webvic-b

Top Stories

Grid List

Eswatini's first privately funded hydro plant, led by EIMS Africa, will generate 13.5 MW, powering 11,000 homes and boosting renewables. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Energy

Eswatini has launched construction on its first privately funded hydroelectric power plant, marking a significant milestone in the country’s energy sector

Led by South African renewable energy firms African Clean Energy Developments and Energy Infrastructure Management Services (EIMS Africa), the project is set to supply electricity to roughly 11,000 homes. The plant’s first power generation is anticipated by late 2026.

Hydropower investment milestone 

According to Michael Wickins, chief commercial officer at EIMS Africa, the project’s procurement process dates back to 2004. Large-scale infrastructure projects of this nature typically take six to eight years to complete, and this initiative faced additional complexities as Eswatini’s first privately owned hydroelectric plant and EIMS Africa’s initial venture into hydropower.

Development hurdles included regulatory changes and necessary tax rule modifications. Wickins highlighted that the priority was to establish a robust regulatory framework before moving forward. Despite these early challenges, the project now has a strong financial foundation, supported by a 30-year power purchase agreement with Eswatini Electricity Company (SEC) and a government-backed guarantee.

The total investment in the plant is estimated between US$62.4mn and US$67.6mn, covering essential infrastructure, including equipment, civil works, and electrical systems. Securing financing was particularly challenging due to the rarity of private hydroelectric projects in Southern Africa. However, key financial support from Standard Bank and the Eswatini Public Pension Fund ensured the project’s viability.

Construction began in January 2025, with a projected 26-month timeline, targeting completion by early 2027. The plant will have a 13.5-megawatt capacity, capable of supplying power to 11,000 homes at peak output, though variations in water levels may impact generation.

Beyond electricity generation, the initiative is expected to create 100 to 150 local jobs during construction and play a crucial role in Eswatini’s renewable energy strategy. The project will operate alongside upcoming solar energy developments expected to reach financial close this year. Located on the Luso Free River, a tributary of the Lower Magadusa River, the plant represents a significant step toward diversifying Eswatini’s energy mix.

A50 underscores the company’s commitment to meeting evolving customer needs by providing more choices and improved operational capabilities. (Image source: Volvo)

Construction

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has announced a comprehensive update to its globally recognised articulated hauler lineup, marking the most extensive product portfolio renewal in decades

The revamped range now includes models from A25 to A60, featuring significant technological advancements aimed at improving efficiency, safety, and adaptability for future drivetrain developments. A notable addition to the lineup is the all-new A50 model, which expands customer options in the demanding hauler segment.

A new range from A25 to A60

A pioneer in the articulated hauler industry since introducing ‘Gravel Charlie’ in 1966, Volvo CE is rolling out its latest lineup in a phased global release throughout 2025. This upgrade represents a significant technological leap, incorporating a new electronic system and an in-house developed transmission that delivers fuel efficiency improvements of up to 15%, depending on the model and application. Designed with adaptability in mind, the new haulers are constructed to integrate seamlessly with future drivetrains.

Introducing the A50 model

One of the most exciting highlights of the launch is the debut of the A50 model, which enhances Volvo CE’s offering in the hauler segment. Available in selected markets, the A50 underscores the company’s commitment to meeting evolving customer needs by providing more choices and improved operational capabilities. The updated haulers are engineered to lower the total cost of ownership while ensuring maximum safety and productivity, especially when combined with Volvo CE’s digital solutions such as Haul Assist with onboard weighing.

Melker Jernberg, president of Volvo CE, emphasised the company’s legacy of innovation,“For nearly 60 years we have been leading the way with our range of articulated haulers and now with today’s launch of a new range of outstanding products, including one completely new model, we prove that there are no limits to our capacity for innovation. Our customers know to expect a first-class operation when they get into one of our haulers, but that experience has just got even better with a host of cutting-edge features designed with our customers in mind.”

A circular approach to sustainability

The new range is designed to be among the most fuel-efficient hauling solutions on the market, incorporating sustainability-focused elements such as low-carbon emission steel made from recycled materials. This steel, produced using fossil-free electricity and biogas, is being integrated into the serial production of haulers at Volvo CE’s Braås site. Given that steel is a major component in Volvo CE’s products and is traditionally a significant source of carbon emissions, this material circularity initiative aligns with the company’s broader sustainability strategy to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

A step towards the future

With over 35% of its total range renewed in the past 12 months, Volvo CE is taking a decisive step towards shaping the future of construction equipment. This latest product overhaul continues the company’s long-standing tradition of setting industry benchmarks for innovation and operational excellence, just as it did in 1966. By integrating cutting-edge features and sustainable manufacturing practices, Volvo CE reinforces its leadership in the articulated hauler segment and its commitment to meeting the challenges of tomorrow’s construction industry.

Also read: Volvo CE adopts low-carbon steel

Twiga oversees operations at the North Mara and Bulyanhulu gold mines. (Image source: Barrick Gold Corporation)

Mining

Barrick Gold Corporation has contributed over US$4.24bn to Tanzania’s economy since launching the Twiga joint venture with the government in 2019, injecting US$888mn in 2024 alone

Twiga oversees operations at the North Mara and Bulyanhulu gold mines.

During a media briefing, Barrick president and CEO Mark Bristow emphasised Twiga’s leadership in Tanzania’s extractive sector, highlighting job creation, local business support, and substantial community investments.

“We spent US$573mn on national suppliers and service providers last year, representing about 83% of our total spend in-country. Additionally, 75% of all our payments to suppliers and service providers went to indigenous companies, exceeding our target of 61%,” Bristow said.

Sustainable mining success?

With a strong commitment to local employment, 96% of Barrick’s 6,185-strong workforce are Tanzanian nationals, 53% of whom come from communities near the mines. The company invested over US$5mn in 2024 in potable water, healthcare, and education, bringing total community investments to US$15.8mn since Twiga’s formation in 2019.

Production guidance for Bulyanhulu and North Mara in 2024 exceeded 500,000 ounces, reinforcing the sites’ Tier One1 complex status. Additionally, both mines completed a full year without a Lost-Time Injury.

Buzwagi made significant strides in its closure plan, focusing on environmental management, water conservation, and vegetation maintenance. A Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is also progressing, attracting investor interest, with one company already obtaining Export Processing Zone registration.

The Barrick Academy, established at Buzwagi in 2024, is making significant progress in developing talent. Focused on training foremen, supervisors, and superintendents, the academy has trained 1,700 individuals to date and is set to surpass its target of 2,800 trained personnel by the end of 2025.

Continued conversion drilling at North Mara and Bulyanhulu has replenished reserves, while exploration efforts have expanded Barrick’s footprint in the Nzega District. The company has secured over 2,000km² of new exploration areas to support long-term mineral reserve growth in Tanzania.

Twiga received multiple industry recognitions over the past year for its safety measures, employer excellence, environmental practices, and community engagement. In 2024, North Mara was named the largest economic contributor in Tanzania’s extractive industry and earned awards for occupational health and safety, corporate social responsibility, and compliance with local content regulations.

“Barrick’s work in Tanzania is a model for sustainable mining that balances economic, environmental, and social responsibility,” said Bristow. “The recognition we have received speaks to our commitment to excellence and the value we bring to our host countries.”

MSC launches iReefer, a real-time container monitoring system for reefer cargo, enhancing shipment tracking, security, and temperature control. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Logistics

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company has introduced iReefer, a state-of-the-art container monitoring system designed for temperature-controlled cargo

This innovation enables customers to track and oversee their refrigerated shipments in real-time, from any location worldwide.

With iReefer, users gain instant access to crucial shipment details, including location, temperature, humidity, and more. The service is accessible through myMSC, the company’s digital business platform, or via an API for seamless integration.

Customers can choose from three tailored iReefer packages based on their business needs. The entry-level option, iReefer Essential, is available at no cost and provides an overview of current and past reefer shipments, a container journey log, and analytical graphs. iReefer Pro expands on these features by offering unlimited data downloads and GPS tracking. For businesses managing large cargo volumes, iReefer Ultimate ensures direct API connectivity for streamlined data exchange. The premium packages, iReefer Pro and iReefer Ultimate, will be available starting 1 March 2025.

As a global leader in refrigerated transport, MSC moves over 1 million reefer containers annually. The company operates one of the most sophisticated reefer fleets and is supported by a team of more than 1,000 reefer specialists worldwide.

The launch of iReefer represents a key milestone in MSC’s ongoing digital transformation, aimed at enhancing shipping efficiency and providing real-time insights for supply chain optimisation. This new solution complements MSC’s existing digital portfolio, which includes MSC Smart Containers for remote dry cargo monitoring.

As part of this global initiative, MSC has integrated iReefer technology into over 210,000 reefer containers and equipped more than 500 vessels, with plans to expand deployment across its entire fleet in the coming years.

“This exciting launch highlights MSC’s unique ability to combine forward-thinking digital solutions with personalized customer care. iReefer is designed with customers in mind: we fully understand their need to closely monitor and control cargo, to facilitate planning and ensure products are delivered in pristine condition. It builds on the already high levels of care we apply to reefer cargo and takes this support to the next level,” said Giuseppe Prudente, Chief Logistics Officer of MSC and President of MEDLOG.

Digital Innovation in Cold Chain Logistics

The introduction of iReefer aligns with the rising global demand for refrigerated cargo and user-friendly digital solutions. Customers will benefit from real-time container monitoring, precise temperature control, improved security, regulatory compliance, and valuable data insights. Additionally, connected reefer containers help minimize costs by reducing spoilage, preventing damage, and lowering insurance claims.

Also read: https://africanreview.com/manufacturing/modular-training-workstation-to-inspire-current-and-future-professionals

South Africa's DMA on the acquisition trail. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Finance

South Africa-headquartered DMA has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Saxo Australia from Saxo Bank, a leading online trading and investment specialist

DMA is a global leader in all-in-one software solutions for financial advisers and wealth managers.

As part of the acquisition and partnership, DMA will leverage Saxo Bank's platform and trading technology for clients for the Australian market.

The Johannesburg-based group will assume 80.1% ownership of Saxo's Australian business, subject to regulatory approval, with Saxo Bank retaining 19.9%.

With the transaction, Saxo's award-winning platforms, product range, competitive prices and interest rates will be complemented and strengthened by DMA's business-to-business knowhow, world-class adviser offering and track record of growth.

“We believe DMA’s platform offering will bring tangible benefits to Australian financial advisers and wealth managers, while the business will continue to focus on delivering high-touch, high-quality service for self-directed retail clients," said DMA's CEO, Richard North.

"It'll be the best of Saxo and the best of DMA and we think that adds up to the marketplace's best choice for investors and partners across the entire lifecycle.”

This transition represents an expansion of an existing partnership between DMA and Saxo in South Africa, the Netherlands and the UK.

In these regions, DMA already leverages Saxo's capabilities, outsourcing the brokerage business model, managing all aspects of trade orders, execution, settlement and post-trade operations.

Saxo's open architecture means that DMA can build additional interfaces, digital services and trading experiences for Australian clients.

Currently, more than 160 wealth managers and adviser networks across Africa, Europe, and the United Kingdom use DMA to access global markets.

Specifically for the Australian market, Saxo's banking as a service (BaaS) solutions paired with DMA's software solutions will enable Australian institutional partners, such as financial advisers and asset and fund managers, to connect front, middle, and back-office functions under one solution.

Saxo will deliver the best-in-class digital investing and trading platforms, and will also provide the back-office infrastructure, from clearing and settlement to execution and custody.

This will support financial services firms to reduce back-office cost and complexity and enhance client-facing services.

The new business will retain Saxo Australia's staff, led by its CEO, Adam Smith, while looking to bolster its Australia-based workforce to ensure clients get the best investing and trading experience.

The name and brand of the new business will be determined after a transitional period, with the business to continue operating as Saxo Australia in the meantime.

The sale comes after Saxo Bank in June 2024 announced a review of strategic opportunities in the Asia-Pacific, seeking to accelerate its growth in the region.

"We will ensure a smooth transition and aim to enhance the offerings and services provided,” said Smith. “The clients of Saxo Australia will notice absolutely no disruption in service, product range, or platform access. We are very pleased to partner up with DMA and believe that this will be a game changer for Australian clients.”

The project will boost recycling efforts in Ghana and Nigeria (IMAGE SOURCE: Adobe Stock)

Manufacturing

Ghana-based manufacturer Mohinani Group Limited has teamed up with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to undertake the recycling of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) from plastic waste in Ghana and Nigeria

The initiative is expected to create thousands of jobs in both countries and help protect the region’s environment.

Under the partnership, IFC will provide a loan of US$37mn to help Mohinani Group subsidiaries Polytank Ghana Limited and Sonnex Packaging Nigeria Limited to establish PET recycling plants in Ghana and Nigeria.

Each plant will have the capacity to produce 15,000 tons of recycled PET (rPET) resins annually that will substitute virgin PET resins used to make food grade and beverage packaging containers.    

Some 90% of the raw materials will be sourced from local small businesses involved in plastic collection.

“The rPET project by the Mohinani Group was born out of a vision to close the bottle-to-bottle recycling loop in Africa and the group’s dedication to advancing environmental sustainability,” said Roshan Mohinani, strategy and transformation manager for Mohinani.  

“It is also inspired by our group's purpose of improving the quality of lives in Africa, as this initiative is expected to create over 4,000 jobs along the value chain in Nigeria and Ghana, thereby providing economic empowerment to a significant number of young people, particularly women.”

Combined, the new plants are expected to create more than 4,000 direct and indirect jobs across the value chain and approximately US$21mn in annual savings from imports for each country.

PET is a polymer resin of the polyester family, widely used for making containers for liquids and foods.

Using recycled plastic waste for production will prevent harmful pollutants from being released into the environment and reduce the need for virgin plastics. This will lower greenhouse gas emissions because recycled plastics have a smaller energy footprint than new plastics.

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — will provide advisory services to strengthen Mohinani’s environmental and social practices and its capacity for efficient and sustainable PET recycling operations.  

The project aligns with IFC’s strategies for Ghana and Nigeria which are focused on mitigating climate change, job creation and economic transformation.

It is also consistent with the World Bank Group’s Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2025, which aims to reduce the use of virgin plastic resins and greenhouse gas emissions in the packaging materials value chain. 

“IFC's partnership with Mohinani underscores our dedication to promote environmental sustainability and economic development in Ghana and Nigeria,” said Dahlia Khalifa, IFC regional director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa.

“By recycling up to 30,000 tons of PET waste annually, these new plants will protect the environment and substitute imports with locally recycled materials.”

Read more recycling news here:
Alpla enters South African PET recycling market

Continental launches sustainable tyres

CCBA encourages plastic bottle collection in Ethiopia

 

Most Read

Latest news