Press Release: A quarter of a million homes now on M-KOPA in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda (23.09.2015)

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23rd September 2015 Nairobi, Kenya… M-KOPA Solar, the world’s leading ‘pay-as-you-go’ energy provider to off grid homes, proudly announced reaching 250,000 homes across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania today.

Alex Kivuva Nduati became M-KOPA’s 250,000th customer when he purchased an M-KOPA III solar home system at the M-KOPA Shop in Athi River: “I am so excited to take home a solar system that will give me much more value than kerosene, and with M-KOPA’s daily payment plan it is affordable for me,’ said Alex. “I purchased this system for my rural home where there is no access to electricity. M-KOPA will save me a lot of money to use for school fees for my two children and in my business.”

Jesse Moore, Managing Director and Co-Founder, M-KOPA Solar, says, “Last September we celebrated 100,000 customers, and a year later we are already at a quarter-million. With hundreds of great customers like Alex coming on board every day, we are helping East Africa leapfrog over the grid to enjoy cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable solar power.”

Kenya is emerging as a hotspot for off-grid solar power.  A 2014 study by M-KOPA Solar and InterMedia shows that 14% of the surveyed population use solar as their primary lighting and charging source. M-KOPA is one of the fastest growing power providers in the region, connecting solar to over 500 new homes each day. The battery-powered 8W home system has three lights, a phone-charging facility and a chargeable radio.

The savings generated by using off grid solar over kerosene are substantial for individual households and the broader East African economy. Each M-KOPA Solar home is calculated to save US$750, compared to using kerosene over a four-year period. This means that the combined projected savings by the 250,000 households using M-KOPA Solar is US$187 Million.

Nairobi-headquartered, M-KOPA Solar now has a network of over 1,500 direct sales agents and 100 customer service centres across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Press Release: “ENGIE Rassembleurs d’Energies”, the ENIGIE Group intiative supporting sustainable energy access continues its work with its 13th investment, in support of PEG Ghana (22.09.2015)

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France24 Youtube clip: Military coup in Burkina Faso – ousted interim president Michel Kafando back in power

Anxious and bickering about tomorrow’s decision to know who runs as the TDA Flag-bearer!

Amama Besigye

The Democratic Alliance has postponed the decision to decide the matter of whom of the big-men from all the parties and independent men will have the ability to run as flag-bear under the opposition against the long-serving President Museveni.

We all knew all along that this would be a grand finale; it was just the matter of whom the lucky contestants would be. It would be natural the one of the main candidates for the position would come from the FDC, DP or UPC, even JEEMA if he had some character or flash behind him.

The unexpected one is the one that makes the decision harder is that Amama Mbabazi turned away in the last minute from the NRM, because he knew that he would never beat Museveni in the NRM. The power-move to be independent where in the cards when he wanted to be the new Mzee! Well, he had to fall a bit more out of the party. It was already starting when he lost his position as the PM.

There will be reasons why he is not fit and the Go Forward Team not matching the standards of the parties that has run for ages against the NRM Regime and the Election rigging lobby. As I has said before there has to be a strong candidate to prove the validity of the opposition, somebody that has the unique character that can bring the citizens together and prove that there is more than one man in the land with a vision.

There will be coming accusations after the result when the TDA has picked their man from both camps. That Amama Mbabazi is a theif and corrupt fellow and you can question his loyalty. We all knew that already, but his coffers must sure be a blessing to the newfound operations and organization who plans to campaign against the machinery and well-oiled crony system that leads to the Mzee winning with big margin over who ever who goes against him.

The attacks that will be on Dr. Kizza Besigye for not being suited is that he has run three times before and have lost those. We all knew that also, for those who didn’t should have checked the Peoples President track-record from before 2011. But I guess you didn’t?

We have to candidates in the TDA with rich history, what should matter is what their beneficial line is in the run-up? Can one of them actually go through the harassment and still look like a Nobel Presidential candidate?  The candidate that will run for the TDA in the race will he get support from all the parties in the coalition? If not, will he have a majority support? Last question will the candidate actual have a moral point and place against the Mzee?

Because if the candidate that runs against Mzee has no moral or ethical back-work and knowledge, if the candidate doesn’t be real change from the current leader. Than it would be a lousy election. It would be in general just switching names and titles. And Uganda need more than that in this day and age.

We have heard the accusations from the JPAM camp towards the FDC camp and so on. That should not be visual things going into the main choice of Flag-bearer of the coalition. Because that is futile and not worth a hot damn! So my point is, who is suited to beat Mzee in a fair fight? If it ever was – I am sure that it will be more or same wrongdoings as in the Commonwealth Report after the 2011 election in the 2016 election.

So if it will be same, than the issue of who the other candidates will just be mockery. If it wasn’t so and it was a pure multiparty system, then the upcoming election would be interesting. And the TDA candidate would be a man on fire since he has all parties from the Opposition under one umbrella against the ruling party. Which in any ways would be a interesting move of play. So the like in Chess, the King stays the King, and the pawns just get lucky to switch if they comes to the other side of the board. I don’t expect the TDA candidate to get to the other side of the board. Only to capped early and left astray. That’s my fear that will happen again. We just get to see the opposition as pawn on the chess set so that Mzee can show the world that he has opened elections for many parties, but the counting get controlled by his men in the Electoral Commission and by his laws that is beneficial for NRM.

But I hope that the TDA does a wise choice and pick somebody that has the honor and pride of the people, not just the monies and quick fix. The elections don’t need that flag-bearer! Peace.

SC/12054-AFR/3212: Security Council Press Statement on Situation in Guinea-Bissau (21.09.2015)

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The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Vitaly I. Churkin (Russian Federation):

The members of the Security Council took note of the appointment on 17 September, of Mr. Carlos Correia, first Vice-President of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, the majority political party in the National Assembly, as Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau.  The members of the Security Council emphasized this as an important step towards bringing an end to the political crisis that has prevailed in the country since mid-August.  The members of the Security Council stressed the importance of the appointment of a new Government as soon as possible, and in full respect with constitutional procedures.

The members of the Security Council commended the respect for the Constitution and the rule of law demonstrated by the Bissau-Guinean actors, including the non-interference of the security forces in the political situation in the country and the restraint shown in this regard.  The members of the Security Council further commended the peaceful way Guinea-Bissau’s population is following the political situation in the country.

The members of the Security Council again recalled resolution 2203 (2015) and stressed the importance of national reconciliation, inclusive dialogue and good governance.  In this regard, they urged the Bissau-Guinean actors to uphold and proceed with continuous and constructive dialogue, within the established constitutional parameters and with respect for the separation of powers, in order to strengthen democratic governance and work towards consensus on key political issues, particularly with regards to the implementation of the necessary urgent reforms.

The members of the Security Council recalled the Council’s commitment to support the authorities of Guinea-Bissau and noted that the pledges made at the March Brussels International Donor Conference required a stable political environment in order to most effectively materialize.  The members of the Security Council further noted that courageous and inclusive political steps should be taken to help realize these pledged commitments, in the best interests of all Bissau-Guineans.

The members of the Security Council commended the coordinated approach and common messaging from regional and international actors, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union, the United Nations, the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries and the European Union throughout this period.  They further highlighted the efforts of Presidents Macky Sall of Senegal, Alpha Condé of the Republic of Guinea, and Olusegun Obasanjo, Special Envoy of President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, to facilitate dialogue in Guinea-Bissau.

The members of the Security Council also welcomed the decision taken by the Extraordinary Session of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Governments held in Dakar on 12 September 2015, to extend the ECOWAS Security Mission in Guinea-Bissau’s mandate until June 2016 and recalled the provisions of resolution 2203 (2015) in this regard.  In this respect, they commended the decision of the European Union to provide financial support to this Mission.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for the key role and active engagement of Miguel Trovoada, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS), including his good offices and close coordination with the international community.

Press Release: AfricInvest to exit its invesment in Alios Finance S.A. (21.09.2015)

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President Museveni is officially the NRM Flag-bearer (We already knew it in a way)

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NRM Electoral Commission Chairman Tanga Odoi verifies aspirant Yoweri Museveni’s documents!

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President Museveni arrives in the company of First Lady Hon. Janet Museveni for nomination as NRM Presidential Flagbearer!

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“NRM is the only party that does not plead with any one when fighting corruption. It is therefore only NRM that has got the capacity to end corruption” – H.E Yoweri Museveni

Afterthought

Really? The only one? Interesting thing to say… What about UNRA and all the other recent stories? But good luck with your continuation of fear campaign until the 2016 election! We all knew you would run again and run the party a little more with you first lady. We all will know you was running! Nobody was like – did he? Did he? No! So welcome to yet another term. We sure has a feeling you will rigg this especially with the reports of UPDF guys put into the Electoral Commission! Peace.

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Press Release: 2015-200-EN – Development banks confirm multi million dollar backing for African Renewable Energy Fund (18.09.2015)

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  • Fund headquartered in Nairobi
  • Reaches final close at its hard cap of US$200m
  • Mixture of DFI investors and private capital, including European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund (GEEREF)
  • Cornerstoned by African Development Bank with seed funding and active support from SEFA and concessional contributions from SEFA and GEF
  • Promoted in partnership with African Biofuel and Renewable Energy Company (ABREC)
  • Already invested and developing 4 renewable energy projects with an additional pipeline of projects

The African Renewable Energy Fund (AREF), a dedicated renewable energy fund focused on sub-Saharan Africa successfully reached its final close today at its hard cap, with USD200 million of committed capital to support small to medium scale projects, with investment at the final close from European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund (GEEREF), among other investors.

African Development Bank (AfDB) is the fund’s lead sponsor, bringing US$55min an equity investment package from its statutory resources as well as climate finance instruments such as Sustainable Energy for Africa (SEFA) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to leverage commercial and institutional investment. SEFA has additionally committed a US$10m Project Support Facility (PSF), which will provide resources to be deployed at an early stage to structure bankable deals.

The fund which is headquartered in Nairobi held its first close of $100m in March 2014 and since that time has been investing capital in grid-connected development stage renewable energy projects including small hydro, wind, geothermal, solar and biomass.

AREF is the first dedicated sub-Saharan African renewable energy fund and is managed by Berkeley Energy, a fund manager focused on developing and investing in renewable energy projects in emerging markets. Berkeley Energy also manages dedicated renewable energy funds in Asia. Berkeley Energy has more than 30 staff in 5 offices globally, shortly expanding into West Africa.

The final investor group also includes West African Development Bank (BOAD), Ecowas Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), FMO, Calvert Investments, CDC Group, BIO, OeEB – the Development Bank of Austria, Wallace Global Fund, Sonen Capital, Berkeley Energy, ABREC and now the European Investment Bank, the Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund, and a number of other private investors.

AfDB had originally selected Berkeley Energy as the fund manager for AREF following a global competitive procedure and with the fund having reached its hard cap as well as successfully closing a number of transactions in its initial period, Berkeley Energy has justified the AfDB’s selection. The Berkeley Energy team comprises Managing Partner TC Kundi; Partner Alastair Vere Nicoll; Chairman Andrew Reicher; Investment Director and AREF lead Luka Buljan, Project Director David Hastings; and Investment Committee members Thierno Bocar Tall, Chief Executive Officer of ABREC; and Eddie Njoroge, former Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Electricity Generating Company (Kengen).

Berkeley Energy’s Partner and Co-Founder, Alastair Vere Nicoll said: “We are very pleased to have reached our target fund raising and look forward to continuing our work focusing on the technical delivery of our projects with our project partners from concept to generating reality”.

“AfDB is pleased to see that AREF is now fully capitalised to deliver on its pan-African mandate. We are also equally excited that SEFA and GEF participation have been catalytic in mobilizing significant amounts of commercial capital into AREF over a short time-frame; this is key for accelerating deployment of modern, clean and affordable energy in the continent” said Alex Rugamba, Director of Energy and Climate Change Department.

“As one of the world’s largest investors in renewable energy the European Investment Bank is committed to ensuring that new projects can be implemented around the world. This engagement is demonstrated through our support for the Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund, GEEREF. Our combined backing for the African Renewable Energy Fund will provide both financial support and share technical experience essential for smaller renewable schemes being implemented for the first time,” said Pim van Ballekom, European Investment Bank Vice President.

2016/082/AFR: World Bank Approves a Social Safety Net Project for Madagascar (17.09.2015)

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More than 162,500 vulnerable people are targeted 

WASHINGTON, September 17, 2015 – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a US$40 million credit for a social safety net project in Madagascar.

“This operation will support the government in increasing the access of extremely poor households to safety net services and in laying the foundations for a social protection system,” said Andrea Vermehren, Lead Social Protection Specialist at the World Bank.

The economic and political crises in Madagascar coupled with the country’s recurrent exposure to natural disasters have had adverse effects on food security and human development. The enrollment rate for children between 6 to 10 years old dropped sharply from 80 percent to 75 percent between 2005 and 2010, and over 40 percent of Malagasy children under the age of 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition, one of the highest prevalence rates in the world. “In response to this situation, the Government’s General Policy (Politique Générale de L’Etat) has made it a priority to develop the social protection sector” reminded Onitiana Realy, the Minister of Population, Social Protection, and Promotion of Women.

This three-year project will focus on five regions selected jointly by the Malagasy Government, the National Nutrition Office and the Intervention Fund for Development (FID), based on data related to the poverty level, malnutrition rates, school attendance rates, food security, productive potential and complementary programs/interventions. Following this process, the project will be implemented in Atsinanana, Atsimo Andrefana, Haute Matsiatra, Vatovavy Fitovinany and Vakinankaratra. It will target 32,500 extremely poor households, thus reaching more than 162,500 individuals, with an overall equal participation of men and women.

The Social Safety Net Project will help establish a systematic and programmatic approach to social protection, focusing on investing in the human capital and productive assets of Madagascar’s extreme poor in addition to supporting the government’s leadership capacity.

“This project is in support of the Malagasy Government’s goal to promote inclusive growth by giving work opportunities to the poorest families and helping them in sending their children to school. The World Bank shares this goal which is at the core of its mission to eradicate extreme poverty and is proud to help the poorest gain livelihood and dignity”said Coralie Gevers, World Bank Country Manager for Madagascar.