60%
The surge in the application of solar as part of the energy mix of nations and homes is beginning to get the world’s attention, with analysts predicting that solar power will lead the charge in the portion of renewable energy rising to as much as a third in matter of years. Another good news, the cost of installing a solar power unit will fall by a staggering 60 per cent in another 15-20 years.
$10bn
The cost of keeping US troops in Japan is at a whooping $10bn annually and it is enough to fund just under half of Nigeria’s 2017 federal budget of N7trn. The $10bn bill is shared equally by both the US and host Japan.
$1.5bn
One picture that demonstrates the strength of the glue holding the US to Mexico can be seen in how goods worth $1.5bn enters the US daily from Mexico every day. US exports into sub-saharan Africa is a meager $25bn annually.
30%
The minimum threshold for black ownership of mining companies in South Africa has been raised to 30 percent from 26 percent. Mining companies in the world’s top platinum producer have complained about a lack of consultation, and say onerous rules would hurt investment in an economy that has just slipped into a recession.
4000
Ethiopia is winning plaudits for attracting Chinese, Turkish and US investment into garment and shoe factories, notably from Chinese shoemaker Huajian Group, which employs 4,000 people in an industrial park outside Addis Ababa, the capital. This had led to the country being described as a regional manufacturing powerhouse.
Humour
That money talks, I will not deny; I heard it once, it said goodbye – Richard Armour
