Reform in Africa could set off boom - World Bank

Faster reforms to ease regulations hampering businesses in sub-Saharan Africa could see the region emulate Asia's economic boom and cut widespread poverty, the World Bank said on Friday. africa.reuters.com

Mobile firms will spend $50bn

The mobile industry plans to invest more than $50-billion in sub-Saharan Africa over the next five years to provide more than 90 percent of the population with mobile coverage, it was announced on Monday. iafrica.com

Continent's Telecoms Market, World's Fastest Growing

The African mobile market is the fastest growing in the world with 17 per cent of sub-Saharan population owning a mobile phone, up from 1 per cent in the 1990s, according to information made available by the World Bank. This Day / http://allafrica.com

9.1 Billion Euros for Euro ICT Partnership

The European Union has set aside a total sum of 9.1 billion Euros for funding of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based research on the continent through the EuroAfrica-ICT Strategic Partnership. Highway Africa News Agency / http://allafrica.com

African nations urged to harmonise telecoms laws

African countries working jointly to construct an undersea telecoms cable should harmonise laws governing the sector if they are to land the much-awaited communications link, a senior U.N. official said on Monday. africa.reuters.com

Headwinds ahead for SA's economy

Almost R81.5-billion is to be added to government's projected spending over the next three years, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel said in the Mini-Budget, but warned economic growth will slow and inflation will rise. Here are the details. iafrica.com

Kenya: Government Pledges to Create Business Friendly Environment

The Government is developing a simple, transparent and less costly business-licensing regime to attract more investment, Treasury PS, Mr Joseph Kinyua has said. East African Standard / http://allafrica.com

SA falls in competitiveness ranks

South Africa has slipped in the Global Competitiveness Index ranking, from 36th position last year to 44th this year, while the US remains in the top spot. iafrica.com

World Bank says Zambia needs to raise mining taxes

The World Bank said on Thursday Zambia should raise mineral royalties paid by foreign mining firms and even introduce windfall taxes if feasible to gain more benefit from higher global metals prices. africa.reuters.com

West Africa sticks to guns on EU trade deal

West Africa is sticking by its demand for an extended World Trade Organisation waiver for trade with Europe, a top regional adviser said on Wednesday, rejecting an EU call for new interim commercial deals by December 31. africa.reuters.com

East Africa: Banking Network to Bolster IFC Business Loans Scheme

East African financial markets will be the new financing vehicle for the region's small and medium enterprises in a new initiative. East African Business Week / http://allafrica.com

IMF agrees to Senegal economy monitoring programme

The International Monetary Fund on Friday approved a three-year monitoring programme for Senegal, the latest in a string of African countries signing up for an IMF facility that does not include any loans. africa.reuters.com

Uganda leader says US businesses overlook Africa

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Wednesday said U.S. businesses were so focused on China they were missing investment opportunities arising from growing stability and high growth across most of Africa. africa.reuters.com

South Africa looks to cash in on carbon market

South Africa has set up a carbon finance arm in London to follow the lead of countries like China, India and Brazil in the potentially lucrative global carbon market. africa.reuters.com

South Africa: Finance Minister Says Country Should Go It Alone on Free Trade

Finance Minister Trevor Manuel yesterday called for a return to the aggressive approach to trade liberalisation of the 1990s, urging that SA buck the slow pace of multilateral trade negotiations and introduce unilateral trade reforms to boost growth. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

Intel boss on digital divide

Intel's chairman Craig Barrett is in Africa to talk about initiatives designed to end the digital divide. He tells BBC News of the challenges the continent faces as it attempts to reap the benefits of the technological revolution. bbc.co.uk

Microsoft Joins Region's ICT Growth Campaign

U.S. software and computer giant, Microsoft, has teamed up with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to accelerate the implementation of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) goals in Africa. New Times / http://allafrica.com

Lonrho plans 70 mln stg fund for Zimbabwe investment

London-listed South African firm Lonrho is raising a 70 million-sterling ($145.8 million) fund that will invest in Zimbabwe and position for a recovery in the stricken economy, the company's CEO said on Friday.
africa.reuters.com

UN launches poverty monitoring site with Google

The United Nations launched a new Web site powered by Google and network equipment maker Cisco on Thursday that will show how and where the world is succeeding or failing in meeting the Millennium Development Goals on ending poverty. africa.reuters.com

Free Website to Promote African Businesses

A new website, www.opportunitiesinafrica.com, has been created to attract investment trade and business into the Africa and to equally promote African trade and business both internally and internationally. Mmegi/The Reporter / http://allafrica.com