Africa, Asia Now Lead Export Destinations

As the European Union, Uganda's largest traditional market, gets more stringent on trading requirements; exporters are increasingly finding new single market partners offering attractive alternative destinations for their products. The Monitor / http://allafrica.com

Emerging Economies Need Technology to Thrive - UN

Developing countries need greater technological capabilities and flexibility to succeed in an increasingly competitive and fast paced global environment, according to a new report by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. BuaNews / http://allafrica.com

W/Bank staff air concern at Wolfowitz controversy

More than 700 World Bank staff have signed a letter expressing concern and calling for a resolution of a crisis involving bank President Paul Wolfowitz as a decision over his leadership looms. africa.reuters.com

Zambia's Chiluba guilty of graft

Zambia's ex-President Frederick Chiluba is found guilty of stealing $46m (£23m) by a UK court. bbc.co.uk

Memo From Lagos: Democracy in Nigeria Falters but Is Far From Dead

Eight years into civilian government after a long spell of military dominance, Nigeria’s institutions are blossoming despite the recent electoral chaos. The New York Times

South Africa: BEE Deals Overlook Black Staff

Empowerment deals in the information and communication technology (ICT) industry are failing the workers who contribute to the success of those companies. There is growing recognition that various deals have done nothing to uplift the masses and everything to line the pockets of a black elite. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

Mali: Touré Re-elected President

Amadou Toumani Touré has been re-elected with an absolute majority of votes cast in Sunday’s election, according to official results. The New York Times

Kenya: Industrialists Warn Against Reduction of Import

Local manufacturers have rebuffed calls by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a reduction of import duty. The East African Standard / http://allafrica.com

Kenya: Flower Exports Flourish Despite Odds

Kenya's horticultural exports have weathered a storm over carbon pollution and criticisms from human rights groups in Europe to increase volumes. Export earnings and market domination in the first quarter of 2007 are on the rise. The East African / http://allafrica.com

East Africa: Kenya Dominates EAC Cross-Border Investments

Kenya's investments in Uganda and Tanzania have risen by over 40 per cent over the last three years. The East African Standard / http://allafrica.com

Ghana halts poultry exports after H5N1 outbreak

Ghana halted poultry exports and began farm-to-farm checks around the capital Accra on Thursday, a day after the West African country declared its first outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu. africa.reuters.com

Ethiopia: Govt Applies to Join World Trade Organisation

The Ministry of Trade and Industry says Ethiopia's application for World Trade Organization (WTO) membership is part of its strategy to become better integrated into regional and world economy as well. The Ethiopian Herald / http://allafrica.com

Kenya Airways plane crashes in Cameroon, search on

A Kenya Airways passenger plane with 114 people on board crashed in a densely forested area of southern Cameroon on Saturday shortly after takeoff, government and aviation officials said. africa.reuters.com

Starbucks strikes Ethiopia deal

Starbucks and Ethiopia reach an agreement which could help end a dispute over coffee bean trademarks. bbc.co.uk

Liberia Senate approves $1 bln Mittal iron deal

Liberia's Senate has approved a $1 billion iron ore mining deal signed with the world's largest steel producer, Arcelor Mittal, opening the way for the start of the project, the government said on Monday. africa.reuters.com

Liberia rubber pollution denied

US rubber company Firestone denies allegations that it is polluting a river near its plant in Liberia. bbc.co.uk

Mittal Steel did the right thing – will Firestone?

Mittal Steel [part of Arcelor Mittal] has moved one step closer to living up to its corporate social responsibility pledges by renegotiating its deeply unfair $900 million iron ore concession agreement with war-ravaged Liberia. However, Liberia's other major multinational investor, rubber giant Firestone [Bridgestone-Firestone, part of Bridgestone], must follow suit as it renegotiates its 2005 rubber agreement with the Government of Liberia.  Global Witness Press Release / business-humanrights.org

Shell prepares to restart shut Nigerian oil output

Royal Dutch Shell, Nigeria's largest foreign oil producer, said on Thursday it was preparing to restart operations shut for more than a year by militant attacks in the country's Delta. africa.reuters.com

Ethiopia: Country, China Agree to $200 Million Telecom Deal

The Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation (ETC) and ZTE, a Chinese Telecom Company on Friday signed a 200-million-dollar deal close to 1.39 billion Birr providing for the execution of three telecom service expansion projects just ahead of the release of seven abducted Chinese workers in the country. The Daily Monitor / http://allafrica.com

Uganda: British Council is Best Employer

British Council has dislodged traditional winners to scoop the Gold Award as the employer of the year 2006. Most awards were taken by upcountry-based companies. New Vision / http://allafrica.com