Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) discovered a new combination of existing technologies that could double efficiency of coal plants. The discovery could bring to 55% or 60%, conversion rate of coal to power, which currently is at 30%. To achieve this, MIT combined two well-known technologies: coal gasification and fuel cells in 1972, by Katherine Ong and Ronald Crane, two doctoral MIT...

United Nations recently revealed in a report that about 20,000 hectares of the national Péko Mount Park in Cote d’Ivoire - about 59% of the park’s total area - were illegally converted into cocoa plantation. The report denounces the illegal occupation of the lands by 28,000 people, mainly Burkinabe. The plantations, according to the report, produce annually 10,000 tons of cocoa, generating...

In 2015, Chinese companies have been awarded a total of $56.7 billion in contracts in Angola, a report published on April 2 by China’s ambassador to Angola, Cui Aimin, shows. At an event marking the 10th anniversary of China-Angola Chamber of Commerce, Cui said 90% of these contracts was landed by companies which are members of this Chamber of Commerce. Recalling that China is...

Thirty-one ships carrying petroleum products and other goods arrived at the Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports in Lagos today and more are still expected till April 24, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) revealed. NPA explained that the ships which contained diesel and petrol amongst other products had arrived the port, to be moored with aviation fuel, Leadership news reports. Meanwhile the...

A study conducted by the Federal Government of Nigeria and various investors revealed that terrorist attacks Boko Haram has been carrying out in the 6 States in North-Eastern part of Nigeria since 2011 have cost the country $9 billion. The study is yet to be released however its first figures were disclosed in a statement published on April 4 by the office of Nigeria’s vice-president,...

In Nigeria, Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd has announced that it plans to finalize the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies for its 20,000 bpd modular refinery in the next few weeks. According to the Group Managing Director of Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd, Anthony Iheanacho, the refinery is a model to be embark on by any private marketer of petroleum products in Nigeria. He said once the EIA...

Aminex, on Wednesday announced first gas production from its Kiliwani North gas field in Tanzania. According to the company, first gas production from the Kiliwani North-1 well commenced on April 4 and is estimated to increase to an expected rate of about 4 to 5,000 boe/d gross in the next 90 to 100 days. The well is connected to the regional pipeline infrastructure and is to supply gas to the...

Egypt has witnessed an increase in its arrears to international oil companies active in the country over the past three months. The Ministry of Petroleum which had before now promised to pay all its outstanding debts by the end of 2016 has revealed that its debts increased by $200 million to reach $3.2 billion. The country’s debts have been a continuous problem for the Ministry of...

Renowned for its casinos, the French group Partouche has become the partner of the National Lottery of Senegal (LONASE), based in Senegal. The partnership also includes Digital Virgo, another French firm that specializes in monetizing online audience and contents. Via this partnership, a new instant lottery game named “Cash Chrono” was launched in Senegal. The gameplay consists in choosing...

Businessmen from Saudi Arabia will invest $4 billion in various projects in Egypt, Vice President of Saudi Arabia-Egypt affairs council, Abdullah bin Mahfouz said on April 5. Cited by Reuters, Mr. bin Mahfouz indicated that the investments would be directed toward energy, agriculture, import-export, health and logistics sectors. “10% of the capital has been deposited in Egyptian...