The African Development Fund (ADF) board of directors has approved some US$44.95 million to finance the Kigali-Kirundo Road that links Rwanda to Burundi. The all-weather road will open up the regions through which it runs; reduce travel time and general travel cost while contributing to improved living standards. The road will also link Kigali to the proposed new international airport at Bugesera, whose construction is also expected to commence soon.

Aloe Vera Processing Plant Opened

A 13 million aloe Vera processing plant has been opened in Baringo district in Kenya. The factory financed by the European Commission (EC) through the Community Development Trust Fund, will export its products to the European Union and other markets. Aloe Vera is used as a food preservative, medicine or herb and is an ingredient in soaps and cosmetics.

Wind Power to Generate More Electricity

A report by Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and Greenpeace, an environmental lobby group, says that wind power could generate almost 30% of the world’s electricity by 2030. At the moment, wind accounts for 0.8% of the world's electricity supply and is expanding faster than other renewable energies such as solar, geothermal or tidal power in a shift from fossil fuels.

The Apostolic Militaire International Conference

The Apostolic Militaire International (AMI) is holding its meeting in Africa for the first time since it was founded 42 years ago. The conference focusing on inculcating Christian values in solders is underway in Nairobi. About 100 delegates from over 50 countries are taking part in the conference.

M.O.U Signed

The East African Business Council (EABC) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Private Sector Federation (RPSF) in Rwanda and the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and Handicraft (CCIB) in Burundi. The protocol allows private sector bodies in both countries to access services of the council which include participation in working groups and campaigns, regular first hand information on EABC issues and top level visits. Representatives of the business community in both countries will also strive to win additional members into the apex body to integrate a representative spectrum of the private sector into EABC.

Mufulira Copper Mines Smelter Upgrade Project Opened

Zambian President, Levy Mwanawasa, officially commissioned and opened the Mufulira Copper Mines (MCM) smelter upgrade project, the largest in Africa and one of the biggest smelters in the World. The copper smelter project in Copperbelt province has been built at a tune of 190 million U.S.dollars and will process over 1 million tons of copper ore per year.

A Book on Significance and Limitations of NEPAD

Ghanaian Vice President, Aliu Mahama, launched a book on the significance and limitations of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) written by Professor Samuel Kingsley Botchwey Asante, a Ghanaian academician and expert on regional integration. The 106-page book, "Implementing the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD): Challenges and the Path to Progress," has seven chapters and examines the developmental challenges confronting the African continent and explores the relevance of NEPAD and the African Peer Review Mechanism to the continent's socio-economic development.

IREN Director in Brussels

The IREN Director, James Shikwati, was in Spain Malaga Hills overlooking the Morocco Coast on a private visit. Currently, he is in Brussels for intensive discussions with W.T.O officials from Geneva on the WTO system and with E.U. officials on their system and how it relates to Africa’s quest for integration.