China’s Influence in Africa Arouses Some Resistance

China is frequently seen within Africa as coveting the continent for its oil, gold and other valuable minerals and as a dumping ground for cheap Chinese goods. The New York Times

Loans - China And World Bank Blamed

A British minister has criticised the way China and the World Bank are lending money to African countries. The Nation / http://allafrica.com

World Bank's MIGA Sees Investment Potential in Key Sectors

Sub-Saharan Africa is becoming a more attractive and hospitable destination for investors, according to a new report-Snapshot Africa-released by the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), a private sector arm of the World Bank Group. Accra Mail / http://allafrica.com

Bid to create market for vaccines

The UK and other nations are to set up a fund to speed the development of new vaccines for poorer countries. bbc.co.uk

AU Summit: Decision on Climate Change and Development in Africa

The Assembly takes note of the Report of the Commission on Climate Change and Development in Africa and expresses grave concern on the vulnerability of Africa’s socio-economic and productive systems to climate change and variability and to the continent’s low mitigation and response capacities.

As Inflation Soars, Zimbabwe Economy Plunges

Hyperinflation has bankrupted the government, left 8 in 10 citizens destitute and decimated factories and farms. The New York Times

Zambia: Levy, Jintao Unveil New Economic Zone

President Mwanawasa has called for closer partnership between Chinese and Zambian investors as a way of promoting the citizens' empowerment policy initiated by his Government. The Times of Zambia / http://allafrica.com

Uganda: Country Picked to Chair WTO Africa Group

Uganda is to chair the Africa Group of World Trade Organisation (WTO) countries in the ongoing trade talks. The Monitor / http://allafrica.com

Home-grown building an instant success 

It is no secret that the South African government is struggling to provide houses for the masses. The housing department says there is a backlog of about 2, 4 million houses, despite construction of almost the same number since 1994. However, a home-grown “instant housing” technology is being used successfully in a number of countries, and questions have been raised because it is not being used in local mass construction projects. http://businessday.co.za

East Africa: Manufacturers Decry High Cost of Doing Business in EAC

The cost of doing business in East Africa remains high compared to South Africa and Mauritius which are rated 29 and 32 respectively globally, according to the Kenya Association of Manufacturers' (KMA) Competitiveness Benchmark report. East African Business Week / http://allafrica.com

Liberia: IFC Sees Improved Business Opportunities

Liberia's efforts to revitalize its economy have laid the groundwork for the IFC to pursue new opportunities for private business growth, said IFC Executive Vice President, Lars Thunell during his recent visit to Monrovia. The Inquirer / http://allafrica.com

Ethiopia: Country Determined to Join WTO - Director General

Ethiopia has taken the first key steps to become the World Trade Organization's (WTO) 151st member, Reuters quoted officials as saying Tuesday. The Ethiopian Herald / http://allafrica.com

Angola: Local Firms Vie for Oil Money

As oil production in Angola continues to rise, local firms are trying to get more out of the sector that has single-handedly boosted the economy but done little to redress social imbalances. UN Integrated Regional Information Networks / http://allafrica.com

Ethiopia: World Bank, National Bank Launch USD 15 mln Project

Vice Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), Alemseged Assefa, and Mr. Ishac Diwan, the World Bank Country Director for Ethiopia, Thursday launched a USD 15 million financial sector capacity building project that seeks to strengthen the financial system and increase access to finance for the private sector. The Reporter / http://allafrica.com

De Beers to create black-run firm

De Beers and the South African government unveil plans to create a new, black-run diamond mining firm. bbc.co.uk

Ethiopia: Starbucks Donates USD 500,000 to Coffee Growing Regions

CARE, the international humanitarian and development organization, announced Thursday that it has received a commitment in excess of USD 500,000 from Starbucks to help fund a three-year program that will improve economic and educational prospects for more than 6,000 people in rural Ethiopia's coffee growing regions. The Reporter / http://allafrica.com

Rwanda: MTN to Invest $80 Million Over 5 Years

MTN has pledged to invest US$80 million over five years and to improve on its corporate social responsibility in the country. "I think we have made some corporate social responsibility and I think in some instances, you cannot go all the way. The New Times / http://allafrica.com

Uganda: USAID Dunavant Boost Cotton Production

Cotton production is set to increase in northern Uganda following a partnership between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Dunavant Uganda. New Vision / http://allafrica.com

Liberia: President Speaks Highly of Mittal Steel Contract

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has expressed optimism that the Mittal Steel agreement would yield significant progress for Liberia outlining some of the many benefits that the nation stands to reap from the company's operation. The Inquirer / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: British Airline Distrusts Airport Security

British Airways has hired its own security to guard its longhaul aircraft at Cape Town International Airport, it has been revealed in the wake of an incident in which a Cape Flats teenager stowed away in the wheel housing of a Boeing 747. Cape Argus / http://allafrica.com