[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"layout-categories":3,"layout-countries":36,"layout-hot-news":53,"news-article:epra-has-issued-a-new-licensing-notice-for-contractors-manufacturers-and-suppliers-of-solar-energy":54,"news-last-updates:95":114,"news-related:95":248,"news-comments:95":303},[4,12,19,25,30],{"id":5,"title":6,"fullTitle":6,"description":7,"icon":8,"alias":9,"color":10,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},5,"Sustainability","Climate action, conservation, and green initiatives shaping the region's future.",null,"sustainability","",false,{"id":13,"title":14,"fullTitle":15,"description":16,"icon":8,"alias":17,"color":18,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},1,"Cooperation","International Cooperation & Partnerships","Coverage of partnerships, international relations, and collaborative initiatives","cooperation","#669c35",{"id":20,"title":21,"fullTitle":22,"description":23,"icon":8,"alias":24,"color":10,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},4,"Politics","Politics & Conflict","Diplomatic affairs, regional tensions, and political developments in and around Tanzania.","politics",{"id":26,"title":27,"fullTitle":27,"description":28,"icon":8,"alias":29,"color":10,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},3,"Business","Trade, investment, and economic cooperation between Tanzania and its neighbors.","business",{"id":31,"title":32,"fullTitle":32,"description":33,"icon":8,"alias":34,"color":35,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},2,"Tech & Innovation","Digital transformation, startups, and tech solutions driving change in East Africa.","tech-and-innovation","#f5ec00",[37,40,43,46,50],{"id":26,"title":38,"alias":39},"Kenya","kenya",{"id":20,"title":41,"alias":42},"Rwanda","rwanda",{"id":5,"title":44,"alias":45},"Uganda","uganda",{"id":47,"title":48,"alias":49},6,"Zambia","zambia",{"id":31,"title":51,"alias":52},"DR Congo","dr-congo",[],{"id":55,"title":56,"alias":57,"publishedAt":58,"description":59,"previewImage":60,"author":61,"sections":64,"tags":87,"relatedTags":103,"categories":104,"countryCategories":106,"relatedPosts":108,"nextArticle":109,"likesCount":76,"isLiked":11,"isCommentsEnabled":113,"commentsCount":76,"views":13,"readingTime":26},95,"EPRA has issued a new licensing notice for contractors, manufacturers and suppliers of solar energy","epra-has-issued-a-new-licensing-notice-for-contractors-manufacturers-and-suppliers-of-solar-energy","27-06-2026 11:30","\u003Cp>The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has issued new licensing guidelines for renewable energy professionals and businesses.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.the-port-brief.co.tz\u002Fimage\u002Fpost\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F24\u002Flfyg5pGZ2BrOwWNhBRhcYOMKxZmFLvoKx2lmakMN.webp",[62],{"id":20,"name":63,"avatarPath":8,"about":8},"Halima Makame",[65,77],{"id":66,"type":67,"data":71,"order":76},187,{"title":68,"value":69,"shortName":70},"Gallery",7,"GALLERY",{"gallery":72},[73],{"fileId":74,"filePath":75,"title":8},186,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.the-port-brief.co.tz\u002Fimage\u002Fpost_section\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F24\u002Fcc3jqe8HV2xeoym7QSdHDvkj5IMkX2natcH60sF2.webp",0,{"id":78,"type":79,"data":82,"order":13},188,{"title":80,"value":13,"shortName":81},"Text editor","TEXT_EDITOR",{"content":83,"additionalAlignment":84},"\u003Cp>According to the notice, the authority requires technicians, contractors, suppliers, manufacturers and importers working in the solar energy sector to apply for licenses through its online portal before offering their services. «Submission of an application through the EPRA online licensing portal, the attachment of all necessary documents in accordance with the criteria of the website», the notification states as a requirement for all license applications.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>According to the notice, individual solar photovoltaic (PV) system technicians who wish to install, maintain, test, and repair solar energy systems must apply for one of three classes of licenses, depending on their qualifications and scope of work; approval is expected to be received within 60 days. Photo by KETRACO.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>T1 applicants will pay an application fee of 250 Kenyan shillings (Ksh), a license fee of 1,000 Ksh and an annual renewal fee of 500 Ksh. T2 category applicants will pay 500 Ksh for application, 2000 Ksh for issuance and 750 Ksh for annual renewal, while T3 category applicants will pay 750, 3000 and 1000 Ksh respectively.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The EPRA also outlined requirements for contractors, suppliers, and manufacturers of solar photovoltaic systems involved in the design, installation, sale, or manufacture of solar equipment; approval is expected to be received within 30 days.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Companies applying for contractor licenses must apply for Class C1 and pay an application fee of 500 Ksh, an issue fee of 1,000 Ksh, and 1,000 Ksh for annual renewal. Suppliers and manufacturers fall under V1 and V2 categories. V1 vendors will pay 1,000 Ksh for application, 2,500 Ksh for issuance, and 1,000 Ksh for annual renewal. For the V2 license, fees include 2000 Ksh for application, 5000 Ksh for issuance, and 2000 Ksh for annual renewal. In addition, the regulator has required technical specialists in solar water heating systems to obtain licenses of categories SHW1 or SHW2 for persons involved in the installation, maintenance and repair of solar water heating systems. Processing is expected to take up to 60 days. SHW1 applicants will pay 500 Ksh for application, 1000 Ksh for issuance and 1000 Ksh for annual renewal, while SHW2 applicants will pay 750, 1500 and 1500 Ksh respectively.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In the solar water heating sector, contractors, suppliers, manufacturers and importers were divided into three categories, with license approval expected to be received within 30 days. Applicants of the SHC1 category will pay 2000 Ksh for the application, 1500 Ksh for the issuance and 1500 Ksh for the annual renewal. Holders of SHC2 and SHM licenses will pay 3,000 Ksh each for application, 2,000 Ksh for issuance, and 2,000 Ksh for annual renewal. In recent weeks, EPRA has stepped up efforts to raise awareness and encourage service providers to obtain the necessary licenses and comply with regulatory requirements.\u003C\u002Fp>",{"title":85,"value":86},"Align Left","left",[88,91,95,99],{"id":69,"title":89,"alias":90,"is_current":11},"Republic of Kenya","republic-of-kenya",{"id":92,"title":93,"alias":94,"is_current":11},31,"Environmental policy","environmental-policy",{"id":96,"title":97,"alias":98,"is_current":11},30,"Reforms","reforms",{"id":100,"title":101,"alias":102,"is_current":11},27,"Energy industries","energy-industries",[],[105],{"id":5,"title":6,"fullTitle":6,"description":7,"icon":8,"alias":9,"color":10,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},[107],{"id":26,"title":38,"alias":39},[],{"id":110,"title":111,"slug":112},94,"WHO issues the first ever comprehensive recommendations for the control of diseases caused by Ebola and Marburg viruses","who-issues-the-first-ever-comprehensive-recommendations-for-the-control-of-diseases-caused-by-ebola-and-marburg-viruses",true,[115,140,163,188,210,231],{"id":110,"title":111,"alias":112,"description":116,"publishedAt":117,"previewImage":118,"views":47,"tags":119,"categories":135,"countryCategories":138,"relatedPosts":-1},"\u003Cp>The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its first-ever comprehensive guidelines for the clinical management of filovirus diseases, including all forms of Ebola virus disease and Marburg virus disease.\u003C\u002Fp>","26-06-2026 15:30","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.the-port-brief.co.tz\u002Fimage\u002Fpost\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F24\u002F38m5hA6WLlof5bnsEA4pFi2yytKzcAhgQUrbWktY.webp",[120,124,128,132],{"id":121,"title":122,"alias":123,"is_current":11},9,"Democratic Republic of the Congo","democratic-republic-of-the-congo",{"id":125,"title":126,"alias":127,"is_current":11},33,"Healthcare","healthcare",{"id":129,"title":130,"alias":131,"is_current":11},36,"Safety","safety",{"id":20,"title":133,"alias":134,"is_current":11},"Partners","partners",[136,137],{"id":20,"title":21,"fullTitle":22,"description":23,"icon":8,"alias":24,"color":10,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},{"id":13,"title":14,"fullTitle":15,"description":16,"icon":8,"alias":17,"color":18,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},[139],{"id":31,"title":51,"alias":52},{"id":141,"title":142,"alias":143,"description":144,"publishedAt":145,"previewImage":146,"views":147,"tags":148,"categories":159,"countryCategories":161,"relatedPosts":-1},93,"EU approves new deportation laws: what does this mean for Kenyans in the UK, Germany and Italy","eu-approves-new-deportation-laws-what-does-this-mean-for-kenyans-in-the-uk-germany-and-italy","\u003Cp>The European Parliament has approved new rules speeding up the deportation of citizens of non-European Union (EU) countries residing in the member states of the Union.\u003C\u002Fp>","26-06-2026 11:30","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.the-port-brief.co.tz\u002Fimage\u002Fpost\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F24\u002FRjYFNflOswlssDRjUylLCnoBywHYsEjgrhFpUgP6.webp",8,[149,150,154,155],{"id":69,"title":89,"alias":90,"is_current":11},{"id":151,"title":152,"alias":153,"is_current":11},20,"Legislation","legislation",{"id":129,"title":130,"alias":131,"is_current":11},{"id":156,"title":157,"alias":158,"is_current":11},28,"Migration","migration",[160],{"id":20,"title":21,"fullTitle":22,"description":23,"icon":8,"alias":24,"color":10,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},[162],{"id":26,"title":38,"alias":39},{"id":164,"title":165,"alias":166,"description":167,"publishedAt":168,"previewImage":169,"views":147,"tags":170,"categories":184,"countryCategories":187,"relatedPosts":-1},92,"The Anti-Counterfeiting Authority (ACA) is launching a digital verification system to protect consumers from counterfeiting","the-anti-counterfeiting-authority-aca-is-launching-a-digital-verification-system-to-protect-consumers-from-counterfeiting","\u003Cp>The Anti-Counterfeiting Authority (ACA) has introduced a new digital verification system designed to help consumers identify genuine goods and curb the growing trade in counterfeit products.\u003C\u002Fp>","25-06-2026 15:30","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.the-port-brief.co.tz\u002Fimage\u002Fpost\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F24\u002F4YM6Wl7ywDQVYMRwRSCNDyMzdo9mp6HBreQ0GFwp.webp",[171,175,179,180],{"id":172,"title":173,"alias":174,"is_current":11},13,"Economy","economy",{"id":176,"title":177,"alias":178,"is_current":11},42,"Technologies","technologies",{"id":129,"title":130,"alias":131,"is_current":11},{"id":181,"title":182,"alias":183,"is_current":11},19,"Law","law",[185,186],{"id":20,"title":21,"fullTitle":22,"description":23,"icon":8,"alias":24,"color":10,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},{"id":31,"title":32,"fullTitle":32,"description":33,"icon":8,"alias":34,"color":35,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},[],{"id":189,"title":190,"alias":191,"description":192,"publishedAt":193,"previewImage":194,"views":121,"tags":195,"categories":206,"countryCategories":208,"relatedPosts":-1},91,"The Parliament of Kenya approves creation of National Cybersecurity Agency to strengthen digital security","the-parliament-of-kenya-approves-creation-of-national-cybersecurity-agency-to-strengthen-digital-security","\u003Cp>The Kenyan Parliament has approved the National Cybersecurity Agency Ordinance of 2026, paving the way for the establishment of the National Cybersecurity Agency (NCSA).\u003C\u002Fp>","25-06-2026 11:30","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.the-port-brief.co.tz\u002Fimage\u002Fpost\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F24\u002FsUAQ1GfXfZA9JKmezeJl9X1iezV0xpSPSnHGKMRW.webp",[196,197,201,205],{"id":69,"title":89,"alias":90,"is_current":11},{"id":198,"title":199,"alias":200,"is_current":11},34,"Digitalization","digitalization",{"id":202,"title":203,"alias":204,"is_current":11},35,"Information security","information-security",{"id":176,"title":177,"alias":178,"is_current":11},[207],{"id":31,"title":32,"fullTitle":32,"description":33,"icon":8,"alias":34,"color":35,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},[209],{"id":26,"title":38,"alias":39},{"id":211,"title":212,"alias":213,"description":214,"publishedAt":215,"previewImage":216,"views":217,"tags":218,"categories":228,"countryCategories":230,"relatedPosts":-1},90,"Zimbabwe's parliament passed a bill to amend the Constitution amid heated national debates","zimbabwes-parliament-passed-a-bill-to-amend-the-constitution-amid-heated-national-debates","\u003Cp>The Parliament of Zimbabwe approved the bill on amendments to the Constitution No. 3 (CAB3), as 216 deputies supported the changes, while 42 opposed them, which made it possible to overcome the constitutional barrier of two-thirds of the votes. This decision has become a key stage in a large-scale and controversial law-making process since the adoption of the Constitution in 2013.\u003C\u002Fp>","24-06-2026 15:30","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.the-port-brief.co.tz\u002Fimage\u002Fpost\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F24\u002Fg7NTqJ4JPEtWJ93NTKjLw9w0eLuM7myvZQSLHPdK.webp",11,[219,220,221,225],{"id":151,"title":152,"alias":153,"is_current":11},{"id":96,"title":97,"alias":98,"is_current":11},{"id":222,"title":223,"alias":224,"is_current":11},47,"Regional development","regional-development",{"id":26,"title":226,"alias":227,"is_current":11},"Investment","investment",[229],{"id":20,"title":21,"fullTitle":22,"description":23,"icon":8,"alias":24,"color":10,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},[],{"id":232,"title":233,"alias":234,"description":235,"publishedAt":236,"previewImage":237,"views":238,"tags":239,"categories":245,"countryCategories":247,"relatedPosts":-1},89,"AFC invests $600 million in Dangote fertilizer company","afc-invests-dollar600-million-in-dangote-fertilizer-company","\u003Cp>The Dangote conglomerate has received significant financial support for its ambitious $7 billion (903 billion Kenyan shillings) fertilizer expansion program, which is aimed at development in Nigeria and Ethiopia, thanks to a loan from the African Finance Corporation (AFC).\u003C\u002Fp>","24-06-2026 11:30","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.the-port-brief.co.tz\u002Fimage\u002Fpost\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F18\u002FyomlWthtlv50NwADQgZhaOzX9uJq7V6XUKHZ7Gyc.webp",475,[240,241,242],{"id":222,"title":223,"alias":224,"is_current":11},{"id":172,"title":173,"alias":174,"is_current":11},{"id":5,"title":243,"alias":244,"is_current":11},"Projects","projects",[246],{"id":13,"title":14,"fullTitle":15,"description":16,"icon":8,"alias":17,"color":18,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},[],[249,271,286],{"id":250,"title":251,"alias":252,"description":253,"publishedAt":254,"previewImage":255,"views":256,"tags":257,"categories":267,"countryCategories":269,"relatedPosts":-1},74,"Kazakhstan interested in supplying agricultural products to Africa through port Mombasa","kazakhstan-interested-in-supplying-agricultural-products-to-africa-through-port-mombasa","\u003Cp>Kazakhstan is interested in supplying agricultural products to the African market through the Kenyan port of Mombasa. This was stated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev following negotiations with Kenyan President William Samoi Ruto.\u003C\u002Fp>","16-06-2026 15:30","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.the-port-brief.co.tz\u002Fimage\u002Fpost\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F15\u002FSDZNYnAkiUltQr82BN0Jx10ACFaPnkdemb8ie4AF.webp",387,[258,259,260,263],{"id":69,"title":89,"alias":90,"is_current":11},{"id":20,"title":133,"alias":134,"is_current":11},{"id":217,"title":261,"alias":262,"is_current":11},"International trade","international-trade",{"id":264,"title":265,"alias":266,"is_current":11},21,"Logistics","logistics",[268],{"id":13,"title":14,"fullTitle":15,"description":16,"icon":8,"alias":17,"color":18,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},[270],{"id":26,"title":38,"alias":39},{"id":272,"title":273,"alias":274,"description":275,"publishedAt":276,"previewImage":277,"views":278,"tags":279,"categories":283,"countryCategories":285,"relatedPosts":-1},71,"African banks are outpacing global competitors as the continent's financial systems deepen","african-banks-are-outpacing-global-competitors-as-the-continents-financial-systems-deepen","\u003Cp>African banks are demonstrating some of the highest returns in global finance, as profitability growth spreads across key markets. These gains reflect deepening financial penetration, but increasingly point to the need to translate high returns into long-term efficiency, digital scale, and increased access to credit.\u003C\u002Fp>","15-06-2026 11:30","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.the-port-brief.co.tz\u002Fimage\u002Fpost\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F13\u002F0rfHFe9fIVncGT3tYmnIldLq5xrkEjC45WSTAqmb.webp",420,[280,281,282],{"id":172,"title":173,"alias":174,"is_current":11},{"id":222,"title":223,"alias":224,"is_current":11},{"id":96,"title":97,"alias":98,"is_current":11},[284],{"id":26,"title":27,"fullTitle":27,"description":28,"icon":8,"alias":29,"color":10,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},[],{"id":287,"title":288,"alias":289,"description":290,"publishedAt":291,"previewImage":292,"views":293,"tags":294,"categories":299,"countryCategories":301,"relatedPosts":-1},52,"KenGen will sell electricity directly to industrial enterprises in the «Green Park» of Olkaria","kengen-will-sell-electricity-directly-to-industrial-enterprises-in-the-green-park-of-olkaria","\u003Cp>KenGen, a Kenyan energy company, plans to supply electricity directly to businesses in the park in Naivasha, seeking to take advantage of market opportunities created by recent legislative innovations.\u003C\u002Fp>","05-06-2026 15:30","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.the-port-brief.co.tz\u002Fimage\u002Fpost\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F28\u002F6EGDGOSmnMPOmfJlpKDgMwgVhUC08LTTdhva2kDx.webp",328,[295,296,297,298],{"id":69,"title":89,"alias":90,"is_current":11},{"id":100,"title":101,"alias":102,"is_current":11},{"id":92,"title":93,"alias":94,"is_current":11},{"id":222,"title":223,"alias":224,"is_current":11},[300],{"id":5,"title":6,"fullTitle":6,"description":7,"icon":8,"alias":9,"color":10,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},[302],{"id":26,"title":38,"alias":39},[]]