VENTURE CAPITAL POST

Tanzania will be marketing eight areas to private investors.

Vietnam-based telecoms operator Viettel plans to invest $1 billion in a new third-generation (3G) mobile phone network in Tanzania, the office of the east African country's president said on Tuesday.

Somalia said it was reviewing several oil and gas deals that U.N. investigators say lack transparency and risk hindering development of the country's energy industry.

Tanzania has held talks with France's Total (TOTF.PA) and Britain's BP (BP.L) over oil and gas exploration, its energy ministry said on Saturday, aiming to add to major companies active in its thriving energy sector.

Mkobo Privet Equity Fund, Tanzania's first ever PE firm, was launched in the country to advance economic growth whereas locals were also urged to invest more in the fund.

US-listed fund manager Carlyle has invested USD698 million to the sub-Saharan Africa region aiming to focus in the consumer, transport, ICT and financial sectors and adding to J&J Africa, its current investment in the country.

Arusha, Tanzania-based solar energy provider Off Grip Electric scored $7 million in a funding round led by Vulcan Capital, SolarCity, and Omidyar Network to power homes with prepaid electricity.

Johannesburg, South Africa-based banking network Nedbank Capital is looking for new mining investment destinations in Africa, aside from gold explorations in Tanzania, Ghana, and Burkina Faso.

Nairobi, Kenya-based private equity firm Catalyst Principal Partners acquired Dar es Salaam, Tanzania-based heavy equipment rental and logistics firm EFFCO for an undisclosed amount as part of its strategy to invest in high-growth companies in eastern Africa.

Negotiations between GAIL India and UK-based Ophir Energy about a possible sale of the latter's stake in Tanzania gas assets are still ongoing. Ophir's earlier share sale deal with Pavilion Energy has been initially seen as a setback in the talks.

News about Ophir's asset sale in Tanzania caused the oil and gas explorer's shares to rise.

Tanzania's National Development Corporation signed a joint venture agreement with Nava Bharat of Singapore for an oil palm farm and processing facility.

After a failed privatization attempt with the water supply in Tanzania, the country is now in talks with companies from China, India and Israel to pursue its water-supply and sewer projects.