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Luapula is seen as a key link in the Southern Africa Power Pool. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Energy

Tenders are up for grabs to conduct a bankable feasibility study for the proposed Luapula hydropower project

Located on the Luapula river, which straddles Zambia and the south-eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the project has been in the planning for years.

It consists of hydropower plants and transmission line construction at three sites Mumbotuta, Mambilima, and Mambilima with an estimated total installed capacity of 789 MW and is regarded as a key link in the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).

This week, SAPP announced that it had received grant funding to support technical and economic feasibility studies and was on the lookout for consultants for the provision of a bankable feasibility study, conceptual design, and separate tender documents for each country for the hydropower stations and transmission lines.

It stated that the financing was from NEPAD Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPPF) and the Multilateral Cooperation Centre for Development Finance (MCDF), with the African Development Bank (AfDB) as its supervising entity in the administration of the grant money.

Expressions of interest for the feasibility work are to be delivered via the SAPP’s Johannesburg office by 28 March 2025.

A separate feasibility study is also up for grabs to explore the environmental and social impact assessment of the project and draw up a resettlement action plan.

The new consultancy and feasibility contracts bring the prospect of Luapula hydropower closer to reality after many years in the making.

The DRC and Zambian governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the joint development of generation projects in the Luapula River Basin and a new power interconnector between the two countries back in 2015.

The area’s potential for hydropower was first noted in the 1970s, however.

It was later identified as a priority project in the SAPP Pool Plan of 2017.

The Luapula River runs in south-central Africa forming a boundary between the southern DRC and northern Zambia for about 560 km of its course.

The river rises in the Bangweulu Swamps, one of the world’s largest wetlands, lying east of Lake Bangweulu in eastern Zambia, then descends into a series of falls and runs into Lake Mweru in Tanzania.

In 2021, US$2.5mn was spent on feasibility studies, notably to examine the Mumbotuta site, on behalf of the DRC and Zambian state power utilities, SNEL and ZESCO.

According to the AfDB, the project will also facilitate integration with the Kolwezi-Solwezi transmission interconnector  project, the Mozambique-Zambia interconnector and the Zambia-Tanzania-Kenya (ZTK) transmission interconnector (via the ZESCO network).

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A transformative year for Africa's energy sector

Power pools a possible solution to Africa's power conundrum

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A US$250mn IFC loan will help Standard Bank finance eco-friendly, affordable housing and commercial developments across South Africa. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Construction

To boost the development and purchase of eco-friendly buildings and homes across South Africa, including in the affordable housing sector and for women homeowners, IFC has announced a US$250mn loan to The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited, the nation’s largest bank by asset value

The unsecured senior loan will enable Standard Bank to extend financing to real estate developers and homebuyers for properties that meet international best practices for sustainable construction.

This collaboration will drive greener development in South Africa’s residential, commercial, industrial, and retail property sectors, with each project adhering to IFC’s EDGE certification or an equivalent standard for energy and water efficiency and sustainable building materials.

EDGE provides property developers with insights on constructing environmentally friendly buildings and offers a fast, easy, and reliable method to assess their energy efficiency.

Boosting green housing

Up to US$75mn of IFC’s funding will be allocated to individual home loans, with US$37.5mn specifically designated for women purchasing homes. At least half of all funds directed toward new residential projects will be focused on affordable housing.

Kenny Fihla, Standard Bank group deputy CEO for South Africa, stated, “South Africa's property sector presents immense growth potential, and with rising urbanisation, the demand for sustainable, resource-efficient developments has never been greater. This collaboration allows Standard Bank and its clients to meaningfully grow a more sustainable real estate landscape.”

Cláudia Conceição, IFC’s regional director for Southern Africa, added, “IFC is pleased to expand the collaboration with Standard Bank, our longstanding partner in South Africa, to help widen access to finance for certified green buildings in South Africa. As we continue to champion innovative blended finance solutions to support high-impact segments in the real estate sector, such as affordable housing and women homeowners, IFC is helping in their transition towards a more sustainable future and supporting the growth of a more inclusive and resilient economy.”

To help offset the costs of greening and certification for developers and homeowners, the project will also be supported by a US$4.8mn performance-based initiative under the Market Accelerator for Green Construction (MAGC) program. This bilateral initiative between IFC and the UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is designed to scale up green residential and commercial construction loans and mortgage financing, benefiting end-borrowers directly.

This partnership aligns with IFC’s commitment to increasing private sector participation in South Africa’s key sectors to drive inclusive, sustainable, and broad-based growth. Over the past five years, IFC has invested more than US$5.2bn in South Africa, making it IFC’s largest country exposure in Africa and its fifth largest globally.

Also read: Africa’s hydrogen horizon expands rapidly

With tailored solutions and local support, Integrated Pump Technology ensures continuous operation for mines across the continent. (Image source: Integrated Pump Technology)

Mining

Integrated Pump Technology has been instrumental in assisting mining operations with the ongoing challenge of groundwater ingress, both at surface and underground levels

Uncontrolled groundwater can significantly disrupt mining activities, especially during the rainy season, which varies across Africa’s diverse regions. With mining sites exposed to anything from heavy seasonal rainfall to localised geological conditions, effective dewatering strategies are essential for maintaining both productivity and safety.

Managing director Jordan Marsh emphasises the company’s role as the authorised distributor of Grindex electric submersible pumps and Godwin diesel-driven self-priming pumps, offering reliable dewatering solutions tailored to diverse mining applications.

“Both these pump ranges are well-known global brands that are designed to handle the often harsh and unpredictable conditions that mines face across the continent. Mining operations in many parts of Africa, where dewatering is mission-critical, have been quick to adopt dewatering solutions from us, knowing that our team understands the requirements and the support is in place to ensure reliable operation,” explained Marsh.

Expanding African dewatering

The company’s strong market growth reflects its strategic expansion efforts in key mining regions. Notably, demand has surged in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia, where the rising global need for copper—driven by the transition to a lower-carbon economy—has fueled mining activity. Copper mines in the DRC, among the wettest in the world, present unique challenges in managing water ingress.

Marsh underscores the critical role of dewatering in these mines. “Our Grindex submersible pumps have long been the go-to solution for dewatering in these extremely wet mines, and with the addition last year of the diesel driven Godwin pump range to our portfolio we have seen increased demand for these units, whether skid or trailer mounted,” stated Marsh.

Recognising the importance of reliable service, Integrated Pump Technology is focused on strengthening its sales and support infrastructure through local distribution partnerships. This approach ensures that end-users receive consistent and effective assistance.

Marsh further highlights how the growing depth of Southern African copper mines is driving demand for powerful dewatering solutions. “Grindex pumps, known for their durability and effectiveness, are playing a pivotal role in keeping these deeper mining operations operational and safe. Significantly, the demand is for both smaller pumps (3.7 kW and 5.6 kW) and larger units (up to 90 kW),” noted Marsh.

Beyond the DRC and Zambia, the company continues to expand its footprint into East and West Africa. A key factor in its success has been the development of a strong distributor network, ensuring that mining operations in countries such as Angola, DRC, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Zambia, Tanzania, and Uganda receive the necessary expertise and equipment to address their specific dewatering needs.

“Our business development drive into these African territories is yielding exciting progress,” concluded Marsh.

Also read: MMG places Kinsevere cobalt plant on ice

Siemens presents cutting-edge AI and automation solutions for intralogistics, enhancing efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability at LogiMAT 2025. (Image source: Siemen)

Logistics

At LogiMAT 2025, taking place March 11-13, Siemens presents its latest advancements in industrial automation and digitalisation for the intralogistics sector

In response to global challenges such as labor shortages, rising sustainability demands, and demographic shifts, Siemens introduces cutting-edge solutions designed to enhance efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability. A key highlight, Simatic Robot Pick AI Pro, an advanced industrial vision AI, enables AI-powered picking robots. This technology exemplifies how software-defined and data-driven automation drives adaptability in automation solutions, tackling the complexity of modern intralogistics while ensuring long-term reliability. The Siemens Xcelerator ecosystem plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and cross-platform integration, accelerating the shift toward a Digital Enterprise.

Revolutionising robot-based picking with AI

At the core of Siemens' LogiMAT showcase, Simatic Robot Pick AI Pro, a pre-trained deep-learning vision software, enables robots to perform model-free 3D picking of unknown objects. Equipped with adaptable vacuum multi-grippers, the system determines gripping poses (6-DoF) in milliseconds, handling a diverse range of inventory items regardless of their shape, size, or packaging. This innovation paves the way for cost-effective, autonomous, and scalable robot solutions in single-piece order picking, particularly benefiting e-commerce and addressing workforce shortages in repetitive picking tasks.

As part of the Siemens Industrial Operations X portfolio within Siemens Xcelerator, Simatic Robot Pick AI Pro integrates software-defined automation and data-driven solutions in industrial ecosystems. A critical element of this approach, Simatic AX, a modern development environment, enhances efficiency in managing both physical and virtual controls. Siemens leverages virtual PLCs to enable greater flexibility and scalability, deploying control systems as software containers through industrial edge management. By integrating these technologies, Industrial Operations X facilitates seamless collaboration across different systems while leveraging edge and cloud computing to optimise operations. This enables machine builders to create highly adaptable and scalable robot order-picking systems tailored to specific industry needs.

Siemens’ AI-powered vision software allows robots to autonomously recognise and handle a vast array of objects, significantly boosting adaptability in dynamic warehouse environments. Additionally, seamless integration with Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) ensures continuous data flow from robot picking cells to broader operational processes. Through the Siemens Xcelerator ecosystem, certified partners like Zivid (industrial 3D cameras) and Piab (vacuum tools) contribute to the ongoing development of innovative automation solutions.

Siemens industrial copilot: AI-powered engineering assistance

At LogiMAT 2025, Siemens Industrial Copilot enhances automation engineering by streamlining code generation, fault diagnosis, and system development. As the first generative AI assistant for industrial engineering, the Siemens Industrial Copilot for TIA Portal Engineering simplifies complex development workflows while reducing errors. Thanks to seamless integration into the TIA Portal, the AI assistant accelerates automation projects and enables less experienced professionals to apply their skills effectively.

Ghana International Bank to boost intra-African trade. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Finance

Ghana International Bank (GHIB) has signed a trade finance facility worth US$50mn to boost intra-Africa business across a number of sub-Saharan markets

The funding package covers Sierra Leone, Liberia, The Gambia, Benin, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania.

It is supported by British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution.

Under a Master Risk Participation Agreement (MPRA), the US$50mn package will enable GHIB to support more businesses and facilitate trade flows in the target countries.

It addresses the general lack of credit appetite for frontier markets in Africa for reasons including high risk perception and comparatively lower volumes.“

At GHIB we believe our success over the last 65 years is rooted in a deep understanding of African risk,” said Dean Adansi, GHIB’s CEO.

“This partnership with British International Investment represents a viable path through which we can structure partnerships that leverage this deep knowledge of risk into profitable and impactful transactions.”

Increased trade finance can also enable local firms to import the commodities and equipment they need to sustain and grow their businesses.

The collaboration leverages GHIB’s extensive network and track record in trade finance and allows BII to engage in a partnership that addresses the expanding trade finance gap in African markets, especially under challenging economic conditions.

BII’s involvement brings essential foreign exchange dollar liquidity, critical for the import of key goods to GHIB’s operating markets.

“With this deal, we are employing a structure that uses our deep knowledge and access of the market, harnessed together with the superior scale and capacity of BII,” said Adansi.

“Together, we are bringing this to support and expand opportunity in these emerging markets enabling real GDP growth. Our research indicates that each dollar of trade unlocks about US$1.3 into the GDP of our markets. We will work to make this deal a success, as it will open the way for more liquidity injections into the market.”

BII’s country director for Ghana, Kwabena Asante-Poku, said many African countries have faced challenging economic conditions in recent years that have impacted growth and livelihoods.

“Trade remains a key driver of growth for African economies especially in frontier markets like Sierra Leone, Liberia and The Gambia. Enhancing the flow of trade credit and financial intermediation to these markets will ensure access to essential goods and services which in turn drives sustainable and inclusive economic growth,” said Asante-Poku.

Read more: 

Partners seek to bridge the gap in African trade finance

BII seeks to strengthen economic resilience in Africa

The Bank of Brazil will enter into an agreement with Mozambique to finance the construction of the Moamba Major dam that will provide drinking water for the Maputo metropolis

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