UK: Government Publishes Response to Parliamentary Private Sector Report

The UK Parliament’s International Development Committee published its Report on Private Sector Development on 23 July 2006. The Government Response to the Report has now been received and will be published on Monday 16 October at 11.00 am.  International Development Committee

Seeing Africa in a new light

By this time next year, global perceptions of Africa could be changing radically as two major new international television stations project a different image of the continent and provide African viewers with a global context to better understand global forces and seek advantage for the continent in trade, investment and tourism.  Google News / International Marketing Council of South Africa

Trade Still Prime Engine for Prosperity in Africa, Official Says

International trade is still one of the best ways to lift Africa from poverty into prosperity and political stability, says Christopher Moore, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for trade policy and programs. United States Department of State / http://allafrica.com

Leaders to Debate Strategies for Growth

Africa is experiencing one of its strongest growth periods ever but the continent is still plagued with war, sickness, famine and corrupt, despotic leaders in many nations. The time has come for dramatic change. A globalised world waits for no country, region or continent not determined to be successful. Business in Africa / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: Budget of Consolidation

President Obasanjo presented his final Budget to Nigerian lawmakers this week.  Daily Champion / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: Hostile Environment Hampers Investment in Nigeria - Former Minister of Finance

Former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has charged Nigerians to stand up and speak boldly on issues relating to Nigeria's economy, saying that hostile environment have hindered private investment in the country. This Day / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: Banks raise lending rates

First National Bank, Nedbank, Absa and Standard Bank have all announced a 50 basis points increase in their lending rates to 12 percent following the Reserve Bank's decision to raise the repo rate by 50 basis points to 8.5 percent. iAfrica.com

SA's economy 'is looking worrying'

SA's medium-term outlook is very 'worrying', investment house Lehman Brothers said on Tuesday.  iAfrica.com

Uganda: Museveni, IMF Team Discuss Growth Rate

There is a need to boost electricity generation, railway transport and reduction of interest rates to attain a higher economic growth rate, President Yoweri museveni has said.  New Vision / http://allafrica.com

Ghana to Become Africa's Financial Hub

The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Kwadwo Baah Wiredu has disclosed that the government is working to position Ghana as the financial hub in the sub-region before it's term of office ends.  Accra Mail / http://allafrica.com

Uganda: DFCU Boosts SMEs

DFCU Limited has received credit worth sh22b from the European Investment Bank to lend to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).  New Vision / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: Shell Shuts in 12000 BPD, As Militants Take 60 Hostage

Restive youths have forcefully seized a flow station belonging to Anglo-Dutch oil major, Shell, in the Bayelsa area of the Niger Delta region holding 60 staff and contractors hostage, Shell said yesterday. This Day / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: Mining royalties slashed in bill

Cabinet on Wednesday approved the second draft Mineral and Petroleum Resource Royalty Bill for another round of consultation before its tabling in parliament in 2007.  iAfrica.com

Botswana's airline to be privatised

Botswana's national airline will most likely be the first-ever government-owned entity to be privatised in the country with SA Airlink one of the bidders. iAfrica.com

South Africa: S&P Rates SA Banks Healthy Ahead of Rate Hikes

As South Africans prepare for their third interest rate hike this year, with more rises likely in the months ahead, global ratings agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) says South African banks are in a better position than ever before to weather rising interest rates and worsening economic conditions. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

Kenya: Stanchart Buys 25 P.C. Stake in First Africa

Standard Chartered Bank has finalised the acquisition of a 25-per cent stake in First Africa business. The Nation / http://allafrica.com

Lonrho on African buying spree

Lonrho Africa has acquired 49 percent of the shares in Kenyan airline Five Forty Aviation (Fly540) and a stake in Luba Freeport in Equatorial Guinea.  iAfrica.com

Mittal goes shopping in Mozambique

Mittal Steel South Africa (Mittal) has bought two steel mills in Mozambique to grow its sub-Saharan presence, the company said on Friday.  iAfrica.com

South Africa: Naspers' Bekker among E&Y finalists

Professional services group Ernst & Young named the nine finalists who will vie with one another to grab the titles of South Africa's 'Best' and 'Emerging' Entrepreneur.  iAfrica.com

Bio-fuels to power wireless networks

The MTN Group, the GSM Association and Ericsson have teamed up to establish bio-fuels as an alternative source of power for wireless networks in the developing world.  iAfrica.com