Bataks Center For African Studies

Algeria's Cevital plans $8bn solar energy project

2010-05-28T11:32:00.000-07:00

Algeria's largest private company Cevital is seeking foreign investors to help it build an $8 billion solar power complex to export electricity to Europe, the company's renewable energy chief said.

International investors want to use plentiful sunlight in north Africa to power energy-hungry Europe, but while projects are moving ahead in neighbouring Morocco, Algeria's government has held back, saying it favours homegrown projects instead.

"We are working on a project of 2,000 Megawatts. This will cost an estimated $8 billion," Boukhalfa Yaici, Cevital's Renewable Energies project manager, told Reuters.

The electricity the project would generate is about the same as a mid-sized nuclear power station in the United States.

"What will determine the speed is the contribution of European Union (companies) to developing this energy project," he said in an interview.

"Our partners can contribute through the construction of undersea lines, for example, from Algeria to Italy and Spain.
All options are on the table."

Major firms including Siemens, RWE and Deutsche Bank have formed the Desertec consortium, a 400 billion euro ($490 billion) plan to use solar power from the Sahara desert to supply 15 percent of Europe's power by 2050.

Cevital is a member of the consortium but Algeria's government -- which is tightening rules on foreign investment -- has said it does not want foreigners exploiting its solar energy and is only interested if local firms play a central role.

Yaici said Cevital's solar project will fit in the with the government's policy of favouring Algerian firms and promoting exports outside the dominant oil and gas sector.

"It would be good to find a viable alternative solution to make possible this kind of exports. Cevital aims to be the biggest exporter of non-hydrocarbon products," Yaici said.

Family-owned Cevital has interests ranging from sugar refining, to car imports, vegetable oil and margarine, and running hypermarkets. The Cevital executive did not say how the company's solar power project would fit in with the Desertec plan but he said his firm still backed it.

Countering allegations Desertec would exploit developing countries, he said the project would supply a large portion of North Africa's energy needs and also help develop local renewable energy industries.

"Many components can be made locally. We want to be an industrial partner for this project," he said. "The (Desertec) project is feasible and profitable for both exporters and importers. Financial problems will not arise."

Abdullah Bin Zayed participates in the meetings of the Standing Committee of the Afro-Arab Cooperation

2010-03-05T20:08:00.000-08:00

The Standing Committee of the Afro-Arab Cooperation convened its 14th meeting at Arab League headquarters in Cairo with the participation of UAE Foreign Minister HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Foreign Ministers of 24 Arab and African countries, the Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa and the Commissioner African Union Political Affairs Julia Joiner.

The Arab side was represented by UAE, Jordan, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco and Mauritania, while the African side was represented by Angola, Ghana, Guinea, Mauritius, Mozambique, Egypt, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tunisia and Burkina Faso.

The Committee discussed the preparations for the second Afro-Arab summit to be held in Libya later this year and Arab and African issues of common interest in the political sphere, in particular the situation in Darfur, Sudan, Somalia, Palestine and the Middle East, the Comoros and Mauritania.

The meeting also discussed the establishment of joint committees of the African and Arab ambassadors in the capitals of selected Arab countries for coordination.
In the area of Trade and Economic Cooperation Committee discussed ways to create the Afro-Arab Development Forum and the adoption of a joint work plan on agricultural development and food security in Africa and the Arab world.

Calls grow for Maghreb economic integration

2010-03-05T20:06:00.000-08:00

Maghreb countries should abandon protectionism in order to boost lagging regional trade, according to participants in a recent conference on economic integration organised by Tunisia's Foreign Ministry.

The conference on Maghreb Economic Integration, which was held on February 17th to mark the 21st anniversary of the establishment of the Maghreb Union, was attended by high-ranking Tunisian officials, businessmen and professors.

"We must abolish bureaucracy in the Maghreb countries. It hampers ... business activities," said Tunisian businessman Kamel Ben Yaglan. "The barrier is not the Maghreb people, but the bureaucrat."

Participants acknowledged progress in economic relations among Maghreb countries such as Tunisia and Libya, and reaffirmed their conviction that economic integration is essential.

However, they said that trade among Maghreb countries was still at a low level compared to that in regions such as Latin America and Southeast Asia. According to Mohamed Jamal Alifa of the Tunisian Ministry of Commerce, Tunisian-Libyan trade increased to 1.12 billion dinars in 2009, while trade with Mauritania did not exceed 28.7 million dinars. Foreign investment in the Maghreb, he added, was still negligible.

Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco, Libya and Tunisia set up the Maghreb Union in 1989 to promote co-operation and economic integration in a common market. The year 1994 saw the creation of the Maghreb Free Trade Zone, which has yet to be put into action. Free trade agreements were signed between Morocco and Tunisia in 1999, between Morocco, Tunisia, Libya and Jordan in 2004 and between Tunisia and Algeria in 2008.

The conference witnessed debates on economic integration, the trade zone project for the Maghreb countries, and the co-operation between developing countries.

Tunisian officials presented their views to participants. "Reinforcing the Maghreb countries' integration has become essential in the new world order," Foreign Minister Kamel Morjane said in the event's opening session. For his part, Development Minister Mohamed Nouri Jouini called for speeding up such major projects as the Maghreb highway, railroads, and the Maghreb telecommunications satellite.

The assistant to the secretary-general of the Arab League, Chedli Nafati, told participants that "there are promising steps in intra-Maghreb relations, but we haven't achieved the milestones". Nafati said the barriers to progress went beyond the economic level, calling them "political".

"[T]there is no will to go beyond nationalist interests," said the secretary-general.

Participants agreed to press on to reach the region's potential for trade and development.

"There is latent energy in the Maghreb region: a market with approximately 100 million people", said Professor Azam Mahjoub, adding that there were "mainly institutional barriers. We have to reform the institutions at the level of the Maghreb countries".

COMESO secretary general welcomed expanding ties with Iran

2010-02-10T09:36:00.000-08:00

Iran has hailed the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa as an opportunity for the promotion of regional integrity and global trade.

“The formation of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESO) would encourage regional cooperation and deepen economic trade between Africa and the world,” Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said in a meeting with COMESO Secretary General Sindiso Ndema Ngwenya.

Mottaki said the economic order of the world needs to undergo a change, adding that the “US government's financial mismanagement” has negatively affected the global economic order.

Iran has devised a “comprehensive plan” on developing cooperation with African countries in various domains including agriculture and the auto industry.

The COMESO secretary general also welcomed expanding ties with Iran and praised Tehran's capabilities in the food industry and agriculture, which he said could come to help African countries.

Formed in 1994, COMESO is a major market place for both internal and foreign trading and has 19 member states.

Nigeria: Sokoto Caliphate

2010-01-20T06:50:00.000-08:00

The Sokoto Caliphate is an Islamic spiritual community in Nigeria, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’adu Abubakar. Founded during the Fulani Jihad in the early 1800s, it was one of the most powerful empires in sub-Saharan Africa prior to European conquest and colonization. The caliphate remained extant through the colonial period and afterwards, though with reduced power.

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SOKOTO STATE - The Caliphate in History

SOKOTO STATE

Uranium reserves in Mali 'highly encouraging'

2009-12-09T20:00:00.000-08:00

Australian mining company Oklo Uranium Limited said Saturday the result of prospecting for uranium in Mali was "highly encouraging", with widespread elevated uranium levels in the northeastern Kidal region.

Nuclear armament and apartheid of South Africa

2009-12-08T19:48:00.000-08:00

Apartheid became increasingly controversial, leading to widespread sanctions and divestment abroad and growing unrest and oppression within South Africa. (See also the article on the History of South Africa in the apartheid era.)

Angolan Nuclear Program

2009-12-08T19:22:00.000-08:00

Angolan minister of Science and Technology, Maria Cândida Teixeira, is leaving Luanda on Thursday for Reno, Nevada, United States of America, to attend the winter nuclear technology exhibition from November 9-13.

Ethiopia, India Nuclear Cooperation

2009-12-07T19:43:00.000-08:00

Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of India, Anand Sharma, together with the state Minister for External Affairs have been here during the past two days to seek support from Ethiopia to enhance the country's civil nuclear energy program for economic development.

The Regional Center for Nuclear Studies of Congo

2009-12-07T19:38:00.000-08:00

The Regional Center for Nuclear Studies is located in Kinshasa, D.R.Congo.

Djibouti has deposited its instrument of ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)

2009-12-06T19:41:00.000-08:00

Djibouti has deposited its instrument of ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) with the United Nations Secretary-General on 15 July 2005, bringing the total number of ratifications to 122. The number of ratifying States in the Africa geographical region now stands at 28.

Congo Nurses an Old Nuclear Reactor

2009-12-06T19:36:00.000-08:00

A hand-held Geiger counter tapped out a steady beat as Patrick Kanyinda - looking decidedly uneasy about having a visitor in his small, windowless workroom - stood at the edge of a circular pool and pointed into the water.

Nuclear Technology Seminar in Burkina Faso

2009-12-06T19:29:00.000-08:00

A series of IAEA regional seminars for governmental decision-makers is encouraging more countries to place all their nuclear activities and materials under strengthened safeguards, a step that would enable the IAEA to verify their commitments against the further spread of nuclear weapons. In late February, a seminar was held for African countries in Burkina Faso, and more seminars are scheduled in Namibia, Vienna, and Jamaica.

Malawi’s nuclear power plant

2009-12-05T19:57:00.000-08:00

Despite Malawi’s venture into uranium mining, the company carrying out the project says it does not make any economic sense for the country to ‘even think of establishing its nuclear power plant’.

UK's Tullow uncovers oil in Ghana

2009-12-04T19:12:00.000-08:00

UK firm Tullow Oil has announced the discovery of 600 million barrels of light oil offshore from Ghana.

Uranium in Benin Warehouse

2009-12-03T19:26:00.000-08:00

This is a scalable context timeline. It contains events related to the event January 27, 2003: Uranium in Benin Warehouse Meant for France, not Iraq. You can narrow or broaden the context of this timeline by adjusting the zoom level.

Ghana Goes Nuclear 2018

2009-12-03T19:18:00.000-08:00

GHANA WOULD commission its first nuclear power plant by 2018.
Through this event, the possibility of Ghana adopting nuclear power to generate electricity in the country as supplement to the existing source of power generation could be achieved before 2020.

Ghana opts for nuclear energy

2009-12-02T19:17:00.000-08:00

Ghana should have a nuclear energy power plant by 2018, the Accra cabinet has decided. Current hydro and thermal power sources have proven insufficient to meet Ghana's growing energy needs. Also the building of solar plants is being explored.

The 4th Arab-African Aviation Exhibition and Conference LAVEX-2009 will be held in Tripoli, the capital of Libya, on October 5-8

2009-10-05T14:58:00.000-07:00

In the name of the Organizing Committee, the Libyan Air Force, the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority, and the Air Transportation Workers Union; it is my pleasure to welcome you again in the Great Jamahiriya to the Second Libyan Aviation Exhibition " LAVEX 2009 " that will be held from the 5th to 8th October 2009 it is considered as a continuation to LAVEX 2007 in which more than 65 companies from 25 countries participated exhibiting the latest in the fields of civil and military air transportation industries, witnessing about 30,000 visitors per day.

The Organization of LAVEX 2009 comes as a response to the increased demand of international companies at this time where the civil and military air transportation sector in undertaking huge steps in executing projects and developing the infrastructure of this vital sector.

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Africa - Arab Business Investment Forum

2009-10-05T14:56:00.001-07:00

A major, high-level international forum organised with the endorsement and support of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, the NEPAD Business Group and African Business Roundtable.

Aimed at presenting Sub-Saharan Africa as an investment destination for Arab/GCC companies, as well as promoting further business collaboration between Arab and African countries, the Africa-Arab Business Investment Forum will provide Arab organisations the opportunity to explore investment opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa, and at the same time provide African organisations with the opportunity for strategic partnerships, finance and joint venture collaborations that will help grow their economies.

The programme will highlight discussions on key African sectors including: Agribusiness, telecommunications, mining, energy, financial markets, infrastructure development, hotel & tourism among others.
Participation includes senior business executives from Africa, the GCC countries and the International business community from industry, government institutions and strategic investors.

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Tanzanian uranium production nears

2009-09-16T05:11:00.000-07:00

Uranium production in Tanzania has moved one step closer for South Africa's Mantra Resources and Australia's Uranex NL after they met all environmental conditions mandated by the National Environment Management Council.

The East African reported that Tanzania's minister for energy and minerals, William Ngeleja, has said that two companies will begin mining uranium in the country in the next three years. Mantra expects to complete a prefeasibility study anytime now for its Mkuju River project in southern Tanzania, ahead of the awarding and commencement of a full feasibility study. Meanwhile, Uranex is hoping to develop its Bahi project in central Tanzania.

Libya displays Gathafi-designed car 'The Rocket'

2009-09-02T16:03:00.000-07:00

In a week of events designed to celebrate Moamer Gathafi's 40 years in power, the Libyan leader has also announced a new role for himself -- car designer.

Two prototypes of "The Rocket" designed by the Libyan leader were displayed to the public late Monday at the end of an African Union summit in Tripoli called to seek solutions to Africa's problems.

With its design based on that of a small boat "for maximum security", the car has been financed with Libyan capital and built by Italian constructor Tesco TS.

A member of the Italian team involved said the vehicle prototype "would have cost in the two million euro range."

According to a brochure handed to journalists, the "Tesco TS technical team followed to the letter the ideas of the designer, the leader (Gathafi) to produce the perfect car according to the leader's vision."

Russian, Chinese weapons compete in Africa

2009-08-31T10:05:00.000-07:00

China is increasingly challenging Russia in the African arms trade, offering lower prices on weapons that, ironically, are often made in China with Russian technologies. Chinese products are less expensive than Russian and Western systems, similar to the Russian systems that many African countries are familiar with, easy to maintain and easy to use in training.

Many countries are therefore switching allegiance to China for their weapons purchases. A typical example is Sudan. At a 2007 military parade, the Khartoum regime showcased its China-made T96 main battle tanks and T92 wheeled armoured vehicles.

The T92 is fitted with Russian 2A72 30-mm machine guns. Russia’s KBP Design Bureau transferred the machine-gun technology to China in 1996, along with fire-control technology for the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle.

Sudan has also acquired K-8 trainer aircraft, Q-5 attackers and FN-6 portable ground-to-air missiles from China. Traditionally, Sudan has been a client of Russia, from whom it has purchased BMP-1 and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, BTR-50 wheeled IFVs and T54/55 main battle tanks.

The Sudanese Air Force is equipped with both Russian-made MiG-23 fighter aircraft and Chinese-made J-7 fighters.

China first used its K-8 fighter trainers to open up the military aircraft market in African countries, then went on to offer its inexpensive fighters as an alternative to Russian aircraft.

Chinese-made main battle tanks have begun to replace the Russian-made T54/55 in one African country after another. In 2006, China exported T96 MBTs to Uganda, which is another traditional Russian weapons client. Its ground forces are currently armed with 150 T54/55 MBTs and 20 BTR-60 armoured personnel carriers, and its air force is equipped with 6 MiG-21s and 5 MiG-23s from Russia.

In the past, Chinese-made arms were known for their low prices and poor quality – and as such were no match for the Russian, European and U.S. weapons in Africa. But this situation is being reversed. Starting 10 years ago, as China received technological support from Russia and Ukraine, the quality gap between Chinese-made ground force equipment and systems from Russia or the West has greatly narrowed.

For instance, China is now actively promoting its FC-1 fighters to African countries, and Nigeria has expressed keen interest in this combat aircraft. The FC-1 is fitted with Russian-made RD-93 engines.

China has already introduced its J-10A fighter to the international market, under the name FC-20. The J-10A is currently fitted with Russian-made AL-31FN turbojet engines; it is very likely that China will offer the J-10A on the African continent after installing less expensive Chinese-made WS10A engines.

The J-10A falls into the same category as the U.S.-made F-16 Block 40, but costs at least one-third less. China has already started to manufacture a next-version J-11B, based on the Russian Su-27SK.

China denies that its aircraft is an imitation of the Russian fighter, as its measurements are smaller. Therefore China does not consider the J-11B to be subject to the Su-27SK licensing agreement or its export restrictions. The J-11B is also likely to be fitted with Chinese WS10A engines and sold in Africa.

In general, the price of Chinese weapons is still about one-third lower than comparable Russian weapons. More importantly, what China wants from Africa is resources, especially crude oil, and it has already exported substantial numbers of weapons in exchange for oil. In dealing with oil-producing countries China has an advantage over Russia, which as a major world oil producer has no need to trade weapons for oil.

For instance, China sold 15 J-7 fighters to oil-rich Nigeria in 2005. Nigeria is another country that has purchased most of its military hardware from Russia in the past. It has a fleet of Russian MiG-21MF fighters, and the Nigerian army is equipped with 100 Russian T55 main battle tanks.

The one African country where Chinese arms purchases have completely replaced those from Russia is Egypt. Since tilting toward the U.S.-led Western camp in 1979, Egypt has continued to import Chinese arms. With technological support from China, Egypt has assembled 80 K-8 trainers and is assembling another 40, for a total of 120 K-8 trainers in the Egyptian Air Force. This makes it China’s top customer for this item.

Egypt still has weapon systems from the Soviet Union, including at least 800 T54/55 MBTs, 200 sealed BMP-1 IFVs, and about 60 MiG-21s for training purposes. But due to an insufficient supply of parts, Egypt decided to switch to Chinese aircraft and purchased 53 J-7 fighters from China.

Other African countries that have acquired China’s K-8 trainers include Zambia, with eight aircraft, Namibia with four, Zimbabwe with 12, Ghana with four and Sudan with 12. China has also had contacts with these countries concerning its FC-1 fighters.

All these countries have traditionally been Russia’s weapons clients. The Namibian army has T54/55 tanks and its air force is equipped with Russian An-26 transport aircraft. Meanwhile, Namibia has also purchased two Y-12 transport aircraft from China.

Zambia uses both Chinese and Russian arms. The Zambian army is equipped with both T44s and Chinese T59 MBTs, which are now undergoing an upgrade with help from China. The Zambian air force also uses both MiG-21 and J-6 fighters.

China has exported to Zimbabwe T59 and T69 MBTs, and most of its ground forces’ equipment is from China. Of course Russian SAM-7 surface-to-air missiles are still in service here. The Zimbabwean air force has six MiG-23 fighters and nine J-7 fighters.

Ghana traditionally has been a client country of Western weapons manufacturers. It does have some Russian equipment in service however, including SAM-7 surface-to-air missiles, Zu-23-2 air defence machine guns and D-30 122-mm howitzers.

China is now promoting its latest gun-launched laser-guided projectiles on the African continent. At least one African country is already equipped with the Chinese-made GP1 155-mm laser-guided projectiles, which are a Chinese version of Russia’s Krasnopol GLLGP, the technology for which was transferred to China by the KBP Design Bureau in 1997.

Chinese arms are also actively penetrating North Africa’s Arab countries. Algeria has been a typical purchaser of Russian equipment. The Algerian army has 320 T54/55s and 350 T72s, as well as AT-3, AT-4 and AT-5 anti-tank missiles, 289 BMP-1/2 IFVs and SAM-7, SAM-8, SAM-9 and SAM-14 ground missiles.

The Algerian air force is armed with 43 MiG-21MFs, 30 MiG-23B/Es, 28 MiG-23Fs, 20 MiG-29s, 10 MiG-25s, 38 Su-24Ms, approximately 60 Mi-17/171s and 31 Mi-24s. Its navy has two Kilo submarines, three Nanuchika II missile swift boats and three Project 1159.2 frigates.

The Algerian navy also has three Chinese Project C-802 missile boats, built in 2002, with C-802 ship-to-ship missiles fitted onboard. These are the first such boats to be exported to Africa.

As their economic strength continues to grow, African countries will need weapons of better quality and performance. Russia will still find a huge market for its high-tech equipment in such countries as Ethiopia, Angola, Libya, Yemen and Algeria. In recent years, it has begun to sell advanced platforms like the Su-30MKA, Su-27SK and MiG-29SMT to these countries.

The Algerian air force has ordered 28 Su-30MKAs, which will be the most advanced Russian fighter aircraft on the African continent. The Bars phased array radar and AL-31FP TVC engines fitted on these aircraft are of the same standard as those on the Malaysian air force’s Su-30MKM.

The Ethiopian air force has at least 10 Su-27SKs, which have been seen at its Bebre Zeyt Airport. These will inevitably need upgrading. Also of interest is the fact that two Su-27 fighters were seen at the Asmara International Airport of Eritrea, despite the fact that Russia never officially exported Su-27 fighters to this country. Eritrea enjoys very good relations with Ukraine, however.

Yemen received 32 MiG-29SMT fighters from Russia in 2006-07. Its air force also has 66 MiG-29 fighters that will need repair service.

In the future, China’s J-11B and FC-1 will be possible alternatives to Russia’s Su-27 and MiG-29SMT fighters. The low price of Chinese fighters, supported by China’s strategy of trading arms for oil, determines that Russia will continue to face a powerful competitor in the African aviation market.

--

(Andrei Chang is editor-in-chief of Kanwa Defense Review Monthly, registered in Toronto, Canada.)

China's Influence in Africa

2009-08-28T08:53:00.000-07:00

Amid growing concerns about the People’s Republic of China’s burgeoning influence around the globe, Beijing has now set its sights on Africa. China’s interest in Africa is not new.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Beijing’s interest centered on building ideological solidarity with other underdeveloped nations to advance Chinese-style communism and on repelling Western “imperialism.” Following the Cold War, Chinese interests evolved into more pragmatic pursuits such as trade, investment, and energy.

In recent years, Beijing has identified the African continent as an area of significant economic and strategic interest. America and its allies and friends are finding that their vision of a prosperous Africa governed by democracies that respect human rights and the rule of law and that embrace free markets is being challenged by the escalating Chinese influence in Africa.

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) aids and abets oppressive and destitute African dictatorships by legitimizing their misguided policies and praising their development models as suited to individual national conditions. Beijing holds out China’s unique development model—significant economic growth overseen by a disciplined, one-party totalitarian state with full authority, if not control, over all aspects of economic activity—as an example for others to emulate.

Moreover, China rewards its African friends with diplomatic attention and financial and military assistance, exacerbating existing forced dislocations of populations and abetting massive human rights abuses in troubled countries such as Sudan and Zimbabwe. As a consequence, Chinese support for political and economic repression in Africa counters the liberalizing influences of Africa’s traditional European and American partners. China’s vigorous campaign to develop close ties with individual African nations also reflects Beijing’s global quest to isolate Taiwan diplomatically (seven of the 26 countries that have full diplomatic relations with Taiwan are African).[1]

The most pernicious effect of the renewed Chinese interest in Africa is that China is legitimizing and encouraging Africa’s most repressive regimes, thereby increasing the likelihood of weak and failed states. The United States must also be alert to the potential long-term disruption of American access to important raw materials and energy sources as these resources are “locked up” by Chinese firms for the PRC’s domestic market to maintain China’s economic growth.

U.S. national interests lie in effectively countering these developments in Africa by deftly encouraging democratic processes, economic freedom, and respect for human rights across the African continent.

The Quest for Natural Resources

For the past decade, the Chinese economy has been expanding at a nearly double-digit annual growth rate. This rapid expansion requires enormous resources, especially energy.

China’s sharply accelerating domestic energy demand, combined with declining domestic petroleum production and insufficient coal output, has spurred Beijing to pursue stable overseas sources of hydrocarbon fuels. By 2004, China had become the world’s second largest oil consumer, behind only the United States.[2] Chinese oil consumption is expected to increase by 10 percent per year,[3] while China’s oil and gas imports are forecast to increase from the present 33 percent of China’s total oil and gas demand to 60 percent by 2020.[4] Asian oil and natural gas production is not growing fast enough to meet Chinese demand, and a large portion of Middle Eastern oil and gas production is normally allotted to U.S. and European markets.

In an attempt to gain control over its oil and gas consumption needs as world spot market prices rise precipitously, Beijing has focused on African nations as likely hydrocarbon acquisition targets. An estimated 25 percent of China’s total oil imports currently comes from Africa,[5] and Beijing has placed a high priority on maintaining strong ties with its African energy suppliers through investment, high-level visits, and a strict policy of “noninterference in internal affairs” that Africa’s dictators find comforting.

Chinese government firms have invested billions of dollars in foreign exchange and have used Chinese engineering and construction resources on infrastructure for developing oil, gas, mineral, and other natural resources in dozens of African countries, including Algeria, Angola, Gabon, Nigeria, Sudan, and Zimbabwe. The PRC’s new African energy investments are clearly intended to supplement its Middle Eastern oil imports.

* Sudan, which now supplies 7 percent of China’s total oil imports,[6] has benefited from the largest Chinese investments. The China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) is the single largest shareholder (40 percent) in the Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company, which controls Sudan’s oil fields,[7] and has invested $3 billion in refinery and pipeline construction in Sudan since 1999.
* In March 2004, Beijing extended a $2 billion loan to Angola in exchange for a contract to supply 10,000 barrels of crude oil per day.[8] Under the agreement, the loan will be heavily reinvested in infrastructure construction, with 70 percent of the loan funds going to Chinese companies and the remaining 30 percent going to local subcontractors.[9]
* In July 2005, PetroChina concluded an $800 million deal with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to purchase 30,000 barrels of oil per day for one year.[10]
* In January 2006, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), after failing to acquire American-owned Unocal, purchased a 45 percent stake in a Nigerian offshore oil and gas field for $2.27 billion and promised to invest an additional $2.25 billion in field development.[11]
* Gabon’s declining oil industry also saw massive investment from China National Petrochemical Corporation (SINOPEC), which plans to explore Gabon’s onshore and offshore oil reserves.
* South Africa and Zimbabwe remain Beijing’s major sources for platinum and iron ore.
* In 2004, there were more than a dozen exchange visits of high-level party and government officials between China and African countries. Most of the exchanges have centered on economic and energy cooperation. For instance:
* In February 2004, Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Algeria, Gabon, and Nigeria—the three African oil giants—to consolidate further the security of energy supplies.
* In June, Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong visited Tunisia, Togo, Benin, and South Africa, which have significant mineral reserves.
* In October–November 2004, National People’s Congress Chairman Wu Bangguo visited Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Nigeria.

All of these visits focused on joint oil, mineral, and renewable resource exploration opportunities in the region. In return, top leaders from Kenya, Liberia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe visited Beijing and secured further investment and economic assistance from China. In January 2006, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing’s trip to six West African nations—Cape Verde, Senegal, Mali, Liberia, Nigeria, and Libya— was accompanied by the release of “China’s African Policy,” an official Chinese government paper aimed at promoting economic and political cooperation as well as joint energy development without interfering in each other’s internal affairs.

The Chinese government has combined its efforts to secure exclusive access to African natural resources with an aggressive political campaign to ingratiate itself with Africa’s tyrants and despots. For example, Sudan’s government has long abetted and perpetrated genocide against large non-Muslim populations in its Darfur region. While the United States, the European Union, Japan, and other Western democracies have sought to impose U.N. sanctions against the Sudanese regime over the issue, China has opposed U.N. actions against Khartoum.

Over the past several years, the Khartoum government has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes in southern oil fields largely owned by the CNPC.[12] In fact, Sudanese government troops and government-aligned militias have used Chinese-made helicopter gunships, based at airstrips maintained by Chinese oil companies, in raids that devastated hundreds of towns and villages around the oil installations.

Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Zhou Wenzhong’s comments in a recent interview demonstrate China’s utter lack of concern for political volatility in Africa:

Business is business. We try to separate politics from business. Secondly, I think the internal situation in the Sudan is an internal affair, and we are not in a position to impose upon them.[13]

Weapons Sales and Military Cooperation

African dictatorships are regular buyers of Chinese weapons and military equipment, which they often use to oppress minority populations, quash political opposition, harass neighboring countries, and extinguish any glimmers of democratization. In 2004, despite the U.S. and EU arms embargo against Zimbabwe, China sold Zimbabwe fighter aircraft and military vehicles for $200 million.[14] In addition, China provided a military-strength radio-jamming device, which the Harare government used to block broadcasts of anti-government reports from independent media outlets during the 2005 parliamentary election campaign.[15]

When President Robert Mugabe seized power in 1980, Zimbabwe was one of the most prosperous nations in Africa. However, for the past decade, Mugabe has relentlessly repressed political opponents and opposing tribes, and the country’s economy has contracted drastically. Now Zimbabwe is facing chronic food shortages and 70 percent unemployment. In May 2005, Mugabe ordered implementation of “Operation Murambatsvina (Clear the Filth), a program of forcible eviction and demolition of tens of thousands of houses and informal building structures of urban residents.” The U.N. estimates that the forcible evictions and demolition of residential and business structures has displaced 700,000 people, most of whom supported Mugabe’s political opposition. Mugabe has compounded the catastrophe by denying international humanitarian aid agencies access to render humanitarian aid.[16]

The Mugabe regime’s repeated abuses led the United States and the European Union to impose sanctions against Zimbabwean officials who had “formulated, implemented, or supported policies that have undermined Zimbabwe’s democratic institutions.”[17] Increasing isolation and pressure from the West have caused Zimbabwe to develop close relations with China, adopting a “Look East” policy that provides Mugabe with a lifeline to resist Western sanctions and criticism.[18] China provides for Mugabe’s military needs without interfering in his “internal affairs” and praises Mugabe as “a man of great achievements, devoted to world peace and a good friend of the Chinese people.”[19]

China has a history of selling weapons and arms production lines via state enterprises and front companies to other repressive regimes, such as Liberia and Sudan.

* Nearly 80 percent of Sudan’s $500 million annual oil revenue is used to purchase weapons to subdue the rebels in southern Sudan.[20] With Chinese assistance, the Sudanese government recently built three weapons factories near Khartoum.
* In 2003, several Hong Kong firms were accused of smuggling illegal arms including Chinese-made AK-47s, machine guns, and rocket-propelled grenade launchers into Liberia and neighboring Sierra Leone and the Ivory Coast, where rebels and mercenaries were involved in civil wars.[21] The illegal arms trade led the U.N. Security Council to pass a resolution in December 2004 banning all trade in arms, timber, and diamonds with Liberia. The resolution noted the link between illegal trade in natural resources such as diamonds and timber and the proliferation and trafficking of illegal arms, which is fuelling and exacerbating conflicts in West Africa, particularly in Liberia.[22]
* Beijing’s involvement in sub-Saharan African security issues has expanded to peacekeeping operations, exchange programs, and military deployments.
* In April 2003, approximately 175 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers and a 42-man medical team were deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo on a peacekeeping mission.[23]
* In December 2003, 550 peacekeeping troops, equipped with nearly 200 military vehicles and water-supply trucks, were sent to Liberia,[24] marking China’s largest overseas operation under U.N. auspices since it deployed 800 military engineers to Cambodia from 1992 to 1994.
* China has also deployed about 4,000 PLA troops to southern Sudan to guard an oil pipeline[25] and recently reaffirmed its intention to strengthen military collaboration and exchanges with Ethiopia, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sudan.

Promoting Trade, Investment, and an Economic Development Model

China’s burgeoning relationship with Africa is alarming not only because it has facilitated Chinese energy and weapons dealings, but also because it is competing with U.S.–African trade. The China– Africa Cooperation Forum (CACF) was founded in 2000 to promote stronger trade and investment relations between China and African countries in both the government and private sectors. The CACF has produced two ministerial meetings and four meetings of senior officials, contributing to the rapid growth of trade and investment over the past five years.

In 1999, the annual volume of trade between China and Africa was $5.6 billion.[26] After the establishment of the CACF, Sino–African trade more than quintupled to $29.5 billion in 2004.[27] By the end of October 2005, annual Sino–African trade for the year totaled $32.2 billion, surpassing the 2004 total.[28] The volume of trade between the United States and Africa also increased remarkably, more than doubling from $26.9 billion in 1999 to $58.9 billion in 2004. However, African trade with China is growing at a much faster rate: an average of more than 50 percent annually since 2002.[29]

In 2004, Chinese direct investment in Africa reached $135 million, with 77 additional Chinese companies doing business in the region.[30] At the fourth CACF Senior Officials Meeting in August 2005, attended by delegations from 46 African countries and observers from six African regional organizations, China proposed upgrading the third CACF ministerial meeting in 2006 to a summit meeting involving the heads of state from China and Africa,[31] which was welcomed by all participants.

China has also offered aid to its African partners, ranging from building infrastructure to treating infectious diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS. Since the 1960s, over 15,000 Chinese doctors have worked in 47 African states treating nearly 180 million patients.[32] Chinese-sponsored roads and railways are under construction in Kenya, Rwanda, and Nigeria, and a mobile telephone network is being built in Tunisia. These projects are often contracted to Chinese firms rather than local businesses, adding little to the local economy in terms of employment. State-run China Radio International launched its first overseas radio station in Kenya in January 2006 to provide 2 million Kenyans with 19 hours of daily programming on major news from China and around the world, including China’s exchanges with African countries.[33]

Moreover, the Chinese government has actively advocated a Chinese-style economic development model to African countries, based on a restricted market system constrained by the overarching priority of maintaining a single-party, totalitarian government. Many authoritarian African regimes, desperate to invigorate their fraying economies while maintaining a strong grip on political power, seem to find the Chinese economic development and reform model preferable to the free-market and representative-government policies promoted by the United States and the European Union.

Advancing Diplomatic Influence

China’s ideological support of African despots lends them international legitimacy and influence in the United Nations and other international arenas that help to blunt pressure from the Western democracies on human rights, economic openness, and political freedoms. At the same time, when it serves Chinese interests, Beijing succors would-be junta leaders and illiberal rebels who want power and would roll back political reforms in immature democracies. These rebels seem to believe that if they want to overthrow a legitimate government, China will work to bolster their international legitimacy in the United Nations and other international fora.

As China’s power and influence grows, Beijing is becoming more willing to challenge the United States, EU nations, and others in international arenas to protect its interests in Africa. Over time, differences between China and democracies over human rights and basic political and civil rights will sharpen. For example, in September 2004, the U.N. Security Council passed Resolution 1564, which condemned the mass killing of civilians in the Darfur region, but stopped short of imposing oil sanctions if Khartoum did not act to stop the killing. China abstained from the vote and threatened to veto any further move to impose sanctions.[34]

In July 2005, Britain, backed by the United States and seven other countries, led a Security Council briefing on Zimbabwe’s slum demolition campaign in an effort to organize a formal debate in the General Assembly and possibly generate a punitive Security Council resolution.[35] Meanwhile, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe visited Beijing, seeking financial assistance for his failing economy. Because of Beijing’s strong support for Mugabe and opposition to Security Council action, the U.N. was unable to reach a consensus on further formal discussions of the issue.

Another significant Chinese objective in Africa is to isolate Taiwan diplomatically in an effort to pressure Taipei toward unification. Seven African countries—Burkina Faso, Chad, Gambia, Malawi, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, and Swaziland—currently maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Curtailing Taiwan’s diplomatic influence was not a high priority on China’s Africa policy agenda until the early 1990s, when the competition between China and Taiwan to win diplomatic recognition from individual African countries escalated drastically. Now, through offers of massive economic assistance, Beijing has secured recognition from six additional African countries at Taiwan’s expense.

Lesotho and Niger switched their diplomatic recognition to the PRC in 1994 and 1996, respectively. The Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau, and South Africa switched their recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1998, and Liberia switched recognition to Beijing in 2003 shortly before China dispatched PLA troops to assist with Liberian water-supply projects. In addition to ongoing efforts to sever Taiwan’s few remaining connections in Africa, China has also sought repeatedly to maintain the support of its African partners for its “one China” policy via diplomatic attention, economic investment, and other assistance.

What the United States Should Do

China’s broad energy, trade, political, diplomatic, and even military interests in Africa threaten to undermine American and European efforts to promote peaceful, pluralistic, and prosperous societies in the region. To protect and advance American interests and influence in Africa, the United States should:

* Develop a coordinated, comprehensive strategy. Appropriate U.S. agencies should develop a comprehensive and coordinated strategy based on a review of the challenges and obstacles in each country and the available American resources. Consistent, constant, and coherent American engagement in Africa will help to counter the illiberal forces that stunt African development.
* Increase the U.S. diplomatic profile in Africa. The United States has demonstrated considerable commitment to promoting economic growth and development, representative government, health, and human rights in Africa. Since 1960, Washington has provided $51.2 billion (in 2003 dollars) in official bilateral development assistance to sub-Saharan Africa.[36] The United States is the largest humanitarian aid donor ($3.3 billion in 2003) and also the largest source of bilateral and multilateral support to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other infectious diseases.[37]

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s reorganization and expansion of diplomatic posts, combined with extensive public diplomacy to publicize U.S. assistance efforts in Africa and shared interests between the two regions, will help to change the pervasive African perception that the United States cares little for the region. To further these efforts, President George W. Bush should go on an extended trip to Africa to strengthen relations with Africa.

* Encourage human rights, democratic principles, and good governance. Atrocious human rights violations in Sudan, Zimbabwe, and some West African nations remain a primary concern. The United States should make a more consistent effort to moderate the conduct of repressive African regimes and to help young African democracies lay the institutional foundations for a free, open, stable, and prosperous society in their individual countries and throughout the region.

To this end, the United States has made “good governance” a requirement to qualify for Millennium Challenge Account aid. Washington should go a step further by denying bilateral economic assistance to countries that consistently violate human rights or resist the transition to representative government and by promoting this policy in both international financial institutions and the United Nations.

* Increase trade and economic relations with Africa. Although U.S.–Africa trade accounts for only about 1 percent of total U.S. trade, it has grown rapidly since passage of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in 2000. AGOA significantly lowers, through 2015, trade barriers to goods exported from African countries, provided that they have established or are making progress toward market-based economies, enhancing the rule of law, representative governance, lowering barriers to U.S. trade and investment, improving human rights, and other goals.[38]

While AGOA is a positive step, the United States should continue to press the region and individual countries for permanent free trade agreements that liberalize trade in goods and services, lower investment barriers, and strengthen property rights. Such agreements would encourage stronger economic growth and increase economic ties between the United States and trade partners in Africa. Charity and international aid will not solve Africa’s problems, but economic reform and growth can.

* Encourage development of energy resources. Africa is an increasingly important oil supplier for the United States, providing 15 percent of total U.S. oil imports, which is forecast to increase to 25 percent within the next decade. Given America’s desire to diversify its energy supplies, the United States should press countries in Africa to open their oil and gas sectors to foreign investment and remove regulatory and other barriers that constrain economic development of those resources.
* Increase security engagement. The American military is the world’s premier fighting force, making many nations eager to gain access to U.S. military training and facilities. Security engagement, including the International Military Education and Training program (IMET), will increase the likelihood of advancing U.S. goals, such as civilian control of the military and counterterrorism and peacekeeping capabilities.
* Seek new international partners. International cooperation is a “force multiplier,” and Washington should look beyond traditional partners in Europe to the democratic nations of Asia and Latin America to help advance these important issues.

Conclusion

China is actively expanding its influence in Africa to secure supplies of natural resources, to counter Western political and economic influence while expanding China’s global influence, and to further isolate Taiwan. As a result, Chinese support for political and economic repression in Africa is countering the liberalizing influences of Africa’s traditional European and American partners. It is in the U.S. national interest to address these developments in Africa by deftly encouraging democratic processes, economic freedom, and respect for human rights across the African continent.

Peter Brookes is Director of the Asian Studies Center, and Ji Hye Shin is a Research Assistant in the Asian Studies Center, at The Heritage Foundation.

[1]The seven countries are Burkina Faso, Chad, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, and Swaziland.

[2]U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Agency, “Country Analysis Brief: China,” at http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/china.html (September 15, 2005).

[3]David Blair, “Oil-Hungry China Takes Sudan Under Its Wing,” The Telegraph, April 23, 2005, at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/04/23/wsud23.xml (August 22, 2005).

[4]Peter S. Goodman, “China Invests Heavily in Sudan’s Oil Industry,” The Washington Post, December 23, 2004, at http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A21143-2004Dec22 (August 22, 2005).

[5]Howard W. French, “China in Africa—All Trade, with No Political Baggage,” The New York Times, August 8, 2004, at http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/08/international/
asia/08china.html (August 22, 2005).

[6]Blair, “Oil-Hungry China Takes Sudan Under Its Wing.”

[7]Goodman, “China Invests Heavily in Sudan’s Oil Industry.”

[8]Don Lee, “China Barrels Ahead in Oil Market,” The Los Angeles Times, November 14, 2004, at http://energybulletin.net/3159.html (September 19, 2005).

[9]Drew Thompson, “China’s Emerging Interests in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges for Africa and the United States,” African Renaissance, Vol. 2, No. 4 (July/August 2005), at http://www.csis.org/media/csis/press/0508_china_
african_interests.pdf (September 19, 2005).

[10]Xinhua News Agency, “China, Nigeria Sign Oil Supply Pact,” July 9, 2005, at http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-07/09/ content_3195552.htm (September 20, 2005).

[11]Kate Linebaugh and Shai Oster, “CNOOC Pays $2.27 Billion for Nigerian Oil Gas Stake,” The Wall Street Journal, January 10, 2006, at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB113680307278841473.html (January 10, 2006).

[12]Goodman, “China Invests Heavily in Sudan’s Oil Industry.”

[13]French, “China in Africa: All Trade, with No Political Baggage,” p. A12.

[14]“Cash-Hungry Zimbabwe Splashes Out on Fighter Jets,” Business Day (Zambia), June 10, 2004, at http://www.bday.co.za/bday/content/direct/1,3523,1635614-6078-0,00.html (August 22, 2005).

[15]Abraham McLaughlin, “A Rising China Counters U.S. Clout in Africa,” The Christian Science Monitor, March 30, 2005, at http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0330/p01s01-woaf.html (August 22, 2005).

[16]Human Rights Watch, “‘Clear the Filth’: Mass Evictions and Demolitions in Zimbabwe,” Briefing Paper, September 11, 2005, p. 1, at http://hrw.org/backgrounder/africa/zimbabwe0905/
zimbabwe0905.pdf (February 10, 2006), and “Zimbabwe: Mass Evictions Lead to Massive Abuses,” September 11, 2005, at http://hrw.org/english/docs/2005/09/11/zimbab11718_txt.htm (September 14, 2005).

[17]Press release, “U.S. Targeted Sanctions on Zimbabwean Government Officials,” White House, Office of the Press Secretary, March 7, 2003, at http://www.state.gov/p/af/rls/prsrl/18546.htm (February 8, 2006).

[18]Jonathan Watts and Andrew Meldrum, “Mugabe Finds Succour in Beijing Deals,” The Guardian, July 27, 2005, at http://www.guardian.co.uk/zimbabwe/
article/0,2763,1536808,00.html (September 26, 2005).

[19]Mure Dickie and John Reed, “China Hails Mugabe’s ‘Brilliant’ Diplomacy,” Financial Times, July 27, 2005, at http://news.ft.com/cms/s/c9fd6d06-fe4a-11d9-a289-00000e2511c8.html (September 26, 2005).

[20]Ibid.

[21]Agence France-Presse, “Hong Kong Transships Arms to Liberia From China,” May 13, 2003.

[22]U.N. Security Council Resolution 1521, December 22, 2003, at http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N03/669/60/PDF/
N0366960.pdf?OpenElement (October 26, 2005).

[23]John Pomfret, “China Sending Troops as Congo Peacekeepers,” The Washington Post, February 12, 2003, at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59231-2003Feb11.html (August 22, 2005).

[24]Xinhua News Agency, “60 Chinese Peacekeeping Soldiers Leave for War-Torn Liberia,” December 10, 2003, at http://www.china.org.cn/english/2003/Dec/82079.htm (September 14, 2005).

[25]Bill Gertz and Rowan Scarborough, “Chinese in Sudan,” Inside the Ring, March 5, 2004, at http://www.gertzfile.com/gertzfile/ring030504.html (August 22, 2005).

[26]International Monetary Fund, Direction of Trade Statistics: Yearbook 2004 (Washington, D.C.: International Monetary Fund, 2004), p. 131.

[27]Liang Guixuan, “Perspectives on China–Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation,” May 9, 2005, at http://www.chinese-embassyorg.za/eng/znjl/t194633.htm (September 15, 2005).

[28]People’s Republic of China, Ministry of Commerce, “Import Sources by Continents/Regions,” December 21, 2005, at http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/statistic/ie/
200512/20051201131047.html (January 18, 2006), and “Export Markets by Continents/ Regions,” December 21, 2005, at http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/statistic/ie/
200512/20051201130999.html (January 18, 2006).

[29]International Monetary Fund, Direction of Trade Statistics database.

[30]Guixuan, “Perspectives on China–Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation.”

[31]Xinhua News Agency, “China, Africa to Further Cooperation Under Forum Framework,” August 24, 2005, at http://english.peoplecom.cn/200508/24/eng20050824_
204249.html (September 15, 2005).

[32]Drew Thompson, “China’s Soft Power in Africa: From the ‘Beijing Consensus’ to Health Diplomacy,” Jamestown Foundation China Brief, Vol. 5, No. 21 (October 13, 2005).

[33]Xinhua News Agency, “China’s First Overseas FM Radio Station in Kenya,” January 27, 2006, at http://www.china.org.cn/english/2006/Jan/156593.htm (February 6, 2006).

[34]CNN, “Sudan Faces Threats of Sanctions,” September 18, 2004, at http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/africa/09/18/sudan.un.
sanction (September 14, 2005).

[35]Agence France-Presse, “China Greets Mugabe with Open Arms,” Taipei Times, July 28, 2005, at http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2005/
07/28/2003265364 (August 22, 2005).

[36]Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, International Development Statistics, at http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/50/17/5037721.htm (February 10, 2006).

[37]U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs, “The U.S. Approach to International Development: Building on the Monterrey Consensus,” September 12, 2005, at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/scp/2005/53037.htm (February 8, 2006).

[38]The 37 AGOA-eligible countries are Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabon, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) was removed from the list in December 2004. This is an important signal that the U.S. takes the criteria seriously, which is the only way to ensure that they are effective. U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, “African Growth and Opportunity Act: Country Eligibility,” at http://www.agoa.gov/eligibility/country_eligibility.html (February 8, 2006), and Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, 2005 Comprehensive Report on U.S. Trade and Investment Policy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa and Implementation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, May 2005, at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Trade_Development/Preference_
Programs/AGOA/asset_upload_file215_7746.pdf (February 8, 2006). Congress took additional steps to help African nations when it passed the AGOA Acceleration Act in June 2004, which extended market access under AGOA to 2015. AGOA Acceleration Act of 2004, Public Law 108–274, at http://www.agoa.gov/agoa_legislation/AGOAIII_text.pdf (February 8, 2006).

Libya to supply oil to Ghana

2009-07-07T13:46:00.001-07:00

Libya could soon join Nigeria to supply crude oil to Ghana.

A deal has been struck between the two leaders, President Atta Mills and Muammar al Qadafi of Libya on the sidelines of the 13th Ordinary Summit of the African Union in Libya, after the government expressed seriousness about the need for assistance to access crude oil on good terms.

Brazilian Firm Builds Libya's International Airport and Plan Long-Term Stay

2009-07-07T13:45:00.000-07:00

Brazil's construction company Odebrecht believes that Libya will maintain for many years its current growth potential, driven by the country's economic opening and oil exports. The Brazilian company, currently undertaking two large works in Tripoli, says that it is in the country to stay.

"Libya is a country that has much potential, one that is already being realized and will continue to be," said the CEO of Odebrecht in Libya, Daniel Villar, in an interview at the company's headquarters in Tripoli. "The country is on the opposite direction of the world crisis, it has accumulated lots of reserves and is not indebted," he added.

TAB Energy awarded major Shell contract for oil exploration in Libya

2009-07-07T13:44:00.001-07:00

TAB Energy – a subsidiary of Bahrain-based investment firm Capital Management House (CMH) and Libya-focused private equity group Tuareg Capital – has won a second major contract from global energy giant Shell.

Morocco to host World Economic Forum

2009-06-11T06:33:00.000-07:00

The 2010 World Economic Forum will be held in Marrakech next October, Moroccan Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi announced Monday (June 8th) in Rabat, after signing a memorandum of understanding with the WEF. Over 12,000 businessmen, government officials and civil society activists are expected to discuss Euro-Mediterranean co-operation, MAP reported.

Indonesia ready to sink illegal fishing boats

2009-06-09T20:02:00.000-07:00

Indonesia is ready to sink foreign boats fishing illegally in the country`s waters, Marine Resources and Fisheries Minister Freddy Numbery said here on Tuesday.

He said firm action was needed to deter foreign boats from continuing to poach in Indonesian waters.

"We are glad the House`s Commission IV supports us in this," he said at a meeting with the House commission.

Bank Mandiri Still The Best in Indonesia

2009-06-09T19:57:00.000-07:00

Bank Mandiri still the best bank Indonesia. The bank awarded "The Best Bank Service Excellence" for the third times sice 2007. See here

Libya to invest in education sector in North Sumatera, Indonesia

2009-05-31T22:17:00.000-07:00

According to beritasore.com, Libya will invest in education sector in Indonesia, building universities and educational institution. The move have started by construction of Libyan center in Bogor of Indonesia

Moroccan government seeks to promote scientific research

2009-05-20T01:12:00.000-07:00

In the latest move to promote national development, the Moroccan government pledged last week to provide new support for scientific research in the kingdom. Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi announced the initiative during the thirteenth board meeting of the National Centre for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST) in Rabat on May 5th.

LIBYA; MEDCO, 275 MLN USD NEEDED FOR NEW FIELD

2009-05-15T01:07:00.000-07:00

The Indonesian group, Medco Energy International, is seeking loans for 275 million euros to develop its share in the oil industry in Libya. The director of Medco, Lukman Mahfoedz, said that the Area 47 project in Libya is set to cost 800 million euros for the construction of plants and 300 million euros for development.

'Of the total cost of 1.1 billion euros, Medco will contribute 25%,'' said Mahfoedz. The president of Medco, Darmoyo Doyoatmojo, expressed optimism about the possibility of the company managing to secure the necessary loans. 'Once a reserve is found, the risk will be very low'', confirmed Doyoatmojo, adding that Medco has already spoken to a number of investment banks. It is estimated that Area 47 has a reserve of 307 million barrels of oil.

Libya is the fastest growing country, in terms of GDP

2009-05-06T15:02:00.000-07:00

Industrialists in the eastern Italian town of Pesaro are becoming ever more interested in the Mediterranean area, particularly Libya and Algeria. Between June 28 and July 2, both these countries will host workshops - including face-to-face meetings - to take place in Tripoli and Algiers, for the construction, mechanics and furniture sectors.

Pierluigi D'Agata, the general director of Italy's industrialist association for the area (Assafrica & Mediterraneo) has said that "Libya is the fastest growing country, in terms of GDP, in the entire Mediterranean (up 7.1 in 2008) and will sustain 7.9% growth in 2009 according to the IMF.

Mogadishu University: Pioneer in Education and a Model for the Country

2009-05-05T15:01:00.000-07:00

The devastating civil war in the 1990s destroyed education system and other civil service sectors. Many schools that existed prior to the outbreak of civil conflict were completely destroyed or seriously damaged. This caused to cease functioning all educational systems from primary to higher education. Many teachers and students were displaced and forced to seek security in their clan areas or flee to refugee camps abroad. Moreover, many children and youths were exploited and forced by the warring parties to join in the armed movements.

After few years later, following the destruction of educational systems and infrastructure, primary and secondary schools were established; teachers and other educators who saw the need for education opened their own institutions with the help of local and international NGOs.

Strong Libya job market lures Maghreb workers

2009-05-03T14:52:00.000-07:00

A sandy wind blows everything in the city of Tripoli; the sand of the beach surrounding the city mixes with the sand of the desert.

But for the many Maghreb and African workers who have converged on Libya, the sand is no deterrent to the prospect of returning home with wealth from a country that has gone in just a few years from an isolated North African nation to one boasting visible signs of economic growth.

The sand-swept land has been transformed into a giant workshop of new construction.

Algiers metro to begin operation

2009-05-03T14:51:00.000-07:00

The Algiers metro will soon be a reality, twenty-seven years after work first began. The Algerians who have followed the project's ups and downs were recently treated to a look at the blue trains.

Starting this summer, Algiers residents will be able to use ten stations along Line 1, which will serve the centre of the capital, relieving pressure on aboveground transport. The metro has 14 trains, each with 6 carriages. Each train, 108 metres in length, will be able to carry up to 1,216 passengers, with 208 in seats.

La Perle De Tanger in Marocco

2009-03-11T06:32:00.000-07:00

See here

Tetouan : Marina Playa Vista

2009-03-11T06:29:00.000-07:00

See here

Casablanca Nearshore project

2009-03-11T06:26:00.000-07:00

See here

Egypt: El Nasr Automotive Manufacturing Company

2009-03-11T06:22:00.000-07:00

Nasr, (Arabic: النصر‎, long form: El Nasr Automotive Manufacturing Company) is Egypt's state owned automobile company, founded in 1960 in Helwan, Egypt. Since 1979 the company has produced licensed versions of the Fiat 128 and 125, 1983-1992 FSO Polonez and in 1991 introduced a further range of Fiat designed cars licensed via the Turkish company Tofaş. In the early 2000s Nasr began producing the Florida range under license from Serbian manufacturer Zastava.

Morocco Mall, the biggest mall in north africa

2009-03-11T06:20:00.000-07:00

Located on a 10-hectare site outside of the country’s most famous city, the new Morocco Mall will be accessible from five entry points along a major thoroughfare in suburban Casablanca. With panoramic views from five sets of lifts, twelve escalators and four travellators, the 200,000-square metre building will be a vaulted sky dome of shops, piazzas and open spaces. The mall’s biggest attraction is an IMAX movie theatre and 3-D spa, but will also attract tourists from far and wide thanks to an aquapark, kids parks, an organic garden, a skating rink and an art space dedicated to Moroccan handicrafts.

In addition to 200 shops with over 70,000 square metres of GLA, the shopping centre includes a hypermarket, a food court with a sea view and approximately forty restaurants. D.I. was responsible for all conceptual, schematic and detailed design including tender documents and construction review.

Morocco's Riad Motors plans Chinese vehicle plant

2009-03-11T06:18:00.000-07:00

Riad Motors Holding, Morocco's leading family-owned importer and distributor of heavy trucks and utility cars, will open this year the biggest China-made vehicle assembly plant in North Africa, Riad said on Monday.

The Rabat government wants to make Morocco into a hub for the car industry, as it maximises its free trade agreements with the European Union and United States and several Arab countries.

"The company will invest 275 million dirhams ($37.41 million) in the assembly plant. The plant will go on stream by the end of June, 2008," it said in a statement.

IRIZAR EXPANDS ITS PRESENCE IN THE MARKET WITH THE INAUGURATION OF ITS NEW PLANT IN MOROCCO

2009-03-11T06:15:00.001-07:00

Irizar, the coach manufacturing company, has inaugurated today, Thursday, 10th July, a new bus and coach manufacturing plant in the Moroccan town of Skhirat, situated just off the main Moroccan highway that links Tangiers with Marrakech, 20 km away from Rabat and 80 km from Casablanca. This new plant makes it possible for Irizar to continue growing and consolidating itself in the Moroccan market in which it has been the market leader in the production of luxury coaches since 1997.

Truck made in Algeria

2009-03-11T06:15:00.000-07:00

See here

TRUCKS MANUFACTER -morocco

2009-03-11T06:11:00.000-07:00

See here

Algeria's homemade military truck

2009-03-11T06:08:00.000-07:00

See here

Angola: Dongfeng-Nissan auto plant opens

2009-03-11T06:07:00.000-07:00

The car manufacturing plant set up in Angola by China’s Dongfeng and Nissan of Japan will begin production next month, six months behind schedule, Chinese state media reported Tuesday.

The Zhengzhou Nissan plant, owned in equal proportions by Nissan and Dongfeng, is expected to begin operating in April in the Viana industrial zone, north of Luanda, the joint venture’s CEO, Guo Zhenfu, told Economic Daily.

In July 2007, CGS Automovel, the Angolan partner of Zhengzhou-Nissan, said the auto plant would open in October in an investment worth US$ 30 million and a 840,000-square-meter production unit employing 300 people in an initial stage.

Zhengzhou-Nissan expects to produce up to 30,000 vehicles yearly in Angola including pickup trucks, small, medium and large buses, light trucks, multiuse passenger vehicles and the Nissan Paladin jeep, currently only sold in China.

SOMACA of Marocco

2009-03-11T06:04:00.000-07:00

See here

Algeria's heavy industry

2009-03-11T06:03:00.000-07:00

See here

Algeria's khodro car plant

2009-03-11T06:01:00.001-07:00

See here

Ethiopia - Mesfin Industrial Engineering Plc.

2009-03-11T06:01:00.000-07:00

See here

Sudan's Giad truck

2009-03-11T05:57:00.000-07:00

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Truck maker in Algeria

2009-03-11T05:53:00.000-07:00

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Nigeria's Mercedes ANAMMCO Plant

2009-03-11T05:52:00.001-07:00

Mercedes-Benz ANAMMCO is a joint venture between the Federal Government of Nigeria and Daimler Chrysler AG. MB-ANAMMCO manufactures commercial vehicles and leads in the commercial vehicle market with five tons payload and above in Nigeria.

Willowvale Mazda Motor Industries (PVT) Ltd of Zimbabwe

2009-03-11T05:49:00.000-07:00

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Sudan's Military Industry Corporation

2009-03-11T05:47:00.001-07:00

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Sudan: The City of Giad

2009-03-11T05:47:00.000-07:00

Inaugurated by President Al-Bashir in October, Giad Industrial City symbolises the government's vision of Sudan's future. Situated about 20 miles north of the capital Khartoum, and just over a mile from the banks of the Blue Nile, the new city provides its residents with all the benefits of modern town planning - a hospital, schools, recreation areas and two different sources of electricity.

The city is the creation of a public-private finance initiative and several Korean companies have invested here. A bridge links Giad's residential complex of around 1,200 houses to an industrial zone comprising two main sectors; one for the metal industry and the other for vehicle manufacturing. President Al-Bashir stresses the importance of creating a strong industrial foundation, which will also boost Sudan's agriculture-based economy. There has already been rapid growth in food processing, medicine and light engineering. But more power will be needed for the expansion of heavy industries, mineral extraction, and the processing of metals.

Sudan's Giad Workshop

2009-03-11T05:39:00.000-07:00

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Sudan's GIAD INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

2009-03-11T05:35:00.000-07:00

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Sudan's Military Industry Corporation

2009-03-11T05:34:00.000-07:00

The ever first plant for defense industries in Sudan was opened in 1960, to produce ammunitions for light weapons. However, the preparations for the creation of an inclusive Military Industrial Corporation started in the early 1990s. It has been officially established by a Transitional Decree in 1993, and then ratified by the National Assembly in 1994.

Iran: Industrial MoUs With Kenya

2009-03-08T04:16:00.000-07:00

Kenya has signed a number of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Iran on cooperation in the industrial sector.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Uhuru Kenyatta said the MoUs are aimed at facilitating future trade agreements between the two countries.

Kenyatta was speaking during the signing of a loan agreement between Kenya and Kuwait, which will see the country receive Sh735 million for the upgrade of the Wajir Hospital, Capital Business reported.

Emaar Jakarta tower to be the tallest in SE Asia

2009-03-02T07:24:00.000-08:00

Dubai-based real estate giant Emaar Properties plans to build a landmark tower in Jakarta, which would be the tallest skyscraper in Southeast Asia, a presidential envoy says.

Special envoy for the Middle East Alwi Shihab said Monday the Chairman of Emaar, Mohamed Ali Alabbar, had proposed the project to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during an informal meeting on Saturday.

"At the moment, we're still looking for the right location in Jakarta for the site of the project... we are ready to build the tower, our homework is to find the right location, " Alwi told The Jakarta Post.

Emaar, the largest land and real estate developer in the Gulf, is famed for its ongoing construction of Burj Dubai in Dubai, which would be the highest skyscraper in the world. The 718 meter-tall building is scheduled to be fully constructed by the end of this year.

Alwi said the Jakarta project was part of the company's commitment to invest in Indonesia.

In March, Emaar signed a joint venture agreement with the state-owned Bali Tourism Development Corporation to build an integrated tourism project in southern Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, with a total investment of US$600 million. During the initial stage, they would build four luxury hotels, including Ritz Carlton and Giorgio Armani hotels, along with related tourist facilities.

Kalam suggests Indo-Sudan accord on 'virtual univ'

2009-03-01T03:15:00.000-08:00

"Experts from both countries in highly advanced and specialised fields would directly contribute towards the teaching and the learning experiences. This facility would also help in the development of telecommunication technology services," he said addressing students at the University of Khartoum on the concluding day of his three-day state visit.

ENERGY: ALGERIA, 16 HYDROCARBON FIELDS DISCOVERED IN 2008

2009-01-25T11:29:00.000-08:00

Sonatrach, the Algerian hydrocarbons organisation, discovered 16 new hydrocarbon fields in the Sahara desert in 2008, announced the Algerian energy and mining minister, as reported by APS. Nine discoveries were made in the Illizi basin (in the extreme south of Algeria) and in eastern Erg, whilst the other seven were found in partnership with foreign companies: two were found with the help of MedeX, two with Statoil, and one each with Bp, Bg/Gulf and Cnpc.

The country's 2006 law on hydrocarbons made it compulsory for Sonatrach to have a 51% stake in all contracts for the prospecting and exploitation of hydrocarbon fields and also contracts involving the transportation of energy.

Tunisia launches English language teaching reform project

2009-01-15T20:15:00.000-08:00

The Tunisian Ministry of Education and Training signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the British Council in London Tuesday, to prepare for a huge project aimed at English language teaching reform in all state primary and secondary schools in Tunisia.

The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Hatem Ben Salem, the Tunisian Minister of Education and Training; and Lord Kinnock, Chair of the British Council and former Leader of the Labour Party.

MOROCCO-FRANCE, 4 AGREEMENTS TO BOOST INDUSTRIAL COOPERATION

2009-01-07T19:24:00.000-08:00

Morocco and France sealed, here Friday, four partnership agreements to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the realm of industry. According to Map news agency the agreements were sealed on the sidelines of a work meeting between Moroccan Minster of Industry, trade and new technologies, Ahmed Réda Chami and visiting French State Secretary for Industry and Consumer affairs, Luc Chatel.

The first agreement, signed by Chami and chairman of the Sofia Antipolis Foundation, Pierre Lafitte, touches on "clusters" and "competitiveness poles" and provides for assisting Morocco in the field of research and innovation. The second agreement, a memorandum of understanding (MoU), was signed by the French Industrial and Mechanical Technical Center (CETIM), and three Moroccan establishments, namely the Center for Mechanic, Metallic, Electrical and Electronic Industries (CERIMME), the Technical Center for Vehicle Equipment Manufacturers (CETIEV) and the Technical Center for Plastics and Rubber processing (CTPC).

TUNISIA: CAR INDUSTRY, MABROUK GROUP BUYS STIA

2009-01-02T19:24:00.000-08:00

The Tunisian Mabrouk group has acquired the Societe Tunisienne des Industries Automobiles (STIA), a plant for car assembly with headquarters in Sousse, for 20 million dinars. The Mabrouk group is to allocate 32 million dinars (about 16.5 million euros) to make the STIA a North African centre for the manufacturing of buses and minibuses. This would also allow the company not to have to lay off 450 workers, today's issue of the daily paper Le Temps reported.

UN: SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION, TUNISIA AWARDED

2009-01-02T19:13:00.000-08:00

With a project in a Niger village for women's health, especially expectant mothers, Tunisia has received this year's United Nations award for "South-South" cooperation, as reported by the Misna agency. The award was given to Nebiha Gueddana, president of the Tunisian National Office for the Family and Population (ONFP). Called "Kollo" from the village in Niger where it was set up, the project is based on collaboration between Tunis, Niamey and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). The awards ceremony was held in New York on Saturday, as part of the "United Nations World Day for South-South Cooperation".

Going nuclear: uranium strike boosts Zimbabwe's power hopes

2008-12-29T12:29:00.000-08:00

The recent discovery of uranium in Zimbabwe will enable the country to start a nuclear power programme as a means of resolving its chronic electricity supply problems, according to President Robert Mugabe. Zimbabwe, with a daily power-generation shortfall of between 400 and 450MW, has close ties with Iran and North Korea, both with 1 nuclear programmes.

Dubai plans 20pc jump in budget expenditure

2008-12-27T14:06:00.000-08:00

Dubai's government plans to increase public expenditure by around 20 per cent in 2009 to stimulate the service-based economy, the Financial Times quoted a senior policy-maker as saying on Saturday.

Nasser Al-Shaikh, director-general of Dubai's finance department said it would increase from some Dh30 billion ($8.17 billion) that was budgeted for public spending in 2008.

Madagascar going Nuclear

2008-12-26T12:41:00.000-08:00

The Madagascar I.N.S.T.N. was created in 1992, by extension of the Laboratory of Nuclear and Applied Physics (L.P.N.P.A.) which was created in 1976, from scratch by Professor RAOELINA ANDRIAMBOLOLONA.

Egypt dominates African football

2008-12-24T23:17:00.001-08:00

Egypt confirmed their place among the giants of African football by winning the major national team and club competitions this year.

The 'Pharaohs' lifted the African Nations Cup a record sixth time with ace midfielder Mohamed Aboutraika scoring the only goal late in a tense Accra showdown against Cameroon.

Libya grounds flights to Tripoli

2008-12-24T23:17:00.000-08:00

Libya has cancelled flights to Tripoli by the airline Swiss for "technical reasons," a company spokesman said Tuesday, amid tensions between the two countries.

Zimbabwe to exploit nuclear science, technology

2008-12-22T12:29:00.000-08:00

Zimbabwe will work with development partners and regional organizations to exploit nuclear science and technology in its bid to promote sustainable national development, an official said on Thursday.

South Africa’s Nuclear Weapons Program

2008-12-16T12:43:00.000-08:00

South Africa’s quest for a nuclear deterrent began with research into peaceful nuclear explosives (PNEs) in 1969. Although Pretoria initially would not confirm it was developing, or possessed, nuclear weapons, it had large natural deposits of uranium, as well as uranium enrichment facilities and the necessary technological infrastructure. In addition, until the late 1980s South Africa had the deeply entrenched fear of its adversaries and the insecurity about its borders that were important incentives in other nations' nuclear programs.

Sudan reveals intention to pursue nuclear energy

2008-12-10T12:22:00.000-08:00

A Sudanese official disclosed today that his country is contemplating developing a nuclear power programme for scientific research.

Electricity pylons stand in front of Grafenrheinfeld nuclear power plant on July 9, 2008 in Grafenrheinfeld near Wuerzburg, Germany (Getty)

The Sudanese minister for Science and Technology Ibrahim Ahmed Omer told the official news agency (SUNA) that his government received approval for its plans from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Jordan and Algeria poised to develop nuclear programs

2008-12-09T12:27:00.000-08:00

Two Arab countries have recently unveiled their plans for the development of nuclear energy programs. King Abdallah II of Jordan announced the intentions to develop a national nuclear program. Russian Minister of Industry and Power Industry Viktor Khristenko spoke about Algeria’s similar plans following his recent visit to that country.

Specifically, Khristenko mentioned plans for bilateral cooperation aimed at developing the Algerian nuclear power industry. It is understood that we are talking about the declaration of certain plans that yet to be implemented. However, those plans are worth talking about.

India Seeks Uranium from Namibia for Enhancing Nuke Energy

2008-12-09T12:22:00.000-08:00

In its global search for fuel to enhance nuclear power generation, India on Thursday asked Namibia to supply uranium from its vast reserves.

Uranium rush gets under way in Zambia

2008-12-08T20:18:00.000-08:00

Resurgent global interest in nuclear power has made Zambia, a country better known for its vast copper reserves, into a hotbed of uranium exploration.

The search for uranium in Zambia is part of a larger wave of uranium exploration and mining across mineral-rich Southern Africa that is raising hopes of new jobs and tax revenue, but also sparking debate over safety and security.

Zambia enacts uranium mining law

2008-12-08T20:16:00.000-08:00

Zambia has enacted a law for mining, storage and export of uranium which bars the diversion of the mineral for use in making nuclear weapons or devices, mines minister Kalombo Mwansa said on Monday.

Mwansa said he had signed a law to pave the way for uranium mining in the country following the discovery of huge uranium deposits in several parts of the mineral-rich southern Africa country.

Burundi: Govt Sets Sights On Oil

2008-12-08T20:11:00.000-08:00

Burundi could become a leading oil and minerals exporter of the region following a protracted exploration and prospecting exercise kicked off by government recently.

According to Burundi's Director for Geology and Mines Mr. Damien Riragonya Burundi potentially large oil deposits are said to be existing on the Burundi side of Lake Tanganyika area.

NIGERIA: Sex in the slums

2008-12-08T20:09:00.000-08:00

Ijora Badia in Lagos, Nigeria's former capital city and the country's economic hub is a community virtually without government services.

COMOROS: Between the devil and the deep blue sea

2008-12-08T20:08:00.000-08:00

Rehabilitating a neighbourhood bully is never an easy task, especially if it is a 2,360m active volcanic system that covers nearly two-thirds of Grand Comore, the Comoros archipelago's largest and most developed island.

Rwanda: Oil Exploration Goes Into Second Phase

2008-12-08T20:05:00.000-08:00

The second phase of oil exploration in the Western Province is about to begin after the first phase was successfully completed. The area, known as the East Kivu Graben, covers parts of Nyungwe and Gishwati forests, and Lake Kivu.

Africa's pursuit of nuclear power

2008-12-08T19:30:00.000-08:00

In Africa, nearly every aspect of human development (health, agricultural, educational, or industrial) depends upon reliable access to modern energy sources. Therefore, it's worth investigating whether nuclear power can safely alleviate energy shortages and optimize an energy mix consistent with the national interests of African countries.

Ghana 'will be an African tiger'

2008-12-08T19:12:00.000-08:00

Ghana's President John Kufuor says the discovery of the country's first major oil deposit could turn the West African country into an "African tiger".

Namibia, Russia discuss nuclear cooperation

2008-12-08T12:17:00.000-08:00

Namibia and Russia are discussing the possible use of Russian nuclear technology to make up for Namibia's energy deficit, Namibia's prime minister said Friday.

Nuclear industry in Tanzania

2008-12-08T12:10:00.000-08:00

I was the chairperson of the nuclear session at the African Power and Electricity Congress, held in Johannesburg recently. It was all most interesting, with much food for thought coming out of presentations.

Mauritania's ambassador in Cairo denies Israeli nuclear waste buried in Mauritania

2008-12-07T12:22:00.000-08:00

Ould Baha, the Mauritanian ambassador in Cairo, before leaving Cairo to assume his new post as his countries ambassador in Saudi Arabia, renewed his country's denial that it buried Israeli nuclear waste, which surfaced after to a visit paid by the Mauritanian foreign minister to Israel, the Palestinian areas and Jordan.

Namibia Wants to Develop Nuclear Energy

2008-12-07T12:14:00.000-08:00

The Namibian government is planning to exploit its rich uranium deposits to commercially generate electricity to achieve self-sustenance in power generation, as shortages loom in 2007, although how it is going to achieve this without any current nuclear power plant plans seems obscure. Namibia is now southern African region's largest producer of uranium, and is the 6th largest world producer.

Uganda Turns to Nuclear Power Plant

2008-12-07T12:12:00.000-08:00

Hamstrung by unpredictable climatic changes that have reduced the water levels in Lake Victoria and the amount of hydroelectricity generated by dams along the River Nile, the Ugandan government is turning to the more predictable nuclear power.

Botswana going nuclear

2008-12-06T12:35:00.001-08:00

frican Regional Cooperation Agreement for nuclear research and technology (AFRA) recently conducted a workshop to assess, guide and advise Botswana on its ongoing programme in nuclear science and technology.

Pakistan may make Nigeria a nuclear power

2008-12-06T12:09:00.001-08:00

Pakistan yesterday offered to share military assistance, including "nuclear power" with Nigeria, in defiance of President George Bush's new counter-proliferation initiative.

Nigeria begins review of nuclear power plants legislation

2008-12-06T12:09:00.000-08:00

Nigeria's quest to generate electricity from nuclear sources gained steam on Monday, with the inauguration of a committee to review the legal framework guiding the implementation of the national nuclear power program, the Punch newspaper reported Tuesday.

Speaking in Abuja, Director-General of Nigeria Atomic Energy Agency Erepamo Osaisai said the existing legal framework was signed into law in 1976, although Nigeria only initiated efforts to utilize nuclear resources to generate electricity in 2006.

Nigeria launches first nuclear reactor

2008-12-06T12:03:00.000-08:00

Nigeria launched its first nuclear reactor for scientific research Thursday in the northern university city of Zaria, the research project director, Ibrahim Umar, said.

The reactor, which is solely for scientific purposes and constructed with technical assistance from the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA), was launched in Ahmadu Bello University, the largest university in northern Nigeria, Umar told AFP in a telephone interview.

Tanzania turns to nuclear power

2008-12-06T12:00:00.000-08:00

Tanzania is to start using nuclear power, after the country's parliament enacted a law last week permitting the use of uranium to produce energy. The move could make Tanzania the first country in East and Central Africa to use nuclear technology to generate electricity.

Many government representatives have welcomed the proposed shift to nuclear power, saying it will boost economic development and allow an increase in the proportion of 'clean' energy. But there is public concern that the move could cause friction if it is taken without the support of the international community.

Kenya exploring nuclear power

2008-12-06T11:58:00.001-08:00

The Kenyan government has once again invited investors interested in setting up nuclear power plants through joint ventures to the country.

However, experts are questioning whether Kenya has the technical and financial capacity to run a nuclear power plant. Items such as financing, timing, capacity, security, source and transportation of raw material (uranium), waste disposal and international politics on nuclear business are just some the factors that could hinder Kenya's nuclear future.

Kenya Nuclear Power

2008-12-06T11:58:00.000-08:00

Economic Booming: Mega Projects in Dakar, Senegal

2008-10-22T03:38:00.000-07:00