In Other African Countries
Kabuye Sugar Works, RwandaIn 1997, the Madhvani Group acquired Rwanda's only sugar complex - under the Government's privatisation programme. This provides the opportunity to expand in one of the Group's core areas as well as a window of future entry into the lucrative markets of the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo / Zaire. The Kabuye sugar factory was rehabilitated to a capacity of 200 TCD in phase I, and thereafter expanded to 600 TCD in phases. The unit employs 400 persons in the factory and about 5,000 agricultural workers. It currently produces around 12,000 tons of sugar per year. The old nucleus estate of 600 Ha at Kabuye has been fully redeveloped and replanted, after which the company developed and planted a further area of 1,600 Ha. The Government also allocated an additional area of almost 1,000 ha to augment the nucleus estate. Unfortunately, as there is inadequate river bank protection in Rwanda, much of this area is prone to flooding and the company's nucleus estate can only use 1,700 Ha for cane cultivation. At present the company accepts cane supplied by 850 outgrowers, who have more than 2,400 Ha under cane cultivation. In the long term, it is envisaged that over 1,500 outgrower farmers with more than 3,000 Ha under cultivation will supply the cane factory. A 15 TPH boiler was installed in 2006 together with an 835 kW steam turbo-alternator. Consequently, the factory now generates over 70% of its electricity requirements, significantly reducing the need to purchase expensive power from the national utility - Electrogaz. The Kabuye plant has been expanded further to 600 TCD in 2007 by installing additional equipment in the boiling house: a clarifier, an evaporator, 2 juice heaters, 2 vacuum pans, 2 crystallizers, 2 centrifugals, etc. The increased production will reduce Rwanda's need for imports.
New Sugar Complex in Southern Sudan - Mongala Sugar WorksThe Madhvani Group was invited by the Government of Southern Sudan [GOSS] to explore the possibility of establishing a sugar complex in Southern Sudan. A team of senior agricultural and technical experts from Kakira Sugar Works (1985) Limited visited various potential sites for cultivation of sugarcane and establishment of a sugar factory in Southern Sudan. Based on our team’s preliminary findings, it is envisaged that the Mongala District would be best suited for sugarcane cultivation and sugar manufacturing – considering land, climate, water availability, etc. The Madhvani Group’s plan for Mongala Sugar Works includes the following :
The initial estimate of the capital cost for the first phase of such a project is around US$ 90 million with 30% shareholding by GOSS. Madhvani Group and GOSS have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of a new sugar complex in December 2009. The demarcation and allocation of the land to the company will be done by GOSS in the first quarter of 2010-11. The project will have immense socio-economic impact - substantial agricultural potential for small farmers as well as for industrial employment, as well as the major components of development of social infrastructure, which would enable poverty alleviation and socio-economic development.
Mara Leisure Camp, KenyaMara Leisure Camp is a boutique camp comprising of 22 luxury tents and 3 cottages located on the edge of Mara Game Reserve. The Masai Mara National Reserve which is comprised of huge savannahs of golden grasslands and the rift valley escarpment is famous for Wildebeest migrations as well as frequent sightings of Lion, Cheetah and Rhino. The Mara Leisure Camp is just outside the boundary of the Masai Mara National Reserve and is situated on the north bank of the Talek River and boasts 400 metres of river frontage. By road from Nairobi it is four and a half hours or 255kms; by air one hour from Wilson Airport, Nairobi to Ol Kiombo airstrip and forty-five minutes drive from the airstrip to the camp. The camp comprises of 13 Nyati Standard Tents, 9 Jumbo Tents and 3 Chui Family Cottages and also boasts a swimming pool, bar, restaurant, gift shop and conference facilities. |