World Bank Study Urges Africa Trade With Asia

Africa should embrace growing trade relations between the continent and Asian giants China and India, the World Bank says. http://allafrica.com

Oil to fuel growth in Africa

Average annual economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa will accelerate to 5.9 percent over 2007 from a forecast 4.8 percent in 2006, the International Monetary Fund says in its regional economic forecast released on Saturday. It was 5.6 percent in 2005. The increased growth will be fuelled largely by improvements in the oil producing countries of the region — forecast to be up to an average 10.1 percent from 5.6 percent in 2006 (an actual 7.8 percent in 2005). iAfrica.com

Africa seeing 'robust investments'

Robust investment activity on the African continent is a powerful indicator of the level of interest in the potential the continent has to offer, professional services firm Ernst & Young said in a statement on Thursday. iAfrica.com

Reforms Earning Countries Higher Incomes, World Bank Reports

Countries that invest in reforming their government can expect significant development gains and increased per capita incomes, the World Bank says. http://allafrica.com

'Better lives for third world farmers'

World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz urged the United States on Tuesday to cut agricultural subsidies and better the lives of third world farmers as the IMF warned of growing protectionist sentiment. iAfrica.com

Mbeki slams rich nations

President Thabo Mbeki on Tuesday criticised the rich nations of the world for holding back global development through their "unequal relationship" with poor countries. iAfrica.com

Award-Winning Documentary Shows a New Africa

Africa Open for Business, the award-winning documentary shown on BBC and PBS, shows an Africa rarely seen in the media or taught in schools -- an Africa that works!  Africa Open for Business, features inspiring portraits of entrepreneurship across the continent, has now been released on DVD.  Press Release.

South Africa: Rand suffers biggest fall in 5 years

The rand's value plummeted by its largest quarterly decline since the end of 2001 — slumping by 16.2 percent in the second quarter of the year. iAfrica.com

South Africa: Zuma and the economy

As news of the dismissal of Jacob Zuma's corruption trial hit trading screens late on Wednesday morning, ripple effects were felt throughout the markets, from equities to the rand and indirectly bonds, but the litmus test to come will be how foreigners view the news. iAfrica.com

South Africa: Rates, Rand, Inflation Hit Consumer Spirit

Consumer confidence fell in the third quarter, hit by a changing economic climate, with prospects of further interest rate hikes, rising inflation and a weaker rand making consumers more cautious. http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: Investment Raises Market Value By N37 Billion

The value of the nation's stock market appreciated yesterday by N37 billion or 0.9 per cent, from N4.144 trillion to N4.181 trillion. http://allafrica.com

Kenya: Is It the End for Export Processing Zones?

Government yesterday conceded that export processing zones have outlived its usefulness.  http://allafrica.com

Zimbabwe: Rule of Law Vital to Economic Turnaround - IMF Official

The rule of law is vital to getting Zimbabwe's economy back on track, according to a senior International Monetary Fund (IMF) official. http://allafrica.com

Zimbabwe: Inflation Could Reach 4,000 Percent Next Year – IMF

Inflation will reach 4 279 percent in Zimbabwe next year, a senior International Monetary Fund official has forecast. http://allafrica.com

Namibia: New Law Sparks Shock And Fear

A provision in new labour legislation set to be tabled in Parliament soon has sent shock waves through Namibia's business sector. http://allafrica.com

East Africa: Four Villages Receive $100 Million to Fight Poverty

Two villages in Kenya, a third in Tanzania and a fourth in Uganda will share a $100 million aid investment. http://allafrica.com

SA, Airbus in research deal

South Africa and European group EADS, the makers of Airbus, signed an agreement on Thursday to join hands for the development of new aerospace technologies. iAfrica.com

Business 'should do more' on Aids

The private sector should take greater responsibility for looking after HIV-positive employees and unions should lobby for this, Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said on Tuesday. iAfrica.com

Namibia: Old Mutual Defends Its BEE Deal

The Old Mutual Group has hit back at critics of its recent Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) deal, saying it makes no apologies whatsoever for selecting the partners it chose. http://allafrica.com

Financial Times to support training for African journalists

A new facility is to be launched at the Nation Media Group for training journalists from other African countries. This will have the support of the Financial Times and training input from the United Nations-affiliated University for Peace (UPEACE).  This is just one of the initiatives that came out from a recent Nairobi conference on Africa’s newsmedia.  Press release.