NAIJAFEED

Friday, June 28, 2024

Ginger farmers in Nigeria struggle after outbreak of disease

Nigeria is one of the world’s leading producers of ginger, but a massive outbreak of fungal disease last year caused millions of dollars of damage. The Nigerian government has launched an emergency recovery intervention to help ginger farmers. Timothy Obiezu reports from Kaduna.

VOA

Ethiopian Airlines Joint Venture Plans In Nigeria Fall Through

Ethiopian Airlines’ ongoing talks to establish a joint venture (JV) airline in Nigeria have come to an end.

However, the airline is continuing to develop its multi-hub strategy in Africa.

“The Nigerian government has lost interest in partnering with a foreign airline,” Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said recently in Dubai. The plan for the proposed airline, to be known as Nigeria Air, was for Nigerian investors to take a 46% stake, with the government holding 5%.

However, Tasew said this setback will not stop the Star Alliance member from developing JVs to establish sister airlines in Africa where Ethiopian Airlines has an equity stake.

“We have been approached by several airlines in Africa for support, and we are evaluating them,” Tasew said. Countries include the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as Equatorial Guinea.

Meanwhile, Togo-based ASKY, in which Ethiopian holds a 40% share, and Malawi Airlines, which was Ethiopian’s first JV, continue to do well. Zambia Airways—in which Ethiopian Airlines holds a 45% share—is also continuing to develop.

Closer to home, at its hub in Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Tasew said Ethiopian Airlines is investing in expanding the airport’s international terminal, as well as aircraft parking and other infrastructure. The expansion, however, is now reaching the limit of available airport space. “We have a plan to build a new airport, 40 km [25 mi.] south of Addis. A consultancy, who will design the airport and supervise the construction work, has been selected,” Tasew said. The location of the new airport has been identified.

“We are hiring and training our aviation professionals including pilots and technicians to support the continued growth of the airline,” Tasew said. “We see opportunities, and we are on track with our growth plan Vision 2035.”

Besides a shortage of aircraft, spare parts and constrained capacity, traffic right restrictions are also an issue for the airline, not only within Africa but in other countries, including Europe.

“We want to fly to Munich as well as to Amsterdam, but traffic rights and available slots are an issue,” Ethiopian Airlines Regional Manager in Austria and Eastern Europe Saba Kassaye said.

In June, the carrier added services to Freetown, Sierra Leone, and Maun, Botswana, as well as a route to Warsaw. “The preparation work to launch Warsaw and to set up everything necessary took almost one year,” Kassaye said regarding the route development.

Vienna, which launched 10 years ago in Ethiopian’s network, became the connector to Eastern Europe. The logical step now would be to operate double daily services from Addis to Vienna during peak season in the summer and winter. “This could be a reality in maybe two years,” Kassaye said.

Starting in October, the current aircraft on the Addis Ababa-Vienna route will be upgraded from a Boeing 777-200LR and 787-9 to an Airbus A350-900. The aircraft continues from Vienna to Copenhagen four times, as well as to Warsaw three times a week.

Ethiopian Airlines—Africa’s largest carrier—carried 13.9 million passengers in 2023. The airline expects to carry 18 million passengers in 2024.

By Kurt Hofmann, Aviation Week

Thursday, June 27, 2024

Starlink Mini Dish Revolutionizing Internet Connectivity in Nigeria

SpaceX is on the verge of launching the highly anticipated Starlink Mini dish. This revolutionary device promises to transform internet availability, particularly in underserved areas. It is set to provide satellite-based internet connectivity to people in remote locations where physical connections are impossible and mobile connections offer limited bandwidth.

The Starlink Mini is a game changer. With dimensions measuring 11.4 inches by 9.8 inches, it is significantly more compact and portable than the current 23.4-inch by 15.07-inch Starlink dish. The device is designed to fit comfortably in a backpack, providing users with unprecedented flexibility and convenience. This portability makes it an ideal companion for remote workers, travelers, and those living in isolated areas.

The integrated Wi-Fi router in the Starlink Mini supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11b/g/n/ax) and operates over the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. It features 3×3 MIMO built-in antennas, enhancing the connectivity experience. The device has only two connectors: a DC barrel for the external power source and an RJ45 network connector, allowing users to connect up to 128 devices. Weighing only 2.4 pounds (or 3.4 pounds with the kickstand and DC cable), the Starlink Mini is lightweight and easy to set up.

Since TD Africa, the leading distributor of tech products in Africa and the major distributor of Starlink products in Nigeria, introduced Starlink into the Nigerian market, the company has captured the public’s interest with its ubiquitous satellite service. In fact, the latest Internet Service Provider (ISP) data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) showed that Elon Musk’s internet company, Starlink, has emerged as Nigeria’s third-largest ISP by subscriber number in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2023.

For Nigerians eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Starlink Mini, the wait is almost over. Immediately after Starlink launches the Mini, Konga, Nigeria’s leading e-commerce group and Starlink’s exclusive shop-in-shop retailer, will ensure it is available nationwide. The device will be offered on konga.com at the best prices. This partnership underscores Konga’s commitment to providing cutting-edge technology solutions at affordable prices.

Rest assured, the Mini delivers impressive performance. Based on a speed test screenshot shared by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, the Starlink Mini offers a robust 100 Mbps download speed and a respectable 11.5 Mbps upload speed with a latency of 23 ms. These capabilities are more than enough to power multiple 4K video streams, video calls, seamless voice chats, and speedy file downloads. Users can expect a seamless and high-quality internet experience, regardless of location.

For users needing to extend coverage to a broader area, the Starlink Mini is compatible with Starlink mesh, allowing it to pair wirelessly with another Starlink router. There is also an Ethernet port for those who prefer a direct connection. This versatility ensures that the Starlink Mini can adapt to various user needs and environments.

One of the most attractive aspects of the Starlink Mini is its affordability. The device is likely to be sold at half the price of the standard dish, making it accessible to a broader audience. This pricing strategy is expected to significantly boost adoption rates, particularly in Nigeria, where cost has been a barrier to accessing high-speed internet.

The launch of the Starlink Mini signifies a significant step forward in democratizing internet access. Whether you reside in a remote location, crave internet on the go, or simply yearn for a more affordable and reliable internet solution, the Starlink Mini is here to bridge the gap. With TD Africa and Konga at the helm, a brighter and more connected future awaits Nigerians.

By Ugo Onwuaso, Nigerian CommunicationWeek

Nigeria becomes first country in Africa to have Starlink

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Dangote Refinery in Nigeria says it is operating normally after fire

Nigeria's Dangote Refinery is operating normally after a fire at its effluent treatment plant, it said on Wednesday, after videos circulated online of dark plumes of smoke at the 650,000 barrel-per-day facility.

The refinery is located in Lekki, roughly 80 kilometres east of Nigeria's commercial capital Lagos.

Dangote's spokesperson Anthony Chiejina did not provide a reason for the fire at the refinery, which was built at a cost of $20 billion by Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote.

"We have swiftly contained a minor fire incident at our effluent treatment plant (ETP)," Chiejina said.
"There is no cause for alarm as the refinery is operating and there is no recorded injury or body harm to all our staff on duty."

The refinery started production in January and will be the largest in Africa and Europe when it reaches full capacity. It could upend what has been a highly lucrative Europe-to-Africa fuel trade and transform Nigeria into an exporter of fuels.

Dangote has said gasoline deliveries from the refinery were delayed until July.

By Isaac Anyaogu, Reuters

Video - Cost of making jollof rice in Nigeria surges

Jollof rice, one of Nigeria's most beloved meals, is becoming a rarity in many households as the prices of ingredients have risen by more than 150 percent over the past year.

Video - Ghana-Nigeria rivalry transcends from cuisine to the pitch