Tanzania’s Tanga Port has acquired three new barges for US$10mn that will significantly increase storage capacity, reduce operational costs and improve overall port performance port robertpratt flickrThe new barges will enhance the port's operational efficiency. (Image source: RobertPlatt/Flickr) The new barges have the capacity to carry 3,500 tonnes of general and bulk cargo each at a time or 192 containers of 20 feet each, at a time..... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 28th December 2015

When Nigeria first unveiled incentives for carmakers to set up plants its auto industry had ground to a standstill. Fast forward two years, and there are at least 36 automakers with production licenses in the continent’s biggest economy, with Volkswagen AG, Nissan Motor Co. and Ford Motor Co. already making vehicles with local partners. The country is seeking to join South Africa as the only manufacturing base for the car industry in.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 24th December 2015

It may be a bit of a long shot, but African countries like Nigeria could be the final frontier for any automakers looking to cash in on the benefits of globalization and the financial fortitude of emerging markets. Long considered a lost cause due to prolific amounts of poverty, Africans in certain countries have amassed enough wealth that car manufacturers are actually starting to consider the continent’s legitimacy as a contender for.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 24th December 2015

 South Africa's automotive sector has received a major boost with the launch of the combi metre production facility by Hesto Harnesses in KwaZulu-Natal.   Hesto Harnesses manufactures wiring harnesses for the automotive industry from a factory situated in Stanger, 90km north of Durban. The company supplies automotive electrical distribution systems, commonly known as wiring harnesses and combination (combi) meters, to original.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 15th December 2015

 Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) yesterday launched its business strategy meant to establish capabilities for manufacturing vehicles in Uganda with production expected to start in 2018 through assembling.   According to Prof Tickodri-Togboa, the minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology, the idea to start making vehicles in the country started in 2007 when a group of Makerere University students and staff participated in.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 14th December 2015

 AVM Africa says it will venture into assembling and manufacturing tractors in 2016 starting with 400 units.   CEO Musanhi said this followed a partnership with a local company owned by the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans' Association (ZNLWVA), which is set to sign a billion-dollar agreement with a Chinese firm to set up a plant in Zimbabwe.   Musanhi said the 400 units will be the first of more to.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 14th December 2015

 Mercedes Benz is gearing up to begin the assembly of mini buses and ambulances in Nigeria, in an attempt to draw benefits from the country’s automotive policy mercminibus CanadianPacific flickrAccording to Uwatse, Nigeria needs mini buses and ambulances.  The company’s managing director in Nigeria Benson Uwatse said the country could benefit greatly from the current automotive policy, and that it required ambulances as.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 10th December 2015

 China has pledged to boost the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway construction project in Kenya from the capital Nairobi to the Rift Valley. Kenya will receive a $1.5 billion loan from China   Statehouse Spokesman Manoah Esipisu confirmed the news and said that Kenya will finance 15% towards the project while the rest will be from China Eximbank.   “Kenya and China signed a financing package for the extension of.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 8th December 2015

ZIMBABWEAN coach assembler AVM Africa says it will venture into assembling and manufacturing tractors in 2016 starting with 400 units. CEO Musanhi said this followed a partnership with a local company owned by the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans' Association (ZNLWVA), which is set to sign a billion-dollar agreement with a Chinese firm to set up a plant in Zimbabwe. Musanhi said the 400 units will be the first of more to.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 4th December 2015

Lagos — Tricycle manufacturing company, Bajaj Auto Ltd and its partner, DAG Motorcycles has launched a new model to be known as Bajaj RE 'Keke,' which will deliver superior performance to customers.   "The new Bajaj RE is a model that is extensively tested and engineered to deliver superior performance and durability. It has an engine which is optimised to deliver superior power and torque, superior engine cooling and very low.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 1st December 2015

Lagos — The Kia Rio beat some very steep competition to earn the prestigious 2015 Car of the Year accolade, receiving the highest number of votes from motoring journalists across the country.   The Kia Rio conquered some high-performance challengers to take the victory amongst all nominated vehicles at the annual Nigerian Automobile Journalists Association (NAJA) awards. The Kia Rio was adjudged to have ticked all the boxes in terms.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 1st December 2015

 As part of a new national strategy, Ethiopia will begin using ports in Kenya, Somaliland and Sudan in order to increase trade volume. This strategy will decrease Ethiopia’s current policy of relying solely on the Port of Djibouti. In a move supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Ethiopia will begin using Mombasa Port in Kenya, Berbera Port in Somaliland, and Port Sudan in Sudan. In addition, Ethiopia will.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 24th November 2015