G4 setback requires new route to WTO deal

Trade negotiators were forced to look for a new path on Friday to reach an elusive world trade deal after a meeting between four major trading partners ended in failure. africa.reuters.com

US tries to see positives in trade talks collapse

The Bush administration is billing the collapse of world trade talks this week as good news for its drive to renew negotiating powers in Congress, but it is not clear that U.S. lawmakers will see things that way. africa.reuters.com

Oxfam Suggests Benefit in Africa if U.S. Cuts Cotton Subsidies

Eliminating federal subsidies to American cotton growers could modestly improve the incomes of millions of poor cotton farmers in Africa, a new study suggests. The New York Times

Africa must seal new trade deals with EU  - Michel

African countries must agree new trade deals with Europe by the end of the year or risk losing valuable commerce, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel said on Friday. africa.reuters.com

China charms the critics of its Africa business strategy

Stung by criticism that it was out to exploit Africa, China mounted a public relations offensive at this year's World Economic Forum (WEF) Africa summit. 2007 Business Report / Centre for Chinese Studies

Africa Should Nurture Relationship With Asia - WEF

Africa should nurture its relationship with Asia, particularly China and India, and optimise the benefits of doing so while also managing the challenges of these new cultural and economic ties. BuaNews / http://allafrica.com

Infrastructure, Finance Key to Africa's Competitiveness

A new joint report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), World Bank and African Development Bank (ADB) took stock of African competitiveness and concluded that African businesses can become far more competitive, but African governments and their international partners would need to improve access to finance, rebuild infrastructure and strengthen institutions. This Day / http://allafrica.com

Zambia: Levy's Mission to Woo Investors Bearing Fruit

President Mwanawasa is on a mission to sell Zambia's vast investment potential in developing the country. The Times of Zambia / http://allafrica.com

Ghana 'will be an African tiger'
Ghana's president welcomes the discovery of a major oil deposit, saying Ghana will become an "African tiger". bbc.co.uk

Kenya: Country Has Best Business Infrastructure, Says World Bank

Kenya has the best infrastructure for setting up of business compared to Uganda and Tanzania, a World Bank survey says. East African Standard / http://allafrica.com

East Africa trade bloc expanded

Rwanda and Burundi join the East African Community, freeing them from customs tariffs within the region. bbc.co.uk

East Africa: Region Fastest Growing Mobile Market

The East African region is on the world map of the fastest growing mobile phone market. The Nation / http://allafrica.com

Uganda: Private Sector Actors Applaud New Budget

The Private Sector Foundation of Uganda has commended Finance Minister Dr Ezra Suruma for his new Budget, which they said reflects the government's vision to forge a successful public-private sector partnership to position the private sector as the country's engine of economic growth. The Monitor / http://allafrica.com

Southern Africa: SADC Moves Closer to Regional Integration

Tariffs and trade barriers at borders in southern Africa will fall away as regional integration gathers momentum, with a free trade area (FTA) being introduced from January next year. The Namibian / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: Country's Vibrant Capital Market

The Nigerian capital market is, arguably, in one of its most robust periods ever. With the recapitalisation campaign of many companies especially in the banking industry, the awareness so created has led to greater participation of the public in share acquisition. Thus, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) is now among the country's vigorous institutions. This Day / http://allafrica.com

US predicts Mugabe ousting

Economic meltdown will force President Robert Mugabe from power the US ambassador to Zimbabwe predicts. bbc.co.uk

Starbucks in Ethiopia coffee vow

Starbucks agrees a wide-ranging accord with Ethiopia to promote its coffees, ending a long-running disagreement. bbc.co.uk

Kenya: UK Retailer Ups Imports From Country By 10 Percent

|Marks & Spencer (M&S), the UK's leading retailer, says that the amount of produce it sources from Kenya grew by over 10 per cent in 2006/7, driven in part by record sales of Kenyan flowers in M&S stores. The Nation / http://allafrica.com

SAB goes large for youth, BEE

South African Breweries has reported commercial equity spend of some R1.96-billion with a key focus being new black suppliers as well as a youth entrepreneurship project. iafrica.com

Southern Africa: Brewery Eyes Southern Africa's Market

The country's only brewer, Namibia Breweries, plans to consolidate its position on the southern African market by expanding its presence into neighbouring countries, improving its brand and investing in its plant, managing director Olusegun Adebanji told the Economist this week. Namibian Economist / http://allafrica.com