January 13, 2023
Zimbabwe with its’ largest wheat harvest in 2022
AfricaNews shares that Zimbabwe has registered its’ largest wheat harvest in 2022, making it a self-sufficient agricultural powerhouse. The harvest was 13% higher than last year, with 375 thousand tons of wheat harvest registered for 2022. As a positive result, the country no longer needs to import wheat to meet its’ needs, saving up $300 million in import costs.
Millions Collected From Tolling Kampala-Entebbe Expressway
According to AllAfrica, Egis, an international group in the construction and engineering company, was awarded the contract for the operation and maintenance of the greenfield section of the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway. So far, the government has collected around $9.2 million in the first year of tolling the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, which links the capital to its international airport. Uganda hopes to see the continuation of high profits in years to come.
AllAfrica shares that at last year's U.S. Africa Leaders Summit in Washington D.C., the U.S. signed a historic memorandum of understanding with Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo to develop an electric vehicle battery supply chain. Kobold metals, an exploration firm, will invest $150 million to develop a new mine in Zambia. Their substantial reserves of copper and cobalt are critical metals for the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. While Copper mining is crucial to the Zambian economy and is responsible for three-quarters of Zambia's export earnings, many poor Zambians have yet to see the benefits.
Possible solution for Africa Amid Political, Economic Volatility
According to AllAfrica, Africa is becoming increasingly important to countries and companies seeking the minerals needed to transition to renewable energy. AllAfrica believes that they will see the powers of the United States, China, Russia and European countries vie for access to those resources. Conflicts, extremism and insecurity remain the significant challenges for the continent and they must be addressed further to alleviate some of the countries’ economic struggle through this possible solution.
Nigeria's Solar Power Inspires More Sustainable African Energy
According to AllAfrica, the European Union has approved a $3.4 million facility in Nigeria, for Okra Solar to use solar mesh-grids to target 76,000 energy access beneficiaries by the end of 2025. Apparently, a demand for the clean-burning fuel is surging as the world looks for alternatives to climate-warming fossil fuels and as Europe seeks to lessen its dependence on Russian natural gas. Researchers from the Okra Solar initiative listed Egypt, Morocco and Mauritania, Namibia and South Africa as major production hubs, but also said that Nigeria has huge potential.
Safety system failure in U.S. grounds over 5000 flights
According to Wole Oyebade from The Guardian, around 5000 flights were either delayed or canceled yesterday over a safety system glitch that hit airports in America. Due to a suspected cyber-attack, halts of flights started during the night and lasted until the afternoon. The Federal Aviation Administration then lifted its order to halt all domestic flight departures across America after it restored the system providing pilots with pre-flight safety notices. However, airlines continued to delay or cancel flights because of ongoing congestion. This incident, as well as the recent holiday weather crises have negatively affected many international flights and airlines.
Rwanda & Turkey sign three cooperation agreements
Alice Kagina from The New Times writes that Rwanda and Turkey signed three cooperation agreements to further enhance the 'good bilateral ties between both countries.' According to available data, Rwanda's exports to Turkey have increased from $31million in 2019 to $178 million in 2022. These future agreements include general cooperation, culture, as well as science, technology and innovation.
Uganda cancels contract with Chinese firm & signs with Turkish company
According to The Business Daily, the Uganda government has terminated the contract of China Harbour Engineering Company to build the country’s first phase of standard gauge railway (SGR). The line between Uganda and Kenya was expected to cost $2.2 billion and the Chinese refused to fund it. The SGR Project Coordinator, Eng Perez Wamburu, says Uganda has now signed a memorandum of understanding with Turkish firm Yapi Merkezi and will work with them in the future.