AU Chair Calls for Pan African Infrastructure Fund

Chair of the African Union (AU), Ghanaian President John Kufuor has called on his fellow African leaders to back the starting up of the Pan African Fund for infrastructure development. BuaNews / http://allafrica.com

Idea Lab: Reverse Foreign Aid

Historically, the global balance sheet has favored poor countries. But with the advent of globalized markets, capital began to move in the other direction, and the South now exports capital to the North, at a skyrocketing rate. According to the United Nations, in 2006 the net transfer of capital from poorer countries to rich ones was $784 billion, up from $229 billion in 2002. (In 1997, the balance was even.) Even the poorest countries, like those in sub-Saharan Africa, are now money exporters. The New York Times

Continent Needs Promised Aid to Achieve MDGs - CS

Africa must receive aid promised to it by the international development partners, particularly the G8 countries, so the continent can attain its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), African Civil Society Organizations urged on Thursday. The Daily Monitor / http://allafrica.com

Chinese Investment Important for Africa's Growth

The New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) Secretariat says Chinese investment and its huge infrastructure projects in Africa are a development opportunity for the continent, Sub-Saharan Informer reported on Friday. Daily Trust / http://allafrica.com

Slave trade shameful - Blair

PM Tony Blair is to recall the UK's "shameful role" in the African slave trade, on the bicentenary of abolition. bbc.co.uk

Doha talks can continue without US fast-track - WTO

The World Trade Organization's troubled Doha round of free-trade talks will go ahead even if the White House's fast-track trade negotiation powers are not renewed, WTO chief Pascal Lamy said on Friday. africa.reuters.com

Poor nations mull trade strategy

Poor countries meet in Indonesia to discuss proposals they say would make a fairer global trade system. bbc.co.uk

Africa leaders seek streamlined investment push

African leaders seeking to buttress growth in the continent's economy set a 12-month timetable on Wednesday for reducing red tape and duplication in Africa's push for foreign investment. africa.reuters.com

IBLF Report: Regional employee engagement approaches to meet regional challenges

This International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF) report deatils how company employee initiatives are helping increase access to education, water, health, and housing. Case studies are given on Abbott, Anglo American, Cisco, Citigroup, GE, Nestlé, Reuters, Shell, and Standard Chartered. business-humanrights.org

Opening of Alcan Prize for Sustainability 2007

The US$1 million Alcan Prize for Sustainability 2007, in partnership with IBLF, is awarded to any not-for-profit, civil society or non-governmental organization based anywhere in the world that is demonstrating a comprehensive approach to addressing, achieving and further advancing economic, environmental and/or social sustainability. To enter or nominate go to www.alcanprizeforsustainability.com or contact Leesa Muirhead.

East Africa: EAC Moves to Promote Exports to EU

Regional counterparts Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania have embarked on a strategic campaign to develop and promote the export sector in the East African Community. The Monitor / http://allafrica.com

SA's economic freedom ranked third

South Africa has the third freest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa and is ranked 52nd most-free in the world, the 2007 Index of Economic Freedom has found. iafrica.com

Zambia’s Leader Urges New Approach on Zimbabwe

President Levy Mwanawasa of Zambia urged southern Africa to take a new approach to Zimbabwe, which he compared to a “sinking Titanic.” The New York Times

Namibia: Country Set to Become Uranium Giant

Rössing Uranium, a member of the Rio Tinto Group, says Namibia is going to produce 10 percent of the world's primary production of uranium by 2012 with the mineral now fetching a premium on global markets. New Era / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: IFC Grants $50 Million Loan to UBA

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, yesterday, announced a $50 million convertible loan to the United Bank for Africa (UBA) in what appears to be a reflection of growing confidence in the Nigeria economy. Vanguard / http://allafrica.com

Botswana: Local Enterprise Authority Launched

The Local Enterprise Authority (LEA), which is mandated to play a pivotal role in the transformation of Botswana's economy through promotion and facilitation of sustainable entrepreneurship and enterprise development, was officially launched this week. The Voice / http://allafrica.com

Ethiopia: Starbucks Asked to Honour Coffee Pledge

The international advocacy group Oxfam is taking on U.S. coffee retailer Starbucks over the chain's reluctance to grant Ethiopian coffee farmers the right to control their coffee trademarks, something the company has promised to do earlier this year. Inter Press Service / http://allafrica.com

Liberia: Hasten the Review of Mittal Steel, President Urges Legislature

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has urged the national legislature to hasten the process of the Mittal Steel Mineral Agreement now before that body. She said the agreement has a lot of implications for jobs, business activities and the country's economic expansion. The Analyst / http://allafrica.com

Rwanda: Country, Google Sign Software Deal

Rwanda has entered into a software deal with Google Inc. International to ease information and communication system for Rwandan students and civil servants. The New Times / http://allafrica.com

S.Africa's Telkom buys 75% of Nigeria's Multi-links

South African fixed-line operator Telkom has bought 75 percent of Nigeria's Multi-links for $280 million to expand further outside its home base, the firm said on Thursday. africa.reuters.com