Govt donates 1 000 laptops to Africa

The Department for International Development (DFID) is donating more than 1 000 laptops to UK charity Computer Aid International to be reused in Africa, reports vnunet.

The laptops will be given to universities and training colleges after having their data wiped.

Simon Jones, chief information officer at DFID, says the department supports the work of Computer Aid: "We pass on our surplus equipment safe in the knowledge that it will have a second life helping to reduce poverty. But there is an added bonus in that these donations help us to meet our environmental obligations as we know their disposal will be carefully controlled."

Ericsson and pan-African operator Zain have built a wind-and solar-powered site in remote north-east Kenya, says PR Newswire.

Now, with access to reliable and affordable mobile communication, villagers in Dertu can make calls, access health services and education, and improve their economic future.

Elaine Weidman, vice-president of sustainability at Ericsson, says: "Sites like this one have great potential for solving the African power grid challenge of bringing mobile communication to those at the bottom of the economic pyramid so they can break the poverty cycle”.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Howard G Buffett Foundation are to sponsor a five-country study on a drought-resistant maize variety to the tune of $47 million, states The East African.

The five-year research programme is to be carried out through the African Agricultural Technology Foundation. It will kick off in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Mozambique and Uganda under the Water-Efficient Maize for Africa (Wema) project in June.

It is estimated that maize products developed over the next 10 years could increase yields by 20% to 35%, which could feed about 21 million people.