Venue: KICC, Nairobi – Kenya
Dates: 27 April – 29 April , 2014
Timing: 10 AM TO 06 PM
Business Visitors Only.
Exhibitors from over 22 countries and visitors from 11 African and 12 other countries have made Autoexpo the most prolific automobile, spares and accessories trade exhibition in Kenya and one of the largest fairs in Africa.
Kenya's Power Shortage Problem Meets Innovative Finance
A new era of electricity production and distribution is set to open in Kenya after the World Bank Board of Directors endorsed an innovative way to deploy Bank Group instruments and leverage private sector investment to help meet Kenya’s urgent power generation needs.
The Kenya Private Sector Power Generation Support Project will help bring a reliable power supply to Kenyans in their day-to-day lives, as well as to manufacturing and service companies that help the economy grow and create jobs.
In a country hard-pressed to finance such major infrastructure investments, the key was to mobilize financing from the private sector, initially hesitant to invest in the energy sector in the country. A US$166 million series of Partial Risk Guarantees was put in place to reassure commercial financiers concerned about the state-owned electricity utility and its obligations towards them.
KENYA POWER TO ISSUE 3M ENERGY SAVING BULBS
Kenya power plans to distribute 3 million energy saving bulbs to the public before the year ends.
The development comes after the government secured funds from the French Development Agency (AFD) to aid in the procurement process.
The Sh1 billion funds received will be used to procure bulbs for low income earners.
Acting chief manager for commercial services engineer Joshua Mutua said that the bulbs are set to replace incandescent bulbs in low income households across the country and assist in reducing power consumption during peak periods.
He spoke during the disposal of 1.25 million incandescent bulbs which were replaced in 2010.
Thika Road makes way for more big-dollar projects
The completion of the Sh32 billion upgrade of Thika Road in September 2012 was a major construction feat as it was done when the road was still in use.
The 50km 8-lane highway that connects Thika to Nairobi was built by three Chinese companies; China Wu Yi, SinoHydro Corporation and Sheng Li Engineering Company.
The three companies received much commendation from both ordinary citizens and government officials for the quality of their work and the timeous delivery of the project.
Thika Road appears to have opened Kenya’s big-dollar project floodgates to China – with tens of Chinese companies currently involved in mega infrastructural project in East Africa’s largest economy.
China Bridge and Road Construction was, for example, recently chosen as the contractor of the now controversial standard gauge railway line project.
10th Energy Awards Celebrate Over Sh10 Billion in Energy Savings
Two hundred and thirty five participating companies, over 300 energy audits, 105 certified energy managers and 59 MW of energy savings translating to Sh10.2 billion. This is what the 10th Energy Management Awards (EMA) celebrated last week bringing together players to mark the major milestones in energy conservation in Kenya and the region.
It's a whole new industry that did not previously exist. Energy is a primary industrial input and a major cost factor. But a little known fact is that the cost of generating new power is more expensive than the cost of saving. For every one unit of energy saved, you save three units generated.
In Kenya, energy cost and reliability is the biggest business hurdle. We currently have a total installed energy capacity amounting to 1759 MW and there are plans to enhance the country's capacity to over 5000 MW. These plans feature a basket of energy sources that includes renewable sources and harness both old and new energy sources.
Kenya’s low cost housing set to boom in 2014
The low cost housing sector in Kenya is set to see better days as developers and financiers begin to shift their attention to this segment of the market, which they previously viewed as unprofitable.
As the high-income housing market becomes saturated amid falling demand for high-end homes, many developers are now unveiling low cost housing projects targeting individuals earning less than 30,000 a month.
The Mortgage Company’s managing director Carol Kariuki says the focus on the lower end of the market is a natural shift by developers to generate a new income stream.
“The next market is the lower end of the pyramid. This is where most people who don’t own homes are, and many of these developers have realised that there is money in the numbers,” says Ms Kariuki.
Geothermal energy to solve Kenya’s power shortage
Geothermal power whose potential is enormous in Kenya is one of the country’s major economic resources as it grapples with the implementation of vision 2030 development blue- print.
Kenya is estimated to produce 15,000 MW from hot springs and out of that, Baringo County is capable of producing 3,000 MW. Baringo County is therefore sitting on a major economic resource that will produce cheap and clean electricity which will propel the country into a golden economic age.
Dr. Silas Simiyu, Geothermal Development Corporation (GDC) managing director said the water which will be generated from the processes of generating electricity can be used for irrigation and to  supplement rain-fed agriculture.
The GDC has established that the county could produce 3,000 MW of power around lakes Bogoria and Baringo. The area is called the Bogoria-Silale block, which comprises of lakes and Arus, Korosi, Chepchuk, Paka and Silale.
Chinese investors to create Dubai-like Kenyan city
The ambitious plan, which involves at least 100 Asian investors, is being fine-tuned ahead of an anticipated visit to Kenya by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang early next month.
It is understood construction may begin later in the year.
The project, to be developed on land in Athi River, Machakos County, about 30km from Nairobi, is styled as a Chinese-controlled economic zone that will host corporates from the Asian giant and serve as its hub for Eastern Africa.
The design by Chinese architects, the Sunday Nation, includes building at least 20 skyscrapers. Those familiar with the project say it is supposed to match the glamour of Dubai and is also expected to be a shopping destination that stocks Chinese and other global products.
