Gaps narrowing in WTO talks, but too slowly - Lamy

Gaps are narrowing in World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks on a global trade pact, but at too slow a pace, WTO chief Pascal Lamy said on Wednesday. africa.reuters.com

United Nations tackles sustainable bio-energy growth

The United Nations unveiled guidelines on Tuesday to tackle the rapidly growing bioenergy industry, which it warned could threaten the availability of adequate food supplies. africa.reuters.com

Continent Seeks More Access to European Markets

African countries have called on European nations to allow them more access to markets across the EU so as to improve the volume of African exports to those countries. Daily Trust / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: African Bank Creates Regional Fund

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has teamed up with investors to create a fund that would invest in large-scale infrastructure projects in Africa, including in energy, roads and water. This Day / http://allafrica.com

IMF Told to Clarify Aid to Continent

The Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called on the Fund to clarify its undertakings and to implement, communicate, and monitor them in a consistent manner on the issue of aid to Sub-Saharan Africa. This Day / http://allafrica.com

Clinton unveils Aids drugs deal

Former US President Bill Clinton unveils a deal with two Indian drugs firms to cheaply produce HIV/Aids drugs. bbc.co.uk

Labor Monitoring in Cambodia’s Garment Industry: Lessons for Africa

Cambodia’s garment industry and the challenges it has faced in implementing a pilot labor monitoring program instituted through a US-Cambodia bilateral trade agreement provide important lessons for other countries, particularly those in Africa, as they struggle to balance the demands of market competition with the protection of workers’ human rights.  business-humanrights.org

Zimbabwe to chair major UN body

Zimbabwe is elected to head the UN body on sustainable development, despite strong Western objections. bbc.co.uk

China appoints envoy for Darfur

China appoints an Africa envoy to focus on Sudan's Darfur region where it is accused of blocking moves to end the crisis. bbc.co.uk

Nigeria oil auction sees few bids

The departing Nigerian government auctions oil licences, but receives little attention from large western oil firms. bbc.co.uk

'Shock' at SA's uncompetitiveness

South African economists expressed shock on Thursday at a report showing the country dropping 12 places in global competitiveness rankings, partly due to discrimination in the workplace, unemployment and crime. iafrica.com

Nigeria: U.S. Faults Nigeria's Anti-Corruption Crusade

The anti-corruption drive of the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration received a knock yesterday as Nigeria failed to make the list of African countries that have met the criteria for receiving development assistance based on each country's demonstrated commitment to promoting good governance, generating economic growth and fighting corruption which undermines sustainable development. This Day / http://allafrica.com

Zim power cuts to 'boost economy'

Zimbabwe will cut power supply to selected residential areas for up to 10 hours daily in the coming months to meet higher demand from wheat farmers and boost the economy, an official has said. iafrica.com

Uganda: Museveni to Woo Commonwealth Investors

Industrialised Commonwealth countries should invest in their low developed counterparts to achieve development, President Yoweri Museveni has suggested. New Vision / http://allafrica.com

Angola: U.S. Must Strengthen Ties to Protect Strategic Energy and Security Interests

“Few African countries are more important to U.S. interests than Angola. The second-largest oil producer in Africa, Angola’s success or failure in transitioning from nearly thirty years of war toward peace and democracy has implications for the stability of the U.S. oil supply as well as the stability of central and southern Africa,” finds a Council-sponsored Independent Commission in a report produced by the Center for Preventive Action. Council on Foreign Relations / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: Finance for SMEs Needs Big Rethink

Access to finance for small businesses is an issue debated continuously by suppliers and users of risk capital, in SA as much as anywhere. What sets the South African situation apart is that the issue of access to funding is somewhat more complex, due to our history and the need for not only small and medium enterprise (SME) development, but also socioeconomic transformation. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

The Base of the Pyramid – Where Business Growth and the Needs of the Poor Converge

Following a recent consultation that IBLF held with support from McKinsey & Co and Unilever, IBLF has produced a set of guidelines and a series of case studies showing how companies can develop successful base of the pyramid products and services. iblf.org

Uganda: Starbucks Wants Premium Coffee

Top executives of Starbucks Coffee Company, the world's leading coffee processing firm, have arrived in the country to find ways of involving their company in the Ugandan coffee sector. The Monitor / http://allafrica.com

Burundi: U.S. Coffee Giant Starbucks Eyes Country

Burundi's coffee sector is expected to gain from an expanded export market and international exposure following the entry of giant US coffee buyer, Starbucks, into the market. The East African / http://allafrica.com

Coca-Cola Africa in move to spur development

Coca-Cola Africa Foundation, in partnership with Students in Free Enterprises, this week launched an ambitious programme to enrich communities through enterprises growth, a move aimed to spur development in the country. humandevelopmentprogram.org