Africa

UK-based drinks giant Diageo has agreed to purchase a 20 per cent share in Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) from SABMiller, through its subsidiary East African Breweries Limited (EABL).

The sale, announced today, is subject to KBL agreeing to terminate a brewing and distribution agreement with SABMiller, which will also see it ceasing to distribute SABMiller's brands in Kenya after a short transitional period.

Tullow Oil has announced its second acquisition in the space of seven days—this time purchasing the interests of EO Group, which include those offshore Ghana.

The deal, worth $305 million, will increase Tullow's interest in the West Cape Three Points licence offshore Ghana by 3.5 per cent to 26.4 per cent. It will also increase its interest in the Jubilee Oil field, which it already operates, by 1.75 per cent to 36.5 per cent.

The agreement is conditional upon various approvals, including from the government of Ghana.

South Africa is putting great effort into improving living standards for its more disadvantaged citizens, as Alan Swaby discovers.

The Port of Cape Town is Africa’s gateway to Europe and the Americas; and it’s being prepared to continue this role through the 21st century.

When the Africa Ports and Harbours Congress opens at the Sandton Centre in Johannesburg in July, a lot of interest will focus on Transnet’s massive R80 billion capital investment programme. Ports all around the African coast are expanding, adapting and re-equipping rapidly to meet the changing patterns of export and import, transhipment and intermodal support affecting African trade.

South African miner Exxaro has made a takeover bid for Australian miner Territory Resources for A$123 million in cash.

Territory has an iron ore operation in Australia’s Northern Territory, with an operating mine at Frances Creek positioned close to rail and port infrastructure serving the port of Darwin. The mine produces approximately 1.6 million tonnes per annum of lump and fine direct shipping ore.

Territory also owns rights to iron ore tenements in the vicinity of Frances Creek.

Having established a solid market position in the downstream and retail oil market in East Africa, MOGAS is expanding aggressively and preparing to diversify. CEO Geoffrey Rugazoora outlined his vision to John O’Hanlon.

African Rainbow Minerals has recently embarked on another phase of expansion – this time mining a new commodity in a new country. Jayne Alverca takes to the copper trail.

Allan Morrison, Central Asia operations manager of BCM Group, West Africa’s longest established surface mining and civil earthworks contractor, talks to Jayne Alverca about what it takes to become the partner of choice to some of the mining industry’s biggest players.

As development at the South Deep mine in South Africa continues to advance, Gold Fields plans to ramp up production and reach full capacity by 2014. If things go according to plan, South Deep looks set to become one of the world’s most productive gold mines.

Africa-focused investment company Lonrho has said it will acquire a 51 per cent equity interest in seafood wholesaler Fish On Line for R3.5 million in cash.

Cape Town, South Africa-based Fish On Line operates bulk cold storage and fish processing facilities, wholesale seafood operations, and a global import & export business.

With its primary focus in the catering and retail sectors, Fish On Line deals in a wide range of products including prawns, lobster, salmon, pangasius, hake and kingklip.