African corruption 'on the wane'

African nations have taken big strides in reducing corruption over the past 10 years, the World Bank says. bbc.co.uk

African Growth And Opportunity Act Creates Thousands of Jobs

Trade under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) continues to create tens of thousands of jobs that better the lives of countless Africans, a panel of trade experts told U.S. lawmakers at a congressional hearing. United States Department of State / http://allafrica.com

U.S. Development Body Promotes Small Business

The US African Development Foundation (USADF) is participating in the AGOA Forum as part of a concerted effort to increase its visibility and promote its development model focuses on investing in African small and medium enterprises (SMEs). USADF / http://allafrica.com

After Oil Boom, Continent Eyes Biofuels

While oil profits have flooded into countries such as Angola and Nigeria in recent decades, some African observers see new potential for the continent in the form of increasingly in-demand biofuels. Inter Press Service / http://allafrica.com

Continent's Energy Crisis to Take Centre Stage At Lisbon

Africa’s worsening energy situation would take centre stage at the revived (European Union (EU)-Africa Summit in December this year in Lisbon. Ghanaian Chronicle / http://allafrica.com

UK and Belgium boost revenue body for Uganda

The UK's Department for International Development (DFID) and the Belgian Kingdom have signed an agreement to jointly fund the implementation of the Uganda Revenue Authority's sh28b comprehensive modernisation plan launched in 2006. Humanitarian Development Program

Nigeria’s Ambition

After the chaos of the April elections, Nigeria, improbably, has another chance to exorcise old demons. But there remains the risk that its ruling class will end up exercising them instead. ft.com

SA firms hit by Zim clampdown

SA companies including Edgars and Nando's have had executives arrested in Zimbabwe for acting too slowly in cutting their prices by half, with economists predicting that Zimbabwe would grind to a standstill this week on depleted stocks. iafrica.com

SADC "disassociates" itself from Zimbabwe support reports

A southern Africa regional body has distanced itself from reports of a plan to use South Africa's rand currency to ease Zimbabwe's economic crisis, but said it was looking at ways to help the beleaguered country. africa.reuters.com

South Africa: Putin Promises Huge New Investment

Russian President Vladimir Putin began his historic visit to SA yesterday by announcing that Russian companies were poised to invest billions of rand in the country in areas such as mineral exploration, mining and the provision of nuclear fuel. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

Southern Africa: Trade Talk Deadline Closer, But EU And SADC Far Apart

Trade negotiations between Southern Africa and the European Union are progressing slowly and some sectors might not even be agreed on by the end of the year, when the signing of the trade agreement is to take place. The Namibian / http://allafrica.com

Zambia president vows to defend Chinese investments

Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has vowed to fight political opponents who try to limit or frustrate Chinese investments in the mineral-rich southern African nation, local media reported on Monday. africa.reuters.com

Kenya: Flower Exporters Launch New UK Market Campaign

Kenya has launched a new campaign to protect its UK market against attempts to block its products over environmental concerns. East African Standard / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: BEE Role in Private Equity Deals 'To Remain Strong'

Black investors are expected to shore up their influence and control of local private equity companies over the next 12 months, a survey by professional services firm Deloitte has revealed. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

In Poorer Nations, Cellphones Help Open Up Microfinancing

In countries where A.T.M.’s are few or nonexistent, cellphones are helping microlenders bring financial services to poor and remote areas. nytimes.com

Liberia: Mittal Steel Unveil Development Package

Mittal Steel-Liberia, the world's largest steel-producing company, which is expected to resume operations in the country, has for the first time unveiled a big development package for Liberia. The Inquirer / http://allafrica.com

Tunisia grants oil exploration permit to Shell

Tunisia has awarded an oil and gas exploration permit to an Anglo-Dutch Shell subsidiary, Shell Tunisia, government officials said on Friday. africa.reuters.com

South Africa: De Beers, Alrosa Agree to Explore Russia and Africa

The world's two biggest diamond producers, De Beers and Alrosa of Russia, yesterday formalised a joint exploration agreement they have been talking about for more than a year. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

MTN suspends Benin network

MTN has temporarily suspended its network in Benin due to the current regulatory uncertainty, after the group was hit by a massive backdated hike in licence fees. iafrica.com

Business Leaders Adopt Declaration on Responsible Practices

Hundreds of business leaders worldwide have pledged to comply with labour, human rights, environmental and anti-corruption standards in a wide-ranging declaration on making globalisation more beneficial to the world's people. BuaNews / http://allafrica.com