World Bank Report Puts Agriculture at Core of Antipoverty Effort

A new World Bank report crystallizes an emerging view that foreign aid for agriculture is crucial to development. nytimes.com

World Bank Neglects African Farming, Study Says

A withering new internal report has found that the World Bank has long neglected African agriculture, one of the most important sectors in addressing chronic poverty. nytimes.com

Chinese 'new kids on the block' in Africa

Cash-rich China offers new opportunities for African development, but countries need to scrutinize Chinese loan terms carefully, Nigeria's finance minister said on Saturday. africa.reuters.com

Oil to boost sub-Saharan Africa economy, says IMF

Sub-Saharan African countries are enjoying their best period of sustained growth since independence as increasing commodity exports, especially oil, will lead the region to expand above 6 percent, the International Monetary Fund said. africa.reuters.com

IFC Empowers Women by Promoting Entrepreneurship, Job Creation, and Growth

Lars Thunell, IFC Executive Vice President and CEO, today emphasized IFC’s commitment to creating opportunities in business and access to jobs for women. Speaking at the USAID conference, “Empowering Women – Promoting Growth,” Thunell announced a groundbreaking initiative led by IFC and the World Bank’s Doing Business project. International Finance Corporation / http://allafrica.com

India, Brazil and South Africa Summit Meeting

The leaders of India, South Africa and Brazil ended a meeting in Pretoria with a demand to restructure the relationship between rich and developing nations. nytimes.com

Libya secures UN council posting

Libya is one of five countries to secure a coveted two-year term on the UN Security Council in a vote. bbc.co.uk

East Africa: World Bank's IFC to Finance EAC Small Medium Firms

East African financial markets will be the new financing vehicle for the region's small and medium enterprises in a new initiative. East African Business Week / http://allafrica.com

Kenya: EC Criticises Bid to Lock Out Country's Farm Produce

Kenyan fresh produce exporters have received a crucial backing in their battle against United Kingdom's retailers and environmental pressure groups over recently introduced concepts against climate change. Business Daily / http://allafrica.com

West Africa: EU Rejects Delay in WA Trade Talks

The EU has rejected a request from West Africa for a two-year extension of preferential trade terms but is offering flexibility in talks about a new deal, a European Commission official said on Wednesday. Vanguard / http://allafrica.com

US Senate panel backs divestment bill on Darfur

A U.S. Senate panel approved a bill on Wednesday that would protect investors from shareholder lawsuits if they pull money out of Sudan as a way of pressuring the regime to end violence in Darfur. africa.reuters.com

India PM pushes Nigeria trade

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh says he wants to "vastly expand and diversify" trade with Nigeria. bbc.co.uk

Mozambique pushes ahead with $5 billion refinery

Mozambique and U.S. firm Ayr Logistics have sealed a $5 billion deal for the construction of an oil refinery in the energy-hungry southern African nation, Mozambican officials said on Thursday. africa.reuters.com

Zambia: Mwanawasa Prescribes Corruption Panacea

President Levy Mwanawasa has called on the business community in the country to help in the anti-corruption crusade by engaging in good corporate practices and place themselves above dubious dealings. The Times of Zambia / http://allafrica.com

Poverty grows in Egypt despite rapid growth - UN

The proportion of Egyptians living in absolute poverty has risen despite relatively rapid economic growth this decade, the head of United Nations operations in Egypt said on Wednesday. africa.reuters.com

Liberia urges Norway to open up to African goods

The president of Liberia urged Norway on Monday to help reduce Liberia's international debt by opening its borders to more African imports and boosting investment in the Liberian private sector. africa.reuters.com

U.S. Soft Drink Company Teaches  Teens About Aids

Coca-Cola, the largest multinational company on the African continent, has long offered HIV/AIDS education and treatment to its workers. But in recent years, it has put its corporate clout behind attempts to stem the tide of HIV infections among the next generation of workers. United States Department of State / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: Leading Technology Distributor Plans Forum for Small Businesses

Small and medium size business operators in Nigeria are to learn new and modern techniques capable of helping their businesses grow, as leading technology distributor, Hewlett Packard HP is organising a forum where experts, both local and international, will speak on challenges facing the sub sector. This Day / http://allafrica.com

S.Africa govt says supports Telkom and MTN talks

The South African government said on Wednesday it supported current discussions between fixed line operator Telkom and mobile group MTN. africa.reuters.com

Hunt for growth takes Singapore Telecom to Africa

Singapore Telecommunications is now hunting for high-growth assets far beyond its traditional grounds in Asia, having spent over $12 billion in acquisitions closer to home in recent years. africa.reuters.com