ITSCI APPROVES EASTINCO APPLICATION

Aterian Plc, an exploration and development company advancing its portfolio of Africa-focused critical and strategic metal assets, has announced that the International Tin Supply Chain Initiative (ITSCI) programme for responsible mineral supply chains has approved the Eastinco Limited application in Rwanda and granted membership status to the company.

The ITSCI programme supports better governance, human rights, and stability in conflict-affected areas and monitors supply chains allowing metal users to demonstrate responsible sourcing of raw materials within the framework of the ITSCI principles.

Charles Bray, chairman of Aterian, said, “The granting of the ITSCI membership is an important milestone for the company and unlocks the capability to build and develop a metals trading business in Rwanda and the wider Great Lakes Region of central Africa.”

Briefs

Swissport expands to Mombasa

Swissport is adding Mombasa, Kenya, to its growing African network. With the new presence at Mombasa’s Moi International Airport (MBA), Swissport is now offering aviation ground services at 31 airports across Africa. In Kenya, Swissport has been supporting airlines in Nairobi since 1997 where it also operates a cargo centre. Swissport started operations at the airport of the coastal city of Mombasa, Kenya, at the end of December 2022.

Clean Electricity For Rural Madagascar

WeLight, a company co-owned by AXIAN Group, has secured US$21mn in funding from a group of lenders including the European Investment Bank (EIB), to help 250,000 people in rural Madagascar gain first-time access to clean electricity. The group, comprised of the EIB, Triodos Investment Management and EDFI ElectriFI, a European Union-funded Electrification Financing Initiative, will fund the construction and development of small solar-powered mini-grids in over 120 villages in rural Madagascar.

“Africa has a unique opportunity to spearhead a low-carbon revolution while eliminating energy poverty on the continent,” said AXIAN Group CEO Hassanein Hiridjee. “We are delighted that the European Investment Bank, Triodos Investment Management and EDFI ElectriFI are supporting Africa in reaching its clean energy potential.”

The financing will help to connect as many as 45,000 households and businesses in Madagascar to the nation’s power grid, enabling them to gain access to clean and affordable energy.

WeLight is owned by pan-African conglomerate AXIAN Group, as well as Norway’s sovereign development bank Norfund and Sagemcom.

Decarbonisation and climate risk have been at the top of the Davos 2023 agenda. According to World Economic Forum research, climate-related risk disruptions, such as heatwaves, have surged by 96% in the past year alone while the top four most severe risks over the next 10 years are all environmental.

AXIAN launched New Energy Africa (NEA) in October, a division that will drive investment in both present and future renewable-energy projects across the continent.

ADC to give extra IT load

Africa Data Centres (ADC) has broken ground on an additional data centre facility in Nairobi. The new build will see the existing facility on the adjacent piece of land expanded up to an extra 15MW of IT load.

ADC’s expansion at the new site will be completed in the first half of 2024 and will bring five times more capacity than is currently installed. The new data facility will begin with 5MW of IT load.