natal-province_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> South Africa’s National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in late September completed its 2024 Provincial Week Programme in the KwaZulu-Natal province. The initiative, which is conducted annually across the country's provinces, assesses incomplete, delayed and abandoned provincial and municipal infrastructure schemes. During the programme, KwaZulu-Natal premier Thami Ntuli informed the NCOP delegation that an intervention is underway in Richards Bay to resolve the truck traffic in the area. This has become a challenge for the port customers and local users of the precinct, including interference with the N2 highway, a major link to Durban from the north of the province. Ntuli said the intervention will involve constructing an alternative gate and providing new rail line core infrastructure by March 2025. These and related initiatives are planned to lead to the Richards Bay Industrial Zone facilitating the creation of 800 jobs in the uMhlathuze area by March 2025. The province’s Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs also briefed the NCOP on problematic schemes in district municipalities such as Ugu, Umgungundlovu, Uthukela and Ilembe. MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Siboniso Duma told the delegates that among the reasons for schemes to stall are legal bottlenecks, lack of infrastructure and procurement planning, lack of risk management plans in projects, and community conflicts resulting in work stoppages and increases in costs. The NCOP convoy undertook oversight visits to the Hammarsdale wastewater treatment plant, Go Durban Bus Transport Project in Phoenix, Menzi High School in Umlazi, Kennedy Road housing project in Chesterville, and the Umkomazi water scheme. At the Umkomazi project, NCOP Deputy Chairperson Les Govender highlighted the importance of community dialogue, advising that it is through such platforms that people scrutinise the effectiveness of services provided to the community. On the Menzi school scheme, the delegation emphasised that it is unacceptable for construction mafias to impede projects that would benefit the local people. The infrastructure upgrade project at the school aims to provide a new, modern facility with enough space to accommodate more teachers and learners. However, the provincial Department of Education incurred additional costs for standing time by contractors due to work stoppages on the project. Photo: NCOP briefing session (Source: Facebook @ KwaZulu-Natal government) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha b3d3c128-7666-4f79-88e6-0f666bf3c5dd <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> South African Parliament Inspects Mpumalanga Projects <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/south-african-parliament-inspects-mpumalanga-projects_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> South Africa’s National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in late September completed its 2024 Provincial Week Programme in the Mpumalanga province. The initiative, which is conducted annually across the country's provinces, assesses incomplete, delayed and abandoned provincial and municipal infrastructure schemes. During the programme, the NCOP convoy visited the project to refurbish sections of the 97-year-old Lydenburg hospital. They found that although sections of the hospital are receiving facelifts, it was clear that due to their age, renovations will not bring the necessary improvements and that the authorities must consider building a new structure. Some NCOP members opined that investing funds in refurbishing the dilapidated building was a waste of resources. They recommended plans be made to build a new, modern infrastructure to meet the conditions for implementing the National Health Insurance. Mpumalanga’s Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Health Sasekani Manzini said: “Lydenburg Hospital is on our 10-year plan of hospitals that will be rebuilt. We will continue building state-of-the-art hospitals but cannot do it all at once. We do not have the budget. We currently have the Middelburg and Mapulaneng hospitals that are under construction.” As part of their itinerary, the NCOP officials also conducted oversight visits at human settlement projects, including a faulty sewerage pipeline. The Thaba Chweu local municipality officials committed to addressing the faulty pipeline immediately. The NCOP also inspected the Mashishing Township Extension 6 bulk infrastructure project in the municipality and heard that the scheme is nearing completion. The Rand 10 million project resumed operations after a halt owing to cash flow challenges and blasting works. The Department of Human Settlements stated that the project is 95% complete and is expected to be finalised by the end of the 2024/25 financial year. Commenting on the common challenges of delayed and incomplete infrastructure projects in Thaba Chweu, the delegation said authorities must work hard to address this as it negatively impacts service delivery. The delegation also visited the Thaba Chweu Boarding School, the Mashishing-Bambi (R36) road and Dullstroom Road (R540), an inter-district road connecting Belfast in the Emakhazeni municipality to Lydenburg in the Thaba Chweu municipality. Photo: NCOP site visit (Source: Facebook @ Mpumalanga government) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha d2ca3b01-8988-44f8-9e04-2f368eb6ac92 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Work Underway On New Republic Of Congo Container Terminal <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/work-underway-new-republic-congo-container-terminal_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Construction of a new container terminal at the Republic of Congo’s Autonomous Port of Pointe Noire (PAPN) is underway and operations will begin in 2027, according to Congo Terminal, the concessionaire of the port’s container terminal. Congo Terminal is a subsidiary of Africa Global Logistics (AGL), which is owned by Switzerland-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). The firm was created in 2009 through a public-private partnership (PPP) with the Congolese government for the 30-year concession of the terminal. Known as Congo Terminal Mole Est, the new terminal will be built through an investment of €400 million (US$437.2 million). It will have 750 metres of quays with a draught of 17 metres, 26 hectares of quayside and 16 electric gantries, including four ship-to-shore (STS) and 12 rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes. A major dredging campaign is set to widen the channel to 300 metres at the bend and 250 metres for the other sections. The new infrastructure will increase PAPN’s overall container terminal capacity from 1 million to more than 2.3 million 20-foot equivalent containers (TEUs) handled per year and will enable Congo Terminal to accommodate larger-capacity vessels from Asia, the Indian subcontinent and Europe. It will also create 900 jobs. Congo Terminal says the new terminal is being built in view of the exclusive terms it has received and in anticipation of the growth of its activities. It is also expected to help PAPN consolidate its position as a transit and transhipment hub for Central Africa. New Congo Terminal Mole EstSource: AGL“The construction of the East Mole is a joint project of … PAPN and Congo Terminal to increase the nautical and operational capacities of the Pointe-Noire container terminal, in order to anticipate the new needs of users of the Port of Pointe-Noire and shipping lines that will be able to ship in their largest vessels,” said Anthony Samzun, the concessionaire’s managing director. Overall, Congo Terminal has committed to investing CFA franc 374 billion (US$622.6 million) over the concession period. At the beginning of the concession, the firm set up an investment programme to optimise the terminal's capacities. The first phase of infrastructure works allowed the construction of 270 metres of quay reclaimed from the sea and offered a draft of 16 metres. Several container storage areas were completely renovated and extended to service larger cargo volumes. The second phase consisted of rebuilding quays to 1,500 metres and increasing the storage areas to 36 hectares. Meanwhile, a new multipurpose terminal is also set to be built at PAPN. In June 2023, AD Ports Group, which is majority owned by Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund ADQ, signed a 30-year concession with the government for the development, operation, management and maintenance of the terminal, known as the New East Mole Port. The terminal will handle containers, general cargo, break-bulk and other types of cargo. In late July, AD Ports Group announced the completion of an environmental and social impact study for the project, phase 1 of which is expected to be completed over the next 28 months. AD Ports Group will invest more than US$500 million over the life of the concession, with around US$220 million allocated for phase 1. The group has the right to extend the concession for 20 years on the same terms and conditions.In mid-September, AD Ports Group awarded China’s Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company (ZPMC) a deal to supply three STS and nine hybrid RTG cranes for the New East Mole Port. Top photo: PAPN (Source: Facebook @ Congo Terminal) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 0afefd71-fca2-4c96-8b82-c31db0699157 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Cameroon Partners With Arise IIP For Industrial Port Zone <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/cameroon-partners-arise-iip-industrial-port-zone_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> The authority of Cameroon’s Douala port (PAD) has signed a partnership agreement with pan-African industrial park developer and operator Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (Arise IIP) for the creation of the Dibamba Industrial Port Zone. The public-private partnership (PPP) agreement covers the design, financing, development and management of a 517-hectare integrated industrial and logistics ecosystem in Missole 1 &nbsp;on the banks of the Dibamba River. The project’s implementation is planned to begin in the first quarter of 2025. The zone will be divided into various components: The 100-hectare Dibamba Douala-Port Logistics Platform (DDLP), which will feature warehouses and storage facilities, and is set to help alleviate traffic congestion in Douala; The 350-hectare Dibamba Douala Industrial Platform (DDIP), which will be developed and equipped with infrastructure to foster industrialisation; A 50-hectare residential area; A single-window clearance for administrative procedures;&nbsp; A vocational training centre. The primary goal of the project is to attract local and international investors to develop value chains focused on the transformation of local resources, particularly in the agro-industry, timber, construction materials and pharmaceuticals sectors. Industries will be organised by sector, with individual plots ranging from 5,000 square metres and tailored to the needs of investors. The zone will also offer various incentives including tax and customs benefits, as well as preferential access to global markets. Said to be the first initiative in Cameroon to combine industrial and port facilities, the Dibamba Industrial Port Zone will be connected by the national road N3 and maritime routes to the Autonomous Port of Douala. According to estimates, the industrial area will generate 15,000 direct jobs. The expansion of farmland needed to provide input to the industrial zone could create about 500,000 jobs. “By combining our expertise with that of our partners at the Port Authority of Douala, we are poised to create a world-class industrial ecosystem that will enhance local resources, attract significant international investments, and generate thousands of jobs, fostering sustainable growth for Cameroon and the CEMAC region,” said Gagan Gupta, founder and CEO of Arise IIP. The Douala port handles over 85% of Cameroon’s imports and exports. Photo: Agreement signing ceremony (Source: Facebook @ PAD) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 077e902d-a1ec-459c-aa85-1ee8589417ea <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Projects Assessed In South Africa’s Limpopo Province <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/projects-assessed-south-africas-limpopo-province_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> South Africa’s National Council of Provinces (NCOP) has concluded its 2024 Provincial Week Programme in the Limpopo province, an annual initiative undertaken to assess incomplete, delayed and abandoned provincial and municipal infrastructure schemes across the country’s provinces. Between 16-20 September, an NCOP delegation visited schemes in the Waterberg district, specifically in the Lephalale, Thabazimbi and Mogalakwena municipalities. Projects inspected included the Mokolo Crocodile Water Augmentation Project (MCWAP) 1 pipeline running from Thabazimbi to Lephalale; Mokolo Dam; the SMASH Block informal settlement outside Thabazimbi; and the Relebogile housing project in Thabazimbi. In addition, the convoy performed oversight visits to housing and water schemes in the Marapong and Thabo Mbeki townships; the Northam wastewater treatment plant; internal roads in Ward 8; the road scheme at R572 between Tomburke and Swartwater; the Waterberg Nursing College; and the Valtyn Moshate Local Stadium. During the inspection of the road construction works in Segole 1 and 2, the NCOP was told the scheme is expected to be completed by early 2025. At the Valtyn Moshate Local Stadium project, the convoy learnt the contractor had abandoned the scheme for over five years and that the Mogalakwena municipality had already spent Rand 38 million (US$2.2 million) on it. The delegation advised that all spheres of government work together to resuscitate the scheme in the interest of the broader community. At the SMASH Block settlement, the NCOP learnt the development has existed for 30 years but is still a community of shacks with no electricity, proper roads or sanitation facilities. While there are delays due to various reasons, such as a shortage of funds and interruptions by community members, construction work is currently underway at other project sites. At the Relebogile housing project, the delegates noted that the provincial government had completed 270 housing units in record time, but that water and electricity remain challenges in the community. Overall, the NCOP recommended urgent intervention by provincial departments to resolve the challenges faced in the inspected schemes. They also raised serious concerns about contractors that habitually abandon projects before completion, a practice said to escalate budgets, especially when a provincial government or municipality appoints another contractor to resume the work. The delegation also found that vandalism at abandoned schemes is a major source of financial setbacks. The NCOP advised the responsible departments and municipalities to develop an implementation plan of recommendations with timelines, and reiterated that it would not allow its oversight recommendations to be ignored without consequences. Photo: Project inspection visit (Source: Facebook @ Limpopo government) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 76b9d140-febd-4bec-aca7-89bc5641ddb2 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Niger Launches Social Housing Project <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/niger-launches-social-housing-project_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> The government of Niger in early October performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the project to construct 1,000 affordable housing units in Sorey in the capital city Niamey. The work will be undertaken by Mali’s Banga Immobilier and will be overseen by the Nigerien Society of Urban Planning and Construction Real Estate (SONUCI) following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two parties for the construction of 5,000 affordable homes. The 1,000 units will comprise 300 two-bed homes, 400 three-bed houses and 300 four-bed units. Niamey affordable housing projectSource: GovernmentAccording to the state-owned Nigerien Press Agency (ANP), this initiative is part of the Modern City Construction Programme called ‘La Cite de la Refondation’, and the aim is to build 200 housing units within 12 months as part of the first phase. The city will also see the bitumening of the main and secondary roads and the construction of internal infrastructure such as drainage, utilities and public lighting. “The state of Niger is resolutely concerned about the wellbeing of its populations, both in rural areas and in urban centres, where living and housing conditions are only deteriorating; [the government] has decided to make [the] housing sector a priority sector,” said Minister of Public Health, Population and Social Affairs Garba Hakimi. Another housing scheme was launched in the capital city in mid-September. According to an ANP report, Minister of Urban Planning and Housing Salissou Adamou launched work on the construction of 155 social housing units in Niamey, financed by the Niger Housing Bank through an investment of CFA franc 1.5 billion (US$2.5 million). The report said the homes would consist of two-, three- and four-bed units developed by Nigerien firms, which would be sold at a cost ranging between CFA franc 8 million and CFA franc 14.5 million, citing Sahirou. In June 2023, the Ministry of Urban Planning and Habitat (MUH) said housing was a source of concern in the country, with low-income households, particularly young civil servants, most affected. In response, the government, as part of its national housing policy, is committed to building 6,300 social housing units to meet sustainable development goals. In late April, the MUH signed a cooperation framework agreement with the African Solidarity Fund (FSA) to improve affordable housing in Niger. The  FSA pledged to support the MUH in the areas of housing financing, urban development and the construction ecosystem. This support will include obtaining guarantees for investors and implementation of projects and programmes by Niger’s urban planning and habitat institutions. In late May, the FSA launched the Guarantee of Housing Loans product, aimed at increasing access to housing in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) region, which covers Niger, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Senegal and Togo. The guarantee was launched in partnership with the UEMOA Regional Mortgage Refinancing Fund (CRRH-UEMOA) and is designed to increase the intervention capabilities of regional financial institutions in housing financing. The FSA is a multilateral financial institution headquartered in Niamey. It comprises 21 member states, namely Niger, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Rwanda, Senegal, Togo and Chad, along with the Development Bank of Central African States (BDEAC).  The FSA’s mission is to contribute to the economic development and social progress of its member states by facilitating access to the financial resources required to implement investment projects and other income-generating activities. The CRRH-UEMOA, established in July 2010, aims to refinance housing loans granted by financiers to clients by mobilising long-term resources in financial markets or from development partners. It is mainly owned by the 58 banks it works with, such as the West African Development Bank (BOAD), IFC, Ecowas Investment and Development Bank (EBID) and pan-African housing and real estate finance institution Shelter Afrique. Top photo: Groundbreaking ceremony (Source: Facebook @ Nigerien government) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 2823bc31-415f-488c-9a0d-4abc7e93908a <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> World Bank Gives Central African Republic US$70 Million For Climate Resilience <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/world-bank-gives-central-african-republic-us70-million-climate-resilience_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> The World Bank has approved a US$70 million grant to the Central African Republic (CAR) government targeted at improving access to basic infrastructure and services and building climate resilience in the capital city Bangui and the second-largest city, Berberati. The financing agreement was signed in mid-September. Called the CAR Inclusive and Resilient Cities Project (PROVIR), the scheme will benefit an estimated 1.6 million people through better access to basic services and climate-resilient infrastructure. Ranked second globally in terms of vulnerability to climate change, CAR is exposed to many natural disaster risks, which are exacerbated by poverty and political insecurity. In Berberati, erosion is threatening housing and critical urban infrastructure and services, while in Bangui, urban roads, markets, schools and other related urban assets and networks are damaged, interrupted or disconnected yearly during the rainy season. In addition, the higher rate of desertification is causing pasture and farm land to disappear even faster in southern Chad and CAR’s northern region and is fueling conflicts involving transhumance, pushing more people to seek refuge in cities and causing rapid, poorly planned urbanisation. The project’s components include a focus on infrastructure to reduce flood and erosion risks.  In Bangui, this will cover urban flood control measures such as stormwater drainage, including related works for the construction and/or renovation of culverts, bridges and canal outlets; water retention basins; and dredging. In Berberati, investments may include primary road resurfacing; critical spots such as culverts, bridges and canal outlets; stormwater drainage; water retention basins; and dredging of primary drains. Another component will support investments in local-level, climate-resilient socio-economic infrastructure across various neighbourhoods in the two cities. Priority neighbourhoods under PROVIR schemeSource: Project appraisal report, August 2024In Bangui, beneficiary neighbourhoods are grouped in nine zones: Zone 1: Quartiers Ramandji, Boulata, Cite Boeing and Citee Dameca; Zone 2: Lipia 2, Lipia 4, Sangba, Dedengue 4 and 5; Zone 3: Lando 2; Zone 4: Banga 2, Ngouciment 1 and Ben-Zvi centre; Zone 5: Mpoko Bac 2, Gbanikola 1 and 2; Zone 6: Ngaragba Gbotoro, Ngatoua, Toaka, Gbangouma 4 and Saint Paul 1; Zone 7: Galabadja Sinistres, Galabadja 1, 2, 3 and 4; Zone 8: Gbakassa 1, Ngou Catere 1 and 2 and Kokoro canal; Zone 9: Cite Sato, Poto Poto 1 and 2. Activities will include rehabilitating 4.6km of secondary roads, one crossroads and 20.4km of tertiary roads and corresponding drainage; building 3.4km of green drainage; rehabilitating 34.8km of pedestrian pathway and constructing 17 pedestrian footbridges; and revamping a health centre, nine schools, eight small markets and 11 public spaces. In Berberati, beneficiary neighbourhoods are grouped in four zones – Zone 1 (Poto Poto,Ngou Ciment 2, Djambala 1, 2 and 8); Zone 2 (Sambanda 1 and 3); Zone 3 (Ndao, Baba Salao and Kasai 1); and Zone 4 (City Centre). Activities will include rehabilitating 4.4km of secondary roads and two crossroads; constructing 2.3km of secondary drainage infrastructure and 9.7km of green drainage; and revamping 16.6km of pedestrian pathway, four schools, five small markets and eight public spaces. The project implementing agency is the Ministry of Urban Development, Land Reform and Housing (MURFVH) and the scheme is expected to be completed by August 2029. “Tens of thousands of people in cities across the Central African Republic are exposed to the risks of natural disasters, which are worsening as a result of climate change,” said Guido Rurangwa, the World Bank’s country manager for the republic. “CAR is not adequately equipped to cope with increasingly heavy rainfall, entailing risk of erosion and flooding, which threaten lives and essential urban infrastructure and services.” Top photo: Bangui in 2014 (Source: Wikimedia Commons) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha a15128b4-44cd-4841-9327-b579f6512ba6 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Cabo Verde Awards Port Expansion Contract <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/cabo-verde-awards-port-expansion-contract_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> The government of Cabo Verde has selected a joint venture of Angola’s Griner Engenharia and the local Armando Cunha Cabo Verde to undertake work under the second phase of the extension and modernisation of the port of Palmeira on the island of Sal. The group will execute Lot 1 of the project, which entails the expansion and upgrade of facilities at the port, at a cost of CVE 839 million (US$8.4 million). The work covers the construction of a 1,500-square-metre passenger terminal; a cargo terminal and administrative services over 2,000 square metres; a container yard; administrative and technical facilities for national port authority Enapor and other operators across 800 square metres; internal streets and parking; utility installations; and a 1km access road. Palmeira port expansion project layoutSource: Cabo Verde governmentThe aim of the scheme is to expand the port’s operations and strengthen maritime transport services, one of the main sub-sectors supporting the country’s tourism sector. “We have here a strong investment in a sector that is strategic for Cabo Verde. We are islands, we are seas and maritime and air connectivity is very important,” said Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva. In addition, the project will see the construction of the Palmeira High School. The overall cost of the project is €10 million (US$11.1 million) and is being funded by the EU, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Cabo Verde government. The project implementing agency is the Ministry of Infrastructure, Spatial Planning and Housing. The port of Palmeira received 490 ships in 2023, along with handling 54,833 passengers, 329,442 tonnes of goods and 7,920 containers. Armando Cunha Cabo Verde was also involved in the previous phase of work on the port, which was concluded in 2017 at a cost of €20 million and included the construction of a new berth, paving of a container park with a total area of ​​40,000 square metres, dredging, drainage and special installations. The expansion of the Palmeira port is part of a programme of investments in Cabo Verde’s port sector, with work on the Porto Ingles on the island of Maio and the fishing port of Tarrafal de Sao Nicolau on the Sao Nicolau island having been completed. The programme includes improvements at the Praia port on the island of Santiago, which Armando Cunha Cabo Verde is involved in, along with the construction of the Mindelo cruise terminal on the island of Sao Vicente, set for imminent completion. In addition, the Porto Grande de Mindelo will be expanded and modernised for transshipment operations along with the extension and adaptation of the Porto Novo seaport on the island of Santo Antao to receive cruise ships, funded by the EU Global Gateway initiative. The programme will also see the construction of maritime stations at the ports of Praia, Tarrafal de Sao Nicolau, Maio, Sal and no Fogo, with funding already secured for all the schemes. In mid-September, the government of Cabo Verde signed a €300 million financing agreement with the EU and the European Investment Bank (EIB) that includes funding of €105 million for expanding and modernising several of the country’s ports, namely Palmeira, Porto Grande, Porto Novo and the CABNAVE ship repair yard in Mindelo. Top photo: Palmeira port (Source: Facebook @ Enapor) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 43c8e38f-4c66-4f79-b4c2-f791644eab26 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> AfDB Approves US$25 Million Loan For Seychelles <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/afdb-approves-us25-million-loan-seychelles_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a US$25 million loan to the government of Seychelles to implement the first phase of the Economic Resilience and Green Recovery Support Programme (ERGRSP). The overall aim of the programme is to contribute to the government’s medium-term objectives of improving access to renewable energy, enhancing inclusive growth and creating jobs, while leaving room for manoeuvre in the budget and promoting debt sustainability. This will enable the authorities to allocate resources to priority schemes and initiatives while protecting vulnerable social groups. The ERGRSP is the first in a series of programmes scheduled for 2024, 2025 and 2026, and will support efforts by the Seychelles government to improve tax revenues and enhance governance in the public sector, including efficiency of public spending and service delivery as key pathways to advance governance and economic management reforms. The tax will play an important role in the country's tax mobilisation efforts and provide funds for investment in circular economy projects. The programme will support the current efforts of the Ministry of Investment, Entrepreneurship and Industry to drive economic diversification and transformation in the fishing and tourism industries, from which the East African island nation derives most of its revenue. The government is also implementing measures to improve the health of the country’s financial system so that it can do more to support real sector growth. Specifically, the ERGRSP will support efforts by the authorities to introduce a licensing regime for the virtual asset sector. The ERGRSP will also help the Seychelles authorities to deepen reforms that promote environment and climate resilience, assisting the government's efforts to integrate climate adaptation and mitigation into the National Development Strategy for 2024-28. In a July 2023 interview, Minister for Finance, National Planning and Trade Naadir Hassan said Seychelles, as a low-lying island country, is largely dependent on its coastal areas and is therefore particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Some 90% of the population and most of the country’s essential infrastructure, including power plants, food storage facilities and ports, are concentrated on the narrow coastal plateau surrounding Mahe, Praslin and La Digue, the country’s main populated islands. The continued rise in sea level increases the risk of coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources and damage to buildings and infrastructure, Hassan said. He added that climate change threatens the country’s pristine beaches and coral reefs, which are major tourist attractions. Tourism is a crucial economic sector for Seychelles, accounting for more than 20% of GDP and providing a quarter of jobs. Hassan also noted that climate change alters fish populations by changing ocean currents, water temperatures, and ecosystems, potentially causing a reduction in fish stocks and harming the economy and livelihoods of many people. “In the long term, we intend to make a transition to renewable energies in order to reach our goal of zero emissions by 2050,” said Hassan. “But the implementation costs are considerable; they exceed US$600 million over the next 10 years, or about 5% of GDP per year. We are seeking financial assistance from international organisations to support our actions.” According to the AfDB's country focus report for 2023, Seychelles requires about US$1.3 billion cumulatively up to 2030 to respond adequately to climate change. Photo: Seychelles port (Source: Facebook @ Seychelles Ports Authority) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 2b609098-91d7-4430-989d-616ac7b3c91f <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> South African Parliament Assesses Projects In North West <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/south-african-parliament-assesses-projects-north-west_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> South Africa’s National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in mid-September completed its 2024 Provincial Week Programme in the North West province. The initiative, which is conducted annually across the country's provinces, assesses incomplete, delayed and abandoned provincial and municipal infrastructure schemes. During the week, the NCOP delegates met with provincial officials and managers to gather reliable information about service delivery progress and provide their insights on schemes in the Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Kenneth Kaunda districts. The delegation raised concerns about inadequate planning and project management in the province as well as the lack of effective coordination between the province and municipalities, indicating the need for the adoption of the district development model (DDM) to ensure efficiency.&nbsp; Under the DDM, joint and collaborative planning is undertaken at local, district and metropolitan levels by all three spheres of governance, resulting in a single strategically focussed plan for each of the districts and metropolitan spaces in the country. The NCOP visited the non-operational Mafikeng airport and noted plans by the Department of Transport, Roads and Community Safety to revitalise the airport. However, the delegation highlighted that a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis must be done to ensure those plans create the needed economic benefits.&nbsp; The NCOP also urged the department to undertake an economic viability analysis to facilitate plans to utilise the airport as an international cargo hub. Furthermore, the officials engaged with local business forums, which highlighted the availability of investors willing to reinvent the airport.&nbsp; In addition, the NCOP inspected the Rooigrond wastewater treatment works and raised concerns that the scheme was initially planned to be completed in 2018 but has yet to be concluded. The delegates were assured that the project would be completed by July 2025. “It is unacceptable that the over 1,000 households that would have benefited from the project are still waiting to this day," said Sylvia Sithole, provincial whip and leader of the NCOP delegation. "While the delegation notes the plans by the Magalies Water Board to complete the project in July 2025, it is concerning that the initial plans were inadequate." The delegation also raised concerns that the environmental impact assessment as well as the application for servitudes were not done when the scheme was commissioned, which contributed to its delay.&nbsp; “This points to poor planning by departments. Infrastructure projects are complex and effective planning will ensure they are delivered on time and within budgets,” Sithole said.&nbsp; Also of concern to the NCOP was the number of acting personnel responsible for the project's implementation. It called for the Magalies Water Board to urgently appoint permanent personnel who could be held accountable if the scheme was not implemented within the stipulated time frame.&nbsp; At the housing project in Tshunyane Village, which has stalled since 2011, the delegates called for the provincial Department of Human Settlements to ensure effective consequence management against officials who were responsible for the stoppage of work. The delegation said it was unacceptable that there is a trend of appointing companies incapable of delivering projects on time and called for the blacklisting of such firms. The NCOP also demanded a comprehensive report on the housing scheme, with full details of cost overruns, the value for money delivered by contracted companies and the actions the department has taken to address the current challenges. In addition, the delegates were reportedly alarmed by the state of the Sanieshof wastewater treatment works, which is located in the Tswaing local municipality and is undergoing an upgrade and refurbishment project worth millions of rand. Despite assurances from the authorities of tangible progress in the project’s development, the NCOP noted that the plant does not have a security fence and poses a drowning hazard to children. It requested a clear plan to secure the site and complete the development of the facility. The delegation also noted the commitment by the roads department to complete phase 2 of the maintenance of the P152/1 Road from Setlagole to Delareyville by December. “We acknowledge that all government departments are operating with reduced budgets, but they are hopeful that the new allocation will lead to the completion of the project,” the NCOP delegation leader said. The delegates also visited the stalled N12 and N14 housing schemes, the Zeerust wastewater treatment plant, and the Potchefstroom disaster management centre. "While we are concerned that some projects have taken a long time to complete, we accept the assurances you have given today and we will be back in November to assess if those commitments have been honoured," said Sithole. Photo: Mafikeng airport (Source: Facebook @ North West government) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 90f30dd0-3750-4d36-8998-f0084d052b3f <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Project Assessments Concluded In South Africa's Northern Cape <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/project-assessments-concluded-south-africas-northern-cape_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> South Africa’s National Council of Provinces (NCOP) has concluded its 2024 Provincial Week Programme in the Northern Cape province. The initiative was undertaken in mid-September to assess incomplete, delayed and abandoned provincial and municipal infrastructure schemes across the province. The NCOP is one of the two houses of parliament and is mandated to ensure provincial interests are taken into account in the national sphere of government. It consists of 90 provincial delegates, or 10 delegates for each of the country’s nine provinces. The provincial week initiative is conducted annually across all of South Africa's provinces and this year's theme was ‘Confronting the challenges facing the timely delivery of viable public infrastructure to communities’. The NCOP delegates and their provincial legislature counterparts spent the week visiting projects such as incomplete road schemes, housing projects and other delayed or abandoned public infrastructure works.Schemes inspected by the NCOP in the Northern Cape province included the In Fill housing project in Ritchie, Sol Plaatjie municipality, which remains unfinished five years after its inception. The delegation was told by the area’s authorities that the delay was due to various reasons including insufficient funding, administrative issues and illegal occupancy. The NCOP delegates called on the project’s implementing agents to expedite the scheme and ensure its completion. In the John Taolo Gaetsewe region, the NCOP visited projects including the Kalahari Intermediate School; Bankhara Bodulong Primary School; Dithakong Combined School; and the MR938 road between Hotazel and Kathu. The challenges identified in these schemes included delays in payments and termination of contractors due to non-performance.&nbsp; Northern Cape premier Zamani Saul said the executive was in the process of aligning its budget to its new service delivery priorities – modernising infrastructure, growing the economy, and turning the province into a green energy hub. On green energy, Saul said plans are afoot to establish a green hydrogen energy plant, which would lead to industrial development desperately needed in the province. Another of the province’s major initiatives is its investment in water and sanitation bulk infrastructure projects, with some communities facing water shortages, which is compounded by a backlog of ageing infrastructure that requires regular maintenance and refurbishment. The rehabilitation of road infrastructure is another priority for the province, the premier told delegates. The Northern Cape has also initiated a Rand 1 billion (US$57.7 million) housing project to ease its housing backlog, which is progressing well, Saul said. A total of 18 implementing agencies and various contractors have been enlisted to plan, manage and monitor the implementation of the scheme. Photo: Northern Cape site visit (Source: Facebook @ Northern Cape government) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha b73fa7a8-9945-4246-9a72-1a1f54cbff9b <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Eskom Uses Coal Ash For Road Construction <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/eskom-uses-coal-ash-road-construction_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> South African power utility Eskom says its subsidiary Eskom Rotek Industries utilised recycled legacy coal ash in the construction of an access road at the Kusile coal power station in the Mpumalanga province. Legacy coal ash is a by-product of coal-fired power generation and comprises weathered fly and bottom ash. Eskom used the material in the geopolymerisation process, which transforms aluminosilicate ash into geopolymer concrete, said to be a sustainable and durable alternative to traditional cement.&nbsp; The geopolymer concrete was used to build the 759-metre Kusile West Access Road, designed to support the daily passage of up to 1,600 trucks, each weighing about 34 tonnes, during the construction of a new coal conveyor belt at the power plant. Eskom utilised around 2,904 tonnes of legacy coal ash per kilometre of road, adhering to conventional road-building standards. &nbsp; The utility says the project marks the first time coal ash has been used for construction purposes in South Africa, with the aim being to decrease reliance on conventional cement, mitigate carbon emissions, open new revenue streams and alleviate the costs associated with legacy ash management. Currently, Eskom produces around 34 million tonnes of coal ash annually, of which only 7-10% is beneficiated, with the remainder stored in ash disposal facilities. Classified as Type 3 hazardous waste, the management of coal ash incurs significant environmental and financial liabilities. Under waste exclusion regulations, the utility is authorised to use coal ash in various applications including road construction and brick manufacturing. Finding additional applications for coal ash not only reduces the environmental footprint of ash disposal facilities but also minimises fugitive dust. Eskom says it is seeking new uses for fine fly ash from its newer power stations, building on the legacy of earlier power station closures that repurposed clinker ash for bricks to construct many homes; these dumps are now almost depleted. Photo: Kusile power plant (© Timwege | Dreamstime) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 1cad197f-38f9-4c46-8d68-5e0e078e301d <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Cote d’Ivoire Signs Deal For Sewage Treatment Plants <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/cote-divoire-signs-deal-sewage-treatment-plants_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Cote d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Hydraulics, Sanitation and Health in mid-September signed an agreement with Egypt’s Arab Contractors Company for the construction of sewage sludge treatment plants (STBVs) in six cities across the country.&nbsp;The STBVs will be built in the western cities of Daloa, Man and Seguela, as well as Gagnoa in the central-south, Soubre in the southwest and Odienne in the northwest through an investment of CFA franc 9.5 billion (US$16.1 million) excluding tax.The project comprises Lot 3 of a larger scheme named PAGEMV, which targets the construction of 14 STBVs. Three of these will be built in Grand-Bassam, Bingerville and Songon in the district of Abidjan under Lot 1, and five in cities located in the country’s interior, namely Abengourou, Bondoukou, Bouake, Daoukro and Dimbokro, under Lot 2. PAGEMV is being supported by a CFA franc 28 billion loan from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), signed in October 2020. The project execution agency is the National Office of Sanitation and Drainage (ONAD). PAGEMV also includes the construction of a methane sludge digestion plant across five hectares of land in the Vitre 2 neighbourhood near Abidjan. The facility will have the capacity to process 500 cubic metres a day of sludge to produce 750MW of electricity. In mid-April this year, ONAD invited bids for the scheme by 25 June. The contract duration is 540 days. The government of Cote d'Ivoire is looking to build STBVs in all 31 regions of the country by 2030. To date, three STBVs have been built in Korhogo, San-Pedro and Bouake and three are being built in Abidjan, Yamoussoukro and Katiola. Photo: Deal signing ceremony (Source: Ministry of Hydraulics, Sanitation and Health) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 05bd80b1-41ac-4e6b-ac14-fe750559fd84 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Burkina Faso Moves To Expand Power Production <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/burkina-faso-moves-expand-power-production_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> The West African Development Bank (BOAD) in late September approved a CFA franc 30 billion (US$50.9 million) loan to support the fourth-phase expansion of Burkina Faso’s Komsilga thermal power plant. The 190MW facility is located in the capital city Ouagadougou in the central region and supplies the country’s national interconnected grid. Its capacity will now be enhanced by 50MW, leading to a projected impact of 350GWh of power generated annually, improved access to electricity for 217,000 people and the creation of 250 jobs. The scheme will be undertaken by state power utility Sonabel and its total cost has been estimated at CFA franc 74.4 billion (US$126.3 million). The scope of work includes installing and commissioning a turnkey diesel power plant comprising three generator sets, two 15/90kV transformers, a 15kV high-voltage feed station and cells, along with roadworks within the site. According to the project environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) report published in May, the Komsilga expansion project aims to meet Burkina Faso's growing demand for electricity, estimated to be increasing at more than 10% a year. Current national production does not meet this demand and supply remains dependent on imports from Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana, the unavailability of which leads to power cuts in Ouagadougou. The Komsilga expansion is also aimed to support the connection of isolated areas to the national grid and enable the electrification of hundreds of localities located near secondary interconnection lines. The scheme is also expected to improve Sonabel's financial situation by enabling the shutdown of old power stations that are very costly to operate and are a source of pollution in the capital city. In a further effort to boost power production in Burkina Faso, the Council of Ministers in late September approved the conclusion of contracts by direct agreement with various companies for the implementation of emergency projects for Sonabel. The works are to be completed within six months. The local PPI-BF has been selected to construct a 26.4MW plant in Bobo-Dioulasso for a cost of CFA franc 28.7 billion, while China’s Shandong Taikai Power Engineering has been tasked with increasing the capacities of the Pa, Zagtouli, Koupela, Zano, Dedougou and Kaya substations at the cost of CFA franc 15 billion. A local/Kenyan joint venture of Sacoten and Ezeetec have been appointed to expand the energy evacuation capacity of the Patte d’Oie substation at a cost of CFA franc 6.5 billion while Socorita is to increase the evaluation capacity of the Kossodo, Ouaga-Nord and Ouahigouya substations. Photo: Thermal power plant in Burkina Faso (Source: Facebook @ Sonabel) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 7f88c8f2-61fc-45bb-baff-8314fd5c48fc <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Interview: Philippe Dessoy, General Manager Business Development, BESIX <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/interview-philippe-dessoy-general-manager-business-development-besix_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> In Cote d’Ivoire’s economic capital Abidjan, construction of Africa’s tallest tower is in full swing.  It is perhaps no surprise that the main subcontractor on La Tour F or the F Tower project is BESIX.  The Belgium-headquartered firm has extensive experience in designing and building skyscrapers around the globe: its vast Middle East portfolio includes the world’s tallest tower, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, which stands 828 metres high. BESIX is also constructing the 250-metre Mohammed VI Tower in Rabat, Morocco, with the local TGCC (Travaux Généraux de Construction de Casablanca), which will be Africa’s second tallest tower, with 55 floors. The project was originally awarded to a Chinese contractor before BESIX was brought in to take over the design. Abidjan’s F Tower will reach 421 metres high (including the spire) and will have 74 storeys. It will be a landmark in Abidjan’s Plateau district and the new centrepiece of the administrative city which has housed government departments in five tower blocks since the 1980s. F TowerSource: BESIXWhile the development partner for the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Urban Development is the local PFO Africa, BESIX is responsible for the structural works and site management, including design and BIM elements. Turkey’s Metal Yapi is responsible for the façade, while VINCI subsidiary Cegelec Maroc is carrying out the MEP work. Construction got underway on the project in July 2021, and structural work on the core is slated for completion by the end of 2024. “The F Tower is 400 metres and not many contractors can do that,” says Philippe Dessoy, BESIX’s general manager for business development, explaining the company’s Africa strategy in an exclusive interview with ConstructAfrica.  “We try to target projects where we have limited competition - complex projects where we have added value. If we cannot bring something extra, there is no point to compete on price.” Dessoy continues, “Sometimes we bring finance: EPC plus finance. There are two advantages to that. The Belgian credit rating is good, so we can bring very low interest [rates] with the Belgian export credit agency. Tower F is partly Belgian finance. And when we do EPC-F, projects move faster. The project we did for Gabon managed to close in one and a half years even though there was a coup.”  F Tower is the fourth project that BESIX has worked on with PFO Africa in Cote D’Ivoire. “Our strategy is when we enter a country we try to stay,” says Dessoy. “We have had continuous work in Cote d’Ivoire since 2018.” Today, BESIX employs 400 people in the country, about 80% being local hires. The partnership with PFO Africa began with BESIX carrying out the civil engineering for the La Mé drinking water treatment plant, north of Abidjan. The plant treats 240,000 cubic metres of water a day from the La Mé River for supply to the city.  La Mé drinking water plantSource: BESIXLast year, BESIX completed the design and build of the Palais des Congrès at the new exhibition centre near Abidjan’s airport. The eye-catching three-dimensional structure designed by architect Pierre Fakhoury has a surface area of 12,000 square metres and a capacity of 10,000 people. Palais des CongrèsSource: BESIXIn 2023, it also completed construction of a 210-metre tunnel in Abidjan, taking the A1 national road under the Abobo city hall roundabout. The tunnel was built using the cut-and-cover method.  Abobo tunnelSource: BESIX“We try to work with same partner,” explains Dessoy. “In Egypt, we always work with Orascom. In Morocco, we changed bid partner - we worked with Somagec on Tanger Med port I and II and now we work with TGCC on the tower.” Knowledge transfer and complementarity are central to BESIX’s partnerships in Africa.  Rather than taking work from local companies, BESIX carries out the more complex project elements, benefiting in return from access to market opportunities. Its in-house engineering department has particular expertise in tall buildings, stadiums, marine works, tunnels, bridges and other complex infrastructure. “They learn from what we do,” he says, noting that on the water treatment project the two firms worked side by side and PFO Africa has since gone on the develop two further plants at Bouaké and San-Pedro. On the F Tower project, BESIX has transferred technical knowledge by training local staff to use BIM management systems. Workers have also been trained to follow and enforce international health and safety standards.  Having identified a lack of quality assurance and control of cement and aggregates, BESIX partnered with Belgian laboratory CRIC-OCCN to upgrade the testing equipment in the national laboratory in Cote d’Ivoire and provide additional training for its staff. BESIX also encouraged a local company to establish a factory to produce high-quality prefabricated elements for the project, thereby opening a new market segment in Cote D’Ivoire.  The local firm had the security of a major contract to support its investment, while BESIX engineered the installation and set the production and quality assurance processes. The company has already received orders from other clients. When it comes to the main challenges in executing the F Tower project, Dessoy says the logistics has been difficult as the site is small and in the centre of Abidjan: “We bring the supplies in the evening. We do one floor a day now but it was not easy to achieve. The specification for the concrete…we have to adjust from time to time because the temperatures are quite high here.” Elsewhere on the continent, BESIX is working on the 420MW Nachtigal hydropower plant on the Sanaga River in Cameroon which is now in the final stages of completion. BESIX’s involvement in the project, alongside France’s NGE and Morocco’s SGTM, included designing and building the 1.5km-long, 14-metre-high dam wall, the 3km-long supply canal, and the civil engineering work for the hydropower plant and the water intake installations. Dessoy describes it as a painful project, with issues related to reusing excavated rock in the concrete, delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and cost inflation following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  “The problem with hydropower [projects] is they take a long time, usually five years, we can’t do it in less. And in five years, a lot can happen in some countries, especially in Africa,” he explains. Nachtigal hydropower projectSource: BESIXIn 2020, BESIX and Portugal’s Mota-Engil were awarded the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the marine facilities on Total’s Mozambique LNG Project in Cabo Delgado province. The French energy major subsequently declared force majeure on the project in April 2021, following a deterioration in the security situation. According to Dessoy, work is set to resume at the end of the year or in early 2025. BESIX is also building the Tanga export jetty for Total in Tanzania as part of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project, working in joint venture with Ballast Nedam of the Netherlands. The firm’s longest running project in Africa is the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt, on which it has been working for more than a decade, witnessing a revolution, a coup and five changes of leadership in the country. Final adjustments are currently being made on the project following the issue of completion certificates. Grand Egyptian MuseumSource: BESIXBESIX’s latest contract win in Africa entails the construction of seven flyovers and bridges in Gabon.  In February 2023, the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure awarded a design and build contract to a consortium of BESIX and France’s Matière for two 200-metre-long flyovers and four pedestrian bridges in the capital Libreville, and a 200-metre-long steel bridge crossing the Abanga River in Ebel. The project reached financial close in July 2023, allowing the 36-month construction contract to commence. “The [Abanga] bridge is more than 100 years old and it is only one way, and whenever there is flooding the bridge closes for a few days,” explains Dessoy.  As the consortium leader, BESIX will undertake the civil works and the installation of the bridges, while Matière, through its Belgian subsidiary Metallic Bridges of Belgium, will supply the steel structures. BESIX supported the Gabonese government in securing financing for the project, including collaboration with the Belgian export credit agency Credendo. In keeping with its formula for success, BESIX and Matière previously partnered on the Pont de l’Enfance and the Mungo bridge projects in Cameroon. In 2023, BESIX recorded revenues of €3.39 billion (US$3.79 billion). The firm currently operates in 25 countries, employing about 10,000 people, with a global orderbook of €5.1 billion. Top photo: Philippe Dessoy (Source: BESIX) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Liz Bains fde8cb8d-a1d8-4100-b775-3cbc3e5e401a <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Financial Close Pushed To 2025 For Volobe Hydro Scheme <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/financial-close-pushed-2025-volobe-hydro-scheme_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> The anticipated date for closing the financing on Madagascar’s 120MW Volobe hydropower project has been pushed back from September 2024 to 2025. The news was announced by Minister of Economy and Finance Rindra Hasimbelo Rabarinirinarison on 19 September in Madagascar, during the general assembly of shareholders of infrastructure investment platform Africa50. Africa50 is one of the shareholders in the project company Volobe General Hydroelectric Company (CGHV), with local oil and gas distributor Axian Energy, another shareholder, holding a 32% stake in the firm. At the Africa50 shareholder assembly, the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) signed a US$2 million financing agreement to provide technical assistance for the project and help maintain favourable conditions for financial close. In addition, the EU signed a letter of intent with the government, expressing its interest in financing the scheme. The estimated €550 million (US$594 million) Volobe hydropower project will increase the country's power production by about 20%, with an annual output of 750GWh. The work involves building a dam and power plant on the Ivondro River in Madagascar’s eastern region. Commercial operation is slated for 2028.  3D plans for Volobe hydropower damSource: Africa50The government says the plant will provide electricity to nearly 2 million Malagasy and will replace costly and polluting diesel generation, allowing state-owned utility Jirama to achieve savings of more than 50%. The project is expected to create approximately 1,500 jobs and accelerate the economic integration and development of the Volobe region through the repair of the 26km main access road and the construction of a 150-metre bridge across the Ivondro River. The government signed a 25-year concession agreement for the project with CGHV in late May. At the same time, CGHV concluded a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Jirama. The Volobe project is a key initiative under Madagascar’s Low-Cost Development Plan, with the aim being to lower the marginal cost of electricity to one-fourth of the current unit cost price and improve the country’s balance of payments by reducing fuel imports. At the Africa50 assembly, President Andry Rajoelina stressed the urgency of the project, explaining that the current production of thermal energy is expensive for the government and is holding back the industrialisation of the country. “It is imperative to optimise our investments towards the energy transition in hydroelectric projects, studies for which have already been carried out,” the head of state said. “Energy is the key to the industrialisation of Madagascar and without efficient and affordable energy production, our country will never be able to reach its full potential for development and emergence.” The government is aiming to double or even triple the country’s energy production. Other planned projects include hydropower plants at Mahavolo (300MW; expandable to 520MW), Antetezambato (140MW) and Sahofika (192MW; expandable to 300MW), as well as solar parks.  Top photo: Deal signing ceremony (Source: Facebook @ Axian) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 12bd94b6-f6cf-4ba2-b991-1f8e0105aa63 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Cabo Verde Inks US$334 Million Of European Funding <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/cabo-verde-inks-us334-million-european-funding_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> The government of Cabo Verde has signed a €300 million (US$334.7 million) financing agreement with the EU and the European Investment Bank (EIB) to support the country’s transport, renewable energy and digital sectors. The funding arrangement, announced in early September, falls under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy in Cabo Verde and includes joint EIB-EU support of €105 million for expanding and modernising several of the country’s ports. The targeted ports include Porto Grande and the CABNAVE ship repair yard in Mindelo on the island of Sao Vicente, Porto Novo on the island of Santo Antao, and the port of Palmeira on the island of Sal. In addition to the extension of breakwaters and mooring docks, basic infrastructure will also be installed to make it easier for the private sector to invest in the country’s maritime economy industry. The financing also covers funding of €159 million provided by the EIB, EU and Luxembourg to design and build an electricity generation, grid and storage system by 2029. This investment falls under Cabo Verde’s national electricity masterplan 2018-40 and is expected to reduce the country's dependence on fossil fuels by 2040. It is also planned to provide new storage capacity for electricity from renewable sources. The government is aiming for renewables to comprise 30% of the energy mix by 2026 and 50% by 2030. The European-funded projects include the €60 million Santiago pumped storage hydropower scheme, which will be able to store around 160MWh of energy and comprise two reservoirs – the upper with a storage capacity of 360,000 cubic metres of water and the lower with a capacity of 320,000 cubic metres. Santiago pumped storage hydropower schemeSource: GovernmentMeanwhile, in mid-September, the authorities inaugurated a 5MW photovoltaic solar plant in Santa Maria on the island of Sal, said to be the largest solar park in Cabo Verde in terms of capacity, efficiency and advanced technology. The facility will boost renewable energy penetration on the island to over 40%. The project is part of a series of nine solar parks planned to significantly boost the country’s renewables capacity. The European funding agreement also includes €37 million earmarked to help the private sector and the government transform Cabo Verde into a digital hub for the West African region. Investments will be made into a new system of submarine cables linking Europe with the west coast of Africa. This financing will also enable the replacement of the fibre-optic submarine cable between the country's islands and modernisation to improve functionality and efficiency. The EU is backing this EIB operation by providing a financial guarantee. The digital project is envisaged to deliver major socioeconomic benefits for Cabo Verde and the wider West African region, particularly in terms of digital connectivity availability and quality for the local private sector, including small and medium-sized companies. It is expected to boost innovation and support the creation of highly skilled jobs, turning the country into a digital crossroads between Africa, Europe and South America.  Top photo: Agreement signing ceremony (Source: Facebook @ Government) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha fa1bdf4e-d487-4c39-8587-18448a460152 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Angola’s Zaire Hospital Set For Completion In 2025 <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/angolas-zaire-hospital-set-completion-2025_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Construction of Angola’s General Hospital of Zaire on the outskirts of the northwestern city of M'banza Congo is due to be completed by August 2025. The 290-bed tertiary hospital is being built across an area of 27,000 square metres and will have three storeys. The local subsidiary of Austria’s VAMED Engineering is executing the project.  Construction began in 2014 but subsequently stalled, resuming in June 2022. According to a report by state TV network TPA, work has now reached 70% completion. Rendering of General Hospital of ZaireSource: Angolan governmentThe hospital will have four operating rooms and six inpatient wards, as well as physiotherapy, hemodialysis, imaging, neonatal care, paediatrics, maternity and therapeutic diagnosis units.  The project has an estimated cost of US$87.9 million.  Top photo: Construction of General Hospital of Zaire, August 2024 (Source: Facebook @ CIPRA) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 350be6d4-ab4b-4613-9a3d-f71f97165e63 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Rwanda Starts Work On Kigali Innovation City <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/rwanda-starts-work-kigali-innovation-city_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Work was launched on 10 September on the first building at Rwanda’s 61-hectare Kigali Innovation City (KIC), located in the Gasabo district of the country’s capital city. The groundbreaking ceremony was led by the government of Rwanda, pan-African infrastructure investor and asset manager Africa50 and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). KIC is a flagship government initiative aimed at creating an ecosystem centred around high-tech, innovation and talent development to accelerate Rwanda’s transition to a knowledge-based economy and develop pan-African talent. It is envisaged to become one of the largest smart cities on the continent. The mixed-use, masterplanned development is situated within Kigali’s special economic zone and will host a work-live-play community integrating four universities, Grade A offices, residential and student housing, retail facilities and business hotels in an innovative and green smart city concept. The city is also set to host start-up business incubators and accelerators across disruptive and data-backed sectors such as robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning. The first building at the development is a six-floor Grade A office space and incubator for start-ups and retail units. The 6,036-square-metre structure will be built on a 4,347-square-metre plot. KIC is being developed through a public-private partnership (PPP) by Africa50 and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) as co-sponsors and shareholders. BADEA will support the project as a lender for the initial phase of shared infrastructure construction. The bank signed a US$20 million financing agreement with the government in December 2021 to support the development of basic infrastructure at the city. The project is being managed by Kigali Innovation City Company Limited (KICCL), which is responsible for commercialising the city through direct development of assets and land leases to external developers for further development in line with the masterplan. Kigali Innovation City masterplanSource: Africa50KIC’s total cost is pegged at about US$300 million, with the final value potentially reaching US$2 billion. The city is expected to generate US$150 million in information and communication technology (ICT) exports annually and attract over US$300 million in foreign direct investment (FDI). Developers, contractors and businesses based in the city will benefit from certain incentives, which will be provided by the government along with the shared infrastructure for the city. KIC is projected to create over 50,000 jobs upon completion and some 2,600 students are hoped to graduate annually from universities resident at the city, which include the US’ Carnegie Mellon University, the Africa Leadership University and the University of Rwanda Centre of Biomedical Engineering and E-Health. “KIC was developed as a PPP to catalyse private investment in Rwanda,” said Africa50 CEO Alain Ebobisse. “The project will be highly impactful, create jobs and help universities train fantastic talent and produce technology which will change the world.” Africa50 signed an implementation agreement in May with the RDB and the government for exclusive rights to develop, operate and commercialise the city. The organisation signed an initial agreement to develop a digital precinct at KIC in 2018. Delivering the keynote address at the groundbreaking ceremony, Rwanda’s Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente underscored Africa’s imminent transition from technology consumption to production, commenting that the groundbreaking was a “critical moment in Rwanda’s journey to becoming a leader in pioneering technology and innovation on the continent”. According to the RDB, the digital sector has been the fastest growing sector in Sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria, where the digital sector has overtaken the manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP. Top photo: Groundbreaking ceremony (Source: LinkedIn @ Africa50) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha d6a28dfc-c8f6-459e-b5b2-c1bf8bfe0ce8 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Chad Signs Project Agreements With China <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/chad-signs-project-agreements-china_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> The government of Chad in early September inked five memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Chinese companies and institutions on projects spanning the transport, power, water and agriculture sectors. The agreements were signed during the recently concluded China-Africa Cooperation Forum (FOCAC) 2024, held in Beijing. One of the MoUs was signed with China CAMC Engineering Corporation for the greenfield construction of Djermaya International airport, to be located 30km north of Chad's capital N'Djamena. The project is part of a long-term vision to provide the country with a modern airport infrastructure, facilitating trade and passenger transport. According to studies prepared by France’s Enia Architectes, the new airport will cover an area of 40,000 square metres. France’s Egis prepared the airport’s masterplan (including aeronautical studies) and feasibility studies for a passenger terminal, control tower and presidential pavilion sketches, airside and landside preliminary and detailed design, design management and coordination of the overall project. Djermaya International airport renderingsSource: Enia ArchitectesAt FOCAC 2024, the Chadian authorities also signed an MoU with China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) for the rehabilitation and extension of the electricity network of N'Djamena, a project aimed at modernising the electrical infrastructure of the capital to improve supply. Another deal was inked with CMEC concerning the feasibility study for the supply of drinking water to the capital city and associated networks across Chad, thus contributing to improving access to drinking water for citizens. Additionally, an agreement was signed for the rehabilitation and strengthening of sanitation and rainwater drainage networks in N'Djamena, in order to prevent recurring floods and improve the living conditions of residents. The government also inked an MoU for the construction of modern integrated agricultural farms in the western areas of Bol and N'Djamena Fara, the central town of Yao and the southern locale of Boumou. The aim is to strengthen the country's agricultural production capacities. Top photo: MoU signing ceremony (Source: Government) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 3537d5b4-3458-4081-a41c-1f00fa10f7a1 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Malawi And China Sign Grant For Judicial Complex <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/malawi-and-china-sign-grant-judicial-complex_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> The governments of Malawi and China on 3 September signed a US$30 million grant agreement for the project to construct the judicial complex in the capital city Lilongwe. The deal was inked on the sidelines of the recently concluded China-Africa Cooperation Forum (FOCAC) 2024, held in Beijing. The judicial office complex is planned to be built opposite the parliament building and, when completed, will ensure all the arms of government have their headquarters in Lilongwe. The site’s central location is expected to facilitate the judiciary’s operations and enhance access to justice for the population. The construction of the complex is seen as one of the government’s major projects. “I am happy that I have signed this agreement on behalf of the Malawi government that will see our [judiciary] operate from modern buildings that will house a number of offices, including court rooms, which is a positive development,” said finance minister Simplex Chithyola-Banda. “The onus to start work on the judicial complex … is on my ministry, which will now work to fast-track its operationalisation with the stakeholders in China to make sure disbursements are done to ensure the works start soon.” In a state of the nation address in February, President Lazarus Chakwera said the first phase of the construction of the complex would begin in March, beginning with work on the perimeter fence. Construction of the commercial court in the southern city of Blantyre would soon be finalised, the head of state said. In August 2022, the Malawian and Chinese governments signed an agreement regarding a Chinese grant for the project's feasibility study. &nbsp; Photo: Grant agreement signing ceremony (Source: Facebook @ Malawian government) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha c7c89285-6e11-4114-94fc-074294be9f73 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> China Announces US$50 Billion Of Support For Africa <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/china-announces-us50-billion-support-africa_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> China’s President Xi Jinping has announced the country will provide RMB360 billion (US$50.6 billion) in financial support to African countries over the next three years. The Chinese head of state announced the investment during his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the recently concluded China-Africa Cooperation Forum (FOCAC) 2024, held in Beijing. According to state news agency Xinhua, over 50 African leaders and UN secretary-general Antonio Gutteres attended the summit, which was held under the theme ‘Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future’. Jinping noted that the financial support breaks down into RMB210 billion of credit line, RMB80 billion of assistance in various forms and at least RMB70 billion of investment in Africa by Chinese companies. The financing is planned to enable the implementation of 10 partnership actions for modernisation, which the head of state said would “deepen China-Africa cooperation and spearhead the Global South modernisation”. The partnership actions are: Partnership Action for Connectivity: China, Jinping said, is prepared to carry out 30 infrastructure connectivity projects in Africa, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and put in place a China-Africa network featuring land-sea links and coordinated development. “We are ready to assist in the development of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) and deepen logistics and financial cooperation for the benefit of trans-regional development in Africa,” the president said. Partnership Action for Green Development: China is planning to launch 30 clean energy schemes on the continent, put in place meteorological early warning systems, and carry out cooperation in disaster prevention, mitigation and relief as well as biodiversity conservation. “We will create a China-Africa forum on peaceful use of nuclear technology, establish 30 joint laboratories, and collaborate on satellite remote sensing and lunar and deep-space exploration,” Jinping said. “All this is designed to help with green development in Africa.” Partnership Action for Industrial Chain Cooperation: China will foster industry cooperation growth clusters with Africa, advance the Pilot Zone for In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation, and launch an “African SMEs empowerment programme”, the president said. “We will build with Africa a digital technology cooperation centre and initiate 20 digital demonstration projects so as to embrace together the latest round of technological revolution and industrial transformation.” Partnership Action for Development Cooperation: China is ready to release the Joint Statement on Deepening Cooperation within the Framework of the Global Development Initiative with Africa, and implement 1,000 “small and beautiful” livelihood projects, the Chinese head of state said. The country will replenish the China-World Bank Group Partnership Facility to boost Africa’s development and support the continent in hosting the 2026 Youth Olympic Games and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) football tournament. Partnership Action for Health: China is looking to jointly establish a hospitals alliance and joint medical centres. The country aims to send 2,000 medical personnel to Africa and launch 20 programmes involving health facilities and malaria treatment. “We will encourage Chinese companies to invest in Africa’s pharmaceutical production and continue to do what we can to help Africa with epidemic response,” Jinping said. “We support the development of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to strengthen public health capacity in all African countries.” Partnership Action for Agriculture and Livelihoods: China will provide Africa with RMB1 billion in emergency food assistance, build about 6,670 hectares of standardised agriculture demonstration areas, send 500 agricultural experts, and establish a China-Africa agricultural science and technology innovation alliance. The government also expects to implement 500 programmes on the continent to promote community welfare as well as encourage two-way investment for new business operations by Chinese and African companies, enable Africa to retain added value and create at least 1 million jobs in the region. Partnership Action for Trade Prosperity: China has decided to give 33 least developed countries in Africa zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines. The country will expand market access for African agricultural products, deepen cooperation with the continent in e-commerce and other areas, and launch a “China-Africa quality enhancement programme”, Jinping said. Partnership Action for People-to-People Exchanges: China will implement with Africa more solidly the Future of Africa – Vocational Education Cooperation Plan, jointly establish an engineering technology academy and build ten Luban Workshops. The country will provide 60,000 training opportunities to Africa, mainly for women and youths. The two sides have agreed to designate 2026 as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. Partnership Action for Mutual Learning among Civilisations: China is ready to work with Africa to build a platform for governance experience sharing, a China-Africa knowledge network for development, and 25 centres on China and Africa studies. “We will make better use of Africa’s leadership academies to cultivate talents for governance and invite 1,000 members of African political parties to China to deepen exchanges of experience in party and state governance,” Jinping said. Partnership Action for Common Security: China is looking to build a partnership to implement the Global Security Initiative (GSI) with Africa and will give the continent RMB1 billion of grants in military assistance, provide training for 6,000 military personnel and 1,000 police and law enforcement officers, and invite 500 young military officers to visit the country. The two sides will conduct joint military exercises, training and patrol, carry out an “action for a mine-free Africa”, and jointly ensure the safety of personnel and projects, the Chinese president said. “Thanks to nearly 70 years of tireless efforts from both sides, the China-Africa relationship is now at its best in history,” Jinping told the FOCAC 2024 summit. “With its future growth in mind, I propose that bilateral relations between China and all African countries having diplomatic ties with China be elevated to the level of strategic relations, and that the overall characterisation of China-Africa relations be elevated to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.” Photo: African leaders and China's Xi Jinping at FOCAC 2024 summit (Source: Chinese government) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 99b90d86-3773-4865-970f-4dfd80dde83c <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Gabon Signs US$4 Billion Of Agreements At China Forum <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/gabon-signs-us4-billion-agreements-china-forum_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> The Gabonese government in early September signed agreements mobilising more than US$4.3 billion in foreign direct investment and public-private partnerships (PPP) during the China-Africa Cooperation Forum (FOCAC) 2024, held in Beijing. The deals concern projects in various sectors, such as a memorandum of understanding (MoU) worth US$2.5 billion for the development of the 50MW FE2 hydroelectric project and the construction of the 600MW Booue hydropower plant along with transmission lines. The FE2 plant is planned to be located on the Okano River in the northeastern Woleu-Ntem province and is set to increase the rate of access to electricity for the populations of Woleu-Ntem, with a view to supplying the provinces of Ogooue-Ivindo and Estuaire. The facility is also expected to provide a sustainable energy supply to the Northern Interconnected Network (RIC). In September 2018, a PPP agreement was signed between the Ministry of Water and Energy, Gabonese Fund for Strategic Investments (FGIS) and Chinese company TBEA for the FE2 scheme. The Booue hydro project is set to be situated in central Gabon and cover an area of 129,600 square kilometres, with a total annual output of 3.1GWh. The facility is planned to benefit the country, as well as neighbouring Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and the Republic of Congo. At FOCAC 2024, an MoU was also inked for a US$1.4 billion scheme to construct a modern city in Gabon. In addition, a US$50 million agreement was signed with Gabon Mining and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) regarding the facilitation of transport on the Ogooue River. The project involves the construction of the Ndjole and Lambarene river ports in the central-west Moyen-Ogooue province and the development of the Port-Gentil deepwater mineral port terminal, along with dredging and marking operations to improve the navigability of the river. Gabon projects presentation at FOCAC 2024Source: GovernmentThe agreement will enable the transportation of ore, mainly manganese, extracted in the Ndjolé region to the Lambarene port from where it will be sent to the Port-Gentil terminal, which will facilitate international exports. CHEC began work on the Ndjole port in late June.   At FOCAC 2024, an MoU was also inked with Zhongning Mining Company for a US$260 million project involving the exploration and mining of iron ore from the western Mbilan Mountains, along with an MoU with Shanghai Milestone Technology for the exploration and exploitation of untapped mineral resources, including low content iron and manganese ore, through an investment of US$100 million. Apart from these agreements, several major Chinese companies expressed interest in various projects, with a combined potential investment of US$12.4 billion. These schemes include the construction of the Belinga-Mayumba railway and the Port of Mayumba as well as the development of 3,000km of bitumenised roads across Gabon. Top photo: MoU signing ceremony (Source: Facebook @ Government) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 4345ae6e-689e-4590-9b88-0c60676eb1d1 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Cote d’Ivoire Selects Consultants For Agro-Industrial Project <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/cote-divoire-selects-consultants-agro-industrial-project_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Cote d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Production has awarded two contracts to carry out studies for the US$244.5 million agro-industrial hub project (2PAI-Est) in the country’s northeast region. A group of Togo’s ADA Consulting Africa, Burkina Faso’s CEFCOD and the local CAFEXI Consulting will undertake the feasibility study for the establishment of agro-industrial parks and aggregation and service centres under the scheme over a period of four months. A consortium of Burkina Faso’s CAFI-B and BETAT-IC has been tasked with preparing the technical, preliminary design, detailed preliminary design and environmental and social impact assessment studies as well as the tender documents for dam works, hydro agricultural and pastoral developments, and priority roadworks under 2PAI-Est. The contract duration is five months. The 2PAI-Est scheme covers the Gontougo and Bouakani regions of the Zanzan district, which shares borders with Burkina Faso and Ghana, occupying a total area of nearly 38,120 square kilometres or 12% of the national territory. 2PAI-Est project mapSource: Project appraisal report The development objectives are to transform the agricultural sector in targeted areas into a modern, market-oriented, climate-resilient and sustainable industry, providing equitable income opportunities for all actors in the value chain. The work includes the construction of a seed production centre and an aggregation and service centre in Bouna as well as climate-smart hydro-agricultural developments spanning 2,000 hectares of lowlands and 200 hectares of market gardening areas, along with the installation of processing and distribution infrastructure. The targeted agro-pastoral sectors include rice, corn, soybeans, market garden products, yam, cashew nuts and shea combined with animal products and beekeeping. The scheme is planned to be carried out over eight years starting in 2025 and is being supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the private sector, financial institutions and the government. 2PAI-Est is part of a wider project to establish nine integrated agricultural development poles across Cote d’Ivoire in accordance with the priorities set out in the country’s National Agricultural Investment Plan (PNIA II 2018-25). The overall objectives of the hubs are to strengthen the country’s food and nutritional security, reduce its dependence on food imports and increase exports of agricultural products. Agriculture is an essential sector of Cote d'Ivoire's economy and the primary means of subsistence for more than half of the country’s households. Two other poles are currently under development, namely the 2PAI-Nord and 2PAI-Belier projects. The estimated €240 million (US$265 million) 2PAI-Nord scheme covers four regions in the north of the country – Poro, Bagoue, Tchologo and Hambol – on the border with Mali and Burkina Faso, which represent 26% of the national territory. 2PAI-Nord project mapSource: Project appraisal report The project is expected to benefit 400,000 people directly and 1.2 million indirectly through the construction of the Sine-Matiali agro-industrial hub and five aggregation, primary processing and service centres in Bouncily, Dabakala, Ferkessedougou, Katiola and Tioroniaradougou. In addition, six hydro-agricultural dams and 10 agro-pastoral dams, 5,000 hectares of irrigated area and 1,000 km of access roads will be rehabilitated, along with the reinforcement of productivity in the targeted value chains (rice, maize, mango, cashew nuts, shea butter and animal products). The scheme is envisaged to be concluded by March 2027. It is being supported by the AfDB, Africa Growing Together Fund (AGTF), Opec Fund for International Development (OFID), ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), and South Korea’s Saemaul Globalisation Foundation, along with counterpart funding from the Ivorian government. Meanwhile, the 2PAI-Belier project covers the Belier administrative region and the Yamoussoukro district across an area of 11,695 square kilometres. The US$131.3 million scheme is expected to benefit 461,600 people, 112,000 of them directly. 2PAI-Belier project mapSource: Project appraisal report The work includes the construction of four agricultural produce consolidation centres and 10 foodstuff storage facilities along with the renovation of 17 rural markets, with the targeted value chains being rice, maize, cassava, vegetables and animal and marine products. Moreover, three dams will be rehabilitated, along with about 1,835 hectares of irrigated areas and 335 hectares of market gardening areas. About 700km of roads will be refurbished and the project includes the laying of a 33kV underground power line from the Yamoussoukro Industrial Zone substation as well as the laying of a 32km 33kV line from the Yamoussoukro substation to the Didievi substation. The 2PAI-Belier scheme was launched in December 2017 and is planned to be completed in December 2024. It is being supported by the AfDB, beneficiaries and the government. Top photo: Agro-industrial project in Cote d'Ivoire (Source: Facebook @ Government) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha e827a7aa-0837-4800-98c4-ad0301fbec50 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Work Begins On US$400 Million DRC Cement Plant Project <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/work-begins-us400-million-drc-cement-plant-project_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Work on the 1.2 million-tonne-a-year (t/y) WIH Kasai Cement factory was launched in late August by the government of the central Kasai Oriental province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The cement and clinker plant will be built in phases in the territory of Katanda and will be operated by West International Holding (WIH), a subsidiary of Hong Kong-listed West China Cement, in partnership with Golden Construction Holding. The first phase will see the construction of a 300,000-t/y unit that will be commissioned in 2026. The project has an overall cost of US$400 million and will include the construction of a 30MW hydropower plant. It is being built as part of the partnership between the Chinese and DRC governments. WIH Kasai Cement plant projectSource: Kasai Oriental governmentThe project is aimed at filling the gaps in the local cement and building materials market and injecting new impetus into the development of national infrastructure in the DRC. Kasai Oriental provincial governor Jean-Paul Kapo said the construction of the cement mill would help meet the growing demand for building materials and facilitate the modernisation of the Greater Kasai area as well as the country. He invited further investments in the province, saying: “The province of Kasai Oriental that I lead is the smallest of all the provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It has an immensely rich subsoil, not yet exploited or … partially exploited. Moreover, it is the least developed on several levels. “To this end, I assure you that the doors of the [province] are wide open for all of you. Come and invest in all areas; agriculture, mining, energy, infrastructure and many others.” Bienvenue au direct de la cérémonie de pose de la première pierre pour la construction de la cimenterie au Kasaï Orientalhttps://t.co/W8sj7rKaWj — Gouvernorat Kasai-Oriental 🇨🇩 (@GouvernoratKOR) August 24, 2024 Speaking at the Sino-Congolese Economic Forum for Investment and Cooperation in Greater Kasai in late August, China's ambassador to the DRC Zhao Bin said Chinese companies had made an increased contribution to the DRC's modernisation strategy by building various major infrastructure projects.  In the Kasai Oriental and Kasai Central provinces, completed schemes include the rehabilitation of the water supply system, construction of the RN1 Tshikapa-Kamuesha road and the Dibumba market. In addition, work is currently underway by Chinese firms on the rehabilitation of the water supply system in Mbuji-Mayi, the Mbuji-Mayi-Nguba road, the Mbuji-Mayi-Mwene Ditu phase 1 and 2 routes and the modernisation of the Mbuji-Mayi airport.  Bin said Chinese companies were also preparing to launch new projects shortly, such as the RN2 Mbuji-Mayi-Mbanga road, the Lusambo-Lac Mukamba route and, in the medium term, the rehabilitation of the Tshikapa airport and the Kananga stadium. Top photo: Groundbreaking ceremony (Source: Facebook @ Kasai Oriental government) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 2f48d2ad-4673-4a51-948d-6af61013c42b <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Work Halfway Complete On South African Hydro Project <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/work-halfway-complete-south-african-hydro-project_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Independent power producer (IPP) Serengeti Energy has announced that work has reached 50% completion on its 5MW Boston hydropower project, situated in South Africa’s Free State province. The local Kwa Mhlanga Construction began work on the run-of-river plant in late October 2023 and completion is targeted by the third quarter of 2025. The 30GWh of electricity that will be generated annually by the plant will be wheeled via state power utility Eskom’s grid and traded by the local Etana Energy to various commercial buildings owned by local real estate investment trust (REIT) Growthpoint Properties across South Africa. The Boston facility is being built on the banks of the Ash River, which forms part of the water transfer scheme between Lesotho and Gauteng under the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). The plant’s location will enable Serengeti Energy to capitalise on the LHWP phase 2 expansion, which will increase the plant’s contribution to baseload generation into the national grid. The scheme is currently focusing on the preparation for the water outage of the LHWP, which will take place between 1 October to 31 March 2025 and will allow for in-river construction works. During this period, the project team will construct the diversion weir, which consists of a mass concrete spillway and earth embankment. To enable completion during the outage, the project team has employed a construction methodology that incorporates precast elements to enhance the rate of construction as well as safety for the construction team. The other significant area of focus is the powerhouse, which requires deep excavations into the hard rock, installation of over 150 tonnes of hydroelectrical equipment, and managing interfaces between multiple contractors within a confined space. A consortium of Austria’s Andritz and Spain’s Indar has been appointed to supply the turbine and generator components. The powerhouse is scheduled to be ready for installation of the double-regulated Kaplan turbine by early 2025. Other key equipment such as the synchronous generator and dry-type transformer will be installed shortly after. Preparation of the built-in parts for the hydro-mechanical gates is progressing, with the gate installations expected to commence in October. The Boston scheme is Serengeti Energy’s fourth hydro plant on the Ash River and follows on from the 3MW Sol Plaatje facility commissioned in 2009, the 4MW Merino plant inaugurated in 2010 and the 4MW Stortemelk facility, which began operation in 2016. The plants generate baseload power that is injected into the national grid. Serengeti Energy develops, constructs and operates renewable energy plants across Sub-Saharan Africa and is owned by European development finance institutions including Germany’s KfW, France’s STOA Infra &amp; Energy and Proparco, Norway’s Norfund and Nordic Development Fund, and Sweden’s Swedfund. Photo: Hydro plant (Source: Serengeti Energy) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 536006f0-ed18-4173-b5b5-f0b82f8833b1 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Contracts Inked For Lagos Bus Corridor Projects <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/contracts-inked-lagos-bus-corridor-projects_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has signed construction contracts for three packages of the Quality Bus Corridor (QBC) project in the southern Nigerian state. The overall scheme will involve revamping three bus corridors across a combined length of 33.3km, with a total of 89 bus stops to be worked on, five new terminals built and 13 existing terminals renovated. Package 1 was awarded to China Road &amp; Bridge Construction Company and covers the Ketu-Alapere-Akanimodo route as well as the Yaba-Lawanson-Ijesha-Cele corridor on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway. Package 2 was let to the local Trucrete Solutions and involves the Iju-Ishaga-Abule-Egba route. Package 3 was signed with the local Craneburg Construction Company and concerns the Iyana Iba-Igando corridor. This QBC will serve as a feeder to the Lagos Badagry Expressway BRT line, first/last mile (FLM) service from Igando and phase 2 of the Blue Line of the Lagos Mass Rail Transit (LMRT) system, which runs from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko. The QBCs are planned to be operational in the third quarter of 2025. LAMATA Signs Contracts for QBCs Project to Enhance Lagos Bus ServicesLagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) is set to enhance the city's public transportation system through the Quality Bus Corridor (QBC) Project. pic.twitter.com/e3F2l2NhAJ — Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority LAMATA (@Lamataonline) August 23, 2024 The QBC project aims to build the road infrastructure necessary for high-performance bus services on priority corridors connected to the public transport networks of light rail transit (LRT) and bus rapid transit (BRT). The scheme is part of the US$356.4 million Lagos State Strategic Transport Master Plan Project 1 (LSTMPP 1), which is being supported by French development agency AFD. The project includes the construction of the Marina and Mile 2 interchanges, the groundbreaking ceremony for which was conducted in early July. China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) is executing work on the Mile 2 interchange, while the local Step Construction Company is responsible for the Marina interchange works. Work is expected to be completed in 15 months. The multimodal interchanges will facilitate the integration of four public transport modes – LRT, BRT, inland waterway routes, and, in the case of Mile 2 only, state and interstate bus routes. The cost of civil works and equipment for the Marina interchange is estimated at US$22.1 million and for Mile 2, US$12.9 million. Lagos is Nigeria’s smallest state but hosts more than 10% of the country’s population – 22 million people in total. According to a June 2023 report published by the World Bank and other agencies, the state is experiencing mobility issues due to heavy reliance on road transport (98%) and insufficient infrastructure, with commuters spending an average of four hours a day in traffic. Get ready for a faster, more connected Lagos! #LASG#LAMATA#KeepingLagosMoving pic.twitter.com/OLqpOMXgz6 — Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority LAMATA (@Lamataonline) August 21, 2024 Photo: Contract signing ceremony (Source: X/Twitter @ LAMATA) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 1fae9859-a32f-4b20-845f-08e0ac9cccb0 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Eswatini Inks Grant Agreement For School Projects <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/eswatini-inks-grant-agreement-school-projects_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> The government of Eswatini has signed a Yen 1.6 billion (US$11.1 million) grant agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the project to build four secondary schools in the country. The agreement will see schools constructed in Ngwenyameni in the central-west Manzini region, Lavumisa in the southern Shiselweni region, and New Thulwane and Maphungwane in the eastern Lubombo region. The project will include the construction of classrooms, laboratories, administrative rooms, teacher/staff housing as well as the provision of educational furniture. The objective is to improve the educational environment and access to schools in the target areas, thereby contributing to uplifting the quality of secondary education in the country. Detailed design studies will now be undertaken for the scheme followed by the procurement of contractors. Construction is expected to take 18 months to complete and the schools are set to begin operations in December 2026. The overall project implementation period is planned to be 44 months, including the detailed design and bidding period. The implementing agencies are the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development. “As one of our major development partners, Japan has always prioritised socioeconomic development starting at the grassroots level, ensuring that even vulnerable groups of a nation have the capacity to pursue their life goals and live lives of dignity and value,” said Minister of Economic Planning and Development Thambo Gina at the grant signing ceremony in early August. The scheme marks the third secondary school construction scheme in Eswatini that is supported by Japanese grant aid, following the construction of four secondary schools in four regions aimed at promoting inclusive education, which was facilitated by a grant of over Yen 1.7 billion inked in 2017, and the construction of 12 schools in four regions through an agreement signed in 2011. Photo: Grant signing ceremony (Source: Facebook @ Education ministry) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha f272102c-27dc-43e0-ad10-f8f277fd5fcf <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Sierra Leone Launches Work On School Upgrades <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/sierra-leone-launches-work-school-upgrades_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Sierra Leone’s President Julius Bio in late August oversaw the groundbreaking ceremonies for the launch of comprehensive refurbishment works on two government secondary schools in the cities of Bo in the Southern Province and Kenema in the Eastern Province. The schemes constitute Lot 2 of the overall US$68 million Education Sector Support Project (ESSP), which targets the construction of new buildings and rehabilitation of existing structures across four public secondary schools and two technical colleges in Sierra Leone. The project was approved in 2019 with the aim of supporting the country’s education sector along with the government's agenda to improve the quality and accessibility to education in hard-to-reach areas across Sierra Leone. The Bo school will see the construction of seven new buildings and the rehabilitation of 24 existing structures, while the Kenema school will have 10 new facilities built and 24 renovated. The combined investment cost for both schemes is US$7.8 million. The construction work is expected to generate over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs at each location, while the purchase of construction materials such as cement and iron rods by contractors is expected to inject over US$4 million in the local economies of Bo and Kenema. Our focus on improving education infrastructure to meet the demands of increasing school intakes is deeply entrenched in our human capital development agenda. I believe that our holistic approach to improving school infrastructure enhances the well-being, safety, and security of… pic.twitter.com/rwiD3gnxe7 — President Julius Maada Bio (@PresidentBio) August 23, 2024 Other institutions set to benefit under the ESSP include the Eastern Technical University's Bunumbu campus in the Kailahun district; Magburaka Government Secondary School for Boys in the Northern Province; and Prince of Wales Secondary School and Milton Margai Technical University's Goderich, Congo Cross and Brookfields campuses in the country’s capital city Freetown. In addition, a seven-storey administrative building will be built to house the education ministries. These constitute lots 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the ESSP. Magburaka Government Secondary School for Boys project under ESSPSource: Ministry of FinanceThe government signed the construction contracts for these lots in the second quarter of 2023, with the work including the rehabilitation of 134 buildings and construction of 61 new buildings for the tertiary institutions and schools. The projects were planned to be completed within 12 months commencing 15 June 2023.  The beneficiary and supervising ministries for the ESSP are the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education and the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education. Milton Margai Technical University projects under ESSPSource: Ministry of Finance“This … project for the construction, rehabilitation, refurbishment and equipment of schools and technical colleges is a testament to our commitment to education and the international community’s belief in our vision,” said President Bio at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kenema school project in late August. The ESSP is being funded by US$65 million in grants from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), the Saudi Fund for Development and the Opec Fund for International Development (OFID), along with US$3 million from the government.  The head of state emphasised the challenges faced in securing the funding but noted that his administration’s track record in fighting corruption, promoting human capital development and empowering women and girls were key factors in gaining the necessary approvals. “I convinced the funders because of our commitment to transparency, our dedication to rebranding Sierra Leone’s image and our focus on building a strong educational foundation for future generations,” Bio said. According to Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Finance Kadiatu Allie, the government spends up to 20% of its budget on education and is strengthening collaboration with development partners to provide more financing for the education sector. Photo: Groundbreaking ceremony (Source: X/Twitter @ President Bio) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 18fb5a25-0df2-4014-9c30-0c5f1e8f2e8b <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Firms Shortlisted For Malawi’s 358MW Mpatamanga Hydro Project <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/firms-shortlisted-malawis-358mw-mpatamanga-hydro-project_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Malawi’s Mpatamanga Hydro Power Limited (MHPL) has shortlisted several firms for three packages of the 358MW Mpatamanga hydropower project, which will be situated on the Shire River in the southern Blantyre and Neno districts. The request for proposal (RfP) documents will be issued to the shortlisted firms in the fourth quarter of 2024. The scheme is being developed on a build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) basis by MHPL in coordination with the government of Malawi and the IFC, with the joint development agreement inked in September 2022. MHPL is the project’s special-purpose vehicle and was incorporated in July 2022 by France’s EDF International and SN Malawi BV, owned by Norway’s Scatec and its partners – UK development finance institution (DFI) British International Investment (BII) and Norwegian DFI Norfund. The Mpatamanga project will harness the power of the Shire River, the largest river in Malawi, and will be located between the existing 121MW Tedzani and 130MW Kapichira hydro schemes. The scheme aims to double Malawi’s hydroelectricity generation capacity, reduce energy shortages and enhance energy security, and enable further introduction of solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity in the country, balancing its intermittency. The primary works involve building a main dam and a regulating dam, along with two reservoirs and two powerhouses; two transmission lines linking to the national grid; and the upgrade of the S137 road on the Blantyre side, rerouting of the S137 on the Neno side, and construction of a new access road between the main and regulating dams (Blantyre side). Overall, about 32km of road will be upgraded and 10km constructed. Mpatamanga hydropower project mapSource: Project ESIA report, July 2024The 55-metre-high main dam will create a 20.2-square-kilometre main reservoir with a total storage of 272.5 million cubic metres, out of which 58 million cubic metres will be used for electricity generation. Water from the main reservoir will drop by approximately 66 metres through two 900-metre underground tunnels to a 301MW main powerhouse located 1km downstream of the main dam. This powerhouse will be able to produce about 1,236 GWh a year. Main dam and works of the Mpatamanga hydropower projectSource: Project ESIA report, July 2024The water discharged from the main powerhouse into the Shire River will then flow into a 1.5-square-kilometre regulating reservoir created by a 45-metre-high regulating dam located 6km downstream of the powerhouse. Water from the regulating reservoir will then be discharged into the river through a 57MW powerhouse located at the foot of the dam, which will be capable of generating 308 GWh a year. The electricity generated by the project will be delivered to the grid through two transmission lines – a 63km 400kV line running from the main powerhouse to the existing Phombeya substation and an 11km 132kV line that will connect the regulation dam powerhouse to the existing Tedzani-Kapichira transmission line. For the project’s civil works package, a team of Portugal’s Mota-Engil Engenharia e Construcao Africa and China International Water &amp; Electric Corporation has been shortlisted, with the specialised subcontractors including Portugal’s LY Lyon - Construcoes e Manutencoes Metalomecanicas and Coba - Consultores de Engenharia e Ambiente, and Brazil’s Intertechne Consultores. In addition, Italy’s WeBuild has been shortlisted, along with a consortium of France’s Vinci Construction Grands Projets and Razel Bec, wit the team including Italy’s ATB Riva Calzoni, France’s Tractebel Engineering and ISL lngenierie, the local Sawa Group, and South Africa’s WBHO as subcontractors. For the electro-mechanical works, a joint venture of China’s Dongfang Electrical International Corporation and Dongfang Electric Machinery Company has been shortlisted, with Power China Chengdu Engineering Corporation as the subcontractor. A team of Spain’s Elecnor Servicios y Proyectos and Germany’s Voith Hydro has also been shortlisted, as well as a consortium of Austria’s Andritz Hydro and its Chinese subsidiary, including China’s Hubei Hong Cheng General Machinery Co as the subcontractor. For the project’s transmission line and substation works, India’s Larsen &amp; Toubro has been shortlisted, along with Dongfang Electrical International Corporation and Egypt’s Elsewedy Electric T&amp;D. Firms shortlisted for packages on Mpatamanga hydropower projectSource: MHPLOverall, the project preparation stage will take place in 2024 and 2025, including the detailed technical, environmental and social studies, and the selection of construction companies. Financial close, signifying the beginning of the main construction works, is currently scheduled for the last quarter of 2025. Initial construction is expected to start in 2025, including the upgrade of the S137 road works in the Blantyre district. The main construction works are set to be carried out from 2026 to 2030, including the S137 road upgrade in the Neno district. Commissioning of the power stations is planned for April 2030. MHPL will operate the plant for a period of 30 years, following which ownership will be transferred to the government. MHPL will hand over the transmission lines to state-owned Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) once the power stations are commissioned. The Mpatamanga hydro scheme is being financed by the World Bank and international financial institutions. Currently, EDF and SN Malawi each hold a 50% stake in MHPL. The future shareholding structure will include state power generation firm Electricity Generation Company (Egenco) with 30%; EDF with 27.5%; the IFC with 15%; Scatec with 14%; and BII and Norfund with 6.75% each. In July, Scatec announced it would sell SN Power, its African hydropower subsidiary, to France’s TotalEnergies as it looks to focus on its core business of solar, wind and battery energy storage projects. In so doing, it is divesting from its African hydropower joint venture with Norfund and BII. TotalEnergies will acquire its 51% stake in the joint venture. The transaction is subject to conditions and consents being received from stakeholders including lenders and joint venture partners, and is scheduled to close within the first half of 2025.  Malawi's generation capacity currently stands at 505MW, with hydropower accounting for 78%, solar 20% and diesel generator sets 2%. Energy access in the country is just 23%, with 12% on-grid and the remainder provided by mini-grids or standalone home systems. Top photo: Mpatamanga hydropower project (Source: MHPL) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 19f80269-95fb-45ee-af7f-24f9d9cc452d <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Zambia Launches Work On 300MW Coal Plant Expansion <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/zambia-launches-work-300mw-coal-plant-expansion_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema conducted a groundbreaking ceremony on 13 August for the 300MW expansion of the Maamba Energy thermal power plant in the Sinazongwe district of the country’s Southern Province. The US$400 million phase two project is due to be completed by July 2026 and will double the coal-fired power plant’s generation capacity to 600MW. Maamba Energy, an independent power producer 65% owned by India’s Nava Limited and 35% by the local ZCCM Investments Holdings (ZCCM-IH), has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with state power utility Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (Zesco). The project is being financed by Zambia’s National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) and Indo Bank Zambia along with other local financiers. “This project symbolises our relentless efforts in our journey for energy security in our country,” said President Hichilema. Zambia is currently grappling with a severe drought which has hit hydropower production. The country relies on hydropower for about 80% of its electricity supply. As of mid-August, Zambia had an average available power generation capacity of 890MW against an installed capacity of 3,777MW. National average peak demand was 2,400MW, resulting in a power deficit of 1,510MW. To address this deficit, ZESCO and other traders are importing a total of 496MW from the Southern African region, leaving a net deficit of 1,014MW that has resulted in more than 12 hours of daily loadshedding across the country. The president said the government was targeting the generation of 10,000MW of thermal power through public-private partnerships in order to ensure a constant supply to sectors such as mining. The 300MW Maamba Energy coal-fired power plant was commissioned in 2016. It was built at a cost of US$738 million and comprises two 150MW turbines. Photo: Groundbreaking ceremony (Source: ZCCM-IH) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 8f658425-4c46-4c94-bf45-0eeb1833df5e <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Cape Town Approves Land Release For Mixed-Use Development <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/cape-town-approves-land-release-mixed-use-development_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> The mayoral committee of South Africa’s Cape Town has approved the release of seven hectares of land for a mixed-use development in the Rondebosch East suburb, about 7km southeast of the city centre. The land, situated on the corner of Kromboom Road and Seventh Avenue, has a potential yield of 800 residential units within a mixed-use development, including affordable housing, open market housing, public open space and retail opportunities. The site is made up of several vacant plots with a desktop valuation of Rand 155 million (US$8.7 million), with new city guidelines enabling the discounting of the price to help developers maximise affordable housing yield. City council approval will now be sought to commence a public participation process for the proposed land sale. The sale will include a clause to ensure the development includes an affordable housing component by stipulating that the properties will revert back to government ownership if it is not used for the intended purpose. To prepare for land release, the parcels will undergo a rezoning process to enable the envisioned yield of residential units. Site location in Rondebosch EastSource: Cape Town city government“These Rondebosch East erven [plots] are among the many exciting sites within our affordable housing land release priority portfolio,” said Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. “In the first two years of this programme, we have already released sites with a yield of over 4,200 affordable housing units, including in Cape Town's inner city and other well-located economic nodes.” Mayoral committee member for economic growth Alderman James Vos said the release was an opportunity for the government to use its land bank to unlock socio-economic spin-offs. “By developing these sites, we will provide much-needed residential and commercial space in areas close to vital services, industries and social infrastructure, thus enhancing the quality of life for our residents and supporting our city's economic vitality,” Vos said. According to mayoral committee member for human settlements Carl Pophaim, Cape Town city's affordable housing pipeline includes land parcels expected to deliver more than 12,000 residential opportunities. Mixed market development is being prioritised in a bid to create integrated communities and sustainable human settlements offering housing opportunities along with commercial and social amenities. “Providing affordable housing in strategically located areas can significantly transform the livelihood of qualifying households who earn less than Rand 22,000 a month,” said Pophaim. “Thousands of families are already tenanted at various developments around the metro, including Maitland Mews, Bothasig Gardens, Goodwood Station and the Western Cape government's Conradie Park development in Pinelands.” The Cape Town government is continuing efforts to engage the national government on releasing well-located mega-properties in the city, with an estimated yield of around 100,000 affordable housing units, including several military bases and portions of the Parliamentary Village.  Photo: Cape Town city (© Alexey Stiop | Dreamstime) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 3177156c-88c0-44c4-ba9a-20826ae97ef0 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> South African Cement Producer Invests In Solar Power <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/south-african-cement-producer-invests-solar-power_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> South African cement manufacturer PPC has partnered with the local Sturdee Energy to build solar farms at two of its cement plants in the North West and Limpopo provinces. Sturdee Energy will develop and operate 10MW solar farms at PPC’s Slurry plant in the North West province and the Dwaalboom facility in the Limpopo province. PPC has already obtained environmental authorisation and feasibility studies are currently underway on the schemes. PPC has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. “By utilising solar energy, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also progressing our efforts to rebuild a profitable and sustainable PPC. This partnership reflects PPC's commitment to responsible manufacturing,” the company said in a social media post. PPC is a manufacturer of building materials including cement, aggregates, ready mix and fly ash. The company is present in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe, operating 23 ready-mix plants, five integrated cement factories, four grinding stations, three blending facilities, two aggregate quarries and two fly ash plants. It has a total cement production capacity of 8.2 million tonnes a year. PPC is also pursuing a solar project at its Zimbabwe operations. The scheme was nearing financial close in July, with lenders conducting due diligence. Also in July, the firm entered a strategic comprehensive cooperation agreement with China’s Sinoma Overseas Development to improve sustainable practices and production innovation at its cement operations. The agreement aims to improve efficiency, reduce production costs, accelerate the transition to non-fossil fuels and expand capacities across its Southern African facilities. "In the current highly competitive environment, we must operate our industrial operations in the most efficient way to produce high-quality products sustainably at the right cost,” said PPC CEO Matias Cardarelli. “This agreement strengthens our relationship with Sinoma as one of the world’s most influential cement equipment and services companies, and will be one of the pillars of our recently initiated turnaround process, which aims to rebuild a profitable and sustainable PPC.” Photo: PPC factory (Source: PPC) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 9a1a18ec-da75-40d4-b3e2-3376533189ee <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Ethiopia Begins Work On Addis Ababa SEZ <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/ethiopia-begins-work-addis-ababa-sez_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ali in mid-August launched the construction of the Addis Tomorrow Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the country’s capital city Addis Ababa, located in the Oromia region. The SEZ will be built by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) on 35 hectares of land. According to Ali, the project aims to showcase the future vision for the capital city. Addis Tomorrow SEZ projectSource: Addis Ababa governmentA recent report by public news agency Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) said the development will feature an international economic and commercial zone, an educational and cultural zone, a financial and business zone, and a modern housing zone, citing Addis Ababa’s Mayor Adanech Abiebie. It will include offices, malls, residential apartments, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, recreational facilities and sports centres. According to a mid-August report by Chinese state news agency Xinhua, the project agreement was signed between the Addis Ababa city government and CCCC in August 2023 at an estimated cost of US$700 million. The Xinhua report said the SEZ would be connected to other economic areas under construction in the capital through the ongoing Addis Ababa corridor development projects, citing Prime Minister Ali. The five corridor schemes, some of which have been completed, involve an estimated 240km of road projects and related infrastructure developments, according to a report by the national Ethiopian News Agency (ENA). Our corridor development work, conducted in collaboration with residents and the city leadership, has progressed significantly. Today, we are pleased to announce that the CMC route is now open to the public. This expansion reflects our commitment to a broader perspective as we… pic.twitter.com/scirEkExsJ — Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 (@AbiyAhmedAli) August 11, 2024 In May, Prime Minister Ali launched the development of the Gada SEZ, located 65km east of Addis Ababa in the Oromia region. The premier oversaw the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and the Oromia state government for the development of the Lume free trade zone within the SEZ. CCECC is set to build a logistics centre, an export processing centre, an industrial park and other developments across 10km over five years. The government has allocated a total of 240 square kilometres of land for the SEZ to be developed in phases. Top photo: Addis Tomorrow SEZ artist rendering (Source: Addis Ababa government) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha cdffe8b5-176e-4d7e-9641-06fd62391e43 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Afreximbank Announces Project Preparation Facility For Uganda <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/afreximbank-announces-project-preparation-facility-uganda_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced the signing of a joint project preparation facility framework agreement with Uganda Development Bank (UDB) that will see the mobilisation of up to US$25 million in funds for projects in the country. The agreement, inked in mid-June, will facilitate the provision of early project preparatory financing and technical support services to public and private sector entities in priority sectors such as energy, transport and logistics, special economic zones/industrial parks, manufacturing, agro-processing, hospitality and tourism, mining and solid minerals. &nbsp; The project preparation facility will assist in de-risking projects and rapidly advance their development from concept to bankability by covering the preparation of feasibility studies, project development and advisory services, and related costs. The overall objectives are to accelerate economic growth in Uganda through increased private sector investments and to position the country as an attractive investment destination by enabling a steady stream of investment-ready projects. Several transformative project ideas remain unimplemented in Uganda due to the limited availability of technical and financial support to ensure bankability, according to Samuel Maitum, director of credit at UDB. Maitum said UDB’s collaboration with Afreximbank will unlock several transformative private and public sector-led projects. According to Kanayo Awani, executive vice-president of Afreximbank’s Intra-African Trade Bank, the joint project preparation facility will assist the Ugandan government in addressing one of the major challenges in developing projects – moving commercially viable projects to financial close. “Through this partnership, Afreximbank intends to work alongside UDB to prepare quality, bankable projects to attract investments from both the public and private sector,” Awani said, adding that the facility will be instrumental in catalysing and mobilising downstream investments. Photo: Construction (© Arturoosorno | Dreamstime) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 66c41b0e-1c34-42c0-9971-6c445fca7dac <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Ethiopia Selects Consultants For Airport City Project <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/ethiopia-selects-consultants-airport-city-project_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Ethiopian Airlines has selected a team led by Lebanon’s Dar al-Handasah and UK-based Zaha Hadid Architects for the design and supervision of a mega airport city project, situated in the central city of Bishoftu, about 40km from Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa. The project includes the construction of Abusera International airport, which is aimed to position Ethiopia as the leading global gateway to Africa. The scope of work covers technical advisory, engineering, project management and construction supervision services for the airport city, the first phase of which is estimated to cost US$6 billion and be completed by 2029. The phase includes the construction of a 600,000 square-metre (sq m) terminal to support throughput of 60 million passengers a year, which is almost three times the number of passengers registered in Africa’s busiest airport in 2022 – Egypt’s Cairo International airport. In addition, 126,190 sq m of airline support facilities will be built, along with two Code 4E parallel runways and associated airfield infrastructure, over 100,000 sq m of cargo and airport support facilities, and other major airport facilities and infrastructure. Components of Ethiopia's new Abusera International airport under the first phaseSource: Dar al-HandasahUnder the second phase, the airport terminal will be expanded to 1.1 million sq m to host 110 million passengers a year and two runways will be added.   The new airport is planned to be connected via an express rail link to Addis Ababa city. Overall, 35 square kilometres of land has been allocated for the project, the funding for which is to be sourced from bank loans and aviation investors. The consortium has proposed an architectural approach for the airport that draws on local culture to create a new national landmark for Ethiopia. The design will leverage Bishoftu city’s high elevation, arid climate, mild temperatures and abundant sunshine to ensure the new airport harnesses renewable energy, maximises natural ventilation and illumination, and conserves natural resources. According to Dar, the new airport will combine proven innovations in aviation architecture with ecologically sound materials and sustainable construction practices, while the terminal will be intuitive to navigate and characterised by future-readiness with on-site renewable power generation as well as the collection, storage and reuse of rainwater. Abusera International airport is expected to support Ethiopian Airlines in meeting the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) forecasts of more than 200% market growth for the country up to 2037. The airline’s potential is currently restricted within its existing base at Bole International airport, which is limited in terms of significant expansion. “The project will not only enhance connectivity but also drive economic growth and prioritise environmentally responsible practices in our country and beyond, reflecting the airline's commitment to innovation and sustainability,” said Ethiopian Airlines' CEO Mesfin Tasew. “With its exceptional capacity and world-class facilities, this new airport promises to elevate African aviation and strengthen partnerships, marking a significant advancement for the region's air travel infrastructure.” The design consortium includes the UK’s Pascall+Watson Architects, as well as Dar’s sister companies – the US-based Landrum &amp; Brown and TYLin. Top photo: Contract signing ceremony (Source: Ethiopian Airlines) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 40a5ba31-731e-4754-a524-52fa0f373a31 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Burkina Faso Flags Off Expansion Of CIMAF Cement Factory <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/burkina-faso-flags-expansion-cimaf-cement-factory_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traore in early August presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of Ciments de l'Afrique’s (CIMAF) cement production plant in the Kossodo industrial zone, located in the capital city Ouagadougou. The extension involves the construction of a calcined clay production unit, which will enable the local manufacture of kaolinitic materials, reducing the need to import clinker, a key raw material for cement. CIMAF will use the calcined clay to produce limestone calcined clay cement (LC3), a high-quality, low-carbon and cost-efficient class of cement.   The calcined clay unit is aimed to complement CIMAF’s existing factory in Ouagadougou as well as its plant in Bobo-Dioulasso and the construction cost has been estimated at CFA franc 30 billion (US$50 million).   The work also includes building a 5MW photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant, which will help reduce production costs, through an investment of CFA franc 3.3 billion (US$5.5 million). Both components are expected to be completed in 24 months. Groundbreaking ceremony for CIMAF Burkina Faso plant expansionSource: CIMAFThe expansion will create 500 jobs in the project phase and 300 in the operating phase. "The calcined clay that we will produce here in Burkina will serve as an alternative raw material to imported materials, particularly clinker," said Anas Sefrioui, chairman and CEO of CIMAF Group. CIMAF Burkina Faso is 70% owned by Morocco’s OIP and 30% by Luxembourg-based CIMA Holding. In mid-October 2023, the IFC agreed to provide a green loan of up to €45 million (US$47.7 million) to OIP, part of which has been earmarked to support the construction of the calcined clay production facility and solar plant. Top photo: Groundbreaking ceremony (Source: Facebook @ CIMAF) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha d02079f5-c578-4f9b-b37e-0f4376660343 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Work Launched On Central African Republic-Chad Border Post <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/work-launched-central-african-republic-chad-border-post_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> The government of the Central African Republic (CAR) in early August launched the construction of a joint border post with Chad, located in Bembere in the northwestern Lim-Pende prefecture. The border post is set to be completed in six months and will include an administrative area and a living area, and will accommodate the gendarmerie, police, customs, water and forestry, phytosanitary and health services. Altogether, the development will accommodate eight border management agencies, strengthening control and security capacities in the region. "The Central African Republic is today faced with the challenge of demarcating, materialising and reaffirming its borders,” said the country’s Minister of Territorial Administration Bruno Yapande. “The construction and equipment of this mixed border post, which will house more than eight services, is the beginning of a solution.” The border post project has an estimated cost of CFA franc 236.6 million (US$393,958) and is being financed by the UN’s Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The mission’s head Valentine Rugwabiza said through the facility, MINUSCA aims to extend the authority of the Central African state and enable “formal, managed and organised exchanges that will contribute to state revenues and to the revenues of … Bembere”. &nbsp; The new border post is a priority scheme under the 10-year action plan for the country’s national policy for the management of border areas (PNGEF), approved in September 2023 by President Faustin Touadera. The estimated CFA franc 50 billion (US$83.3 million) plan will run from 2024 to 2033 and support the landlocked country in securing its borders with Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon. These borders are essential for the control and development of the country’s resources, but their porosity also favours cross-border criminal activities. The government is also planning to implement a bilateral strategy with neighbouring countries to harmonise and govern its borders in accordance with the CEMAC borders programme. This strategy aims to establish development poles in border areas through integrated development projects, with a UN committee conducting an early August visit to the towns of Bouar and Baoro, located near the border with Cameroon, to discuss the creation of such developments. The poles are aimed to strengthen basic services and offer new economic opportunities for local populations and refugees. Photo: Groundbreaking ceremony (Source: MINUSCA) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha c63137ec-1c12-4d02-bd18-2d50f95fbf7d <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> South Africa’s Balwin Properties To Expand Rental Portfolio <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/south-africas-balwin-properties-expand-rental-portfolio_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> South Africa’s Balwin Properties has announced plans to develop a rental portfolio comprising six build-to-rent projects with a total of up to 7,300 apartments over the next 8-10 years. In a late July announcement to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), the developer said the schemes would be executed in phases by its subsidiary Balwin Rentals, which will have full control over the rental estates, allowing it to manage costs optimally. Balwin Properties has identified land parcels covering up 20% of its unused land portfolio in the cities of Johannesburg and Tshwane and the Western Cape province for the projects. ​​The rental portfolio will target prices of between Rand 6,000 (US$328) and Rand 13,000 (US$710) a month for one, two and three-bedroom apartments. According to the developer, these units will have EDGE Advanced certification and have been cost-engineered to generate above market yields at the planned rental prices. The rollout of the rental portfolio is envisaged to create about 39,000 direct and indirect job opportunities over time. The developments are planned to be funded through long-term debt finance from commercial lending and development finance institutions at preferential interest rates. Balwin Properties expects the addition of the build-to-rent model, seen as a more defensive asset class, will further diversify its revenue streams and grow annuity income that will complement the cyclical nature of its build-to-sell development business, along with improving the usage of its unused land portfolio. The developer’s build-to-sell model generates up to 3,000 sectional title apartments a year. Photo: Balwin Properties rental apartments (Source: Balwin Properties) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 56739ce5-69ac-4d2c-b132-cd169b2e0397 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> African Infrastructure Fund Secures US$954 Million <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/african-infrastructure-fund-secures-us954-million_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) has announced the final close of its African Infrastructure Investment Fund 4 (AIIF4), with US$748 million raised from a multinational investor base. AIIF4, AIIM’s fourth pan-African infrastructure fund, has exceeded its target by 50% and has also secured an additional US$206 million in co-investments, giving it a combined US$954 million in commitments. The fund will target market-leading companies with primarily private sector counterparties that operate in one of three sectors – digital infrastructure, energy and transport and logistics. It will focus on specific markets including South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Morocco and Egypt, where AIIM already operates. AIIM aims to use AIIF4 to tackle climate change through the setting of decarbonisation and energy efficiency goals, as well as maximising emissions avoidance opportunities through renewable energy deployment for each investment. &nbsp; According to the fund manager, Africa is the most underserved infrastructure market globally and faces a significant imbalance between demand for quality sustainable infrastructure and supply. The continent's infrastructure gap is estimated at over US$100 billion a year while annual expenditure, as a percentage of the required investment, is the lowest compared to any other region globally, standing at 25%. “In developing [AIIF4’s] strategy, we have focused on key themes which provide investors with long-term growth driven by structural deficits and secular tailwinds rather than volatile macro-economic cycles,” said Olusola Lawson, AIIM's managing director and co-CEO. “This includes digital infrastructure, to capitalise on the surge in data consumption across the continent; energy transition, to address the chronic shortage of affordable power and the associated productivity losses for Africa’s corporates; and transport, ports and logistics, to meet the demands for moving goods and people through the world’s most rapidly urbanising cities. “All investments by the fund are specifically tracked against climate, gender and governance objectives.” Commitments for AIIF4 were raised from 29 investors in total, with around 25% of funds coming from institutional investors in Africa, 42% from EU countries and the UK, 14% from Canada and the US, and 17% from the Middle East and Asia.&nbsp; The investors include pension funds, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, asset managers and family offices, with 50% of commitments from development finance institutions (DFI). “Given the challenging global fundraising environment, we are delighted to have outperformed the targeted fund size,” said Paul Frankish, AIIM’s head of strategic initiatives. “We received strong support from our existing investor base with a high level of re-ups from the supporters of our previous mandates, which served to anchor the fundraising. We have also seen many new investors seeking to diversify their investment allocations into new markets which they consider provide strong long-term growth potential, as well as seeking investments with well-defined sustainability and impact strategies. “These investors have all sought to enter Africa, as a new market with high growth and impact potential, alongside AIIM due to our long track record in the region and … local presence.” AIIF4 achieved first close in June 2022 and has to date concluded commitments to seven platforms, representing commitments of over 60% for the fund. These include investments in The Logistics Group (TLG), an integrated ports operator and logistics service provider in Southern Africa; Commercial Cold Holdings, AIIM’s pan-African cold storage platform targeting the growing demand for temperature-controlled logistics; Net zerO Africa (NOA), a renewable energy platform; and N+One Data Centers, a carrier-neutral data centre operator located in Senegal and Morocco. AIIF4 has also provided financing for two road upgrade projects in Kenya – lots 15 and 18 of the Kenyan Roads Annuity Programme, which is a public-private partnership (PPP) initiative launched in 2015 to complement the government's efforts to increase the length of paved roads in the country. Each lot consists of about six road sections with a combined length of 80km. Photo: Container vessel (Source: TLG) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 3d897c5e-81ea-4c9c-8c92-df29c5b46a5e <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Zambia Gets US$19 Million To Improve Water Access <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/zambia-gets-us19-million-improve-water-access_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> The Zambian government is set to receive a combined US$19.3 million from development institutions to improve access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene for over 460,000 people in two areas of the country. The African Development Bank (AfDB) has granted a loan of US$13.2 million while the EU will provide a grant of US$6.1 million for the project, which aims to develop climate-resilient water and sanitation infrastructure in the town of Kabwe in central Zambia and the district of Bauleni in the capital city Lusaka. These areas are witnessing increasing demand for water and sanitation services due to population and economic growth in peri-urban and informal settlements. The scheme also looks to strengthen the capacity of the water and sanitation providers in the two areas, namely Lukanga Water Supply and Sanitation Company (LgWSC) in Kabwe and Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company (LWSC) in Bauleni, to ensure effective management and operation of facilities. The scope of work includes rehabilitating the out-of-service Mulungushi water purification plant in Kabwe to relaunch production of 37,500 cubic metres a day (cm/d) of drinking water. In addition, the project targets improvements and augmentation of more than 70km of transmission and distribution mains; development and equipping of five boreholes in the catchment areas of Kalulu and Mukobeko in Kabwe to provide 18,000 cm/d; rehabilitation and construction of five distribution centres; and increase in capacity of service reservoirs by 2,000 cubic metres. The scheme will also promote innovative measures such as smart metering and the implementation of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies to improve utility operations. Under sanitation and hygiene services improvement, the project looks to facilitate improved on-site sanitation services and systems for 330,000 people in Kabwe and Bauleni. It will also support the construction of a pilot climate-resilient faecal sludge treatment unit with a capacity of 50,000 people in Kabwe. LWSC will be the project implementing agency for the activities in Bauleni while LgWSC will be responsible for the activities in Kabwe. The overall scheme is expected to conclude by December 2028. “The project aims to improve access to better-quality water and sanitation services in … Kabwe and Bauleni, and increase the operational and financial efficiency of water and sanitation providers in Lukanga and … Lusaka,” said Raubil Durowoju, head of the AfDB’s country office in Zambia.According to the AfDB, inequalities exist in access to water between Zambia’s urban and rural areas. An estimated 96% of the urban population enjoys access compared to 60% in rural areas. There are also disparities in access to improved sanitation in rural areas (41%) compared to urban areas (78%). Less than 24% of Zambia's population has access to basic hygiene services. The bank says key challenges in the country’s water sector include dilapidated infrastructure, financially unsustainable utilities, weak management and monitoring of resources, inadequate funds and climate change. Photo: Water supply (Source: AfDB) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 11c94f23-c231-40a4-a38d-e4577ab3827c <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Comoros Gets Funds For Port Expansions <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/comoros-gets-funds-port-expansions_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a US$135 million funding package for the government of the Comoros that will help expand the country’s ports of Moroni and Boingoma and establish a special economic zone (SEZ). Known as the Maritime Corridor and Regional Trade Facilitation Project (PACMFCR), the scheme is aimed at improving domestic and international connectivity for the Comoros through the upgrade of port infrastructure, promotion of regional integration and creation of an ecosystem conducive to the development of value chains. The Comoros is an archipelago of three major islands – Grande Comore (Ngazidja), Moheli (Mwali) and Anjouan (Ndzuwani) – located off the coast of Mozambique in the Indian Ocean. It has three primary ports: Port Moroni on Grande Comore, Port Boingoma on Moheli and Port Mutsamudu on Anjouan. Around 90% of freight to and between the three islands of the Comoros archipelago is transported by sea. The port expansion work will see a new 240-metre quay built at the Port of Moroni as well as a 136-metre quay at the Port of Boingoma to enable them to accommodate ferries and fishing boats, boosting the Comoros’ agricultural potential. To facilitate regional trade, PACMFCR will support the development of an SEZ to support imports and exports, the establishment of a national single window for trade and business facilitation, and the modernisation of the country’s customs administration. According to the AfDB the Comoros has an enormous potential for blue economy sectors such as fisheries, agriculture and tourism. However, the development of this potential is hampered by major structural challenges such as the poor quality of port infrastructure, which leads to high costs of doing business and increased vulnerability to external shocks. “The project … aims to increase the capacity and efficiency of the ports of Moroni and Boingoma to meet current and future needs,” said Nnenna Nwabufo, the AfDB’s director-general for Eastern Africa. “It will help develop local value chains in the fisheries and agriculture sectors, and facilitate inter-island and regional trade. This is a flagship project of the Plan Comores Emergent [PCE 2030], which will certainly help to improve the living conditions of the Comorian population and reduce the Comoros' vulnerability to climate change.” PACMFCR is set to be co-financed by several institutions including the European Investment Bank (EIB), the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and French development agency AFD. Photo: Port of Moroni (Source: Facebook @ Comorian Ports Company) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha bbc844f6-9a0a-489a-b9bc-939329e91996 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Work Begins On Gabon’s Mayumba Gas Power Plant <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/work-begins-gabons-mayumba-gas-power-plant_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Gabon’s President Brice Nguema in mid-July launched development works for the 8.5MW first phase of the Mayumba gas-fired power plant project, located in the country’s south. The local Nuez et Fils is constructing roads and various networks, as well as the related infrastructure of the independent power producer (IPP) facility. The scheme is expected to create about 450 jobs and be completed by July 2025. The 8.5MW facility is targeted to help meet electricity needs in rural areas and cover domestic and industrial demand identified under the Southern Interconnected Network of Louetsi and the surrounding area of ​​Mayumba. Its capacity is planned to be expandable to 50MW under future phases. The scheme is being executed under a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement signed between the Gabonese government, Gabon Power Company (GPC) and Perenco Oil &amp; Gas Gabon. Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) inked by Perenco with the government in April 2023 and updated in March 2024, the firm is responsible for the development of the 8.5MW power plant as well as the installation of a gas pipeline and associated equipment connecting the offshore oil fields it operates to the plant. Meanwhile, GPC will oversee the connection of the facility to the existing network of Mayumba city; construction of a 100km 30kV line between Mayumba and Tchibanga; electrification of rural areas along the Mayumba-Tchibanga axis; and the development of roads and related infrastructures. The objectives of the overall gas-fired power project include providing electricity to an estimated 80,000 homes in southern Gabon and developing the country's gas resources to relaunch major schemes in the mining, forestry and port sectors. These projects include the construction of the Mangali deepwater port at Mayumba, planned as part of the Grande Mayumba Programme, which involves consolidating and developing a forest land area of 631,100 hectares and a marine area of 260,900 hectares in the Nyanga province of southern Gabon. The programme is being developed by Grande Mayumba Development Company (GMDC), which plans to commence the construction of port and logistics facilities under phase one of the Mangali port in 2024, having signed a public service port convention with the national port authority OPRAG in 2021. “My dear compatriots, the future of Mayumba looks bright, with the construction of a deep-water port … and the gas-fired power plant,” said President Nguema during the launch of the power plant. “These infrastructures will transform the economic activity of the province and even that of the country.” Photo: Development works (Source: GPC) <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> sneha 63a3ef40-65a1-4697-ba54-70073cec5075 <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Solar Façade Skyscraper Completed In Johannesburg <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> https://constructafrica.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/news/solar-facade-skyscraper-completed-johannesburg_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__ <!-- THEME DEBUG --> <!-- THEME HOOK: 'views_view_field' --> <!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> South Africa’s Energy Partners (EP) has announced the completion of the Metalbox skyscraper solar project in Auckland Park, Johannesburg. The project entailed the installation of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) that generate up to 300MWh annually, making it South Africa’s first solar façade skyscraper. “We’ve seen similar projects succeed worldwide. But it required both a visionary client and a committed team to set a new benchmark for South Africa’s green energy transition,” said EP CEO, Manie de Waal. Standing 80 metres tall and with nearly 15,000 square metres of gross leasable area, Metalbox is one of the largest commercial office buildings in owner Fairvest Limited’s property portfolio. &nbsp; The project incorporated two solar systems. Monocrystalline panels were fitted on the building’s sides to provide energy efficiency and aesthetic appeal, performing well even in low-light conditions, while the roof features carport-type panels, optimising sunlight exposure while offering weatherproofing to services located on the roof. “This [BIPV] technology performs the incredible task of transforming conventional building parts into solar systems, enhancing functionality, aesthetics, and ultimately improved return on investment. For us to be able to successfully complete such a project in South Africa is a game-changer,” said Charl du Plessis, general manager, EP Power. The project was not without its challenges, with the installation team having to work from lowered platforms. “We had to achieve adequate torque on the clamps for environmental resilience – no mean feat considering that the solar panels had to cover a total area of 1,259 square metres, making this South Africa’s largest custom-built commercial installation,” said du Plessis.&nbsp; Shading had to be carefully modelled to accurately predict generation forecasts. The project also required close collaboration with regulatory authorities and had to undergo a glint and glare study to mitigate solar glare effects on neighbouring surroundings. “Metalbox is an energy-hungry property,” said Fairvest Limited’s COO, Riaz Kader. “This solar installation marks our innovative, solutions-driven approach towards renewable energy solutions… We are committed to investing in sustainable energy and water infrastructure to de-risk our portfolio by providing a degree of energy and water independence whilst lowering the cost of electricity for our company and tenants.” According to du Plessis, the business case for solar is driven by cost, generation potential and the alternative cost of electricity: “With the ever-increasing cost of grid electricity, a tipping point has been reached where even capex-intensive projects with lower generation potential are feasible.” Cape Town-headquartered EP develops, invests in and operates core utility assets for commercial and industrial clients. The company recently completed a 3.2MW hybrid power project with 3.1Wh of battery energy storage for the Heidelberg Mall in Heidelberg, Gauteng. The grid will now serve as a back-up for the mall, while the primary energy sources will be solar and diesel generation.&nbsp; The rooftop solar system can carry the mall’s full load during the day. The control system includes smart load management for the mall’s heating and ventilation system, weather prediction integration for solar generation forecasting, and loadshedding schedule planning. Photo: Metalbox skyscraper (Source: EP) On 26 September, ConstructAfrica will be holding a webinar on the theme of Unlocking Investment in Green Construction Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. For sponsorship and speaking opportunities please contact webinars@constructafrica.com <!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/contrib/stable/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig' --> Liz Bains 3a189305-e01e-4cb6-b78f-41a02fda848a