World Bank Reports Progress in Sub-Saharan Africa

After enduring decades of economic collapse and stagnation, many countries in sub-Saharan Africa have turned a corner and are now growing economically, according to a report released by the World Bank. nytimes.com

Paulson urges Africa to reform to maintain growth

U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said on Friday that Africa was successfully moving toward greater market-driven growth but must push for reforms to spread the wealth more fairly. africa.reuters.com

Poorest lack adequate financing - World Bank

In some of the world's poorest countries less than half the population has a bank account and in most of Africa only one in five people has access to financial services, a new World Bank report said on Tuesday. africa.reuters.com

US defends its cotton subsidies

A senior US official defends Washington's big subsidies to its cotton farmers, on a trip to Burkina Faso. bbc.co.uk

Developing countries say farming central to WTO deal

Opening up rich countries' farm markets is crucial for a deal on world trade, and the Doha round of trade talks will not succeed without agreement on agriculture, developing countries said on Thursday. africa.reuters.com

U.S. Business Leader Calls for Private-Public Sector Dialogue

Dialogue between the public and private sectors in Africa is not only more possible but more necessary than ever before, Maurice Tempelsman, chairman of the board of directors of the Corporate Council on Africa, told the opening of the CCA's U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Cape Town, South Africa. Tempelsman is also chairman of Lazare Kaplan International Inc., a diamond cutting and polishing company. Corporate Council on Africa / http://allafrica.com

E.Africa bloc agrees interim deal with EU

The five members of the East African Community (EAC) bloc have agreed a temporary trade deal with the European Union before a preferential pact expires next month, a senior Kenyan trade official said on Friday. africa.reuters.com

S.Africa rejects US criticism on China investment

The United States should review the investments of its own companies before criticising African countries for accepting inflows from China, South Africa's trade minister said on Friday. africa.reuters.com

Nigeria: Country Has Stronger Tax System - The Economist

The London-Based news magazine, The Economst has given a positive verdict on Nigerian's tax system, affirming the system is now stronger than ever before. This Day / http://allafrica.com

Poor S Africans double in decade

The number of South Africans living on less than $1 a day has more than doubled in a decade. bbc.co.uk

Southern Africa: EU to Open its Market to Region

The European Union (EU) will open up its market on a duty-free basis for products from countries in the Eastern and Southern African (ESA) region from 1 January 2008. BuaNews / http://allafrica.com

Ghana: Country Has Revolutionalized Her Investment Laws

The government of Ghana has put in place measures in creating an enabling business environment in the country with economic growth of the country accelerated steadily from 3.7% n 2000 to 6.2% in 2006. Ghanaian Chronicle / http://allafrica.com

IMF ready to cancel Liberia debt

The IMF says it has sufficient funding pledged to provide Liberia with comprehensive debt relief. bbc.co.uk

Congo signs deal cancelling 80 pct London Club debt

The "London Club" of private sector creditors signed a deal with Congo Republic on Thursday cancelling 80 percent of debts owed it by the oil-producing central African country, a London Club representative said. africa.reuters.com

Uganda: Ugandan Wins BBC Young Entrepreneurship Award

How often do you think of a solution that could save Ugandans from long hours of darkness at a relatively cheaper price? New Vision / http://allafrica.com

Unilever looks to clean up in Africa

The handwashing project is a far from conventional public-private partnership, especially for Africa, where mutual suspicion between the public and private sectors is magnified by the often conflicting views on how to tackle the continent's ills. ft.com

Kenya: Safaricom Wraps Internet Deal

A deal between Safaricom and leading search engine Google, has the potential to boost the number of internet users in Kenya to 4.4 million. The Nation / http://allafrica.com

Govt not behind Johncom bid - Mbeki

President Thabo Mbeki has denied that the government is behind the Koni Media Holdings' bid to buy media giant Johncom, the SABC reported on Sunday. iafrica.com

Lonrho plans aggressive African airline expansion

Diversified investment group Lonrho Plc will aggressively expand its new Africa airline to offer quality air travel throughout the continent, Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey White said on Thursday. africa.reuters.com

Kenya: French Firm Wins Telkom Deal

A consortium led by France Telecom offered Sh26.1 billion ($390 million) to beat two competitors to a 51 per cent stake in Telkom Kenya. The Nation/ http://allafrica.com