Sunday, February 18, 2007

Zambia loses 'vulture fund' case

Last Updated: Thursday, 15 February 2007, 18:38 GMT
Zambia loses 'vulture fund' case
Child in Zambia
Zambia's infrastructure plans could be threatened

A High Court judge has ruled that Zambia must pay a substantial sum to a so-called "vulture fund".

British Virgin Islands-based Donegal International paid less than $4m (£2m) for a debt the African nation owed, but sued Zambia for a $42m repayment.

It said its bill was the result of interest and costs, but the judge has indicated that Zambia should pay less.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6365433.stm

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Solar Lantern

Solar Lantern

Solar Electric System Case Studies in Africa

Experience with PV Systems in Africa, Summeries of selected cases, Edited by Njeri Wamukonya, U.N.E.P Collaborating Center on Energy and Environment.


http://www.sei.se/energy/pvesco/africa.pdf
From Africa Renewal, Vol.18 #4 (January 2005), page 6

Energy key to Africa's prosperity

Challenges in West Africa's quest for electricity

By Itai Madamombe

On the outskirts of Accra, Ghana, business plans are only as final as the next electricity outage permits. In July, food tins at the Prime Pak canning factory were positioned on the assembly line, ready to be sealed before export. Without warning, the machines came to a screeching halt, leaving entrepreneur Cyril Francis standing helplessly in the dark. Thirty per cent of the consignment spoiled.

http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/vol18no4/184electric.htm