Africa Enterprise Challenge fund

The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund aims to stimulate private sector entrepreneurs in Africa to innovate and find profitable ways of improving access to markets and the way markets function for the poor, particularly in rural areas. It will do this by offering grants, matched by private sector contributions, to innovative business ideas which encourage greater participation of poor people in markets – as consumers, workers or entrepreneur

China: Good or Evil in Africa?

China is transforming Africa, for good and ill. The United States and other traditional trading and aid partners of Africa need to pay closer attention than they are, and with Africans craft bold new policies that welcome Chinese investment and trade but condemn the taking of African jobs and the destruction of African industries. Harvard University Policy Brief

What Does Africa Need Most: Technology or Aid?

There’s an ideological conflict between those who believe that Africa needs better aid and those who think entrepreneurialism and technology will lift the continent. The New York Times

Africa policy making improving - World Bank official

Africa is becoming a more attractive investment destination as governments pursue economic and political reforms that are firing up their economies, business executives and bankers say. africa.reuters.com

'I will focus on Africa' - Zoellick

Robert Zoellick, the United States nominee to head the World Bank, has said that if confirmed in the job, he would continue outgoing bank President Paul Wolfowitz's "focus on Africa programme". iafrica.com

African economy grows fast

Africa's economy will grow faster this year, but changes are still needed for it to catch up with the rest of the world. bbc.co.uk

Economic Growth 'Is a Political Task'

Economic growth was not an economic challenge but a political challenge of building consensus for processes that took a long time and required high levels of saving, Nobel laureate in economics Michael Spence told the World Economic Forum yesterday. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

New UN Fund Launched to Boost Rural Businesses

The United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) today announced the launch of a new fund that is designed to help Africa's rural poor by providing grants to innovative new businesses. UN News Service / http://allafrica.com

S.Africa strike takes toll on economy, inflation

South Africa's civil service strike has crippled state institutions and may cost the economy billions of rands, while the impact of higher wages could push up inflation and interest rates. africa.reuters.com

East Africa budgets tackle infrastructure, poverty

Observers broadly welcomed east Africa's three budgets on Friday, saying they all tackled priority areas like infrastructure and poverty alleviation. africa.reuters.com

Zambia president to discuss mine tax with investors

Zambia President Levy Mwanawasa will personally negotiate proposed tax increases in mineral royalty and corporate taxes with foreign copper mining firms, state media reported on Friday. africa.reuters.com

SA breaks economic records - Mbeki

Economic growth in South Africa is breaking historical records, President Thabo Mbeki has said, with the economy growing for eight solid years — the longest in SA's recorded history. iafrica.com

Tanzania GDP growth seen at 7.3 pct in 2007

Tanzania's economy is expected to grow by 7.3 percent in 2007, up from a stronger than expected 6.2 percent in 2006, a planning ministry survey showed on Thursday. africa.reuters.com

South Africa: Country Less Competitive Globally, Says WEF

SA has slid down a high-profile scale of global competitiveness over the past two years, but is still ranked ahead of many other important emerging economies, including China, Russia and Brazil, a report from the World Economic Forum (WEF) showed yesterday. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

Uganda: U.S. Gives Govt $10 Million for War on Corruption

President Museveni has toughened his talk on corruption saying that every public servant keen on pilfering public resources must now expect severe repercussions. The Monitor / http://allafrica.com

Angola says close to signing economic deal with US

Angola and the United States are close to signing an agreement that would strengthen commercial ties between the former Cold War foes, Angola's ambassador to the U.S. was quoted saying on Monday. africa.reuters.com

Kenya: World Bank Funds Broadband

The World Bank has extended a grant of US$114.4 million (Ksh7.9 billion) to boost high speed broadband internet connectivity in three African countries. East African Business Week / http://allafrica.com

SA magazine launched in UK

A brand new magazine focusing on South Africa has been launched in the UK — set to focus on business people, property owners and potential investors. iafrica.com

Standard Chartered Bank Puts Global Health Initiative Guidelines into Practice

Standard Chartered Bank is ramping up its HIV/AIDS programme across Africa to include small and medium size business enterprises (SMEs). The Bank is implementing best practices developed by the Global Health Initiative (GHI) of the World Economic Forum. WEF Press Release

IFC Investment Helps Improve and Expand MTC-Celtel Mobile Services in Five African Countries

IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, today announced that it will provide financing to five subsidiaries of Celtel International B.V. to help expand and upgrade the company's fast-growing mobile networks in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, Sierra Leone, and Uganda. International Finance Corporation / http://allafrica.com