Tories pledge $1bn a year to wipe out malaria

The Conservatives will today make their first significant pitch on international aid by unveiling plans to spend $1bn (£510m) a year on malaria treatment until the disease is eradicated worldwide. The Guardian

Sachs Links Poverty to Malaria

Elimination of malaria and supply of inputs to farmers would be the most effective tools in the fight against poverty, a UN official has said. The Nation / http://allafrica.com

Growth Prospects Strong in the Next 25 Years - World Bank

Globalization could spur faster growth in average incomes in the next 25 years than during 1980-2005, with developing countries playing a central role. However, unless managed carefully, it could be accompanied by growing income inequality and potentially severe environmental pressures, predicts the World Bank. Ghanaian Chronicle / http://allafrica.com

African Fast Economic Growth Not Enough to Achieve MDGs - UN

Though the African economy is expected to grow by 5.6 per cent in 2007, the same pace as 2006, and with the same momentum over the past three years, it remains insufficient to achieve the MDGs, UN said. The Ethiopian Herald / http://allafrica.com

German President Attacks Europe's Experts On Africa

German Federal President Mr Horst Kohler has lambasted experts from Europe who are took quick to come to Africa with their own ready-made concepts, to attract funding from donors. The East African Standard / http://allafrica.com

Continent Leads World Tourism Growth

Africa, led by Kenya and South Africa is expected to top world tourism growth, which is expected to record an upward swing this year, according to figures released by the authoritative United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). The East African / http://allafrica.com

Uganda: Uganda Off Devt Track - Prof. Sachs

Veteran economist Jeffrey Sachs yesterday offered a grim assessment of Uganda's progress towards the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) achievement but added that hope can be found in the huge improvements made in Ruhiira village. The Monitor / http://allafrica.com

Ethiopia: Ethiopia's Efforts to Join WTO Encouraging - Director General

The World Trade Organization (WTO) Director General said the activities launched by Ethiopia to be member of the WTO were encouraging.  The Ethiopian Herald / http://allafrica.com

Big boost for Guinea minerals

Guinea's largest ever foreign direct investment should bring greater wealth to both its corporate backers and the country's people. bbc.co.uk

Mozambique: Guebuza Urges Vietnamese Companies to Invest

Mozambican President Armando Guebuza on Wednesday urged Vietnamese companies to invest in Mozambique. Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: Small Steps And Giant Leaps for Small Business

New research into small business reveals a quantum leap between formal and informal business. The researchers set out to plot small businesses in Gauteng along a "continuum" of business sophistication, but instead found two very distinct plateaus: informal, low-turnover, minimal job-creating businesses, and businesses which achieve substantial turnovers and create jobs. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: U.S Opens Border to Shrimp From Nigeria

The United States of America has opened its boarders to allow for the importation of shrimps from Nigeria. Before now, shrimps exports from Nigeria are not allowed into the US because they are usually not harvested properly. Daily Trust / http://allafrica.com

Out of Africa: Cotton and Cash

A lucrative crop links African farmers and American companies. The New York Times

New $200m Africa fund

US banking giant Citigroup and private equity investor CDC team up to invest at least $200m in Africa. bbc.co.uk

Uganda: Battle of the Banks Looms As Nile is Sold to Barclays PLC for $23 Million

The single largest acquisition of a company in Uganda - the takeover by Barclays Bank Plc of Uganda's oldest privately owned bank, Nile Bank Ltd - has set the stage for what looks like the fiercest battle for the retail banking market ever seen in the country. The East African / http://allafrica.com

Uganda: MTN to Launch One Regional Network

Telecom firms MTN Uganda, Safaricom Kenya and Vodacom Tanzania will launch borderless services in the region this month. This follows the conclusion of talks that will help each of the telecom operators facilitate regional expansion. New Vision / http://allafrica.com

Africa: Two New Deals Signal Wider Investor Interest in Telecoms And Internet

Two recent announcements have signalled wider investment in Africa outside of new mobile licences: African Telecom's contested bid for African Lakes (owners of pan-African ISP Africa Online) and India's Flag Telecom announcing a global US1.5 billion investment in its international fibre network, part of which will include the Kenya to South Africa.  Balancing Act / http://allafrica.com

Uganda: UN Agency And Microsoft Team Up to Assist Rural Businesses

The UN body tasked with promoting sustainable industry unveiled a joint project with Microsoft today to support rural Ugandan enterprises through technology. UN News Service / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: Michelin Shuts Production in Nigeria

Foremost plantation operator and tyre manufacturer in Nigeria, Michelin has announced its decision to pull out from tire production at its plant in Port Harcourt. The Day / http://allafrica.com

Namibia: New Deal With De Beers Will Give Govt More Say

The signing of a new five-year diamond deal between Government and the world's biggest diamond group, De Beers, will take place on January 30 in Windhoek, The Namibian has learnt. The Namibian / http://allafrica.com