News and deals from around Africa

The US Power Africa scheme has announced $2.6m of grants to solar energy companies to provide reliable and affordable off-grid electricity to 288 healthcare facilities across nine countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Firms in Nigeria, Zambia, Rwanda, Ghana, Mozambique and other countries were selected.

Former board members and executives to buy out Comair

South African airline Comair, which entered bankruptcy protection amid the coronavirus pandemic, is to be bought out by former board members and executives in a restructuring process. The board members and executives of the British Airways franchisee and owner of Kulula.com will invest fresh equity of R500m ($30m) in return for a 99% shareholding.

Nigeria approves $1.9bn rail link with Niger

Nigeria has approved a $1.9bn rail line to neighbouring Niger, confirmed transport minister Rotimi Amaechi at a weekly cabinet meeting in Abuja. The goods line will join Kano and Katsina in northern Nigeria with Maradi, a city in southern Niger. A presidential spokesman said that it will transport raw materials and agricultural produce.

Zambia set to enter default

Zambia has asked investors in $3bn of its US dollar bonds to accept a six-month delay in interest payments beginning in October. If confirmed Zambia would be the first African country in the Covid era to enter debt default. Zambia is struggling from the global plunge in commodity prices, spiralling debts and a lack of investor confidence (