DuPont and Yingli Energy (China) Company Limited have signed a $100 million strategic agreement for photovoltaic materials to accelerate the adoption of solar energy.

The agreement was signed today in Washington, DC, in a ceremony organized by the US Department of Commerce and the Ministry of Commerce, People's Republic of China. 

Under the terms of the agreement, Yingli will purchase a range of trademarked photovoltaic materials from DuPont.

African Minerals has received notification from China’s Shandong Iron and Steel Group that the relevant approval has now been received regarding its proposed $1.5 billion investment in African Minerals’ Tonkolili iron ore project.

The approval came from the China National Development and Reform Committee (NDRC), and African Minerals is expecting the remaining government approvals to follow shortly. The closure date for the transaction has now been extended until the end of March 2012.

American “retail treat” brand Dairy Queen opened its 500th franchise in China this week, and plans another hundred before the end of this year.

The 500th DQ restaurant is located in the Hu Dong finance district in Shanghai, and is operated by Shanghai Shida Catering Management Company, which already has more than 350 Dairy Queen sites throughout southern and eastern China.

SABMiller has announced it will invest US$80 million into a new brewery at its Ugandan subsidiary, Nile Breweries (NBL), doubling the company's design capacity to 3.6 million hectolitres by 2013.

The new brewery will be constructed in Mbarara in western Uganda, the fastest-growing regional beer market in the country.

At the Chicago Auto Show today, Toyota announced the return of its 100 Cars for Good program.

For the second year in a row, Toyota will award 100 vehicles over the course of 100 days to 100 US nonprofits, with winners selected through public voting on the Toyota Facebook page.  

The announcement was made by Michael Rouse, vice president of philanthropy and community affairs for Toyota Motor Sales, USA, who was accompanied by some of the nonprofits that received vehicles in last year's 100 Cars for Good program.

Engine maker Rolls-Royce has posted record annual profits of £1.16 billion for the year to the end of December 2011.

It is the first time the company has reported annual profits in excess of £1 billion. The results were boosted by the company’s acquisition of German engine maker Tognum and the £950 million sale of its stake in International Aero Engines.

Rolls-Royce provides power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, for the civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy and nuclear sectors.

AIM-listed oil and gas exploration and development company Europa Oil & Gas has announced a significant improvement in UK production and revenues generated during the six month period ending 31 January 2012.

The company has a combination of producing and exploration assets in Europe, including three producing assets in the UK, all located onshore in the East Midlands. It has a 100 per cent working interest in the West Firsby and Crosby Warren fields and a 65 per cent working interest in the Whisby 4 well.

Coca-Cola today reported Q4 and full year 2011 results meeting or exceeding its long term growth plans across its product range and territorial reach.

"Today, I am pleased to share that The Coca-Cola Company continues its momentum toward realizing our 2020 Vision, with stronger brands, clear strategies and well-focused execution to drive further growth,” said Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive officer.

Davis Langdon is a specialist in the built environment, providing cost management and procurement for engineering projects in all sectors of the economy. Rooted in Africa, it uniquely understands the needs of the continent’s booming economies.