Sub-Sahara growth will slow: IMF

The International Monetary Fund has projected growth in real GDP in sub-Saharan Africa to slow to 4.8 percent in 2006 from 5.6 percent in 2005, but to pick up to 5.9 percent the following year. iAfrica.com

First Ever EU-Africa Business Forum to Be Held in Brussels

In what is considered to be a sign of the enhancement of the bilateral relations between Africa and Europe, a first ever EU-African Business Forum aimed at promoting investment in Africa will be held in Brussels on 16 and 17 November 2006. The Daily Monitor / http://allafrica.com

Made-up 'Africana' would be paradise

Imagine a country called "Africana": if it had the best of other real-life African countries' business regimes, it would rate tenth among the world's most easiest countries in which to do business. iAfrica.com

SA one of the most likely to bribe

India and China may be the most likely to pay bribes to get business in markets abroad, but South Africa comes just behind them, in a close sixth place.  iAfrica.com

Chad settles oil taxes dispute

Chad resolves a row with two foreign oil companies after they agree to pay millions in overdue taxes.  BBC

Kenya: IMF Forecasts Growth Slowdown for Kenya

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected 5.4 per cent economic growth for Kenya this year, slowing to 5.2 per cent next year. The East African Standard / http://allafrica.com

Zimbabwe: Industrial Index in Record High

The Industrial index yesterday entered its 14-day session run, as it gained a further 4,45 percent to close the day at a new all time high of 405 985,47 points, after shrugging off emerging signs of profit taking, while the Mining index ended 1,15 percent firmer at 198 885,35 points, on the back of gains recorded in Hwange. The Herald / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: Plan to Train 30,000 to Work in Rural Call Centres

Up to 30 000 South Africans will ultimately be trained to work in call centres as government moves to make the country a more competitive destination for business process outsourcing for international companies. BuaNews / http://allafrica.com

Uganda: WB to Support Export Drive

The World Bank will continue to support Uganda's efforts to eliminate trade barriers that are hindering her export potential, the Country Manager, Ms Grace Yabrudy, has said. The Monitor / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: Crime, Inflation Batter Business Confidence

Confidence in SA's economy is under mounting pressure, with an uncertain economic outlook and concerns about crime darkening the mood of both business and economists. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

Southern Africa: SADC's Economy Expected to Grow to 6 Percent This Year

The Secretary General of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Tomaz Augusto Salomao, has disclosed that the regional bloc's average real GDP increase to 5% in 2005 up from 4.1% in 2004. The average growth rate is projected to expand from 5% to 6% in 2006. "This is very important. As you know, we are a region of more than 230 million people with a regional GDP of over US$230 billion," said Salomao in South Africa recently. In general, the economic activity in the region has continued to increase despite some disparities amongst member states, he said.  Namibia Economist / http:/r/allafrica.com

South Africa: Surprise MTN Move to Boost Nigerian Stake

MTN is spending $348,9m to bump up its shareholding in MTN Nigeria by buying out some of the minority investors. It will pay $287,8m in cash and issue 6-million shares in the parent company to take an extra 6,98% in the Nigerian subsidiary, giving it an 81,87% share. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

Kenya: Turnover Hits Sh1 Billion Mark

Turnover at the Nairobi Stock Exchange soared to a historic high of Sh1 billion on a volume of 10.5 million shares. The East African Standard / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: AngloGold in R2,1 Billion Staff Share Scheme

Gold miner AngloGold Ashanti has increased its black empowerment shareholding to 26% by relinquishing the equivalent of 2,6% of its shares to employees and a black consortium.  Business Day / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: Mittal Rattles Market With 7.5 Percent Price Hike

South African steel consumers face yet another price hike after steel maker Mittal Steel SA said yesterday it would increase prices by up to 7,5% on some flat and long steel products. Economists warned that the increases would feed into producer prices and would almost certainly fuel inflation. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

Uganda: Power Tariffs to Rise By 1,100 Percent

Uganda's electricity tariffs could rise by about 1,100 per cent as the government rolls out more thermal power plants to address the current energy crisis, says an expert report prepared by Ministry of Energy officials.  The East African / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: Fighting Corruption, the Celtel Way: Lessons from the Frontline

If you "google" corruption and Africa you get over 25 million hits. Such is the scale of the problem. Yet Celtel is a success story from the poorest and, according to Transparency International rankings, the most corrupt part of the world - sub Saharan Africa. Vanguard / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: 35 Chinese Companies to Participate in Lekki Free Trade Zone

About 35 Chinese companies have indicated interest to participate in the proposed Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ). Executive Secretary, LFTZ Implementation Committee, Chief Oyewola Oworu, disclosed this while addressing the press at the Investors Forum for the Zone held last week in Lagos.  Vanguard / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: HIV/Aids Coalition to Focus On Small Firms

The South African Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (Sabcoha) is to place greater emphasis on small businesses, ensuring that they implement programmes for their employees to tackle the disease, according to its CEO, Brad Mears. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

Tourism investor Awards for Africa launched at Toursim2006 Conference in Namibia

Following the success of the annual Africa investor Awards, dubbed the 'Business Oscars', Africa investor is launching the first ever 'Tourism investor Awards' to profile and celebrate investments in the fastest growing tourism market in the world - Africa.  Africa Practice Press Release / http://allafrica.com