Africa Prize selects 2020 finalists ahead of virtual event

A more affordable, effective cervical cancer screening device, a digital platform to help farmers plan and distribute crops, a new way to secure banking through facial recognition, and a tool that monitors the condition of solar photovoltaic (PV) installations are the four innovations selected as finalists for the Royal Academy of Engineering’s 2020 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation. The finalists were selected from a shortlist of 15 African innovators, who have all received eight months of training and support through the Africa Prize.
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IHS Markit says growth in world oil demand expected to plateau

London-based global information provider IHS Markit says the growth in global oil demand is expected to taper off, with global crude oil demand plateauing just below pre-pandemic levels. According to the company’s new analysis, global oil demand, currently at 89% of pre-Covid-19 levels and rising, is expected to level off at between 92% to 95% of demand prior to the pandemic.
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Stanlib acquires stake in Mulilo Group

South African asset manager Stanlib’s Infrastructure Investments unit has acquired a 10% equity stake in Mulilo Energy Holdings, which is a R1.8-billion privately-owned renewable energy developer. This transaction is strategic and complementary to both companies, Mulilo says.
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DEFF revokes emergency directive for Karpowership

The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) has revoked a Section 30A directive granted to Turkish power ship operator Karpowership for activities linked to the emergency generation of electricity.

When Karpowership initially submitted its request, the company indicated that South Africa’s electricity supply was under threat because of the increased pressure on the healthcare system as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.

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Initiative launched to stimulate adoption of fast-growing energy management standard by South …

An initiative is under way to accelerate the adoption by South African industrial firms of the international energy management standard ISO 50001, which is designed to help improve the performance of a company’s energy-intensive assets to support cost savings and emission reductions. Although ISO 50001 is the fastest-growing standard globally, it has not been widely embraced by South African firms, with domestic adoption rates lagging those being reported in Asia, Europe and North America, as well as those being achieved in African countries such as Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt.
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