Developments News Magazine

For KSh 2,000/year, get a web hosting package that hosts unlimited websites. The package comes with a free .com domain, multiple SSL certificates, unlimited email addresses and a free M-Pesa integration to your e-commerce site. Enjoy 35GB SSD disk space, unlimited bandwidth and 99.999% uptime guarantee or your money back. https://www.hostpinnacle.co.ke/clients/aff.php?aff=471

Construction of the Kenya-Ethiopia electricity highway is well underway with the facility expected to go live in April next year, Kenya Electricity Transmission Company’s managing director has said. Fernandez Barraza said work is complete on the Ethiopian section – which is shorter – while Kenya’s segment is over 90 per cent ready and on course for completion early next year. The 1,045-km Kenya-Ethiopia power line (433 km in Ethiopia and 612 km in Kenya) will enable Kenya to import cheaper electricity from hydroelectric projects in Ethiopia while setting stage for inter-regional trade in energy. The 500 KV electricity highway, which runs from Wolayita Sodo in Ethiopia to Suswa in Kenya, will have power transportation capacity of 2,000MW in either direction. It will be the region’s first 500kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) line. “Currently, the 400kV Loiyangalani-Suswa 435km line built last year and connecting Turkana wind farm to the national grid holds the top spot in the re...

The much awaited dueling of the Kenol-Isiolo dual road is scheduled to begin next month, the government has announced. Speaking in Mukurweini, Nyeri, a week ago, Deputy President William Ruto said works for 80-km highway will get underway in the next 30 days, bringing into reality a project that seeks to further ease transportation and trade in the Northern Corridor. The project, which is estimated to cost Sh50 billion, is financed by the African Development Bank. It is, however, not clear whether or not the government has finalized funding and procurement issues of the project based on the timelines that were given earlier by Transport and Infrastructure CS James Macharia. Mr Macharia had in January said the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) was designing of the Nyeri-Isiolo stretch, having completed the Kenol-Nyeri segment in readiness for the commencement of the bidding process to determine the budget. “The actual cost will be determined once we do bidding. That will be...

The transmission line nearing completion to link Kenya to its northern neighbour Ethiopia for regional electricity trade comes with many firsts. For starters, the 1,045km line (433 km in Ethiopia and 612 km in Kenya) is the longest in East and Central Africa. Construction is complete on the Ethiopia’s side, being shorter, while Kenya’s side is over 90 per cent complete and is expected to go live early next year. The line, interconnecting at the Moyale common border, has the capacity to carry 2,000 megawatts of electricity in either direction, the capacity being higher than Kenya’s current maximum consumption (peak demand) of about 1,900 MW. On Kenya’s side, it’s being built by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco). With the line, comes yet another first. It’s set to be the region’s first 500kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) line. Currently, the 400kV Loiyangalani-Suswa 435km line built last year and connecting Turkana wind farm to the national grid holds the top...

A group of foreign investors led by Italian billionaire Franco Rosco are pushing forward plans to set up a 61-floor luxury hotel-cum-residential project in Watamu, Kilifi County, in a development that will gift Kenya its tallest building. Trading as Palm Exotica, the investors are now seeking the nod of the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) to commence construction of the facility on a 2.4-acre parcel of land at Dabaso, Turtle Bay Road in Kilifi. According to regulatory filings seen by CK, the investors say the property – to be known as Palm Exotica – will be a mix-use development comprising a 270-bedroom five-star hotel, a high-end shopping mall, executive offices and apartments, a casino, and restaurants. The luxury hotel will be operated by a yet-to-be disclosed global hospitality chain with several hotel floors reserved for presidential suites. “This mixed-use development is for the discerning traveller who appreciates life’s finer things. Sky rooftop restauran...

Emira Property Fund is set to complete the total refurbishment of its 9,800sqm warehouse facility superbly located in the popular industrial hub of Denver, Johannesburg, by March 2019. The leading JSE-listed REIT is investing R8.2 million in the major revamp project, which will bring the industrial property on this prime site on the corner of Mimetes Road and Kruger Street to the forefront of modern business accommodation. “By refurbishing our Denver warehouse Emira is furthering our strategy to improve the quality of our assets. This property is part of our core portfolio because it has great fundamentals in place; an excellent location in an established industrial area, easy highway access, security, and ample electrical power. Now, with this upgrade, we are refreshing the building to support the latest warehousing and business operations,” says Ulana van Biljon, Chief Operating Officer of Emira Property Fund. When the refurbishment project is completed the facility will offer co...

Lagos, 10th January 2019 - The investment in Palmares Beach & Golf Resort is an opportunity of a lifetime in a setting inspired by the philosophy of good living. The 22 plots to develop tailor-built detached villas with 180-degree panoramic views to the ocean were launched in an integrated resort of golf, luxury tourism and supported by 5-star hotel services: “these properties are unique (…) we have the opportunity to develop unique properties with sea views which is very rare”, mentions António Pinto Coelho, Operations General Director of Palmares. The natural shape of the land is that of an amphitheatre, descending from 70m to sea level, from which you enjoy 180-degree panoramic views. These views take in the estuary, the ocean and the bay of Lagos, in front of which is set the magnificent 27-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones II, already awarded the best golf course in Portugal seven times and considered one of the best top courses in Europe. The 20 room Boutique ...

Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo is constructing a Ksh80 million mansion which will serve as the official residence. According to People Daily, the governor insisted that he will continue with the construction plans despite opposition from leaders including the Senator, George Khaniri. "The Governor's residence which will cost Ksh80 million will act as a symbol of authority," Governor Ottichilo stated. Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo Senator Khaniri opposed the project by the County boss indicating that it should not be a priority at the moment. Speaking during the launch of 2018/2022 County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP), Ottichilo indicated that the plans of building the house were already at an advanced stage and those opposed to it should keep off. The Senate, in July 2018, ordered Controller of Budget Agnes Odhiambo not to authorise any funds for constructing houses for governors and speakers. The order also froze the "exor...

12 November 2018 (PSCU) – Kenya targets to attain 100 per cent transition to green energy by 2020 as it scales up investment in renewable energy to address the climate change challenge concretely, President Uhuru Kenyatta has said. President Kenyatta pointed out that, in concrete terms, renewable energy makes up 70 per cent of Kenya’s installed electric power capacity. The President said the aggressive investments to reach this figure have been made simultaneously with Kenya almost tripling the size of its population served by the electricity grid to more than 60 per cent of the population. “Our target is to attain 100 per cent green energy sufficiency by 2020. We will do this while we achieve 100 per cent access to power for our population, and sharply lower costs to industry to aid our manufacturing push,” President Kenyatta said. The Kenyan leader spoke on Sunday during a roundtable discussion on "Don't drop climate efforts" session of Paris Peace Forum in France. Spe...

Kenya on Monday signed a Sh519 billion Joint Co-operation Agreement with the European Union (EU) to support government programmes between 2018 and 2022. The funds in the form of concessional loans and grants will be primarily channeled towards President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big 4 Agenda. The second phase of the co-operation agreement attracted 19 EU member states with the first one between 2014 and 2018 having brought 10 on board. “EU has been a big development partner to Kenya and I want to assure that the support which will be in grants will be well used towards the realization of our government’s Big Four Agenda. "The support will be distributed to different ministries and sectors such us Devolution Ministry to ensure county government deliver their services effectively,” stated Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich.

SANBORN, New York (Nov. 20, 2018) — KINSHOFER, a global leader in high-quality excavator and loader crane attachments, offers railway Tie/Sleeper Changer attachments for efficient railway maintenance and repair. The three attachments — the RBS, RBS20 and RBS20HPX — can be used with 12- to 24-ton rail excavators to quickly exchange existing concrete and wooden ties without disrupting the track. The RBS20 can also switch from handling standard mono-block ties to bi-block ties with no modification, thanks to internally and externally fitted pads. “Railroad crews don’t have time to bring in large tie exchangers for quick repairs and maintenance; it’s a cumbersome and time-consuming process,” said Francois Martin, KINSHOFER North America general manager. “Our Tie Changers enable quick and easy repairs with a machine that’s readily available — an excavator. An experienced operator can change as many as 40 sleepers per hour with one of our attachments.” KINSHOFER designed the tie changer...

Shopping centres hold a special place in festive holiday routines worldwide, from sunny South Africa to snowy Poland. “No matter what you may think (or not think) about shopping malls, they are simply an unbeatable place to be this time of year,” says Hadley Dean, CEO of EPP, Poland’s largest owner of shopping centres, which is listed on the stock exchanges in Johannesburg (JSE) and Luxembourg (Euro MTF). Hadley puts this down to the experience and delight that only shopping centres can offer. The sights: malls do decorations in a spectacular manner. Management spends a great deal of time and effort creating a festive environment crafted to put you in a good mood, and it works. Even better is that, like snowflakes, no two centres are decorated exactly the same. The sounds: head to your local shopping centre where you are guaranteed they will be playing holiday tunes; there may even be live performances. The taste: Food and beverage have become a critical point in modern shopping ...

People do business with people they know, like and trust. Building relationships, however, takes time and effort. Even so, relationships are fundamental to growing small businesses, and entrepreneurs should never lose sight of that. At small business accelerator Property Point, a Growthpoint initiative, relationships are considered to be so fundamental for building sustainable small companies that they are one of its three pillars: Risk, Reputation and Relationships. “The obvious relationships that a small business wants to nurture are those with clients, funders, suppliers or mentors. While less apparent, when you are building a business from the ground up, the power of peer networking is invaluable,” says Desigan Chetty, Head of Operations at Property Point. “Entrepreneurship can be an isolating journey, but you don’t have to go it alone. Having a strong peer network can help you as a business owner, and support you with referrals, advice or even just an empathetic friend to mee...

Maluti Crescent Shopping Centre, formerly Setsing Crescent in Phuthaditjhaba in the Free State, has unveiled the first part of its major redevelopment and expansion undertaken by JSE-listed retail REIT Vukile Property Fund. It is well on track for its official launch on 21 March 2019. Developed and leased by Flanagan & Gerard Property Development & Investment and designed by MDS Architecture for Vukile, the redevelopment will become the largest shopping centre in town. Construction work, started by main contractor Concor Buildings in January 2018, will be completed in time for the launch of the new Maluti Crescent in March 2019. It includes the significant extension of the existing mall, which will add 12,357sqm of gross lettable area and boost its size over 34,000sqm, as well as undercover parking and a taxi rank. It will fundamentally change the shopping experience for shoppers in its area. This redevelopment is transforming Maluti Crescent from a strip mall to a stat...

The improper disposal of waste is one of the fastest growing risks to our planet and way of life. Rotting food leads to increases in methane gasses as the food decomposes in landfills. To address this, the City of Cape Town plans to start banning wet waste from its landfills from 2022. The Waste Transformers from the Netherlands and South Africa’s own JSE-listed international property company Growthpoint Properties have united to help take on this challenge. They are leveraging end-of-pipeline food waste from shopping malls and adopting a de-centralised approach to organic waste. An on-site, anaerobic digester has been installed at Growthpoint’s N1 City Mall in Cape Town, which is processing the waste from the mall to generate clean methane. This methane is consumed by an internal combustion engine to produce green electricity and hot water for the shopping centre. A fertiliser is also created, which will be used for the mall’s gardens. It is an on-site, smart, green, transporta...

Brokk, the world’s leading manufacturer of remote-controlled demolition machines, hires Ted Graser as its southeast regional sales manager. Graser manages sales for both Brokk robotic demolition machines and the company’s Aquajet Systems AB hydrodemolition robots. He provides support to customers throughout Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and the Carolinas. “Ted’s sales and equipment experience are a valuable asset to our team,” said Peter Bigwood, Brokk vice president of sales and marketing. “His knowledge of the southeast region and drive to help service customers gives him valuable insight when it comes to building and maintaining relationships.” Graser joins Brokk with 25 years of construction and industrial equipment sales experience, including managing international territories for Link-Belt Excavators, a U.S.-based heavy construction equipment manufacturer; Time Manufacturing Company, a Texas-based manufacturer of aerial lifts; and Sennebogen, a German material handlin...

World Bank president Dr Jim Yong Kim, currently on an official visit to South Africa, was hosted yesterday afternoon by the Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Compensation Commissioner Dr Barry Kistnasamy, the Minerals Council South Africa, and the Occupational Lung Disease (OLD) Working Group and its six member mining companies: African Rainbow Minerals; AngloGold Ashanti; Anglo American SA; Gold Fields; Harmony and Sibanye-Stillwater. The purpose of the event was to demonstrate to Dr Kim the outreach work being carried out collaboratively by these organisations in mining regions and labour-sending areas around the southern African sub-continent. The World Bank was instrumental in providing initial investments and analytical work which assisted in towards a more comprehensive and fully integrated occupational health services for ex-mineworkers in southern Africa. The purpose of the work is to track and trace former mineworkers, test them for any occupational lung diseases they ma...

Talbert Manufacturing, a North American leader in specialized heavy-haul solutions, offers the 60CC/55SA-LD trailer for optimum versatility. The trailer pairs with Talbert’s optional East Coast-style E2Nitro™ spreader, allowing for 60-ton capacity with a close-coupled configuration or a 55-ton hauling capacity with a spread axle configuration. This innovative Talbert design gives customers flexibility to switch between configurations to meet differing hauling regulations. While maintaining a 60-ton rating at half the deck length, the 60CC/55SA-LD offers a 6-inch ground clearance with an 18-inch loaded deck height — two inches lower than competitive models. “We’re the only manufacturer offering a trailer in this hauling class with an 18-inch loaded deck height,” said Troy Geisler, Talbert vice president of sales and marketing. “Those two inches make a huge difference in today’s hauling world.” The Talbert 60CC/55SA-LD is a hydraulic detachable gooseneck trailer featuring a non-ground...

World Bank president Dr Jim Yong Kim, currently on an official visit to South Africa, was hosted yesterday afternoon by the Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Compensation Commissioner Dr Barry Kistnasamy, the Minerals Council South Africa, and the Occupational Lung Disease (OLD) Working Group and its six member mining companies: African Rainbow Minerals; AngloGold Ashanti; Anglo American SA; Gold Fields; Harmony and Sibanye-Stillwater. The purpose of the event was to demonstrate to Dr Kim the outreach work being carried out collaboratively by these organisations in mining regions and labour-sending areas around the southern African sub-continent. The World Bank was instrumental in providing initial investments and analytical work which assisted in towards a more comprehensive and fully integrated occupational health services for ex-mineworkers in southern Africa. The purpose of the work is to track and trace former mineworkers, test them for any occupational lung diseases they ma...

Growthpoint Properties continues to grow internationally with a further ZAR908 million investment in Australia. The leading JSE-listed REIT is following its full rights in the funding call from ASX-listed Growthpoint Properties Australia (GOZ), in which Growthpoint has a 66% shareholding, for the acquisition of the Bank of Queensland headquarters in Brisbane. GOZ acquired the 24,665sqm A-grade office building, fully occupied by the Bank of Queensland and Collection House, with a weighted average lease expiry of 7.5 years and a weighted average rent review of 3.9% a year. The building is new, completed in 2014, and is certified with excellent green and energy efficiency credentials. GOZ will partially fund the AUD250m acquisition, which has an initial yield of 6.1%, through an equity raising of up to some AUD135m. Growthpoint has confirmed that it will be taking up its full entitlement of around AUD89m, or ZAR908 million. Norbert Sasse, Group CEO of Growthpoint, comments, “The g...